ZyXEL NBG318S 200 Mbps HomePlug AV Powerline Router w/4Port Fast Ethernet Switch and PLA401 200 Mbps Powerline Wall-plug Adapter (Starter Kit)

by ZyXel

Product Details

• Item Weight: 1 pounds
• Shipping Weight: 2.8 pounds
• Shipping: Currently, item can be shipped only within the U.S.
• ASIN: B000ZD4MVK
• Item model number: NBG318SKIT
• Average Customer Review: 2.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Date first available at Amazon.com: July 7, 2004

Product Description

From the Manufacturer

From the Manufacturer This bundle includes ZyXEL NBG-318S and ZyXEL PLA-401. ZyXEL NBG-318S features both wireless and HomePlug AV connectivity. You can always connect to the Internet wirelessly, even on some spots that couldn't be reached by the wireless network. With existing power lines, reliable connection can be provided through wall plugs. Now you can plan your home network, use the power lines as the network backbone, and then deploy the NBG-318S as the broadband extender to reach every corner in the house.The ZyXEL HomePlug AV PLA-401 is an extended access solution that allows your house to be completely networked using your existing electrical power lines. With no need for additional wiring, simply plug the ZyXEL HomePlug AV PLA-401 to an existing electrical outlet, then plug the second PLA401 to the outlet you want to have network connection, and it will transform your electrical power lines into a house-wide network infrastructure. It's the easiest way to extend the network connection from your broadband router.

How It Works

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Exactly What I Was Looking For, March 16, 2010

By 

anonym "anonym" (Pasadena, CA) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: ZyXEL NBG318S 200 Mbps HomePlug AV Powerline Router w/4Port Fast Ethernet Switch and PLA401 200 Mbps Powerline Wall-plug Adapter (Starter Kit) (Personal Computers)

I needed wireless coverage to extend to the front yard and bedroom of my home. I bought this, plugged in my current wireless modem the powerline adapter, then plugged in the new wireless router in my front room. It synched in seconds. I returned to my computer to set the WAP password. Piece of cake. Very simple. This was exactly what I needed.

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars It works, but there are kinks that I had to work out., April 17, 2010

By 

C. Young (Annapolis, MD) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: ZyXEL NBG318S 200 Mbps HomePlug AV Powerline Router w/4Port Fast Ethernet Switch and PLA401 200 Mbps Powerline Wall-plug Adapter (Starter Kit) (Personal Computers)

Pros:
inexpensive, it works, seller delivered quickly

Cons:
HOMEPLUG AV PROBLEM: the POWERLINE connection to some plugs is intermittent.
DOCUMENTATION/SECURITY PROBLEM: Must disable WPS to get Static WEP option. Using WEP since I can't seem to get the laptops to connect using the WPA PSK.

Other Thoughts:
I bought two NBG318S 200 Mbps HomePlug AV Powerline Routers and two PLA401 200 Mbps Powerline Wall-plug Adapter (came as starter kits from supplier#. Used them to replace my old tried and true WRT54GSs and NETGEAR XE102s that I've had for years. Over the years, I've had a couple of the XE102s fail, hey this stuff doesn't last forever. A new XE102 is now over $100.

There are kinks that I had to work out and that's taken a couple of days. First, out of the box, configured and tested everything in one room, spread things around the house, everything worked great. One NBG318S is used to connect to COMCAST the other is a router/WAP. We can't see a single wireless access point from everywhere in the house. The PLA401s connect the printers and AV devices.

HOMEPLUG AV PROBLEM: Then, when the wife and kids came home and started connecting with a half a dozen wireless devices, the router/WAP stopped connecting to the internet. Finally figured out that it was the HOMEPLUG AV that was cutting in/out and causing the internet access to drop. Wireless stays active; it's the HOMEPLUG AV that drops out. Only happens when you drive lots of traffic over the HOMEPLUG AV. Seems that once the HOMEPLUG AV drops out, it doesn't reconnect. Unplug, replug, it resyncs, but that wasn't going to work long term. Tried other plugs in the house and found ones that work together reliably regardless the traffic. Almost thought that I had one bad NBG318S. Fortunately, the HOMEPLUG AV LED goes out when it drops out, wish I'd noticed this sooner.

DOCUMENTATION/SECURITY PROBLEM: I can't seem to get the laptops to connect with WPA PSK turned on. #Laptop problem) To get the option for Static WEP, you have to disable the WPS, this should have been documented somewhere. After I changed the security settings, I had to reboot the NBG318S to get security working with the laptops, this should have been documented somewhere. Perhaps the web page where you change it?

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Does what you need it to!, November 13, 2008

By 

L. Curry - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: ZyXEL NBG318S 200 Mbps HomePlug AV Powerline Router w/4Port Fast Ethernet Switch and PLA401 200 Mbps Powerline Wall-plug Adapter (Starter Kit) (Personal Computers)

I purchased this product to get my FIOS/LAN connection downstairs to my PS3, XBOX360, and Media server- it delivered. Router and powerline plug were setup in less than 15mins, I didnt even have to install the cd that came with it, just configured the router and off I went. One of the easiest tech setups I've EVER done. Highly Recommend!