Connection options

[LfcGazza]

Hey bit of a dilemma here and not sure what is going to be the best option.
I current have my router which is upstairs (connected to the PC) which is connected to a extension from another extension (different room) which is connected to the main socket downstairs. I hope I have explained that clearly haha. The reason I'm thinking of sorting this out is because one of the extensions has snapped.

I'm thinking of maybe moving my router downstairs to the main telephone socket and getting power line adapters
or
Get a big cat5e cable and run it all the way upstairs and keep the router downstairs.
I've got other things to connect but I'm guessing I could just use a switch for those?

Just wondered if there is going to be much difference in terms of speed with those 2 options? and what adapters (if that is a good option) and Ethernet switches should I get? Router is a tp link if stuff is better to be paired. Also the connectivity is adsl+2

Thanks
Gazza

 

[bremen1874]

Either move the router downstairs or install a good telephone extension using a single run of CW1308 (or solid core Cat5e).

If you do move the router downstairs then you'd preferably run a network cable back upstairs. Powerline adapters should be okay but they'll cost more and they won't be as reliable as a simple cable.

If you want a switch upstairs just buy the cheapest unmanaged Gigabit switch you like the look of. You won't get more performance by spending more.

You don't need to match equipment brands. At the cheap-and-cheerful end of the market there's nothing much wrong with TP-Link.

 

[bledd]

I would put your modem/router next to the main phone socket. This gives you the best connection possible.

Then run cat5e to a central switch (or router if your first device is modem only), from here, run cat5e to each device.

 

[Zefan]

Powerlines will do for people who really don't want to run a cable, and who are happy with both relatively low transfer speeds between devices and other potential problems powerlines face/introduce.

The fact that you have phone extension cables in place already is a bit of a godsend. Although you won't want to use the cabling in place (especially as it's snapped ) it means a known cable route is already laid out and you should be able to more easily run a length of your preferred CATx cable to the exact spot your extension currently is. As has been said, move your router/modem to your main phone socket, and then - assuming there are no underlying issues with the route - use the same route the telephone extension cables for your CAT5e/6 run to a switch upstairs.