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TP-Link’s powerline WiFi kit  

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The TP-LINK AV500 Passthrough Powerline WiFi Kit provides three Ethernet ports as well as a local WiFi hotspot access at some point remote from one’s router via the mains wiring. This enables one to extend connectivity and minimise wireless dead-spots across the house or office while the up to 500Mbps data rate will support multiple fast data streams.

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The TL-WPA4230P Kit consists of two dissimilar power adapters and their associated Ethernet cables together with the quick installation guide and resource CD. The 2-port adapter, Model TL-PA4020P, should be installed near one’s wireless router and is connected to it via an Ethernet cable and the other one, model TP-WPA4230P which is a wireless adapter with 3 Ethernet ports, should be sited in the area where one wants to use one’s PC(s), games consoles or smart TV which can be connected to it either via cable or WiFi. The former adapter is about 6 x10cm in size and is in two-tone white and grey, while the latter, which is larger and roughly 6 x 12cm is black with a white front plate. They both have a “passthrough” mains socket on their face so avoiding the need for an additional socket.

They both have Power, Powerline and Ethernet LEDs and Pair buttons while the WPA has the addition of a wireless LED and a reset button. The two adapters will work together out of the box and they can be re-paired or the network extended by means of the Pair buttons.

In a similar manner, the WiFi clone button is used for copying the wireless settings from the existing wireless router. One just has to (temporarily) plug the WPA4230P into a power socket near the existing wireless router and then press the WPS button on the router and then the WiFi Clone button on the WPA. Once the cloning, which only takes a minute or so, has been completed the WPA will have the same wireless SSID and password settings as the router. Then, once the WPA has been transferred to its final location it will effectively provide extended wireless coverage as well as wired connectivity over that space.

Its simplicity in operation “out of the box” means that even the relatively inexperienced should be able to get it working just with reference to the Quick Installation Guide and without even loading the CD which, as well as containing separate user manuals for the two adapters, contains the Powerline Utility.

The utility enables the user to check the current status of the WPA4230 and access a whole range of parameters including IP address, wireless security and the Powerline network name in order to properly incorporate the kit into their network and even organise QoS setting. Usefully, in the Help, it indicates which parameters, such as MAC address, cannot be changed.

The TP-Link TL-WPA4230P Kit is much more than a basic powerline kit. It enables users to consider the structure of the network as a whole and arrange the connectivity that meets their needs across the house or office. At £89.98, but available on Amazon for £81.98 it is an investment worth considering.

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Comment by adrianmorant, 6 Feb 2015 14:53

Wow!!
Marvellous buy
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Comment by siarad, 6 Feb 2015 11:43

Hi,
http://www.CPC.co.uk do a similar TP-Link AV500 pack with two of the 3 port Ethernet but the pass-thru has just one Ethernet port, devices @ £34.95 + VAT post free if ordered via the Internet, order code CS2755341 valid until 6 March.
AV500 Pass-thru TL-PA451
AV500 3 port TL-PA4030 dual kit
I ordered in December & they work faultlessly, just plugged in with no setup required

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OverallTP-Link%C2%92s powerline WiFi kit  rated 84 out of 100

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