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Adding a CAT5 connection to wifi network Login/Join 
thin skin can't win
Picture of Georgeair
posted
I've done this some time ago in another home, but want to make sure my recollection is accurate.

I need to add a wired ethernet connection in a location without cable. As I recall, I can just add a wireless router with ethernet ports there, connect that to receive signal from my wifi network, turn off wifi transmission on this second unit and connect cables to my hearts content.

Is that pretty much it? Any recommendation on a reliable and cheap router for that purpose, especially since I don't care about transmit range? Prefer 5G reception if possible to maximize speed. I'm lucky enough to be on fiber, my download speed clicks along pretty regularly at 200Mb+ on wifi.

TIA!



You only have integrity once. - imprezaguy02

 
Posts: 12889 | Location: Madison, MS | Registered: December 10, 2007Reply With QuoteReport This Post
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Edit... Misunderstood OP

Yes, you should be able to do this as described with many routers on the market. You might consider running it in repeater mode.
 
Posts: 5254 | Location: Iowa | Registered: February 24, 2011Reply With QuoteReport This Post
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Picture of grumpy1
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You need a wireless bridge. Some wireless routers have a bridge mode but don't know which ones offhand. The bridge connects to the wireless network and then the device connects to a LAN port on the bridge. Network performance is dictated by the quality of the wireless signal between the bridge and the wireless router plus any losses/delays in the wireless bridge itself.

Another possible solution is to use adapters that use the home electrical power wiring for the ethernet but you won't know how well it works until you try it and be sure to keep receipt and packaging so you can possibly return to store if that does not work out. Netgear makes such adapters. They work best if both outlets used go to the same main breaker box and they must plug directly into the wall electrical outlet.

I don't have any specific recommendations as I have run CAT5 cable from the router to rooms that need it.

https://www.amazon.com/NETGEAR...+ethernet+over+power
 
Posts: 9928 | Location: Northern Illinois | Registered: March 20, 2009Reply With QuoteReport This Post
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if you don't already have a spare router to use as a bridge or don't want to use the power line route these work well.

https://www.walmart.com/ip/NET...176071&wl13=&veh=sem




 
Posts: 1519 | Location: Ypsilanti, MI | Registered: August 03, 2006Reply With QuoteReport This Post
Be not wise in
thine own eyes
Picture of kimber1911
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Curious as to why you would not string cat6 or cat6a cable.



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Posts: 5294 | Location: USA | Registered: December 05, 2004Reply With QuoteReport This Post
Grandiosity is a sign
of mental illness
posted Hide Post
quote:
Originally posted by kimber1911:
Curious as to why you would not string cat6 or cat6a cable.


All else being equal I always prefer wired connections, but it's not always practical to run wires.

Say, in a residence you don't own, or if you really don't want to open walls, and you don't want exposed cable running from room to room..... (BTDT)

And yes, you want a router or AP in bridging mode. Most firmwares I've seen (in my own admittedly limited experience) have that as an option.
 
Posts: 2453 | Location: MO | Registered: March 07, 2010Reply With QuoteReport This Post
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Picture of bigdeal
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Cheap router solution.

https://www.newegg.com/Product...33-704-347-_-Product

Just make sure you're aware that the configuration you're planning is likely to negatively impact throughput speeds quite a bit on that bridged router.


-----------------------------
Guns are awesome because they shoot solid lead freedom. Every man should have several guns. And several dogs, because a man with a cat is a woman. Kurt Schlichter
 
Posts: 33845 | Location: Orlando, FL | Registered: April 30, 2006Reply With QuoteReport This Post
Savor the limelight
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Why not just run a wire from your current router to the location?

Also, can your phone connect to your WiFi in that location? What kind of download speeds are you getting there if it does? There are speed test apps ifor both iOS and android.
 
Posts: 12013 | Location: SWFL | Registered: October 10, 2007Reply With QuoteReport This Post
Republican in training
Picture of DonDraper
posted Hide Post
quote:
Originally posted by Georgeair:
I've done this some time ago in another home, but want to make sure my recollection is accurate.

I need to add a wired ethernet connection in a location without cable. As I recall, I can just add a wireless router with ethernet ports there, connect that to receive signal from my wifi network, turn off wifi transmission on this second unit and connect cables to my hearts content.

Is that pretty much it? Any recommendation on a reliable and cheap router for that purpose, especially since I don't care about transmit range? Prefer 5G reception if possible to maximize speed. I'm lucky enough to be on fiber, my download speed clicks along pretty regularly at 200Mb+ on wifi.

TIA!


Why can't you run a cable from the existing router? Or, why can't you add a wireless adapter to this device?


--------------------
I like Sigs and HK's, and maybe Glocks
 
Posts: 2289 | Location: SC | Registered: March 16, 2011Reply With QuoteReport This Post
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Picture of erj_pilot
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^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
Bought my buddy something like this for his PC for his birthday; says it works great.....




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Posts: 11066 | Location: NW Houston | Registered: April 04, 2012Reply With QuoteReport This Post
Nullus Anxietas
Picture of ensigmatic
posted Hide Post
quote:
Originally posted by Georgeair:
I need to add a wired ethernet connection in a location without cable. As I recall, I can just add a wireless router with ethernet ports there, connect that to receive signal from my wifi network, turn off wifi transmission on this second unit and connect cables to my hearts content.

Kind of.

What you want it a device capable of acting as a wireless bridge. No, you cannot turn off WiFi transmit, because then no data could go back to the network Smile

quote:
Originally posted by Georgeair:
Is that pretty much it? Any recommendation on a reliable and cheap router for that purpose,

You don't need a router. You just need a bridge. Or an access point that can go into bridge mode.

Sorry: Got no recommendations for hardware. I purchased a couple NetGear ProSafe WNHDE111 wireless A/N AP/bridge devices off eBay several years ago and they've sufficed, so I haven't looked, lately. But I think most of the Usual Suspects (LinkSys, ASUS, D-Link, NetGear, etc.) make them.

Btw: "Cheap" and "reliable" are usually mutually-exclusive properties Wink

quote:
Originally posted by Georgeair:
especially since I don't care about transmit range?

Transmit range has to be at least as good as receive range or no data gets back to the network. Networking is a two-way street.

quote:
Originally posted by Georgeair:
Prefer 5G reception if possible to maximize speed.

Do you perhaps mean the 5GHz band? "5G" is meaningless in terms of WiFi, other than that.



"America is at that awkward stage. It's too late to work within the system,,,, but too early to shoot the bastards." -- Claire Wolfe
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Posts: 26032 | Location: S.E. Michigan | Registered: January 06, 2008Reply With QuoteReport This Post
thin skin can't win
Picture of Georgeair
posted Hide Post
Thanks for the replies!

Yes, a bridge is apparently what I meant, and while I said range wasn't an answer both devices would be in a location where the wifi signal is strong. Also yes, 5GHz was what I should have said, I've not invented a 5G phone network.

The devices I'm connecting are TVs, Blu-ray players and receivers rather than a PC, so that's the reason a bridge and switch solution seemed like the only solution other than pulling wire.

It's a house we own, but one room has internet connection on upstairs room over garage on the outside wall, with a vaulted/stepped ceiling with no access to the side, underneath or area above or across the room where I'm headed. I may run around baseboards there but not ideal. Second room is far away and also has challenging access but at least there's attic overhead. Opening walls is a non-good event since the rooms are pretty large, I don't have original paint and don't have a massive repaint in the budget right now. Time or money.

My reason for looking at the bridge option is as I said I've got wifi speed that's pretty zippy, so even with some degradation on the bridge connection I should still be ahead of where I was on my 30Mbps cable connection in old house. If the bridge option works, it's just an easier install and cheaper than having someone come fish cable out of the dark corners of house I figured too!



You only have integrity once. - imprezaguy02

 
Posts: 12889 | Location: Madison, MS | Registered: December 10, 2007Reply With QuoteReport This Post
Nullus Anxietas
Picture of ensigmatic
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Just look for a 5GHz wireless N bridge, or AP that can be put into bridge mode, that meets your budget.

You may have to tack an inexpensive Ethernet switch on it to get the number of ports you want. NetGear makes a couple inexpensive Gig-E 5- and 8-port switches that'll do the trick.

Yes: Wired is preferred, when possible, but 5GHz wireless N will be fine for what you want. I'm anal about these kinds of things and even I didn't go to the trouble of fishing UTP cable for the HT stuff. The alarm panel: Yes. The HT stuff: No.



"America is at that awkward stage. It's too late to work within the system,,,, but too early to shoot the bastards." -- Claire Wolfe
"If we let things terrify us, life will not be worth living." -- Seneca the Younger, Roman Stoic philosopher
 
Posts: 26032 | Location: S.E. Michigan | Registered: January 06, 2008Reply With QuoteReport This Post
אַרְיֵה
Picture of V-Tail
posted Hide Post
quote:
Originally posted by kimber1911:
Curious as to why you would not string cat6 or cat6a cable.
Maybe OP is saying "cat5" as a generic term for ethernet cable.



הרחפת שלי מלאה בצלופחים
 
Posts: 31708 | Location: Central Florida, Orlando area | Registered: January 03, 2010Reply With QuoteReport This Post
thin skin can't win
Picture of Georgeair
posted Hide Post
quote:
Originally posted by V-Tail:
quote:
Originally posted by kimber1911:
Curious as to why you would not string cat6 or cat6a cable.
Maybe OP is saying "cat5" as a generic term for ethernet cable.

I am. My age is showing.....



You only have integrity once. - imprezaguy02

 
Posts: 12889 | Location: Madison, MS | Registered: December 10, 2007Reply With QuoteReport This Post
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Picture of bigdeal
posted Hide Post
quote:
Originally posted by Georgeair:
Thanks for the replies!

Yes, a bridge is apparently what I meant, and while I said range wasn't an answer both devices would be in a location where the wifi signal is strong. Also yes, 5GHz was what I should have said, I've not invented a 5G phone network.

The devices I'm connecting are TVs, Blu-ray players and receivers rather than a PC, so that's the reason a bridge and switch solution seemed like the only solution other than pulling wire.

It's a house we own, but one room has internet connection on upstairs room over garage on the outside wall, with a vaulted/stepped ceiling with no access to the side, underneath or area above or across the room where I'm headed. I may run around baseboards there but not ideal. Second room is far away and also has challenging access but at least there's attic overhead. Opening walls is a non-good event since the rooms are pretty large, I don't have original paint and don't have a massive repaint in the budget right now. Time or money.

My reason for looking at the bridge option is as I said I've got wifi speed that's pretty zippy, so even with some degradation on the bridge connection I should still be ahead of where I was on my 30Mbps cable connection in old house. If the bridge option works, it's just an easier install and cheaper than having someone come fish cable out of the dark corners of house I figured too!
Given your setup and needs, why not powerline adapters? Before I pulled CAT cable throughout my home, I used them to feed a signal to a back bedroom where my son had his Xbox setup. It worked well for that purpose. Plug all your equipment into a switch and the switch into a powerline adapter, then plug it into an outlet, and call it a day. That option would also likely be less expensive than what you're talking about with a bridge, and throughput would be as good if not better than relying on WiFi.


-----------------------------
Guns are awesome because they shoot solid lead freedom. Every man should have several guns. And several dogs, because a man with a cat is a woman. Kurt Schlichter
 
Posts: 33845 | Location: Orlando, FL | Registered: April 30, 2006Reply With QuoteReport This Post
Caught in a loop
posted Hide Post
quote:
Originally posted by Georgeair:
quote:
Originally posted by V-Tail:
quote:
Originally posted by kimber1911:
Curious as to why you would not string cat6 or cat6a cable.
Maybe OP is saying "cat5" as a generic term for ethernet cable.

I am. My age is showing.....


Also, Cat6 cable is depressingly expensive, even when compared to the price of solid copper Cat5e. Or at least it was when I last looked. It's been a little while.

I'll also throw my hat in with the powerline adapter guys. I've been gaming for several years over one. Hell, I'm typing this on a computer that owes its internet connection to one.


"In order to understand recursion, you must first learn the principle of recursion."
 
Posts: 3390 | Location: Memphis, TN | Registered: August 23, 2010Reply With QuoteReport This Post
thin skin can't win
Picture of Georgeair
posted Hide Post
quote:
Given your setup and needs, why not powerline adapters? Before I pulled CAT cable throughout my home, I used them to feed a single to a back bedroom where my son had his Xbox setup. It worked well for that. Plug all your equipment into a switch and the switch into a powerline adapter and call it a day.


I've not previously used those, but think that may be the answer. In the media room where I most care about speed the room is on one circuit and the fiber/wifi connection is located there as well. The second location (bedroom) I'm less concerned with degredation.



You only have integrity once. - imprezaguy02

 
Posts: 12889 | Location: Madison, MS | Registered: December 10, 2007Reply With QuoteReport This Post
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Picture of bigdeal
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quote:
Originally posted by vulrath:
Also, Cat6 cable is depressingly expensive, even when compared to the price of solid copper Cat5e. Or at least it was when I last looked. It's been a little while.
Check again. I recently bought a 1k foot pull box of solid copper CAT6 riser cable off Amazon for slightly more than CAT5e would have cost. It can be had for decent pricing if you shop around.


-----------------------------
Guns are awesome because they shoot solid lead freedom. Every man should have several guns. And several dogs, because a man with a cat is a woman. Kurt Schlichter
 
Posts: 33845 | Location: Orlando, FL | Registered: April 30, 2006Reply With QuoteReport This Post
quarter MOA visionary
Picture of smschulz
posted Hide Post
FYI, when you use CAT 6 cable you have to use CAT 6 patch cords and wall plates/connectors (to be fully compliant).
 
Posts: 23418 | Location: Houston, TX | Registered: June 11, 2006Reply With QuoteReport This Post
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