Can you confirm this is what I need? RE Wireless Access point

DELETED_74504 · 22 Jan 2013 at 21:24

Hi there,

We've got an outhouse, about 90m from the house. No phone line. I'd like to get wireless internet over there, but don't want to put in a new phone line. So, can I run Cat5e over there (under the lawn) and stick a wireless access point on the end, allowing wireless access in the outhouse, whilst still allowing wireless access in the main house?

I've read that 100m is the max for Cat5e, but I was wondering if there would be any noticeable delay with this distance? Also if it were slightly more (say 110m - would it not work? (I haven't measured accurately what it would be yet!

Any advice / suggestions you have would be warmly welcomed!

Thanks for taking the time to help.

Max

bremen1874 · 22 Jan 2013 at 22:54

Max2559 said:
Hi there,

We've got an outhouse, about 90m from the house. No phone line. I'd like to get wireless internet over there, but don't want to put in a new phone line. So, can I run Cat5e over there (under the lawn) and stick a wireless access point on the end, allowing wireless access in the outhouse, whilst still allowing wireless access in the main house?

Yes. You'd obviously need to take the usual precautions to protect the cable from the environment and accidental damage.

I've read that 100m is the max for Cat5e, but I was wondering if there would be any noticeable delay with this distance? Also if it were slightly more (say 110m - would it not work? (I haven't measured accurately what it would be yet!

100m is distance the specs say it's supposed run over. You should be able to run a bit further. Cat6 could help with its thicker conductors and less voltage drop.

There wouldn't be any delay you'd be able to detect in use.

Any advice / suggestions you have would be warmly welcomed!

If it is too far for copper you can get pre-terminated fibre cables that'll handle the distance easily (for a cost).

There's also the option of installing a dedicated building-to-building wireless bridge, but this would be a third best option.

Thanks for taking the time to help.

Max

DELETED_74504 · 22 Jan 2013 at 23:16

Thanks - that's great.

Couple more questions - just because I'd like to learn!

Would it work in theory if I went, modem/router - ethernet (100m) - switch.

Then from switch - wireless access point, and also wired to some devices?

I think I'm overcomplicating this! But basically, was just wondering if I could have wired and wireless in the outbuilding?

OOh... and does the brand of wireless access point matter? Any good suggestions? My router is a belkin Wireless N... if that makes any dif?

bremen1874 · 22 Jan 2013 at 23:22

Max2559 said:
Thanks - that's great.

Couple more questions - just because I'd like to learn!

Would it work in theory if I went, modem/router - ethernet (100m) - switch.

Then from switch - wireless access point, and also wired to some devices?

I think I'm overcomplicating this! But basically, was just wondering if I could have wired and wireless in the outbuilding?

OOh... and does the brand of wireless access point matter? Any good suggestions? My router is a belkin Wireless N... if that makes any dif?

You can, the network in the outhouse can be as complicated as you'd like.

Choice of access point is down to how much you're willing to spend and the features you need.

DELETED_74504 · 22 Jan 2013 at 23:31

Right. And just in case - what's this about the pre-terminated fibre cables? Are these things that you can just use instead of copper Cat5/6. If so.. could you point me in the direction of somewhere to read about them/perhaps an example for sale somewhere. Had a quick look ... but couldn't see any with what look like ethernet conections! - I bet that's probably very stupid of me... I guess they'd have an adapter or something?
Cheers for your help tho!

bremen1874 · 22 Jan 2013 at 23:45

Max2559 said:
Right. And just in case - what's this about the pre-terminated fibre cables? Are these things that you can just use instead of copper Cat5/6. If so.. could you point me in the direction of somewhere to read about them/perhaps an example for sale somewhere. Had a quick look ... but couldn't see any with what look like ethernet conections! - I bet that's probably very stupid of me... I guess they'd have an adapter or something?
Cheers for your help tho!

I'm more just aware that they're available, rather than having hands on experience. The one time I was involved with putting fibre between two buildings we paid a nice man to come and install it.

You would need adapters at both ends (or fibre capable switches) to connect to normal copper Ethernet. It wouldn't be cheap option, but not out of reach if it's for something important.

jimmynaetroots · 23 Jan 2013 at 07:15

Is your outhouses power connected to your home power supply? If so maybe a home plug connection between the router and outhouse would be the cheapest and easiest option..

platypus · 23 Jan 2013 at 09:35

I'd suggest that fibre would be somewhat overkill really. Best bet is to bury some ducting (or drainpipe) and run ethernet to it, you can then have a router acting as an wireless extender for both wired & wireless connectivity.

DELETED_74504 · 23 Jan 2013 at 13:37

Thanks for the suggestions. No currently, no power line between house and outhouse - it's on a separate power supply, for which there is no meter, and non of the providers want to take ownership of! - I could power the entire house off it, but I couldn't live with myself for that, so for now it powers a few light bulbs and a fridge. Anyway - putting that aside, I'll go with Cat6.

You mentioned using a wireless router to act as an a wireless extender (same as wireless access point right? - whilst also acting as a way to hook up wired devices?

If that's possible great as I have a spare wireless router. - How would I do that?

Phone line-modem/router - ethernet (100m) - router (which socket?) - wireless and wired devices

Is that right?

Would I have to change the config of the router?

bremen1874 · 23 Jan 2013 at 13:50

A wireless access point isn't the same as a wireless extender, but the difference doesn't matter for this.

Almost any wireless router can be configured to act as a wireless access point. Some routers have it as a built-in option, others you have to setup manually.

The key points are that you need to disable the router's DHCP server, and you need to ignore the router's WAN port and use one of the LAN ports to connect it to the rest of the network. The details have been covered many times on this forum and Googling 'router as access point' will find many guides.

It's a good way of reusing redundant kit.

DELETED_74504 · 23 Jan 2013 at 13:55

Brilliant. That's great. Thanks.

platypus · 23 Jan 2013 at 13:58

Have you got a spare router? If so what make.

Here is a great guide for doing what it sounds like is exactly what you want, and whether or not you use dd-wrt in the end its still probably going to be useful.

That said, check the dd-wrt page and see if your router is supported.