Wi-fi in new extension

[Gonzo]

We've built an extension at the back and the current wifi router is at the front of the house which is a 1930s gaff with double skinned brick internal walls.

I've had an ethernet cable run from the current router location to the extension knowing that I'd need to do something to get a signal in the new room. I'll want to hard wire a smart TV as well as create a wifi hotspot. So the question is, how should I do that?

I've ruled out:
- Powerline adapters - old house, old wiring, multiple circuits, 2 x consumer units - tried them before, never worked.
- Repeater - probably won't give me the range / signal quality given the layout of the house - and I have a wired connection available so probably don't need to bounce the existing wifi signal.

Would one of these jobbies do it? http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00APZZ30W I currently use something similar in client mode to collect a wifi signal for an old TV box and know that they have several modes.

And would I have a problem with two conflicting wifi networks or is it just a case of choosing between the two depending on which part of the house I'm in?

 

[ianf]

Get another router, set it in bridge mode so that it gets an ip address from your main one, then plug it into one of the lan ports on the back of your main router via the new cable. Same network name and password and you'll be able to hop between the two at cable speed rather than extended wifi speed.

Like this, but any routers will do:-

http://www.apple.com/shop/question/answers/readonly/airport-express-as-an-extender/QCDDKCT2KKF99Y97C

 

[stolzy]

We've built an extension at the back and the current wifi router is at the front of the house which is a 1930s gaff with double skinned brick internal walls.

I've had an ethernet cable run from the current router location to the extension knowing that I'd need to do something to get a signal in the new room. I'll want to hard wire a smart TV as well as create a wifi hotspot. So the question is, how should I do that?

I've ruled out:
- Powerline adapters - old house, old wiring, multiple circuits, 2 x consumer units - tried them before, never worked.
- Repeater - probably won't give me the range / signal quality given the layout of the house - and I have a wired connection available so probably don't need to bounce the existing wifi signal.

Would one of these jobbies do it? http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00APZZ30W I currently use something similar in client mode to collect a wifi signal for an old TV box and know that they have several modes.

And would I have a problem with two conflicting wifi networks or is it just a case of choosing between the two depending on which part of the house I'm in?

I have one of these, they're fine and versatile (bridge/repeater/access point) but annoyingly they need an ethernet port to set up (who has ethernet ports anymore?).

I prefer these because they're easy to set up and can be configured wifily. Got 4 or 5 of them around the place. Laptops/pads/phones just connect automagically to the strongest signal (mostly)

 

[Roadrash Rider]

I prefer these because they're easy to set up and can be configured wifily. Got 4 or 5 of them around the place. Laptops/pads/phones just connect automagically to the strongest signal (mostly)

Stolzy do they all come up as the same network?
Ta

 

[stolzy]

Stolzy do they all come up as the same network?
Ta

Each will appear in your PC/Pad's wifi list with a different name. You can set them all up to be on the same network when you configure them. The easiest way is to set them up as DHCP clients and they'll get their ip address from wherever your PC/pads/phones do now (usually the modem/router that your internet company gave you)

It sounds more complicated than it is

 

[Roadrash Rider]

Each will appear in your PC/Pad's wifi list with a different name. You can set them all up to be on the same network when you configure them. The easiest way is to set them up as DHCP clients and they'll get their ip address from wherever your PC/pads/phones do now (usually the modem/router that your internet company gave you)

It sounds more complicated than it is

Thanks, that sounds a bit like what I have now using the BT wifi units but cant use things attached to different hotspots, so if say i have a wifi timer on a light can only connect if all on the same hotspot, been looking for a solution that can connect everywhere on the same network name as the router, but its a bit over mi head.

 

[stolzy]

What kind of different 'wifi hotspots' do you have?
Do I understand correctly that you have a network cable in the extension?

 

[RedRick Esq.]

Why not buy a decent router
We have an Asus ( cant remember which model but it wasnt cheap 4 years ago now) and that has a range of at least 75 yards and through walls.

 

[stolzy]

Why not buy a decent router
We have an Asus ( cant remember which model but it wasnt cheap 4 years ago now) and that has a range of at least 75 yards and through walls.

Problem is local conditions affect the wifi badly. thick walls, old building, interference (especially from cordless phones, even your neighbours).

Our walls are quite thick (>1m) and the wif from the router goes nowhere. I've got Netgear WN604s all over the place to get decent coverage.

 

[Blackal]

I've seen these Netgear ones (which simply plug into a socket in the wall) - used offshore where the signal drills through steel panels in the accommodation (and even through decks).

I reckon they are the dogs' danglies!

http://www.amazon.co.uk/EX3700-100U...994695&sr=1-2&keywords=netgear+range+extender



Al

 

[Gonzo]

Thanks for all this, the second router option looks like the one although this will all come unstuck when I try to set it up, I reckon.

Yes, I have a network cable from the main router in the extension. Looks like I need to set up whatever I get in bridge mode and if I understand things correctly, it should work as an extension to my existing network rather than a secondary network.....?

Stolzy, is the Netgear jobbie easy to set up?

 

[stolzy]

Thanks for all this, the second router option looks like the one although this will all come unstuck when I try to set it up, I reckon. eyes. Yes, I have a network cable from the main router in the extension.

Good then you're set

Looks like I need to set up whatever I get in bridge mode and if I understand things correctly, it should work as an extension to my existing network rather than a secondary network.....?

No. You plug your existing cable into it, configure it and it will be on the same network as your other stuff.

Stolzy, is the Netgear jobbie easy to set up?

Reasonably so. You connect to it by wifi and the set up is done via a web page interface. We'll sort it.

 

[Gonzo]

Top man, thanks. Will procure a device once the kitchen fitter's departed.