Networking advice please - mixing power line, Ethernet and WiFi

PlacidCasual

PlacidCasual

PlacidCasual

Soldato
Joined
13 May 2003
Posts
9,102
Hi peeps

I have an old house with really thick internal and external stone walls (18” rough stone) and WiFi simply doesn’t not travel through walls.

As a consequence I have set up a D-Link powerline network from the router to 5 locations in the house. My powerline network acts with one WiFI SSID in all locations. This works ok but I find it does drop out occasionally but for domestic use it’s not a problem. Although the powerline adaptor in my study is the weakest probably due to a tortuous path round the electrics.

I am finding however my work Cisco VPN software (which I have no power to change) does not like it. It bounces in and out. I have been using my work mobile as a hot spot but even that seems to be playing up of late, maybe I’ve smashed some download limit.

So I’m planning to get a Cat 5 cable run from the room where the router is along the outside wall to where my study is. Then install network switch in my study so everything there at least can run direct from my router.

First question, can I connect this network switch to my powerline adaptor which is providing the room WiFi?

I am also taking the opportunity to get a Cat5 run from my study to the garage. I currently have my NAS in the study and I’m thinking of mirroring it or relocating it in the garage. I’m also considering adding a POE switch in the garage so if I want to add cameras or an access point I can power them from there.

Second question, can I set up an wireless access point on the network POE that has the same SSID and log on credentials as my powerline network?


Getting a Cat5 and switch to the office is well within my capabilities, after that I’m out of my depth. I just about manage with my Synology NAS because the software is great. The D-Link powerline stuff is basic but works.

Any help much appreciated.
 
Do the right thing and drill holes for ethernet cables. Or you could make use of the holes that are already there for the electrics.
 
I’m assuming you mean run it internally rather than externally? If so that’s a lot of hard work in terms of number of floor boards lifted carpets and furniture moved.
I’m not personally installing the Cat5 getting telecoms guy to do it. Will drill through base of UPVC window frame there is a lot of room there. Drilling through 18” rough stone wall is a days work in itself. I know from experience.
 
It would be lovely to imagine that but this a 100+ year old former rectory where everything was back fitted over the years at minimum cost by contractors for the church with little or no oversight. Every year I open a new can of worms and work my way through it. I joke not there were about 8 layers of gloss on the internal doors and when you take the wall paper off you can find about 70 years of interior decorating trends.
 
PlacidCasual said:
First question, can I connect this network switch to my powerline adaptor which is providing the room WiFi?
Click to expand...
Only if there isn't a Powerline adapter connected to the router. You don't want any loops in the network.
PlacidCasual said:
Second question, can I set up an wireless access point on the network POE that has the same SSID and log on credentials as my powerline network?
Click to expand...
Yes. Whether this will work as you'd like with device roaming will largely be down the connected devices and how they handle it.
 
PlacidCasual said:
Thank you for the answers. I’ll have to avoid the loops and just rely on powerline for WiFi as router is into a powerline.
Click to expand...
Not necessarily.

You only want one adapter connected to the router, but it doesn't matter which one. If you plug the adapter with wireless into your new switch and completely remove the one that currently connects to the router the rest should continue to work.
 
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