What do I need for a LAN sub-net? (internet via Wifi)

hardjack79

hardjack79

hardjack79

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Joined
27 Sep 2012
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100
Location
Petone, NZ
Dear reader,

I'm lodging with a family who have a wifi router on the ground floor. I'm on the 2nd (top) floor. I have two aims and hopefully someone will know what piece of kit I need to be able to achieve them...

1) Create a LAN (wired + wifi) for my own use -- mainly streaming media, occasionally LAN gaming, without the data needing to traverse the wifi connection(s) back to the family router.

2) Improve the quality of my internet access (wifi signal is pretty weak in my room), or at least not significantly degrade it (so if using an extender, I think dual-band is a must?)

So I want a device that is basically a router, but can connect to the internet via the wifi signal of the family's router. I wonder if a Wireless Range Extender, such as the Netgear WN2500RP, fits the bill?

A wired connection to the family router is not going to be possible, however I do have physical access to it for installing things, if required. It would be nice if "Richard Net" was completely private from "Family Net", but even obfuscation would be enough security bc the family are not super tech savvy.

Has anyone done this, or have knowledge about this kind of thing? Any recommendations for hardware that would do the job?

Thanks very much,
Richard
 
What's your budget? I can see maybe a few ways of doing this but they can vary massively in price.

Few questions:

Are they tied to using that router or could you replace it? if not what brand/make is it?

Would they be ok with moving the router and letting you run some cable to put the router in a more applicable place on the ground floor?(No random family I know has their router in the correct place for maximum Wifi efficiency, it's always hidden in the basement under some rocks or something)

----

The security would come depending on what option is chosen I guess.
 
Good questions and I'll need to do some research before I can answer all of them. I've just moved in and haven't seen the router yet, but it is a talktalk router so probably a Huawei HG533. It has a 12Mbit connection according to its status page, but I don't see that up here. I'm lucky if the signal doesn't drop out.

I'll ask about replacing it - hopefully not a big deal if I'm paying. And about removing it from the lead lined box in the neighbors basement, yes. :)

Budget is decent I think: £100 for something that works, maybe more for a really good solution. Internet is important and I use it a lot so worth paying to get something good.

Writing this from a mobile over 3G so I will do mutt best to answer those questions tomorrow, and get a solution sorted soon.
 
The easiest solution is to purchase a N66U or equivalent capable router and use some custom firmware such as DDWRT or Gargoyle meaning you have extensive access over the network and the possibility to restrict access on the network via physical mac address which would give you the security you want.

The N66U I have so I can speak from experience, the wireless range on the 2.4GHz Wifi band is incredible especially with the somewhat directional antenna and when coupled with OEM firmware works really well so should easily reach upstairs if positioned correctly underneath the room somewhat.
 
Assuming they'll allow it I'd try Powerline adapters. As it's only a 12Mbit connection they wouldn't even need to be working very well to get the full bandwidth.

Powerline from the router to your room, and then plug the cable router of your choice into into your end of the connection to create your own private wired and wireless network.

A set of AV200 Powerline adapters should cost about £25. Another £20 for an Asus RT-N12E or similar and you'll be done.
 
I can assume the 12Mbit connection is what the wireless LAN can actually connect at due to the bad signal, maybe or maybe not.

You could go down the power line route but your success can vary wildly on many factors that can cause interference, with a proper spec wireless router you'd get similar speeds and ping using wireless but it would be more expensive to purchase a router rather than the plugs, so there is that.
 
I've ordered some pass through powerline adapters and a basic router (went for the Asus RT-N12E in the end). This seems like a decent solution if I can configure it correctly and I doubt it will be bandwidth limiting. Plus it only cost 45 quid and should arrive today. I'll let you know how out goes. Most likely I'll bee petitioning family for a change in plan or ISP, given how you guys are taking the **** out of the connection speed already :)

Thanks for the advice everyone.
 
The gear arrived and was ridiculously simple to set up. Plugged it all in and was able to able to set up wifi password from my phone without even plugging a PC into the router. Web access up here is at the maximum (albeit disappointing) speed of 12 Mbps. The powerline adapter downstairs is hidden in a cupboard so the only visible change is an extra cable coming from the back of the router.

No doubt I've got some tweaks still to make to secure the subnet and make sure the LAN routing is sensible, but I'm very happy with this solution. Thanks very much guys!
 
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