Help me get better wifi please

j.col · 25 Jan 2017 at 11:13

Hi I am on plusnet fibre with the standard router and openreach modem.
The problem is the WiFi signal upstairs is useless.

My son has a cat 5 cable running from the plusnet router to his bedroom for his pc.

My question is do I get a better router/modem for a better wifi signal?
Or can I get a wireless router and plug it into the cat 5 cable upstairs and get better wifi that way?

varkanoid · 25 Jan 2017 at 11:29

Just get a Wifi Access point with an ethernet out port for your son. Job done.

j.col · 25 Jan 2017 at 11:56

Thx mate. I knew there would be a simple solution

bremen1874 · 25 Jan 2017 at 12:26

Access points with multiple Ethernet ports exist, but aren't common at the domestic end of the market.

Your original plan of using a second wireless router (configured as an access point) upstairs will be the simplest option. You could even use an old ISP supplied router if you have one kicking around.

varkanoid · 25 Jan 2017 at 14:38

You can get one for about £40 but yes a cheaper option could be to pickup a wireless router for £20-£25 and just use that if you havent got one kicking around. You could always add a 6 port switch and run it off that.

j.col · 26 Jan 2017 at 12:11

There is a six port switch already in my sons room.
I found a couple of wifi access points on the rainforest site.
They have a ethernet in port on them.

Was thinking of just running an ethernet lead from switch to wap.
And leave the ethernet lead from switch to sons pc

BigT · 26 Jan 2017 at 12:16

Six port? That's unusual but handy its already there.

Doing what you suggest will be absolutely fine. Just be sure that whatever APs you've bought that you don't enable the DHCP server on them if they have one. Because its cabled back to your router, the router should remain doing DHCP leasing duties for all your wireless clients connecting to these APs.

j.col · 26 Jan 2017 at 12:38

Thx mate.
When my other son lived at home I had to run a cable to his bedroom as well lol.
Hence the need for a switch. I think it is 6 port but could be 4 to 8 lol

thenewoc · 26 Jan 2017 at 14:13

If you can run the existing cable to a convenient location such as a cupboard on the 1st floor then I would put a bigger network switch there and patch panel, then run off cables from that to which ever bedrooms need sockets via the loft. At the same time, as the switch is upstairs run a cable from the switch via a PoE injector to a ceiling mounted wireless access point.

ChrisD. · 26 Jan 2017 at 15:14

If you want decent wifi then look at an Ubiquiti Access Point.

DIABLO · 26 Jan 2017 at 17:58

ChrisD. said:
If you want decent wifi then look at an Ubiquiti Access Point.