I get poor WiFi performance in my lounge (2Mbps) which is the furthest distance in the house from the router. I do have a hardwired Ethernet connection in the lounge connected to the router. What's the best way of providing better WiFi performance in the lounge by connecting into the Ethernet connection already available?
Why not use the cable? You can put an old WiFi router connected to the cable or get a range extender or homeplugs with WiFi
I have used something like this in the past:
TP-LINK RE205 AC750 WiFi Range Extender Plug LN98162 | SCAN UK
It connects to the router using a hardwired ethernet connection.
Thanks. I've just discovered I have a TP-Link 150Mbps Wireless N Nano Router TL-WR702N in my spare parts bin. TL-WR702N | 150Mbps Wireless N Nano Router | TP-Link United Kingdom
This supports Access Point , Client, Router, Repeater and Bridge modes. A quick scan of the User Guide suggests I need to use it Router mode to connect it to the Ethernet link in the room and provide a second higher power WiFi connection.
It's fortunate I don't throw away old PC stuff. I haven't used the TP-Link Nano Router for 5 years. I just updated the firmware and configured it in router mode to provide a separate WiFi connection on another RF channel in lounge connected to the main cable modem via Ethernet.
I was originally only getting c. 2Mbps in the lounge which is the farthest point from the modem location. I now get 35Mbps from the Chromecast and 40Mbps+ from a laptop in the lounge (via a Virgin Media 50Mbps fibre broadband connection). Good result at no extra cost!
Hi there
Often another way to do this is via a CHEAP unmanaged 4 / 5 port Switch. Connect Lan cable from PC to switch -- use USB>LAN if PC doesn't have LAN connector. Now from Switch connect a LAN cable (you only need one port from the switch) to a decent Wifi extender.
Set Router to manage both 2.5 and 5GHZ bands for its wifi and ensure it transmits BOTH --some real cheap routers will only do 2.4 GHZ OR 5 GHZ. If you have one of those - time for a trip to The Tip (Called Recycling centres in some places !! --We still call it "The Tip") and get a new one --or if you don't want to do that set to 5 GHZ. The switch will ensure the computer gets the signal even if it natively can't do 5 GHZ.
Now set your "Ethernet" connector (The PC will think it's LAN connected now) to full duplex with auto negotiate,
The switch via the Wifi extender will use both the 2.5 and 5 GHZ bands concurrently if it can to deliver the fastest speed to your computer.
You need a decent wifi extender though --Those Nighthawk things are brilliant --and DO use the switch --really cheap but you will get the throughput.
I was with a collegue today on my way to the Ferry to Rotterdam (Europoort) from Hull (Kingston Upon Hull) and he asked me to have a look at a similar situation.
Got the switch and he was incredibly pleased with the result (over 70 metres from his main router).
Not sure of typical broadband speeds in UK but I'm sure Kingston Upon Hull (KCOM) probably isn't on anybody's mind over there as being particularly "Broad band Friendly" but he was absolutely delighted with the improvement -- Not sure what a direct LAN cable would have done but for the UK that did seem like an improvement in Broadband over typical areas. !!
Cheers
jimbo
Last edited by jimbo45; 05 Feb 2020 at 11:20.
Hi there
well done --you've more or less done what I've suggested and that way is usually far better than typical built in wi fi cards on older computers (which probably only work in half duplex too !!).
I rarely throw old hardware away unless it really is broken -- sometimes even old laptop HDD's are useful for external backup, archiving special data etc etc. !!
Just recently I wanted more SATA ports for a desktop -- fortunately had some molex -->Sata connectors over which made the job simple -- so it pays to keep old stuff --you never know when it might be useful again !!!
Cheers
jimbo
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