Ethernet over power-line not working

Support Network
1

Hi,

I just bought a Devolo power line set (2 devolo devices). I plugged them directly into wall outlets and connected one with my router and one with my laptop via a RJ45-USB-C adapter, because the laptop hasn’t a built-in RJ45 slot.

TL;DR
The Laptop (using a RJ45-to-USB-C adapter) doesn’t connect via the power line devices to the router. According to the ethernet settings the ethernet cable isn’t plugged.

Power Line Set-Up:


 Router ◄───► RJ45  ◄─────► Power Line Adapter
                                 ▲
  ┌───►   Power Line  ◄──────────┘
  ▼
 Power Line Adapter ◄───► RJ45 ◄───► RJ45-to-USB-C Adapter (Anker)
                                       ▲
  ┌────────────────────────────────────┘
  ▼
 USB-C ◄───────► Laptop

The Problem

After plugging everything in, the devices blinked red, then white. That’s—according to the manufacturer’s manual—the confirmation that the power line devices found themselves and connected securely.

I, then, looked into the network manager, and it said:

image
image1431×279 30.3 KB

I then disabled the Wi-Fi, but it still said, the cable is unplugged.

How do I set up the connection?

Inxi

System:
  Kernel: 5.10.84-1-MANJARO x86_64 bits: 64 compiler: gcc v: 11.1.0
    parameters: BOOT_IMAGE=/boot/vmlinuz-5.10-x86_64
    root=UUID=b87ec433-16bf-406f-8eb6-1515bfe7e05a rw quiet
    udev.log_priority=3 sysrq_always_enabled=1
  Desktop: GNOME 41.2 tk: GTK 3.24.30 wm: gnome-shell dm: GDM 41.0
    Distro: Manjaro Linux base: Arch Linux
Machine:
  Type: Laptop System: Dell product: XPS 17 9700 v: N/A
    serial: <superuser required> Chassis: type: 10 serial: <superuser required>
  Mobo: Dell model: 0H7HN7 v: A00 serial: <superuser required> UEFI: Dell
    v: 1.8.2 date: 05/21/2021
Network:
  Device-1: Intel Comet Lake PCH CNVi WiFi vendor: Rivet Networks
    driver: iwlwifi v: kernel bus-ID: 00:14.3 chip-ID: 8086:06f0 class-ID: 0280
  IF: wlp0s20f3 state: up mac: <filter>
  IP v4: <filter> type: dynamic noprefixroute scope: global
    broadcast: <filter>
  IP v6: <filter> type: dynamic noprefixroute scope: global
  IP v6: <filter> type: dynamic noprefixroute scope: global
  IP v6: <filter> type: noprefixroute scope: link
  Device-2: Realtek RTL8153 Gigabit Ethernet Adapter type: USB driver: r8152
    bus-ID: 4-2:3 chip-ID: 0bda:8153 class-ID: 0000 serial: <filter>
  IF: enp58s0u2 state: down mac: <filter>
  WAN IP: <filter>
USB:
  Hub-1: 1-0:1 info: Hi-speed hub with single TT ports: 16 rev: 2.0
    speed: 480 Mb/s chip-ID: 1d6b:0002 class-ID: 0900
  Device-1: 1-1:2 info: Shenzhen Goodix FingerPrint type: <vendor specific>
    driver: N/A interfaces: 1 rev: 2.0 speed: 12 Mb/s power: 100mA
    chip-ID: 27c6:533c class-ID: ff00
  Hub-2: 1-2:3 info: VIA Labs USB2.0 Hub ports: 4 rev: 2.1 speed: 480 Mb/s
    chip-ID: 2109:2211 class-ID: 0900
  Device-1: 1-2.2:6 info: Dell Dell DA20 Adapter type: Billboard driver: N/A
    interfaces: 1 rev: 2.0 speed: 12 Mb/s chip-ID: 413c:b080 class-ID: 1100
    serial: <filter>
  Device-2: 1-5:4 info: Microdia Integrated_Webcam_HD type: Video
    driver: uvcvideo interfaces: 4 rev: 2.0 speed: 480 Mb/s power: 500mA
    chip-ID: 0c45:6a0c class-ID: 0e02
  Device-3: 1-14:5 info: Intel AX201 Bluetooth type: Bluetooth driver: btusb
    interfaces: 2 rev: 2.0 speed: 12 Mb/s power: 100mA chip-ID: 8087:0026
    class-ID: e001
  Hub-3: 2-0:1 info: Super-speed hub ports: 10 rev: 3.1 speed: 10 Gb/s
    chip-ID: 1d6b:0003 class-ID: 0900
  Hub-4: 3-0:1 info: Hi-speed hub with single TT ports: 2 rev: 2.0
    speed: 480 Mb/s chip-ID: 1d6b:0002 class-ID: 0900
  Hub-5: 4-0:1 info: Super-speed hub ports: 2 rev: 3.1 speed: 10 Gb/s
    chip-ID: 1d6b:0003 class-ID: 0900
  Device-1: 4-2:3 info: Realtek RTL8153 Gigabit Ethernet Adapter
    type: Network driver: r8152 interfaces: 1 rev: 3.0 speed: 5 Gb/s
    power: 288mA chip-ID: 0bda:8153 class-ID: 0000 serial: <filter>
  Hub-6: 5-0:1 info: Hi-speed hub with single TT ports: 2 rev: 2.0
    speed: 480 Mb/s chip-ID: 1d6b:0002 class-ID: 0900
  Hub-7: 6-0:1 info: Super-speed hub ports: 2 rev: 3.1 speed: 10 Gb/s
    chip-ID: 1d6b:0003 class-ID: 0900
  Hub-8: 6-2:2 info: VIA Labs USB3.0 Hub ports: 1 rev: 3.1 speed: 5 Gb/s
    chip-ID: 2109:0211 class-ID: 0900

NetworkManager

$ sudo cat /etc/NetworkManager/system-connections/Ethernet.nmconnection 
[connection]
id=Ethernet
uuid=${UUID}
type=ethernet
permissions=

[ethernet]
mac-address-blacklist=

[ipv4]
dns-search=
method=auto

[ipv6]
addr-gen-mode=stable-privacy
dns-search=
method=auto

[proxy]
2

The issue may be similar to tethering, in that your system needs to identify the USB-Network adapter as such. If it doesn’t identify it correctly, you may need to tell your system the connected USB shall act as an Ethernet interface.
https://wiki.archlinux.org/title/Mobile_broadband_modem

3

Thanks for the quick reply. The problem wasn’t the adapter.

The problem are the power line devices. If plugged into outlets within the same room, they’ll work.
As soon, as one is plugged in another room, they won’t work. Regardless, if the rooms are on the same floor or on different ones.

Maybe the fuse panel is the problem. I don’t know. It’s a disappointing experience.

Maybe someone with power line experience can shed some light on this or has a tip. Otherwise, I’ll return the devices by the end of the week.

Regards

4

Do you actually put them directly on wall sockets? I read they may not work correctly on multi-sockets, and even cannot work at all on SPDs.

Do you know your home’s electrical circuits from the breaker?
If the signal between two rooms must go through the breaker, that may also be the cause. Since one of its jobs is to prevent electrical spikes, newer models may work as SPD before the breaking threshold.

5

Your issue is most likely your electrical system as @maycne.sonahoz suggests.

Different sections of the premises is often wired into separate breaker/fuse.

If the sections where you place the devices is not on the same breaker/fuse - you cannot make it work.

I have worked with these devices and faced the same issue. In fact a common protocol X10 for device communication over the powergrid - has the same limitation. With the X10 a coupling device exist to make it possible for the communication to travel between sections. Maybe such a coupler exist for these devices as well - but implementing such device is NOT homework - it is a job for certified installer.

6

Although in our house we have two separate circuit breaker boxes (one for upper level, another for first level + basement), I’ve had no problem using a wall outlet-based ethernet connection whether the computer in question is upstairs or downstairs (the ISP router remains on the first level regardless).

I know we’re not big on “Brand” naming/shaming on this forum, but I will simply state that the power-line plugin set is made by Netgear. Not a recommendation - just FYI.

Best wishes for a successful resolution.

These power-line ethernet connections are a life-saver as configuration of various wi-fi adapters within Linux can take time and effort, during which you’d otherwise be stuck without 'net access.

7

Thanks for the answes @maycne.sonahoz, @linux-aarhus and @SomeGuy!

Every Room has its own fuse/breaker. This is common practice where I live (and I guess, everywhere for electrical security reasons?). The breaker box looks similar to this:
(the power line connection should have gone from the living room to the basement)

image
image641×513 59.9 KB

Since people use power line across rooms and floors/levels, I was a bit stunned that it doesn’t work. After all what’s the use of power line if it can’t through a breaker? How do people connect the devices across floors? :man_shrugging:t3:

I won’t get a phase coupler (if that’s the right word). The cost for the power liner adapters, the coupler and the electrician would probably way above a better Wi-Fi router and maybe a Wi-Fi extender. I would have liked Ethernet more, but well …

@SomeGuy Thanks for the info. Maybe I’ll try another power line brand.

Regards

8

I wasn’t sure about the name - but ‘phase coupler’ (‘fase kobler’) matches the word I know from danish :slight_smile: and your junctionbox is exactly what I expected.

In danish installations both ground and live is wired through the breaker/fuse and from experience with both technologies (ether over powerline and X10 device control) this kind of setup requires a phase coupler.

One nasty workaround would be an extension cord from your livingroom to the basement solely for the powerline-eth device :grin: not pretty but it will likely work.

You could hide it using a 10mm wiretube as soft wire directly through building parts is a no-go.

9

Ethernet cables perform up to 100 meters. So if you don’t mind a cable running on the walls…

11

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