Extending wifi?

[stinkwheel]

I have a wifi modem router but there are a couple of dead spots upstairs.

I have a hardwired ethernet setup with sockets upstairs.

I'd like a device I can plug into the ethernet socket that will provide wifi upstairs and will clone the existing wifi so devices can stay logged on.

I don't think powerline will work because there are three seperate ring mains and the dead zone is not on the same one as the router. Also because 1950's wiring.

Basically there's a double gable end in the middle of my house from where it was extended and wifi doesn't go through it. I need a hardwired wifi device on the other side of that to where the existing router is. When I moved in, I laboriously drilled and pulled CAT6 cable through the walls (which was no walk in the park) so I have ethernet both sides of the house.

For that reason, I don't think a mesh setup will work because one node needs to be able to "see" the other one and there are three courses of kingstone bricks in the way.

I'm not against getting two new wifi access points -one for each side of the house- and turning off the wifi on the existing router as long as they can both be plugged into the ethernet and will maintain a consistant connection if you move from one to the other.
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“Rule one: Always stick around for one more drink. That's when things happen. That's when you find out everything you want to know.”
I did the 2010 Round Britain Rally on my 350 Bullet. 89 landmarks, 3 months, 9,500 miles.

[The Artist]

I have some TP-link Deco S7's that will do this.

https://www.tp-link.com/us/support/faq/1794/

So you will get a mesh network but with an ethernet backbone to go through the dense parts of your house.

The layout in the link above shows using a switch but I understand the S7 and other larger Deco units have enough ethernet ports to do that themselves. You just need to ensure only the one main deco is connected to your modem/router.

I am just using mesh at the moment but am planning on running cat 6 between a couple of key rooms and the workshop to make a solid backhaul.

[CaNsA]

The cable you have run already is ideal for a pair of Asus XT8 routers.

You will have a mesh network with wired gigabit back haul, which means any WiFi comms will travel via ethernet between the router and the node and back.

You can't fix bad WiFi with more WiFi.

I have the setup mentioned above, albeit a smaller building but still had dead spots.
I overhauled my network last year as we both work from home and need the stability and so I could take full advantage of the fibre Internet connection.

If you're lucky you can find a pair on ebay for a approx 100 quid each, make sure they are not the CT8.
install merlin firmware and you'll be golden.

We've not had any issues or WiFi dropouts and we don't even notice when we switch from one AP to the other.

[stinkwheel]

Ahh, "backhaul" is the term I was looking for. Looks like I can get a device that's compatible with my existing asus modem router.
____________________
“Rule one: Always stick around for one more drink. That's when things happen. That's when you find out everything you want to know.”
I did the 2010 Round Britain Rally on my 350 Bullet. 89 landmarks, 3 months, 9,500 miles.

[CaNsA]

[Easy-X]

Ubiquiti access point frisbees. Slap them up everywhere you want WiFi, stick 'em on the same hardwired Ethernet network and they can be configured to look like a single access point no matter how many you have.
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Husqvarna Vitpilen 401, Yamaha XSR700, Honda Rebel, Yamaha DT175, Suzuki SV650 (loan) Fazer 600, Keeway Superlight 125, 50cc turd scooter

[CaNsA]

[panrider_uk]

TP-Link Mesh systems work well and are expandable if you need to add more units.

The most common one I've installed are the E4/M4 models (E4 has 2 100Mb ethernet ports, M4 has gigabit).

I use their X20 range and my office pc and NAS boxes are connected to it via a network switch - this replaces the powerline units I used to use.

Works great and if you use them in router mode (I'm old school so use access point mode) then you can do all the usual parental control stuff.

Prices start at just over £90 but can be found cheaper if on offer.

I also have some Ubiquiti stuff but you can get a 3 unit TP-Link system for the price of one Ubiquiti Unify access point "frisbee"
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Current bike: Honda ST1100

[Easy-X]

[Robby]

Before getting into mesh networks and multiple routers, is your existing router the one supplied by your ISP?

If so, first step is putting that into modem mode and plugging it into a decent wifi router. I don't have any particular recommendations, but getting a TP-link one for about £150 did the job for me.

Then if you still have wifi problems, get another router to cover the other side of the house.