Wireless Booster

IRL_Sinister

Hello,

Bit of a strange request coming. I live in a relatively large home, but the way the wiring is in the house means we can only put a modem for our wireless in a certain place in the house, which is about as far from my room (and PC) as possible. Recently it's gotten worse and I'm not exactly sure why, I've had engineers, technicians etc out in the house and checking all the connections on the street and everything and there's not a problem. There's just a lot of interference with all the electronics that are in the house. However, even when I'm the only one connected to the internet it can still happen.

Anyway, my internet woes aren't a problem. I recently got a new job and I will be using the internet a lot outside of work and I'm an avid gamer which means I use the internet whenever I can. Apparently, the only solution is to get a wireless booster to improve the signal into my room. Like, whatever, if it works it's all good.

So I guess my question revolves around what is a good one to get, where can I get it and what is the price? Also, I'd rather physically buy it and pick it up myself rather than get it delivered. Anywhere in Kildare/Dublin area is fine. I work in the IFSC so I'm in the city a lot but have access to Liffey Valley, Blanchardstown, etc.

I'm going to "Spoiler" my problems so people can maybe offer suggestions and discuss my problem further.

Provider: UPC. Connection: 100/20 Fibre Optic. Speedtest: http://www.speedtest.net/result/2652135834.png (Yeah, I know)

Basically, what is occurring is I am getting a "good" wireless signal from my room. However, this can often fluctuate from good all the way down to poor. It's not uncommon for the connection to have that "!" in an yellow triangle indicating for whatever reason the internet has disconnected. This happens regularly but it comes back online in 5-20 seconds. It's not really a huge deal but when I play games or I click "send" on an e-mail and suddenly all disappears it no longer becomes cool. Most of the time, my ping in-game is a stable 40 (which is good a wireless connection) however it can often shoot up to 500+ for 3/4 seconds which can be a HUGE difference.

I also regularly watch Youtube videos and twitch.tv (a streaming website for gamers). Most of the time Youtube loads no problem but occasionally while the internet is at a "low" point I can't even buffer a 240 video. Twitch.tv is almost impossible to watch the last few days because every 30 seconds I get a spike for about 15 seconds. It's unbearable.

Like I said I've had engineers, technicians and UPC customer/technical support on the phone several times in the last couple weeks. It's becoming infuriating and if this will fix my problem I'm willing to dish out. Any help and advice is appreciated.


NOTE: If this is the wrong forum, please let me know/move it.

riclad

SEE here
http://www.pcadvisor.co.uk/buying-advice/network-wifi/3370997/homeplug-powerline-networking-adaptors-buying-advice/

there,s homeplug kits, 2 units with ethernet out,
About 60 euro,
kit with wifi out is 80- 90 euro,sender, reciever.

IF you are just using 1 console ,or 1 pc for gaming , i think ethernet units are better,
eg less lag thru wired connection,than wifi.

IF YOU want to use 2 or 3 devices, tablets, pc than a wifi unit is needed.

Main disadvantage is both units need to plugged into esb socket,
if you want to use the net thru the homeplug system.

PLUG ,sender into router port,
plug pc into sender , thru ethernet port
if using wifi, just put in wifi password ,into pc,or tablet.

it set 1 up, to use on 360 console, and 1 laptop, it works fine ,on both.
used 2 ethernet cables, 5ft long approx,
on each end.
Bought it on adverts,ie,new in box.

IRL_Sinister

riclad wrote: »

SEE here
http://www.pcadvisor.co.uk/buying-advice/network-wifi/3370997/homeplug-powerline-networking-adaptors-buying-advice/

there,s homeplug kits, 2 units with ethernet out,
About 60 euro,
kit with wifi out is 80- 90 euro,sender, reciever.

IF you are just using 1 console ,or 1 pc for gaming , i think ethernet units are better,
eg less lag thru wired connection,than wifi.

IF YOU want to use 2 or 3 devices, tablets, pc than a wifi unit is needed.

Main disadvantage is both units need to plugged into esb socket,
if you want to use the net thru the homeplug system.

PLUG ,sender into router port,
plug pc into sender , thru ethernet port
if using wifi, just put in wifi password ,into pc,or tablet.

We have 2 iPads, 2 laptops and 3 PCs. Not going to buy a device for each one. Thank you for the suggestion all the same.

riclad

You could buy another wifi router, and set it to bridge mode,
and run cable between the 2 routers,
but its alot simpler to use a homeplug system .
Google boards ie,
set up router bridge ,
it might be alot easier to buy another identical router,

eg dlink 560g , if you have a dlink 560g,
AS i presume you could copy the settings and set it to bridge mode on router 2.
I think the simplist way,is run an ethernet cable from router 1 to router 2.
http://www.google.com/search?gcx=w&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8&q=set+router+to+bridge+++mode+

http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2055221723


ITS likely the staff in the call centre would not have the training ,
or knowledge to set up 2 routers ,
especially if they are not the same model and brand, eg dlink520.

IRL_Sinister

riclad wrote: »

You could buy another wifi router, and set it to bridge mode,
and run cable between the 2 routers,
but its alot simpler to use a homeplug system .

Cables aren't an option. If cables were an option, trust me I would have them.

riclad

http://www.google.com/search?gcx=w&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8&q=set+up+2+routers+uk+home+network

I think you could get 1 kit,homeplug 2 units,
then just use it to send an ethernet cable into router 2,OR ethernet into a wireless booster, repeater unit.

eg Avoid running ethernet cables from ground to the top floor ,
if you find running cables to be awkward or unsightly in a large house.
i,m not sure if this would work,
eg routers usually use a direct phone line,or fibre cable input to recieve
the broadband data.

IRL_Sinister

riclad wrote: »

http://www.google.com/search?gcx=w&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8&q=set+up+2+routers+uk+home+network

I think you could get 1 kit,homeplug 2 units,
then just use it to send an ethernet cable into router 2,

eg Avoid running ethernet cables from ground to the top floor ,
if you find running cables to be awkward or unsightly in a large house.
i,m not sure if this would work,
eg routers usually use a direct phone line,or fibre cable input to recieve
the broadband data.

I think I get you. Sounds complicated! :<

Lu Tze

IRL_Sinister wrote: »

We have 2 iPads, 2 laptops and 3 PCs. Not going to buy a device for each one. Thank you for the suggestion all the same.

something like this then?

http://www.amazon.co.uk/TL-WPA281-Powerline-Extender-Wireless-Access/dp/B0067GS0YO/ref=sr_1_9?ie=UTF8&qid=1366222628&sr=8-9&keywords=powerline

Same as what was recommended but puts a wireless access point where you need it (at the end of the house). You will need different adaptor by the modem/router to connect to it.

IRL_Sinister

Lu Tze wrote: »

something like this then?

http://www.amazon.co.uk/TL-WPA281-Powerline-Extender-Wireless-Access/dp/B0067GS0YO/ref=sr_1_9?ie=UTF8&qid=1366222628&sr=8-9&keywords=powerline

Same as what was recommended but puts a wireless access point where you need it (at the end of the house). You will need different adaptor by the modem/router to connect to it.

Hypothetically: I could plug it in upstairs in a neutral location and it would receive the signal and boost it upstairs?

EDIT: Just to give you an idea of how bad it is right now....

riclad

SEE
http://www.avforums.com/forums/networking-nas/1127275-adding-wap-existing-wifi-network.html
see pic 2, on the right side.

i think you could use a homeplug ethernet unit,to connect to a wap unit upstairs.#
AS IN diagram, eg no need to run cables .

IRL_Sinister

riclad wrote: »

SEE
http://www.avforums.com/forums/networking-nas/1127275-adding-wap-existing-wifi-network.html
see pic 2, on the right side.

i think you could use a homeplug ethernet unit,to connect to a wap unit upstairs.#
AS IN diagram, eg no need to run cables .

Wouldn't that require an internet connection upstairs, though? As in what's the point of having a modem elsewhere? We can only get internet in through one place in the house which is already connected directly to the modem downstairs in the opposite corner of the house. Cables are not an option. The cables I already have are coming directly from the wall and are the ONLY ones I can get.

riclad

THE unit from amazon might do it,if you put it in the middle,
eg in a esb plug thats equally distant from all the rooms,
eg maybe at the top of the stairs,
depends on how big the house is, how big the rooms are.
i presume its range is ten metres approx.
eg similar to wifi router.
the latest ipad ,is not the best re picking up wifi at a distance.

IRL_Sinister

riclad wrote: »

THE unit from amazon might do it,if you put it in the middle,
eg in a esb plug thats equally distant from all the rooms,
eg maybe at the top of the stairs,
depends on how big the house is, how big the rooms are.
i presume its range is ten metres approx.
eg similar to wifi router.
the latest ipad ,is not the best re picking up wifi at a distance.

F*ck the iPad's :P Cool, will do more research into that Amazon one. Thanks again.

EDIT: Just went to eat dinner and, for the sake of it, ran another speedtest. This was the result this time.



It's a f*cking nightmare to deal with.

EDIT 2: I used to get WAY over 40DL and ~10UL before this all started happening.

riclad

See here http://compnetworking.about.com/od/homenetworking/ig/Home-Network-Diagrams/Hybrid-Network-Diagram.htmre,

According to that diagram, the wap ,just connects to the router by an ethernet cable,
so If A Homeplug unit is used,
you could plug the ethernet cable from the reciever,
into a wireless acess point.

SO you,d only need 1 connection to broadband,as you have now.


OR simply get the unit from amazon that acts as a wifi acess point,and put it upstairs ,in the midpoint between the bedrooms.

ANY homeplug system, needs 2 units, sender, reciever,

so they usually sell 2 in a box ,in pairs.

Reciever plugs into an esb socket,
then connects into router ,by an ethernet cable.

I think one reciever could be connected to 2 or more homeplug sender,
sender,is the device that goes into an esb socket, upstairs, provides wifi or ethernet
signal to a tablet or pc ,

THE best signal i ever got was 20meg, per sec on a new upc fibre modem,
i cant remember what the upload speed was.
got about 11meg per sec, downstairs 14 ft from the router.on wifi.

IRL_Sinister

riclad wrote: »

See here http://compnetworking.about.com/od/homenetworking/ig/Home-Network-Diagrams/Hybrid-Network-Diagram.htmre,

According to that diagram, the wap ,just connects to the router by an ethernet cable,
so If A Homeplug unit is used,
you could plug the ethernet cable from the reciever,
into a wireless acess point.

SO you,d only need 1 connection to broadband,as you have now.


OR simply get the unit from amazon that acts as a wifi acess point,and put it upstairs ,in the midpoint between the bedrooms.

ANY homeplug system, needs 2 units, sender, reciever,

so they usually sell 2 in a box ,in pairs.

Reciever plugs into an esb socket,
then connects into router ,by an ethernet cable.

I think one reciever could be connected to 2 or more homeplug sender,
sender,is the device that goes into an esb socket, upstairs, provides wifi or ethernet
signal to a tablet or pc ,

THE best signal i ever got was 20meg, per sec on a new upc fibre modem,
i cant remember what the upload speed was.
got about 11meg per sec, downstairs 14 ft from the router.on wifi.

Does a cable always have to be used or is there not something that can just pick up the signal (upstairs) and boost it?

EDIT: In case you haven't noticed I'm not technically savvy.

IRL_Sinister

IRL_Sinister wrote: »

Does a cable always have to be used or is there not something that can just pick up the signal (upstairs) and boost it?

There is something, an access point or a "range extender", but I wouldn't recommend them. They can add a fair bit of latency as well as halve the throughput of the network.

RossieMan

oh my, Riclad's suggestions are as hard to follow as ever i see.
you use eg. far too much, maybe you should google it and understand what it means.


but yea, i have a similar situation as yourself OP, and the Ethernet cable plugs worked for me with a router.

just plug 1 in beside your existing router, and one beside your new router and ensure you have it set up as a bridge.

Best of luck with it, i can't think of anything else unless you switch were your main connection enters the house, which is probably the easiest fix.

IRL_Sinister

just plug 1 in beside your existing router, and one beside your new router and ensure you have it set up as a bridge.

"1 in" = ?

new router = ?



EDIT: I guess you mean buy another router and have it receive the signal from the existing router?

RossieMan

IRL_Sinister wrote: »

"1 in" = ?

new router = ?



EDIT: I guess you mean buy another router and have it receive the signal from the existing router?

i do, yea. Sorry thought i'd made myself clear.

Its nt going to be cheap by any means, but hey with this big house and all these laptops and Ipads you've been bragging about, i'm sure you'll manage.

IRL_Sinister

RossieMan wrote: »

i do, yea. Sorry thought i'd made myself clear.

Its nt going to be cheap by any means, but hey with this big house and all these laptops and Ipads you've been bragging about, i'm sure you'll manage.

You'd need to be very basic for me, I'm not tech savvy at all. I wasn't bragging I know other devices can interfere with signals and as you saw yourself, some of the advice offered above was hard to decipher and I wanted to give a true view of my situation.

riclad

i,m on smartelecom, wifi, just did test,on a netbook sony.
12ft from modem, 15.1meg persec,
upload, speed, 0.72 meg per sec.
i dont understand the question,

what cable,where exactly?

for a homeplug reciever , it connects to the router by ethernet,then plugs into an esb socket.
i switched over to smartelecom ,25meg contract last week.

the ethernet can be 1 or 2 foot long,or 6inches long, if the router is close
to an esb socket, homeplug has to go into a esb wall socket both ends.

i have pc connected to router by 3ft ethernet cable.

ALL you need upstairs is a homeplug unit ,with wifi on it

no cables upstairs,
needed,
in theory that may provide a wifi signal,to 2 ipads,
2 laptops, and a phone.

strength of signal depends on thickness of walls ,
size of rooms ,etc
if ipad is in room 1,2, i put it in an esb socket thats closer to room 1 and 2.

IT,LL work in any esb socket,in any room.
providing socket is on the same electrical ring circuit.

in theory,
if you are 10 ft from wifi homeplug,

its the same as being 10ft from the upc wifi router,

in terms of signal strength.quality.

IRL_Sinister

riclad wrote: »

i,m on smartelecom, wifi, just did test,on a netbook sony.
12ft from modem, 15.1meg persec,
upload, speed, 0.72 meg per sec.
i dont understand the question,

what cable,where exactly?

for a homeplug reciever , it connects to the router by ethernet,then plugs into an esb socket.
i switched over to smartelecom ,25meg contract last week.

the ethernet can be 1 or 2 foot long,or 6inches long, if the router is close
to an esb socket, homeplug has to go into a esb wall socket both ends.

i have pc connected to router by 3ft ethernet cable.

ALL you need upstairs is a homeplug unit ,with wifi on it

no cables upstairs,
needed,
in theory that may provide a wifi signal,to 2 ipads,
2 laptops, and a phone.

strength of signal depends on thickness of walls ,
size of rooms ,etc
if ipad is in room 1,2, i put it in an esb socket thats closer to room 1 and 2.

IT,LL work in any esb socket,in any room.
providing socket is on the same electrical ring circuit.

in theory,
if you are 10 ft from wifi homeplug,

its the same as being 10ft from the upc wifi router,

in terms of signal strength.quality.

You lost me, I simply don't understand what you're saying. Sorry.

riclad

I presume , 1 ,in above post= a homeplug unit, sender,or reciever.

see the first post from the uk networking site ,
i linked to.

You can only bridge a router ,or a wireless acess point,

homeplug just sends a signal, thru the mains,

to another room, wherever the homeplug sender unit is.

eg homeplug doesnt need any bridging or setup menus,
as far as i know.

RossieMan

I'd ignore him, i don't think he understand the problem for a start.

He posts in every single topic, and is very little help usually.

its nothing against the guy, but he should only post if he knows what hes talking about.


He lost me too.


and i wasn't having a go at you about the house, it was a joke.
internet sarcasm at its finist. Finiest? that doesn't seem right. damn you language.

IRL_Sinister

RossieMan wrote: »

I'd ignore him, i don't think he understand the problem for a start.

He posts in every single topic, and is very little help usually.

its nothing against the guy, but he should only post if he knows what hes talking about.


He lost me too.


and i wasn't having a go at you about the house, it was a joke.
internet sarcasm at its finist. Finiest? that doesn't seem right. damn you language.

Finest :> But thanks for the help. Will have a look around and see what I can find. Appreciate it.

riclad

HOMEPLUG unit 1 plugs into router,using an ethernet cable into the ethernet port,at the back of the router.

unit 2 homeplug with wifi, sends out a wireless signal, to the rooms ,within 10 metre range,

eg
it acts as a wap, wifi acess point,

or wifi signal booster,

I don,t know how to explain it ,

in more simple terms then that.



You,ll need a homeplug, set,

1sender, 1 reciever,

1ethernet cable maybe 4 to 6ft ,

to connect homeplug reciever to the router,
via the ethernet port.

IRL_Sinister

riclad wrote: »

HOMEPLUG unit 1 plugs into router,using an ethernet cable into the ethernet port,at the back of the router.

unit 2 homeplug with wifi, sends out a wireless signal, to the rooms ,within 10 metre range,

eg
it acts as a wap, wifi acess point,

or wifi signal booster,

I don,t know how to explain it ,

in more simple terms then that.



You,ll need a homeplug, set,

1sender, 1 reciever,

1ethernet cable maybe 4 to 6ft ,

to connect homeplug reciever to the router,
via the ethernet port.

Ironically, I actually understand what you said Is there any place to get something like that outside of buying online somewhere in the city?

EDIT: If you had said that at the very start it would have made much more sense :X

RossieMan

http://www.amazon.co.uk/TP-Link-PA411KIT-AV500-Powerline-Adapter/dp/B0084Y9N3O/ref=sr_1_5?s=computers&ie=UTF8&qid=1366227241&sr=1-5&keywords=homeplug+ethernet+adapters

these are pretty decent for the price.

Not sure what router brands to buy, id probably stick with netgear myself, but i'm sure someone else will be able to point you in that direction.


Thanks for the english lesson, i should have just googled it.

Also, i wish i had your speeds, currently running on a 1mb connection, you've got it good, believe me.



Edit:
Currys and PCworld definitely stock some of these, although prices will be considerably higher than online.
http://www.currys.ie/Product/TPLINK-TLPA211KIT-AV200-Mini-200-Mbps-Powerline-Adapter/315897/7.14

IRL_Sinister

RossieMan wrote: »

http://www.amazon.co.uk/TP-Link-PA411KIT-AV500-Powerline-Adapter/dp/B0084Y9N3O/ref=sr_1_5?s=computers&ie=UTF8&qid=1366227241&sr=1-5&keywords=homeplug+ethernet+adapters

these are pretty decent for the price.

Not sure what router brands to buy, id probably stick with netgear myself, but i'm sure someone else will be able to point you in that direction.


Thanks for the english lesson, i should have just googled it.

Also, i wish i had your speeds, currently running on a 1mb connection, you've got it good, believe me.

OK, ultimate noob (and probably final) question. If I buy what you linked above.

I plug one in beside my existing router and connect it with an ethernet cable (which i already have). I then plug in the second one upstairs (let's say top of the stairs) and it will automatically boost the signal without me needing to do anything else?

Also, I have no problems with my connection, I'd rather have a piece of sh*t connection where I could play games/watch videos than what I currently have where a video freezes every 25 seconds for 30 seconds

EDIT:

EDIT2: YES!

RossieMan

IRL_Sinister wrote: »

OK, ultimate noob (and probably final) question. If I buy what you linked above.

I plug one in beside my existing router and connect it with an ethernet cable (which i already have). I then plug in the second one upstairs (let's say top of the stairs) and it will automatically boost the signal without me needing to do anything else?

Also, I have no problems with my connection, I'd rather have a piece of sh*t connection where I could play games/watch videos than what I currently have where a video freezes every 25 seconds for 30 seconds

EDIT:

no, you'll also need to buy another router plug in at the top of the stairs to extend the network area.

the powerline plugs are just so no ethernet cables are running throughout the house, and instead use the current electric running through the house.

its not as complicated as it sounds. its basically 2 powerline plugs, 2 small CAT5 cables, and another router.


I'm sure google will be there if you get stuck.

you're local computer store should have all you need if you explain to them the problem.

but don't get ripped off.

IRL_Sinister

OK so I need what you linked above AND a router and second ethernet cable?