As part of an internal reorganization at Handyman Towers, my PC is being
moved upstairs.

Currently our Broadband is wired to the rear right hand corner of the
dining room with a wired router connecting to SWMBO's PC in the left
hand corner. The dining room is at the rear RH side of the property.

The planned location for my PC is upstairs at the front LH side (all as
viewed from the front). SWMBO's PC is staying where it is.

So, it seems like I need to replace the wired router with a wireless one.

Last time I tried this was about 7 years ago & it was hopeless. I was
using a laptop at the time & a Belkin wireless router - I had to go,
halfway down the stairs to get any signal.

Could this be (a) something to do with a steel RSJ in the wall between
the lounge & diner? Or (b) was it a crap router?

Are they better now? Could anyone suggest a make & model?

Failing that, a temporary very long cable would work, but how long can
you get them (& what are they called)?






--
Dave - The Medway Handyman www.medwayhandyman.co.uk

On 04/08/11 09:28, The Medway Handyman wrote:
As part of an internal reorganization at Handyman Towers, my PC is being
moved upstairs.

Currently our Broadband is wired to the rear right hand corner of the
dining room with a wired router connecting to SWMBO's PC in the left
hand corner. The dining room is at the rear RH side of the property.

The planned location for my PC is upstairs at the front LH side (all as
viewed from the front). SWMBO's PC is staying where it is.

So, it seems like I need to replace the wired router with a wireless one.

The two options are Wi-Fi and powerline networking. As the router and PC
will be diagonally opposite across the building so Wi-Fi may be
difficult, although the technology is significantly better than it was.
If you have any radio hams in the area powerline networking will make
you unpopular.




--
Bernard Peek

In article , The Medway Handyman
scribeth thus
As part of an internal reorganization at Handyman Towers, my PC is being
moved upstairs.

Currently our Broadband is wired to the rear right hand corner of the
dining room with a wired router connecting to SWMBO's PC in the left
hand corner. The dining room is at the rear RH side of the property.

The planned location for my PC is upstairs at the front LH side (all as
viewed from the front). SWMBO's PC is staying where it is.

So, it seems like I need to replace the wired router with a wireless one.

Last time I tried this was about 7 years ago & it was hopeless. I was
using a laptop at the time & a Belkin wireless router - I had to go,
halfway down the stairs to get any signal.

Could this be (a) something to do with a steel RSJ in the wall between
the lounge & diner? Or (b) was it a crap router?

Are they better now? Could anyone suggest a make & model?

Failing that, a temporary very long cable would work, but how long can
you get them (& what are they called)?

CAT 5 cables easy to DIY..





Wireless is more often than not interfered with by other users..

Install a cable, you will not regret it . We put in a 24 port patchbay
and switch here and its been excellent .. wireless is used for one PC
and its not that clever..

If you can't install the cable best to get a man in who can...




--
Tony Sayer

"The Medway Handyman" wrote in message
...
As part of an internal reorganization at Handyman Towers, my PC is being
moved upstairs.

Currently our Broadband is wired to the rear right hand corner of the
dining room with a wired router connecting to SWMBO's PC in the left hand
corner. The dining room is at the rear RH side of the property.

The planned location for my PC is upstairs at the front LH side (all as
viewed from the front). SWMBO's PC is staying where it is.

So, it seems like I need to replace the wired router with a wireless one.

Last time I tried this was about 7 years ago & it was hopeless. I was
using a laptop at the time & a Belkin wireless router - I had to go,
halfway down the stairs to get any signal.

Could this be (a) something to do with a steel RSJ in the wall between
the lounge & diner? Or (b) was it a crap router?

Are they better now? Could anyone suggest a make & model?

Failing that, a temporary very long cable would work, but how long can
you get them (& what are they called)?
Dave - The Medway Handyman www.medwayhandyman.co.uk

I bought a laptop 6 months ago and couldn't get a reliable
wireless signal upstairs. Powerline networking completely
solved the problem. Only way to go as far as I'm concerned.

I use a couple of Comtrend Powerline Ethernet Adapters
with Filter. Cheap as chips on Ebay.

Cheers, Alan

On Thu, 04 Aug 2011 09:28:15 +0100, The Medway Handyman wrote:

Failing that, a temporary very long cable would work, but how long can
you get them (& what are they called)?

You don't say what the ouputs are and how many your router has... It
might be USB and single output or it might have built in four port
LAN switch, that will use RJ45 connectors for each port.

Assuming it has a built in switch you need "ethernet" or "network"
cables. Maximum length is 305m for a single segment (router to PC).
Though you won't find ready made cables of that length you should be
able to find up to 50m without too much bother. Shouldn't have to pay
more than £30 for a 50 (fifty)m one, be aware that you can pay £30
for a 5 (five)m one from the likes of PC World...

--
Cheers
Dave.

On 4 Aug 2011 08:48:18 GMT, Huge wrote:

Frankly, I'd put in permanent ethernet cable. Leave the router where it
is and run an ethernet cable upstairs. Much more reliable, secure and
faster than wireless.

And cheaper.

Powerline networking is going to be around £75 for a set.
Decent WiFi ADSL router about £50 or more.
You can get cheap ethernet based WiFi Access Points for £20ish but as
TMH has tried WiFi before with poor results it could be £20 down the
drain.

A £20 to £30 50m ethernet cable will just work, with non of the
variablities and risk of WiFi. The down side is installation, up to
the loft, across, and back down?

--
Cheers
Dave.

My wireless router is in the cellar and works all over the house. Next
door too.

--
*If you must choose between two evils, pick the one you've never tried before

Dave Plowman London SW
To e-mail, change noise into sound.

On 04/08/2011 09:48, Huge wrote:
Frankly, I'd put in permanent ethernet cable. Leave the router where it is and
run an ethernet cable upstairs. Much more reliable, secure and faster than
wireless.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Cat5e-RJ45-E.../dp/B000IAHNRK

30 metres CAT5 patch lead for £2.85 plus 99p postage - that sounds too
good to be true!

--
Mike Clarke

On Thu, 04 Aug 2011 10:24:49 +0100, Mike Clarke wrote:

30 metres CAT5 patch lead for £2.85 plus 99p postage - that sounds too
good to be true!

That is *very* cheap. I'd avoid. Bulk cable is about 25p/m retail so
a 30m cable should be about a tenner by the time you added
terminations, transport and packaging costs etc.

--
Cheers
Dave.

"Mike Clarke" wrote in message
...
On 04/08/2011 09:48, Huge wrote:
Frankly, I'd put in permanent ethernet cable. Leave the router where it
is and
run an ethernet cable upstairs. Much more reliable, secure and faster
than
wireless.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Cat5e-RJ45-E.../dp/B000IAHNRK

30 metres CAT5 patch lead for £2.85 plus 99p postage - that sounds too
good to be true!


I just installed a 20m one to feed my Humax box, It cost me £5.74 including
next day delivery. Dead easy to install if you can drill holes and hammer in
cable clips. I ran it externally and it works perfectly.

Mike

Are they better now? Could anyone suggest a make & model?

IIRC you have been with Blueyonder/Virgin Media a long time, and so
would have been entitled to a *free* wireless router at various times.
I think they are currently charging customers for them (see
http://shop.virginmedia.com/broadban...s-routers.html)
but if you have Virgin phone it'd only cost the price of navigating
their phone menus to ask if as a loyal customer (or since this is Virgin
Media, much milked cash cow) you can have one for free.

FWIW I agree with all those who have urged Ethernet as the
reliable/fast/secure solution but we have a (free from BY) wireless
router and find it useful from time to time for visitors or for the
times one wants to use a laptop in the loft, garden, car, ..... It
hangs off another router and is switched off the rest of the time.

--
Robin
PM may be sent to rbw0{at}hotmail{dot}com

Dave Plowman (News) wrote:

My wireless router is in the cellar and works all over the house. Next
door too.

My Linksys (Cisco) WRT54GL router works everywhere in a very large house.
I don't understand this passion for Ethernet.
I suppose drilling holes in the ceiling and that sort of thing
appeals to DIY people.


--
Timothy Murphy
e-mail: gayleard /at/ eircom.net
tel: +353-86-2336090, +353-1-2842366
s-mail: School of Mathematics, Trinity College, Dublin 2, Ireland

The Medway Handyman wrote:
As part of an internal reorganization at Handyman Towers, my PC is being
moved upstairs.

Currently our Broadband is wired to the rear right hand corner of the
dining room with a wired router connecting to SWMBO's PC in the left
hand corner. The dining room is at the rear RH side of the property.

The planned location for my PC is upstairs at the front LH side (all as
viewed from the front). SWMBO's PC is staying where it is.

So, it seems like I need to replace the wired router with a wireless one.

Last time I tried this was about 7 years ago & it was hopeless. I was
using a laptop at the time & a Belkin wireless router - I had to go,
halfway down the stairs to get any signal.

Could this be (a) something to do with a steel RSJ in the wall between
the lounge & diner? Or (b) was it a crap router?

Are they better now? Could anyone suggest a make & model?

Failing that, a temporary very long cable would work, but how long can
you get them (& what are they called)?



TNPS advice to people about to go wireless:

"Don't."

Run a cat 5 cable.

Timothy Murphy wrote:
Dave Plowman (News) wrote:

My wireless router is in the cellar and works all over the house. Next
door too.

My Linksys (Cisco) WRT54GL router works everywhere in a very large house.
I don't understand this passion for Ethernet.
It gets through walls lined with foil backed plasterboard.
It doesn't put RF trash on the mains where its liable to upset many
things including ADSL routers.
Its a reliable 100Mbps link.
You get your own wire..shared with no one.


I suppose drilling holes in the ceiling and that sort of thing
appeals to DIY people.

No, but rock solid 100Mbps performance does.

The Natural Philosopher wrote:

My Linksys (Cisco) WRT54GL router works everywhere in a very large house.
I don't understand this passion for Ethernet.
....
It doesn't put RF trash on the mains where its liable to upset many
things including ADSL routers.

That sound like complete nonsense to me.
To start with, 90% of ADSL modem/routers have WiFi output nowadays.
How come they don't upset themselves?

Its a reliable 100Mbps link.

Do you have 100Mb/s ADSL input?

You get your own wire..shared with no one.

Don't you ever want to use your laptop in the bedroom,
in the loo, in the garden ...?

Do you have the same feeling about mobile phones?

--
Timothy Murphy
e-mail: gayleard /at/ eircom.net
tel: +353-86-2336090, +353-1-2842366
s-mail: School of Mathematics, Trinity College, Dublin 2, Ireland

On Thu, 04 Aug 2011 11:38:57 +0100, The Natural Philosopher
wrote:

Its a reliable 100Mbps link.
You get your own wire..shared with no one.


I suppose drilling holes in the ceiling and that sort of thing
appeals to DIY people.

No, but rock solid 100Mbps performance does.


You got 100Mbps internet then?


--
AnthonyL

In article , Timothy Murphy
scribeth thus
The Natural Philosopher wrote:

My Linksys (Cisco) WRT54GL router works everywhere in a very large house.
I don't understand this passion for Ethernet.
...
It doesn't put RF trash on the mains where its liable to upset many
things including ADSL routers.

That sound like complete nonsense to me.
To start with, 90% of ADSL modem/routers have WiFi output nowadays.
How come they don't upset themselves?

O dear!, you really need to learn a bit more about RF and radio;!....


Its a reliable 100Mbps link.

Do you have 100Mb/s ADSL input?

You get your own wire..shared with no one.

Don't you ever want to use your laptop in the bedroom,
in the loo, in the garden ...?

Do you have the same feeling about mobile phones?


This is some very good info re power line devices which might be of
interest...


http://downloads.bbc.co.uk/rd/pubs/w...les/WHP195.pdf
--
Tony Sayer

On 04/08/2011 09:28, The Medway Handyman wrote:
As part of an internal reorganization at Handyman Towers, my PC is being
moved upstairs.

Currently our Broadband is wired to the rear right hand corner of the
dining room with a wired router connecting to SWMBO's PC in the left
hand corner. The dining room is at the rear RH side of the property.

The planned location for my PC is upstairs at the front LH side (all as
viewed from the front). SWMBO's PC is staying where it is.

So, it seems like I need to replace the wired router with a wireless one.

Last time I tried this was about 7 years ago & it was hopeless. I was
using a laptop at the time & a Belkin wireless router - I had to go,
halfway down the stairs to get any signal.

Could this be (a) something to do with a steel RSJ in the wall between
the lounge & diner? Or (b) was it a crap router?

Are they better now? Could anyone suggest a make & model?

Failing that, a temporary very long cable would work, but how long can
you get them (& what are they called)?






I used Belkin and gave up and changed to hard wired from a non-wireless
adaptor.

Then I moved a PC upstairs and tried a powerline ethernet adaptor. Gave up.

Then I got a shiny new Netgear wireless router which usually connects at
in excess of 80Mbps despite the PC being diametrically opposite the
router and one floor up.

Having said the above if an ethernet cable could be run sensibly that is
the way I would have gone.

If you go wireless use some freeware to find out what channels your
neighbours are on. Digisenders can cause problems and do not show up so
some trial and error in setting channels may be necessary. My router is
supposed to find an interference free channel automatically but our
digisenders lack the intelligence to communicate.

Interestingly almost all our neighbours are on the same channel but
their networks seem to work fine.

If you go wireless make sure you set up the security. Often it is
disabled by default.

"Mike Clarke" wrote in message
...
On 04/08/2011 09:48, Huge wrote:
Frankly, I'd put in permanent ethernet cable. Leave the router where it
is and
run an ethernet cable upstairs. Much more reliable, secure and faster
than
wireless.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Cat5e-RJ45-E.../dp/B000IAHNRK

30 metres CAT5 patch lead for £2.85 plus 99p postage - that sounds too
good to be true!

A bit pricey if you ask me.
However it isn't what he needs.
Any decent handyman would buy a couple of rj45 sockets, some proper cable,
boxes and two short patch leads and do a neat job without needing to drill
half inch holes to get the patch lead connectors through.
Toolstation sell all the required kit quite cheaply.

"Dave Plowman (News)" wrote in message
...
My wireless router is in the cellar and works all over the house. Next
door too.

There are a lot of people that can't get wireless to work, its seldom the
kits fault.
I have two access points so I get good a and g coverage in the house, garden
and in the next street (I must remember to turn down the power).

The new kindle caused a problem..
they only work on channels 1 to 11 and the house router was on 13.
So the kindle connected to the second one in the shed, but only just.
It kept dropping and there is nothing on the kindle to tell you what its
connected too, and nothing on the web support page to say they don't work on
channels 12 and 13.
I emailed them to tell them they had screwed up the wifi and the phoned back
to see what was wrong, maybe they will fix it or at least tell you its a
problem.

On 04/08/2011 10:08, Dave Liquorice wrote:

Powerline networking is going to be around £75 for a set.

£35 if you don't need passthru:

http://www.ebuyer.com/160665-extra-v...699e2-2-3-twin

I have four and they are fine.


--
Reentrant

On 04/08/2011 11:56, Timothy Murphy wrote:
The Natural Philosopher wrote:

My Linksys (Cisco) WRT54GL router works everywhere in a very large house.
I don't understand this passion for Ethernet.
...
It doesn't put RF trash on the mains where its liable to upset many
things including ADSL routers.

That sound like complete nonsense to me.

It may well do, however it is actually a valid point.

To start with, 90% of ADSL modem/routers have WiFi output nowadays.
How come they don't upset themselves?

WiFi starts at 2.4GHz and higher. Powerline can cause undesirable noise
in the (much lower frequency) HF radio band (1.6 - 30 MHz) - and so
potentially upsets radio hams. 2.4GHz is already stuffed full of
microwave ovens, video senders etc, so for those and a number of other
technical reasons is not well suited as a general long distance
communications frequency.

Its a reliable 100Mbps link.

Do you have 100Mb/s ADSL input?

No, but I have lots of PCs and other equipment on a gigabit network.
Shifting large files about like DVD images or recorded TV programs can
be done with relative ease on a cable (the limiting factor is not
usually the network but the disk speed), where on wireless (which I also
have) it would be unworkable slow.

You get your own wire..shared with no one.

Don't you ever want to use your laptop in the bedroom,
in the loo, in the garden ...?

Yes, that's why you have the wireless in addition to the wired LAN.



--
Cheers,

John.

/================================================== ===============\
| Internode Ltd - http://www.internode.co.uk |
|-----------------------------------------------------------------|
| John Rumm - john(at)internode(dot)co(dot)uk |
\================================================= ================/

Timothy Murphy wrote:
The Natural Philosopher wrote:

My Linksys (Cisco) WRT54GL router works everywhere in a very large house.
I don't understand this passion for Ethernet.
...
It doesn't put RF trash on the mains where its liable to upset many
things including ADSL routers.

That sound like complete nonsense to me.
To start with, 90% of ADSL modem/routers have WiFi output nowadays.
How come they don't upset themselves?


nonono I meant power carried ehernet, (hotplugs?) in that context, not
wifi.

Its a reliable 100Mbps link.

Do you have 100Mb/s ADSL input?

No but we share a 100Mbps server which is properly backed up and can
survive the death of any desktop.

You get your own wire..shared with no one.

Don't you ever want to use your laptop in the bedroom,
in the loo, in the garden ...?


I do have a couple of laptops, whose main function is to act as TV's in
the camper when we are on holiday.

I never use them otherwise. Can't do serious work on a laptop with a
tiddly screen and awkward keyboard...

Neither does my wife.

If we go into the garden is to ge away from computers.

Do you have the same feeling about mobile phones?


Yes.

I have made three calls on mine in the last 6 months.

We have an office here, that works, and that's where the computers are,
networked to a proper office and web server. If we are taking/making
phone calls, that's also where we are mostly.

If we are not there, we are not there because we have had enough of
computers, internet and all that crap, and have to dig the veg patch
over, or mow the lawns.

AnthonyL wrote:
On Thu, 04 Aug 2011 11:38:57 +0100, The Natural Philosopher
wrote:

Its a reliable 100Mbps link.
You get your own wire..shared with no one.


I suppose drilling holes in the ceiling and that sort of thing
appeals to DIY people.

No, but rock solid 100Mbps performance does.


You got 100Mbps internet then?


Intercomputer communication is far more important here than internet.

On 04/08/2011 09:28, The Medway Handyman wrote:

So, it seems like I need to replace the wired router with a wireless one.

or powerline, or cable...

Last time I tried this was about 7 years ago & it was hopeless. I was
using a laptop at the time & a Belkin wireless router - I had to go,
halfway down the stairs to get any signal.

Things are better now - you also have more options. Group n wireless kit
(i.e. 802.11n as opposed to the more common 802.11g or b) has a better
range, runs at a higher frequency, and uses more sophisticated signal
processing to yield better range and signal quality.

You also have the option of indoor "meshing" routers (i.e. sticking in
intermediate routers that can talk to each other and hence extend the
range of comms by acting as bridges to the next router IYSWIM)

Could this be (a) something to do with a steel RSJ in the wall between
the lounge & diner? Or (b) was it a crap router?

Both.

Are they better now? Could anyone suggest a make & model?

You could add something like:

http://www.solwise.co.uk/wireless-wl-557rt4.htm

to your existing router.

Failing that, a temporary very long cable would work, but how long can
you get them (& what are they called)?

300m or so is about the limit! CAT5E patch cable. You can either buy
them ready made (best solution in the vast majority of cases) or make
your own custom length ones. (don't go to PC world etc to buy one unless
you like paying 10x the price!)

If you want total flexibility and the best possible performance for your
network around the house, then consider:

http://wiki.diyfaq.org.uk/index.php?..._wiring_system



--
Cheers,

John.

/================================================== ===============\
| Internode Ltd - http://www.internode.co.uk |
|-----------------------------------------------------------------|
| John Rumm - john(at)internode(dot)co(dot)uk |
\================================================= ================/

On 04/08/2011 12:35, dennis@home wrote:


"Dave Plowman (News)" wrote in message
...
My wireless router is in the cellar and works all over the house. Next
door too.

There are a lot of people that can't get wireless to work, its seldom
the kits fault.
I have two access points so I get good a and g coverage in the house,
garden and in the next street (I must remember to turn down the power).

The new kindle caused a problem..
they only work on channels 1 to 11 and the house router was on 13.
So the kindle connected to the second one in the shed, but only just.
It kept dropping and there is nothing on the kindle to tell you what its
connected too, and nothing on the web support page to say they don't
work on channels 12 and 13.
I emailed them to tell them they had screwed up the wifi and the phoned
back to see what was wrong, maybe they will fix it or at least tell you
its a problem.

Its a common problem - channels 12 and 13 are not licensed for use in
most countries, but are ok in the UK. Alas quite a bit of kit assumed
that the UK is just "Europe" and hence does not allow the extra channels.

--
Cheers,

John.

/================================================== ===============\
| Internode Ltd - http://www.internode.co.uk |
|-----------------------------------------------------------------|
| John Rumm - john(at)internode(dot)co(dot)uk |
\================================================= ================/

On 04/08/2011 10:47, Robin wrote:

FWIW I agree with all those who have urged Ethernet as the
reliable/fast/secure solution but we have a (free from BY) wireless
router and find it useful from time to time for visitors or for the
times one wants to use a laptop in the loft, garden, car, ..... It
hangs off another router and is switched off the rest of the time.

If find having an open wireless network is handy at times (for guests,
or guest computers etc) so I run two as separate VLANs. One full speed
with WPA2 encryption, that has access to the rest of the wired clients,
and the internet, and a second that can only see the internet, and has a
bandwidth restriction in place to limit its impact on the rest of the
net. (note this is in a sparsely populated area - so there are no
neighbours in range to jump on it).


--
Cheers,

John.

/================================================== ===============\
| Internode Ltd - http://www.internode.co.uk |
|-----------------------------------------------------------------|
| John Rumm - john(at)internode(dot)co(dot)uk |
\================================================= ================/

On 04/08/2011 14:24, John Rumm wrote:
On 04/08/2011 11:56, Timothy Murphy wrote:
The Natural Philosopher wrote:

My Linksys (Cisco) WRT54GL router works everywhere in a very large
house.
I don't understand this passion for Ethernet.
...
It doesn't put RF trash on the mains where its liable to upset many
things including ADSL routers.

That sound like complete nonsense to me.

It may well do, however it is actually a valid point.

To start with, 90% of ADSL modem/routers have WiFi output nowadays.
How come they don't upset themselves?

WiFi starts at 2.4GHz and higher. Powerline can cause undesirable noise
in the (much lower frequency) HF radio band (1.6 - 30 MHz) - and so
potentially upsets radio hams. 2.4GHz is already stuffed full of
microwave ovens, video senders etc, so for those and a number of other
technical reasons is not well suited as a general long distance
communications frequency.

Its a reliable 100Mbps link.

Do you have 100Mb/s ADSL input?

No, but I have lots of PCs and other equipment on a gigabit network.
Shifting large files about like DVD images or recorded TV programs can
be done with relative ease on a cable (the limiting factor is not
usually the network but the disk speed), where on wireless (which I also
have) it would be unworkable slow.

You get your own wire..shared with no one.

Don't you ever want to use your laptop in the bedroom,
in the loo, in the garden ...?

Yes, that's why you have the wireless in addition to the wired LAN.



We have a Netgear DGND3700 (N600 gigabyte modem router dual band
wireless) that moves files very quickly between our wired and wireless
PCs. Higher band is lost on our smartphones, printer and wife's work
laptop.

Wife's work laptop will not connect if our video sender is on but once
connected it is no problem.

Unsurprisingly our kitchen video receiver does not get on well with our
microwave.

Occasionally our upstairs PC connects using second priority 5G rather
than 2.4G. This despite all the other networks in the area using
different 2.4G channels.

The 5G signal has marginally more attenuation than the 2.4G but so far
we are the only network in the area that appears to be using 5G.

In article ,
Timothy Murphy wrote:
Dave Plowman (News) wrote:

My wireless router is in the cellar and works all over the house. Next
door too.

My Linksys (Cisco) WRT54GL router works everywhere in a very large house.
I don't understand this passion for Ethernet.
I suppose drilling holes in the ceiling and that sort of thing
appeals to DIY people.

I do have cable outlets in four rooms. The wireless is just for the
laptop, phone, and visitors. ;-)

--
*Give me ambiguity or give me something else.

Dave Plowman London SW
To e-mail, change noise into sound.

If find having an open wireless network is handy at times (for guests,
or guest computers etc) so I run two as separate VLANs. One full speed
with WPA2 encryption, that has access to the rest of the wired
clients, and the internet, and a second that can only see the
internet, and has a bandwidth restriction in place to limit its
impact on the rest of the net. (note this is in a sparsely populated
area - so there are no neighbours in range to jump on it).


Nice.

Re-reading my post I see was not clear: we don't *ever* run an open
wireless network because there are about 50 houses within range (and
several of those buy-to-lets occupied by transients). Most visitors
only get access if they trust us to input the SSID and password and
extract their MAC address, and to tidy up later.


--
Robin
PM may be sent to rbw0{at}hotmail{dot}com

On 04/08/2011 09:28, The Medway Handyman wrote:

So, it seems like I need to replace the wired router with a wireless one.

To add to all the other good advice:

If an Ethernet link over CAT5 from A (the modem/router) to B (your PC)
is Just Too Difficult to put in you could consider a hybrid approach, either

(i) running a cable from A to a wireless access point at C (C being a
point as near is you can manage to B), then the wireless link is a
shorter hop from C to B, or

(ii) cable from B to D (D being a point as near as you can manage to A)
and a wireless hop from D to A, using a wireless access point at D
running in client mode. (At A change to a 'wireless router' or install
a separate WAP.)

Don't use Powerline/Homeplug: spawn of the Devil, gross pollution of the
E-M spectrum.

--
Andy

In article ,
AnthonyL wrote:
On Thu, 04 Aug 2011 11:38:57 +0100, The Natural Philosopher
wrote:

Its a reliable 100Mbps link.
You get your own wire..shared with no one.


I suppose drilling holes in the ceiling and that sort of thing
appeals to DIY people.

No, but rock solid 100Mbps performance does.


You got 100Mbps internet then?


It's not that unusual these days...I've not bothered yet, but I'm tempted.


Darren

On 04/08/2011 09:28, The Medway Handyman wrote:
As part of an internal reorganization at Handyman Towers, my PC is being
moved upstairs.

Currently our Broadband is wired to the rear right hand corner of the
dining room with a wired router connecting to SWMBO's PC in the left
hand corner. The dining room is at the rear RH side of the property.

The planned location for my PC is upstairs at the front LH side (all as
viewed from the front). SWMBO's PC is staying where it is.

So, it seems like I need to replace the wired router with a wireless one.

Last time I tried this was about 7 years ago & it was hopeless. I was
using a laptop at the time & a Belkin wireless router - I had to go,
halfway down the stairs to get any signal.

Could this be (a) something to do with a steel RSJ in the wall between
the lounge & diner? Or (b) was it a crap router?

Are they better now? Could anyone suggest a make & model?

Failing that, a temporary very long cable would work, but how long can
you get them (& what are they called)?






You're a handyman - DIY. Hardwire the connection using solid core
premises cable (Cat 5E) two RJ45 faceplates &two drop leads of a
suitable length plus a decent punch down tool. As others have said
faster than wireless and secure. Use Videk for info but all of what you
want is available from Screwfix or TLC. IIRC they do the sold core Cat
5E cable in quantities less than a 305m box. Think of using Cat 6 and
keeping the radius of any bends gentle to allow for GB connections

Malcolm

On 04/08/2011 15:32, Robin wrote:

If find having an open wireless network is handy at times (for guests,
or guest computers etc) so I run two as separate VLANs. One full speed
with WPA2 encryption, that has access to the rest of the wired
clients, and the internet, and a second that can only see the
internet, and has a bandwidth restriction in place to limit its
impact on the rest of the net. (note this is in a sparsely populated
area - so there are no neighbours in range to jump on it).


Nice.

Re-reading my post I see was not clear: we don't *ever* run an open
wireless network because there are about 50 houses within range (and
several of those buy-to-lets occupied by transients). Most visitors
only get access if they trust us to input the SSID and password and
extract their MAC address, and to tidy up later.

Yup in similar circumstances I would probably have the second as a
encrypted one with a rotating password, so you can give access for a day
or so, but then the credentials get revoked.

(I would not bother with MAC address filtering since its too easy to
sniff a real connection, and then clone the mac address these days)


--
Cheers,

John.

/================================================== ===============\
| Internode Ltd - http://www.internode.co.uk |
|-----------------------------------------------------------------|
| John Rumm - john(at)internode(dot)co(dot)uk |
\================================================= ================/

In message , John
Rumm writes
On 04/08/2011 09:28, The Medway Handyman wrote:

So, it seems like I need to replace the wired router with a wireless one.

or powerline, or cable...

Last time I tried this was about 7 years ago & it was hopeless. I was
using a laptop at the time & a Belkin wireless router - I had to go,
halfway down the stairs to get any signal.

Things are better now - you also have more options. Group n wireless
kit (i.e. 802.11n as opposed to the more common 802.11g or b) has a
better range, runs at a higher frequency, and uses more sophisticated
signal processing to yield better range and signal quality.

Though note, if using kit such as laptops with built-in wifi it may be
only b/g. It will still work, but won't have the benefits of the using
group n.


You also have the option of indoor "meshing" routers (i.e. sticking in
intermediate routers that can talk to each other and hence extend the
range of comms by acting as bridges to the next router IYSWIM)

Could this be (a) something to do with a steel RSJ in the wall between
the lounge & diner? Or (b) was it a crap router?

Both.

Are they better now? Could anyone suggest a make & model?

You could add something like:

http://www.solwise.co.uk/wireless-wl-557rt4.htm

to your existing router.


Putting the wireless router/AP elsewhere in the house might help in case
of poor signal. Our ADSL router lives in a room at one end of the house
by the phone connection. We can't get decent wireless connection from
there to all the house. We have a separate wireless AP (actually an old
wireless router with no ADSL used on our old Virgin cable connection in
the old house) which is positioned more centrally downstairs in the
house (connected via cable to the ADSL router) and this gives us a
better wireless connection through out the house.



--
Chris French

On 04/08/2011 18:29, chris French wrote:
In message , John
Rumm writes
On 04/08/2011 09:28, The Medway Handyman wrote:

So, it seems like I need to replace the wired router with a wireless
one.

or powerline, or cable...

Last time I tried this was about 7 years ago & it was hopeless. I was
using a laptop at the time & a Belkin wireless router - I had to go,
halfway down the stairs to get any signal.

Things are better now - you also have more options. Group n wireless
kit (i.e. 802.11n as opposed to the more common 802.11g or b) has a
better range, runs at a higher frequency, and uses more sophisticated
signal processing to yield better range and signal quality.

Though note, if using kit such as laptops with built-in wifi it may be
only b/g. It will still work, but won't have the benefits of the using
group n.

Yup fair point. Nothing stopping one adding a USB group n dongle to a
laptop though even if it has internal group b/g

Putting the wireless router/AP elsewhere in the house might help in case
of poor signal. Our ADSL router lives in a room at one end of the house
by the phone connection. We can't get decent wireless connection from
there to all the house. We have a separate wireless AP (actually an old
wireless router with no ADSL used on our old Virgin cable connection in
the old house) which is positioned more centrally downstairs in the
house (connected via cable to the ADSL router) and this gives us a
better wireless connection through out the house.

Somewhere in the middle is often best - under stairs cupboard in our case.


--
Cheers,

John.

/================================================== ===============\
| Internode Ltd - http://www.internode.co.uk |
|-----------------------------------------------------------------|
| John Rumm - john(at)internode(dot)co(dot)uk |
\================================================= ================/

On 04/08/2011 17:51, Malcolm wrote:

5E cable in quantities less than a 305m box. Think of using Cat 6 and
keeping the radius of any bends gentle to allow for GB connections

CAT5E will do gigabit without any difficulty...


--
Cheers,

John.

/================================================== ===============\
| Internode Ltd - http://www.internode.co.uk |
|-----------------------------------------------------------------|
| John Rumm - john(at)internode(dot)co(dot)uk |
\================================================= ================/

On 04/08/2011 12:28, dennis@home wrote:

Any decent handyman would buy a couple of rj45 sockets, some proper
cable, boxes and two short patch leads and do a neat job without needing
to drill half inch holes to get the patch lead connectors through.
Toolstation sell all the required kit quite cheaply.

Which bit of 'temporary cable' confused you **** for brains?




--
Dave - The Medway Handyman www.medwayhandyman.co.uk

"Malcolm" wrote in message
...

You're a handyman - DIY. Hardwire the connection using solid core
premises cable (Cat 5E) two RJ45 faceplates &two drop leads of a suitable
length plus a decent punch down tool. As others have said faster than
wireless and secure. Use Videk for info but all of what you want is
available from Screwfix or TLC. IIRC they do the sold core Cat 5E cable
in quantities less than a 305m box. Think of using Cat 6 and keeping the
radius of any bends gentle to allow for GB connections

Malcolm

Be careful he will call you **** for brains for making suggestions like
that.

On Thu, 04 Aug 2011 12:56:22 +0200, Timothy Murphy wrote:

To start with, 90% of ADSL modem/routers have WiFi output nowadays.
How come they don't upset themselves?

They do, throughput drops like a stone in urban areas with every
house having WiFi. There are only three channels (1, 6 & 11) that
don't mutually interfer with each other.

Don't you ever want to use your laptop in the bedroom,
in the loo, in the garden ...?

Don't have a laptop, 'orrible things to use with those scroll pad
things.

Do you have the same feeling about mobile phones?

They are pretty crap as well. Delayed and distorted even with a good
signal. If the signal gets a iffy and holding a conversation next to
impossible. Land lines are so much clearer and without delay.

--
Cheers
Dave.