PLA5206 v2 - inconsistent connection

ivanpop

Hello. I have this powerline adapter, but i'm experiencing very big lag spikes.
On one side it's connected to my main router and on the other, to a zyxel 418n v2 which is working as an AP. I have 2 computers connected to it and they both experience the same thing.

This is the first one, which is a windows server:


and the second one, a linux server:

I'm using VNC to connect to both of them and the experience is very bad. I have 5 seconds of interaction on the screen, and after that 2-3 seconds loss of connection and reconnection.

#PLA_May_2020

TiggerLAS

Each on of your transitions introduces a reduction in performance,

and any one of them could be causing connectivity issues as well.

1.)  Powerline adapters                     (subject to noise on the powerline)

2.)  Wireless N router/access point  (subject to WiFi interference)

3.)  USB WiFi adapters                     (lower performance versus a PCI/PCIe WiFi card)

The best approach is to try to isolate the source through trial and observation.

I would first try to eliminate WiFi as the source.

For testing, go directly from your PLA5206 to your server with an ethernet cable,

and test connectivity.      Router --> PLA5206 --> PLA5206 --> Server.

Then, try it again with your other computer.

If the connectivity issues go away, then it is most likely an issue with your 418n.

If not, then you'll need to look more closely at the Powerline adapters.

Just out of curiosity, what are you using for a router,

and -- is there anything else plugged into the router?

ivanpop

It's a GPON from my ISP - Huawei EchoLife HG8245A. 
One of the ports is used for an IPTV box and the other is connected to the source powerline adapter. I have another computer connected to the second port of the source powerline adapter, which is running fine. The destination powerline adapter is in my basement and there is only a 418n connected to it. 
I don't want to wire the servers in my basement to the powerline adapter, because they are using another power circuit and I've experienced interference and power surges when I did that. Instead they are connected wirelessly. The USB wifi adapters are in the same room as the 418n, about 2-3 meters away from him, so I really doubt it's a wireless problem. 

Zyxel_Freda

Hi @ivanpop ,

Based on your description, we assumed that the topology is like below.

Although the different power circuit might have chance to connect the PLA, it's easy caused the network unstable issue. Would you use the same power circuit to test again that if the issue still happens?
For checking the connection speed of PLA5206v2, you could check the color of HOMEPLUG LED status as below.

Please let us know if there's still any problem after you connect both PLA5206v2 in the same circuit.

Zyxel_Freda

Hi @ivanpop ,

If it's correct topology in previous reply, we have below suggestions for your reference, and it should be based on the field status to use.
1. As previous reply mentioned, please use the same power circuit to connect the PLA5206v2. If the performance is not good as you want, it might be caused by the loading of the powerline. You can refer to the page 48 of powerline problems to troubleshooting based on the field status.
https://download2.zyxel.com/PLA5206_v2/user_guide/PLA5206 v2_v7.0.2_Ed6.pdf
2. If you don't have the same power circuit in the basement, please consider to use wireless mesh to extend the signal.
3. Otherwise, if above two items are not able to resolve this issue, please use a wired cable to extend the signal.

Thanks.

TiggerLAS

A device like a powerline adapter shouldn't cause interference or surges,

unless you have some very unusual grounding problems in your home's electrical system.

(In which case, I'd be hesitant to plug anything in to those outlets.)  

Using a pair of media converters (Ethernet to Fiber Optic) could be used

to electrically isolate the ethernet connection between the powerline adapter,

and the rest of your equipment, though this may be premature.

As Freda mentioned, your problems are most likely to be related to

the circuit(s) that your adapters are plugged into.

They could be caused by electrical "noise" on the circuit.

Some of the more common sources of electrical noise are TV's

and motorized devices, but there are other, less obvious sources

including cellphone chargers, and, surprisingly, in-wall dimmer switches.

Other devices, such as certain types of surge supressors

and Uninterruptable Power Supplies can absorb, or weaken

the level of the powerline signal.

You can try unplugging stuff around the room,

to see if any of them might be causing interference.

In general, you will see your best performance when the

powerline adapters are (electrically) close to one another.

The PLA5206's should be plugged DIRECTLY into the wall,

and, in my opinion, should not share the outlet with other devices.

Electrical outlets that share the same circuit breaker are best.

However, you indicated that your devices were plugged in on

different floors of your home, which makes it less likely that they'll

be on the same circuit breaker.

Trial-and-error, by moving the PLA5206's to different outlets might be in order.

Sometimes, moving them to a different outlet in the room can help.

The idea is to get your devices as "electrically" close together as possible.

If you live in the US, or another country that has either

"Split phase", or "3 phase" power, you problem could

be that the units are on opposite power phases.

Moving ONE of the adapters to an outlet supplied by

a different breaker might solve the problem as well.

In my home, one of the outlets in the computer room

is actually about 6 feet away from the breaker box,

and I'm certain that it is the first outlet in the chain.

This was a great advantage for me, as it provides

the strongest overall signal to half of my home.

If you can get one of your PLA5206's plugged in

(electrically) closer to the breaker box, you should

hopefully see an increase in performance.