I am moving into a new single story home that has ethernet cables in every room. The main hub where they will all terminate into a switch is on one far side of the house. I am thinking I will need at least one access point for the other side of the house (large single story). I have no experience setting up routers, it has always been handled by the cable company, but I want to get away from their junk all-in-one router/modem. I have heard the easiest way is buying 2 of the same routers. I also thought the Google WiFi might be a viable option for ease of setup. Any recommendations or other things I need to consider?
Wired House with Router and Access Point
- Thread starter dobson001
- Start date
Solution
- Oct 11, 2014
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Your requirement then is to have wifi service available on the "other side of the house" - correct?
If that area is served by one of the built in ethernet ports (wall jack) then you can take advantage of that.
Start with a router that can be configured as an access point. Configure it as necessary with respect to your network and wireless needs.
That means plugging the router directly into a computer and setting up the router to be an AP. Turn off DHCP, set a static IP and subnet mask that matches your network, configure the wireless settings: SSID, password, encryption.
The User Guide/Manual should have the necessary instructions. Likewise there are many online tutorials and videos available explaining how to set up an Access Point.
Once the router is configured to be the AP it would be plugged via ethernet cable into the local ethernet wall jack/port. And the other end of the wall jack ethernet cable would be connected to the switch probably via a patch panel.
Something like this where the arrows are ethernet wires.
ISP ----> Modem ----->Router ------> Switch ------> Patch Panel -------------ethernet house wiring -------> Wall jack -----> AP ~~~~~ wireless devices.
Some of the router's LAN ports may be being used locally. One port would go to the switch and the switch then distributing connectivity about the house via its ports connections to the patch panel and the built in ethernet house wiring.
You may have a combination Modem/Router instead of two devices.
What make and model(s) are the current boxes provided by your ISP? It is easier if the AP is the same make.
Try first with just a single router - if that does not work then you can get a matching router to replace the ISP's device(s).
Do recommend that you try to sketch out a simple diagram that shows all of the devices and connections. Then post accordingly. Doing so will make it easier to communicate and likewise help everyone understand the bigger picture.
Especially if I have missed something - someone else may catch my error.
If that area is served by one of the built in ethernet ports (wall jack) then you can take advantage of that.
Start with a router that can be configured as an access point. Configure it as necessary with respect to your network and wireless needs.
That means plugging the router directly into a computer and setting up the router to be an AP. Turn off DHCP, set a static IP and subnet mask that matches your network, configure the wireless settings: SSID, password, encryption.
The User Guide/Manual should have the necessary instructions. Likewise there are many online tutorials and videos available explaining how to set up an Access Point.
Once the router is configured to be the AP it would be plugged via ethernet cable into the local ethernet wall jack/port. And the other end of the wall jack ethernet cable would be connected to the switch probably via a patch panel.
Something like this where the arrows are ethernet wires.
ISP ----> Modem ----->Router ------> Switch ------> Patch Panel -------------ethernet house wiring -------> Wall jack -----> AP ~~~~~ wireless devices.
Some of the router's LAN ports may be being used locally. One port would go to the switch and the switch then distributing connectivity about the house via its ports connections to the patch panel and the built in ethernet house wiring.
You may have a combination Modem/Router instead of two devices.
What make and model(s) are the current boxes provided by your ISP? It is easier if the AP is the same make.
Try first with just a single router - if that does not work then you can get a matching router to replace the ISP's device(s).
Do recommend that you try to sketch out a simple diagram that shows all of the devices and connections. Then post accordingly. Doing so will make it easier to communicate and likewise help everyone understand the bigger picture.
Especially if I have missed something - someone else may catch my error.
Thank you for the incredibly thorough response. TWC/Spectrum is coming tomorrow to hook-up the internet, so I am not sure the type of modem/router they will be bringing. I only opted to start with their router because I did not currently have one of my own.
Ethernet jacks are available on the other side of the house, so how you described the connection seems about right for what I'm looking to do. My only question in the setup you described is do I need a Patch Panel? Currently, all the Ethernet cables terminate in a wall panel in the master bedroom closet. I have ordered and switch and planned to have the installer connect the internet and modem in the master closet, which I planned would result in the following:
ISP ----> Modem ----->Router ------> Switch ------> (all located in closet)-------------ethernet house wiring -------> Wall jack -----> AP ~~~~~ wireless devices.
I was thinking of getting two of these routers while T-mobile has them for $50 each (with discount code) http://www.t-mobile.com/accessories/t-mobile-wi-fi-cellspot-router.html but I'm a little nervous about how difficult it will be to get them to work properly, which is why the Google WiFi or another mesh-type network seemed appealing.
Do you have any experience with a particular router that would work well for this setup, that is relatively inexpensive (less than $300 for 2, since the Google is $300 for 3 units), and rather easy to setup and configure?
Thanks again.
- Oct 11, 2014
- 34,874
- 3,323
- 146,290
Yes - all of the ethernet wall jacks should terminate in a patch panel which may be the mentioned "wall panel" in the master bedroom closet. Google "patch panel images" and you will find many patch panel images. Lots of variations but the concept is the same.
There should be a wire (hopefully labeled) going from the patch panel to each ethernet wall jack.
Then each port on the patch panel is connected either directly to a router LAN port or a switch if the router does not have enough ports.
Here is a link as a reference:
https://www.google.com/search?q=patch+panel+image&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwiMzIPr4bDQAhUK4SYKHWQLDXcQ_AUICCgB&biw=1600&bih=783#tbm=isch&q=patch+panel+and+switch+images&imgrc=BQbzRark7OuxTM%3A
There are many other such links, diagrams, images available. Even some "How to" tutorials if you are so interested.
Note: And you will need at least one wall outlet for power connections. Ventilation is important so the closet space does not get too warm.
As for the routers hold until TWC/Spectrum gets things up and running with what you have. One reason is that if you make changes afterwards then you will at least know that what they set up works. If you do something and things do not work then you can roll back the change and "regroup".
Be very certain that everything they do does work before the tech(s) leave. Get any promises in writing and get a receipt with a serial number for any thing they take back.
The other part of the matter is that the ISP may only support certain products. All too easy for them to blame your gear if something does not work.
I do recommend that you go online and see if you can find the User Guide/Manual for the CellSpot router. The manual should give you some sense of what needs to be done and how to do that. Easy to again google for more information as you deem necessary and appropriate. I.e., diagrams, manufacturer FAQs and forums. Look for some reviews by verified purchasers.
The other factor to be aware of is since it is a new home there is a good chance that the existing ethernet wiring may have problems. Could be copper clad aluminum or older Cat 3 cabling. Poor terminations, improper cable runs, staples embedded in the wire; all sorts of problems if the installer did not know (or care) about how infrastructure should be done. May not have tested the connections even.... A loose connection will wreak havoc - sometimes working sometimes not.
Take a close look at everything you can. Sketch out a diagram. Note cable labels, makes & models, Open a wall jack in each room to see what you can find. You will be much more comfortable with it all after some "hands on".
So the idea is to start simple, plan out what needs to be done, and then work methodically through it all.
There should be a wire (hopefully labeled) going from the patch panel to each ethernet wall jack.
Then each port on the patch panel is connected either directly to a router LAN port or a switch if the router does not have enough ports.
Here is a link as a reference:
https://www.google.com/search?q=patch+panel+image&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwiMzIPr4bDQAhUK4SYKHWQLDXcQ_AUICCgB&biw=1600&bih=783#tbm=isch&q=patch+panel+and+switch+images&imgrc=BQbzRark7OuxTM%3A
There are many other such links, diagrams, images available. Even some "How to" tutorials if you are so interested.
Note: And you will need at least one wall outlet for power connections. Ventilation is important so the closet space does not get too warm.
As for the routers hold until TWC/Spectrum gets things up and running with what you have. One reason is that if you make changes afterwards then you will at least know that what they set up works. If you do something and things do not work then you can roll back the change and "regroup".
Be very certain that everything they do does work before the tech(s) leave. Get any promises in writing and get a receipt with a serial number for any thing they take back.
The other part of the matter is that the ISP may only support certain products. All too easy for them to blame your gear if something does not work.
I do recommend that you go online and see if you can find the User Guide/Manual for the CellSpot router. The manual should give you some sense of what needs to be done and how to do that. Easy to again google for more information as you deem necessary and appropriate. I.e., diagrams, manufacturer FAQs and forums. Look for some reviews by verified purchasers.
The other factor to be aware of is since it is a new home there is a good chance that the existing ethernet wiring may have problems. Could be copper clad aluminum or older Cat 3 cabling. Poor terminations, improper cable runs, staples embedded in the wire; all sorts of problems if the installer did not know (or care) about how infrastructure should be done. May not have tested the connections even.... A loose connection will wreak havoc - sometimes working sometimes not.
Take a close look at everything you can. Sketch out a diagram. Note cable labels, makes & models, Open a wall jack in each room to see what you can find. You will be much more comfortable with it all after some "hands on".
So the idea is to start simple, plan out what needs to be done, and then work methodically through it all.
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