Making the Network

Tigjaw · 24 Sep 2010 at 14:55

Hi OC’ers,

I've finally got fed up of my wireless connection and want to try to improve our setup.
We have 10mb from Virgin Media and my dad (who is connected via Ethernet right next to the router) gets that speed most of the time - when not being throttled by VM. However my brother and I have always struggled to feel the benefits of broadband as we're both connecting via wireless G and for some reason only receive a trickle.

I want a better way of distributing the 'network' around the house. There are only four Ethernet connections on the router and we would like to provide accessibility for every room.
What would be the best way of going about this? Wireless N? Spraying Ethernet cables everywhere?

Thanks in advance for any advice - I know a lot of you must have some experience in this area,
Regards,
Tig

EDIT: Our router = WGR614 v5 - think replacing it may solve the wireless problem entirely?

branddaly · 24 Sep 2010 at 16:06

Ah... Best way depends largely on your exact requirements, and available resources.
Wireless N is likely to give you a better connection than G, in terms of range, and probable signal strength. But wireless is dependant on many factors that are not easy (read not easy without correct equipment) to determine in advance. You could try it, and the expection would be for an improvement but you couldn't guarantee it.

Next option would be home plugs. Not particulary cheap (nor that expensive), you'd need at least three. One to connect the router to the electrical wiring, and one for each PC you wish to connect the system. Again, there are no guarantees on bandwidth, but you should, even with mediocre home wiring get the full 10mbps available from the router, issues, would arise if you access each others PC or shares, then you may notice restrictions on the bandwidth compared to the advertised amounts that the home plugs claim.

Ethernet cables everywhere is probably the must reliable, and robust option. You are very likely to get the bandwidth promised. It just depends on the homeowners (WAF being very important in many homes) being comfortable with you messing up the house with lots of additional cables. Idealy if doing this they would be chased into walls, and terminated in wall sockets for aesthic reasons.

Tigjaw · 24 Sep 2010 at 17:03

branddaly said:
SNIP

Cheers for the advice Branddaly, I forgot to ask about the Ethernet network option. If my router only has four Ethernet ports is it possible to provide more than four Ethernet connections around the house?

manbearpig · 24 Sep 2010 at 17:10

Tigjaw said:
Cheers for the advice Branddaly, I forgot to ask about the Ethernet network option. If my router only has four Ethernet ports is it possible to provide more than four Ethernet connections around the house?

Ethernet Switch.

Tigjaw · 24 Sep 2010 at 17:14

manbearpig said:
Ethernet Switch.

Ah of course, so I - for example - take one Ethernet cable, plug it into a switch and plug as many devices into it as possible but... Doesn't that effect the efficiency of the connection? If my laptop and my pc are connected via a switch at the same time, they're sharing the same switch, the same bandwidth, the same root ethernet cable. Doesn't a switch limit speeds?

manbearpig · 24 Sep 2010 at 18:53

I'm not entirely sure how much difference a switch would be than having two separate cables going straight from the router, but if its for your 10MB broadband and your using a 100MB Ethernet switch, 2 connections wont make any noticeable difference.

Duke · 24 Sep 2010 at 19:23

Tigjaw said:
Ah of course, so I - for example - take one Ethernet cable, plug it into a switch and plug as many devices into it as possible but... Doesn't that effect the efficiency of the connection? If my laptop and my pc are connected via a switch at the same time, they're sharing the same switch, the same bandwidth, the same root ethernet cable. Doesn't a switch limit speeds?

No, as they are 100mbit and the Internet is only 10mbit, so plenty of capacity. Unless it is very difficult to do, I would suggest running an ethernet lead to the other two computers. You can run it under floor boards and staple gun it to skirting boards etc so few ways of doing it.

HungryHippos · 24 Sep 2010 at 20:24

Might sound funny. But I noticed that one of the wireless clients at my parents place got very slow speeds on a VM 10mbps connection. Turns out when I moved the antennae on the back of the network card the speed went right up and the wireless was then working at 10mbps like it should be (Wireless G = 54mbps theoretical so 10mbps should be doable).