Wireless router and VOIP problems?

doublehappiness

Honorable
Oct 20, 2013
2
0
10,510
Hey guys. I am starting to work from home this week and your feedback is greatly appreciated.

My desk and computer are on the third floor. The computer connects wirelessly to the modem/router on the first floor just fine, with lots of signal. However, My VOIP phone that work requires me to use needs a connection by Cat5.

My question: is there any way to connect the phone to a router or switch in my office with a cable, but have the office router or switch connect wirelessly to the modem/router combo on the first floor?

What do I need to do this. I really don't want to run a cable up 2 flights of stairs, and my landlord isn't cool with drilling holes in the floor. Thanks.
 
Solution
You need what is called a client-bridge. Many times these are sold as gaming adapters since older consoles only had ethernet ports. Some routers have the ability to run this way but it will depend if you can get a router with this feature cheaper than a dedicated device.

VoIP tends to not be the best thing to run over wireless but if you have very good signal and no interference it will work acceptable ...ie as good as a cellphone where everyone tolerates the occasional noise and having to repeat what you said.
You need what is called a client-bridge. Many times these are sold as gaming adapters since older consoles only had ethernet ports. Some routers have the ability to run this way but it will depend if you can get a router with this feature cheaper than a dedicated device.

VoIP tends to not be the best thing to run over wireless but if you have very good signal and no interference it will work acceptable ...ie as good as a cellphone where everyone tolerates the occasional noise and having to repeat what you said.
 
Solution

doublehappiness

Honorable
Oct 20, 2013
2
0
10,510


Cool. Thanks for the good advice. Currently, I have a Linksys EA-2500 lying around that I am going to put DD-WRT on. Will it be able to act as a bridge to the ISP modem/router combo? Or will I have to have another router running DD-WRT firmware. I guess one other possible issue would be DHCP and VOIP playing nice over that connection. Thanks.