Extending wireless network

Nick1881 · 6 Aug 2011 at 16:36

We currently have 2 wireless points but the garage isn't covered very well, my dad works in here all day so he needs better coverage.

Below is my super paint skills basic over view of the network.

The cable network in my flat is connected to a Netgear router, providing my PC, PS3 and phone with internet, then it runs to a switch and another wireless router providing the house with wireless, a second switch also feeds internet to my dads Blu-ray player and media player.

I was thinking of adding another access point in the garage but they won't allow the network to continue on to the house right?

Would our best option be another gigabit switch and a wireless access point? I'd estimate about £40 should cover these. Luckily the network cable already runs through the garage.

Sadly the Netgear router wont take an external antenna else that might give enough range to reach the garage better.

Any other ideas?

Thanks

Nick1881 · 6 Aug 2011 at 22:17

It's quite a big cable run, would rather not have to make a second.

A switch will work though with a wireless access point right?

Nick1881 · 8 Aug 2011 at 10:58

Thinking about this some more, can I get a wireless repeater in the back of the garage and use that?

The current wifi just reaches the garage.

I did think about an external antenna but neither of my current routers seems to have an antenna connection.

Nick1881 · 8 Aug 2011 at 11:11

The garage, flat and house are all on separate rings AFAIK.

Nick1881 · 8 Aug 2011 at 11:30

Yes the cable runs through the back of the garage with plug sockets near by too for powering a WAP.

A laptop is in use in the garage and it moved around a lot, taken inside cars etc.

The garage laptop is only wireless G, the new N laptop we have works a bit better, maybe a range extender on the back wall would work well.

TP-link TL-WA730RE is only £20. Worth a punt?

Nick1881 · 8 Aug 2011 at 12:35

That switch has a bluray and media player, I said to my dad he could drop the connection to the bluray.

Would still need a wireless point for the garage though.

There is also a join already in that cable, I had a WAP there a few years ago before my flat was hard wired.