Solwise Piggy 6 multi-device powerline network adaptor [printer-friendly] • reghardware

Original URL: http://www.reghardware.com/2009/04/28/review_networking_solwise_vesanet_piggy_6/

Solwise Piggy 6 multi-device powerline network adaptor

Help gadgets get their snouts in the mains broadband trough

28th April 2009 12:02 GMT

Review As more diverse powerline Ethernet products come to market, the practicalities of using mains wiring for networking become ever more apparent. The Solwise VeseNET 200AV HomePlug AV adaptor is good example of how this system can serve locations that are too costly to be hardwired with Ethernet ports or where wireless networking fails to reach.

Solwise's Piggy 6: easy powerline Lan connectivity

Thoughtfully described as the PLA-AV-3E-PIGGY6, what appears to be a chunky six socket, 2m, anti-surge mains extension lead, conceals three Ethernet ports in its base and an array of status LEDs.

In essence, this is a peripheral device for an existing HomePlug AV network, as, apart from functioning as a mains extension lead, it can’t initiate any networking features as a standalone device. A separate powerline adaptor must be connected to an Ethernet port from a modem or router and plugged into a power socket. It then propagates this feed throughout the mains circuitry of the building. Plug the Piggy 6 into the mains anywhere else on the premises and it delivers networking capabilities from the three Ethernet ports, effectively linking directly to the router.

So, buy the Piggy 6 without a powerline adaptor hooked up to a router and you’ll find yourself with a very expensive multiplug extension lead, albeit it a rather eyecatching one. Indeed, its hexagonal design – with a mains socket on each side – is not only fairly compact, it’s also very practical. The base elevates it sufficiently to allow even the most awkward of ‘wall-wart’ external power supplies to be accommodated without touching the floor.

Depending on the width of some PSUs, it may be necessary to reposition bulky devices so that they aren't adjacent to each other but, typically, there is a comfortable amount of space between sockets.

Power at the push of a (big) button

The base features the three 10/100Mb/s Ethernet ports, a vent and a row of five LEDs with a recessed button for factory reset and another for setting up the link's encryption at each end. The LEDs indicate activity on the three Ethernet ports, the presence of a powerline signal and incoming power, regardless of the status of the large push-button mains switch at the top of the unit, which affects only the unit's sockets.

On the bottom is a sticker detailing MAC address and the 16-digit device ID used to authenticate the Piggy 6 on secure HomePlug networks. Even though the sticker is slightly recessed, it’s a concern that the rough and tumble of living on the floor will eventually wear off this important information.

Network adaptor or UFO?

While the manual makes no reference to the device ID, adding the Piggy 6 to a HomePlug AV set-up based on Devolo equipment required this information to permit its use on the network. Solwise has its own application to perform this task and upgrade firmware, if necessary. As with all Solwise's HomePlug AV products, the software is Windows only.

The Security button on the Piggy 6 appears to enable linking with multiple Solwise adapters but didn’t work with the encrypted network option feature on the Devolo adaptor.

Being a 200Mb/s HomePlug AV device, although it does operate on the same cabling alongside earlier 14Mb/s and 85Mb/s HomePlug networks, it's not compatible with them.

The security auto-setup button could be easier to reach

Tests proved there was little to complain about, with video and audio streaming easily handled by the device. The practicality of multiple mains sockets is soon appreciated, with its 16A rating allowing a heater or a kettle to be plugged in alongside peripherals, making it ideal for a basement den or office. The Piggy 6 itself consumes a mere 100mA and gets a little hot on the base, exactly where the device ID sticker resides.

Verdict

While the Solwise "no software to install" claim will no doubt be true for use with many HomePlug devices, it isn’t necessarily the case for all, and the manual does fall short on information in this regard. Naturally, the networks it can utilise aren't restricted by platform, but the software provided online to troubleshoot a Solwise system is limited to Windows only. So, if you’re piecing together a powerline network for Mac or Linux and want configuration options, then Solwise isn’t really a one stop-shop. However, the Piggy 6 will play nicely with other HomePlug AV gear and, in so many ways, is a very useful extension to a powerline Lan. ®