LinksysCisco PLTK300 PowerLine Network Kit

My SlingLink network connection failed after several years of operation, and I wanted a cheaper solution to replace it. This Linksys product filled the bill nicely. I just plugged the two boxes into outlets and setup was quick and easy. The connection has been quite reliable so far.

These units work great and have solved many problems with limited range of Apple Extreme Wireless Network hub.Here is some plain english perspective based on our exprerience.Our system is part of an overall setup that includes Time Warner Cable TV-Internet-Phone Service. The TWC multi pupose modem connects directly into our TWC cable port in the wall and the Cisco-Linksys transmitter unit is connected to the modem by standard Cat-5 cable and plugs directly (as it must) into a wall outlet for power and transmission of the network signal into the household power grid. We only use the units to transmit and receive internet service (not music, video/audio feed or other exotic uses, though the product claims to be able to handle all of these uses)Review claim mythbuster: "Units must be connected to outlets on same curcuit breaker." FALSE -- We have the transmitter unit connected to an outlet in a room addition that has a separate circuit panel. As long as there is any contiguous power supply conduit that connects your home outlets (even through the main junction box using a satellite breaker panel) the units will work. Most failures in the use of these units comes from failing to plug them directly into the wall outlet. You MUST NOT plug them into a power strip or any other power source othen than DIRECTLY into the wall outlet.Set-up: VERY easy, just follow the directions and connect the units EXACTLY as described, don't try to figure it out without reading and following the directions precisely, because it is deceivingly simple, but must be connected and powered up in the right sequence.Use: We use Apple iMacs and Apple MacBook Pros wireless connection to internet service and computer/printer networking and have extended the range of our wireless network using the following set up: Apple Extreme unit connected by CAT-5 cable to CISCO/Powerline transmitter unit which is conected by CAT-5 cable directly to TWC multi purpose (tv-internet-phone) modem in our downstairs room addition. To extend the network to our upstairs we have plugged the Powerline receiver unit into a wall outlet and connected another Apple Extreme by CAT-5 cable to this receiver. The two Apple Extreme units must be daisy-chained (one master and one slave) in this configuration and this is easily accomplished in the Apple Utility program by just following simple plain english directions (no port data or IP address or SMDP configutation to input) BAM. the network is expanded at remarkable signal strength. If you are using PC environment with Microsoft Windows OS----good luck, the daisy chaining of the two routers is much more complex, but apparently can be accomplished with a little research online.

The system was very easy to hookup and activate, but it wouldn't connect either a Wii or TV to the internet. There wasn't any good way of diagnosing the problems since the system said it was working, but both items gave not connected error messages.

Works well when on the same 120vac circuit and over short distances. Returned the item because it would not even cover a 1200sq ft single level home.Very easy to set up and works well when it gets connetivity.

The product works and was easy to install but I have had issues with it going bad within a year. I love the flexiblity when it is working but when it goes out it's a pain to deal with Linksys. Their new replacement policy is difficult to work with.