The main purpose of Wi-Fi extenders is to allow you to access your Wi-Fi signal in places that it does not comfortably reach. This kit does that but it can also give you an extra Ethernet port ideal for those devices that do not have Wi-Fi.
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For those who do not know this Wi-Fi anywhere technology requires two 13amp plugs one near your router and the other in whatever far flung part of your property that cannot normally effectively receive the Wi-Fi signal, the two requirements to make this work are that they are on the same ring main circuit and that it is an electrical socket and not a gang socket or a surge strip on either end.
In the box are a large and a small unit both of which have a standard 13amp plug on the rear of the unit. The smaller one is 6.5x6.5x4.5cm but if you have skirting board sockets you might have a problem because the Ethernet cable fits into the base of it meaning you probably need another 3.5cm of clearance, it has two touch buttons on its face.
The larger unit is 17x6.5x5cm and the two Ethernet ports are on the top which means you probably need another 3cm clear above. This unit has a pass through plug socket on it so whatever was plugged into that socket can be plugged into this without interference.
There is a 2 metre Ethernet cable supplied in the box together with a small 24 page Installation Guide that is in seven languages. It is divided into seven things to do one per page and the rest of the booklet covers what to do ‘for and if’.
The larger unit goes to a plug near your router and the supplied Ethernet cable links this unit to a port on your router or switch. As this has a second port you are not taking one of the four ports normally provided on your router.
The smaller unit goes to the remote site and here you can use both Wi-Fi and Ethernet once you have setup security to link the large and the small unit.
Before you plug the smaller plug into your socket make a note of the Wi-Fi key that is displayed just below the pins on the dLan 550 WiFi adapter.
Once plugged in wait, this should be a little less than a minute until the LED on the face of the smaller plug lights and if you are doing this by yourself and one unit is in lounge and the other the loft it could provide your fitness workout for the day. Once lighted press the other button on the unit then go to the larger unit and within two minutes press the button near the top of the left side and this sets up data encryption between the units.
At this point you can setup Wi-Fi on your SmartPhone of Tablet and/or on your PC or notebook.
That is it apart from the possible problem of going from loft to lounge and back in less than two minutes no great problem.
The Devolo dLan 550 WiFi is available from Amazon for £99.99 with free delivery.
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