New Home Network - need advice(I'm new to this)

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rizzle64

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Dec 8, 2014
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Hi,

I'm setting up my first home network in our new home. It's a brand new home, has some CAT5e wiring done. Everything currently comes into the basement, so right now, I have a cable modem in the basement, connected straight to a wireless router. My WiFi signal on the main floor is ok and sucks on the 2nd floor.

I'd like to put a switch in my basement, but I know I need to put my router between my modem and my switch. How do I set this up so I have good signal upstairs? My original thought was to connect my modem directly to my switch, then put my wireless router upstairs, but after reading sounds like that doesn't work well.

What do you guys do? What would work best?

Thanks!!
 
Solution
USAFRet
ISP -> modem -> router -> switch is the way it must go.

To get a better signal upstairs, an Access point off the Cat5e that is up there. Or powerline devices, through the house wiring.
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Calculagator

Calculagator

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Nov 18, 2014
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This is the best option. Buy a second wireless router, set it to be an access point/ turn off DHCP and plug it into cat5 upstairs that connects back to your main router.

It is also possible to connect your main router upstairs as you say Modem->switch->router, but if you do so, you must not plug anything else into the switch. The switch will essentially function as a cat5 extender.
 
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APassingMe

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Aug 25, 2014
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Both USAFRet and Calculagator are correct, I just wanted to add that you should stay away from powerline devices unless you really can't use ethernet for connectivity (powerline has higher lag and far lower speeds + initial investment cost).
 
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APassingMe

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Aug 25, 2014
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You don't have to have a switch there, if you do don't make it your main switch... (if you put a switch there it would have to be dedicated to only the modem and router as mentioned previously) the preferred option is having the secondary AP located on the 2nd floor. You can also connect the modem with a long ethernet cord to the 1st or 2nd floor and place the router -> switch combination there, with no need for a switch between the modem and router.

 
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USAFRet

USAFRet

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Mar 16, 2013
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Right.
In terms of speed/reliability/price, descending:
Cat5e
Powerline
WiFi (a distant 3rd)

Since the house is apparently already wired with Cat5e, do that. If wireless is absolutely required upstairs, an Access Point. And an actual access point, not a router dumbed down to be an access point.
 
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