(Part 2) Top products from r/wireless

Right, so you're looking at consumer 802.11n hardware. You're also looking like a 2x2 antenna setup at that so your max connection speed will be 150Mbps. With wireless overhead on consumer gear you can expect less than half of whatever your connection speed is for actual throughput. When connected to the wireless range extender you can expect half of the half, so less than 1/4 of your connection speed on actual throughput. Wireless also operates at half duplex, so once you start adding a lot of clients it will get exponentially worse.

If you want to do this yourself, I have a couple of recommendations:

1. Put in a consumer-prise system like Ubiquiti for wireless. It has a controller for easy-ish setup and you can get the latest 802.11ac speeds for not a lot of money. I would look at the UAP-AC-Pro specifically since it can be used with regular PoE. 3-4 of these should do well for you:
   
   https://www.amazon.com/dp/B015PRO512
   
   
2. Upgrade your switch to something with gigabit PoE, doesn't really matter the vendor. Make sure the switch is gigabit to take advantage of newer wireless speeds. Ubiquiti actually makes a cheap-ish one that can be used with their controller:
   
   https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00OJZUQ24
   
   That will keep your cost under $1k and give you a decent experience. Don't skimp out on this stuff, it will dramatically change your overall experience. Also, run cable to all 3-4 APs back to the switch for max speeds and the most reliable operation. They will also get their power from the switch so you only have to run the network cable to where you need to mount the APs. Put them on the ceiling for the best signal strength.
   
   ps- I do this for a living for a large enterprise nationwide company. If you have a floor plan, PM and I'll help you determine the best location for the APs.

Thank you for your input, if you are still interested, I can give an update in the future regarding my speed and wireless situations.

Do you recommend any MoCa to replace my 2 in 1 actiontec router? I was thinking of this: http://www.amazon.com/Actiontec-Ethernet-Adapter-without-Routers/dp/B008EQ4BQG/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1406999088&sr=8-1&keywords=moca

Someone living in my house feels conflicted to spend too much money on a router + modem. Unless there's another budget friendly router which is close to the nighthawk then I would be very interested in checking it out.


EDIT: I followed your advice and bridged the actiontec MI424WR acting as a modem and used an old e1000 v1 router. It's working fine for now and we're looking into purchasing nighthawk to improve our internet in the future.

So, you're on WiFi as well? What happens if you plug into your router and run via ethernet?

I'm thinking the range extender is interfering with your Wifi. (channel overlap).

It also might be worth getting rid of the extender and trying bigger antenna on the router.

http://www.amazon.com/TP-LINK-TL-ANT2408CL-Omni-directional-Antenna-connector/dp/B004UBUE2O

http://www.amazon.com/Super-Power-Supply%C2%AE-WZR-HP-G450H-TL-WR1043ND/dp/B00DMJI9TA

You might also benefit from upgrading to something with 3x3 MIMO rather than just 2x2. The router you have now is pretty old.

I'm a fan of the Asus units right now.

I've got two of these:

http://www.amazon.com/RT-N16-Wireless-N-Maximum-Performance-single/dp/B00387G6R8

With extended antennas on them. Range is awesome.

Thanks for the quick reply!
So would something like this work?
https://www.amazon.com/TP-Link-Wireless-300Mbps-Repeater-TL-WA801ND/dp/B004UBU8IE/ref=sr_1_2?s=pc&ie=UTF8&qid=1482532251&sr=1-2&keywords=wireless+bridge

And could I connect something like this:
https://www.amazon.com/TP-Link-5-Port-Ethernet-Desktop-TL-SF1005D/dp/B000N99BBC/ref=pd_sim_147_1?_encoding=UTF8&refRID=G72XDPPB55GJ66MCEQKC&th=1
So I have multiple ethernet ports?

Or is there a more efficient way to do this? Sorry again haha, total noob here.

Perfect. Many variables that I didn't know of!

By the way, I was checking NETGEAR GS105 reviews on Amazon. It seems that some people have issues with them:

> Netgear is supposed to have a 5 year warranty (2 on the power supply). I had one of these for about 18 months. Over the last months it's been increasingly flaky, every week or two it just hangs and needs to be unplugged and started again. It doesn't matter how much it's in use (it's done it when we've been on vacation with minimal network traffic).

>I called Netgear to get it replaced, but they told me that it's not meant to be plugged in all day, so they won't fix it. Unless you actually unplug all your network equipement when you are not actively using it (I didn't think so), then I highly recommend avoiding Netgear products.

I looked up for replacements: this TRENDnet TEG-S50g - although cheaper - has a better review history. Any thoughts about it?

I was wondering if a WiFi router working as an AP for AP 2 wouldn't be a better option. It would work as a switch (giving me ability to plug 2 computers), and provide WiFi. Do you know any 10/100/1000 router to suits my needs?

If not, I'll try switch + UniFi AP. :)

http://www.amazon.com/NETGEAR-XAVB101-Powerline-Ethernet-Adapter/dp/B001AGM2VI

Link above is what he was talking about in terms of ethernet over power. There are other models then this. I wouldn't buy netgear for my mother-in-law so please look at the other options.

You could always get a stronger router and try and penetrate the ceiling/floor some more. Have you thought about purchasing a repeater of sorts and doing it that way?

I personally love the RB951 from Mikrotik. Cheap...and you can turn it into your router...if that doesn't work you can put your old router back in place, and turn the RB951 into a repeater persay...Wireless in, and ethernet out.

http://www.ispsupplies.com/categories/2GHz-CPE-AP-Bridge/MikroTik-RouterBOARD-951Ui-2HnD.html


All in all I wish you luck on your endeavor here.

Thanks for the response. Right now wireless is the only option I have, there are no network cables coming down here. I'm not sure what you mean by network plugs coming through the electrical wiring.

So I have a laptop which I'm using to type to you which has built in wireless, and it functions ok, sometimes crazy spikes of lag but for the most part ok.

My PC is using this and its pretty much useless in terms of getting a stable connection. I'm concerned that its wireless reach is not strong enough to reach through the ceiling to where the router is.

Ideally I'd like to get my PC connected as I use it for most of my day to day work/play.

While I agree that running a cable is the best plan it can also be unsightly or a pain to deal with. Especially if you need to open up holes in the home to get it run correctly. If you are needing to punch through drywall, open holes from the exterior to the interior, or drill through any supports then you might want to talk to a contractor instead of doing it yourself. If it looks like you can run a cable through some existing space in your house though then go for it.

One other thing you can try that won't cost you much is to move the wireless router to a more central location. This might get you what you need, though if the walls are concrete then maybe not.

When cabling in the interior you can use cable ducts and runs to keep the cable safe, and minimize the eyesore it will make. See an example here.

Powerline adapter is also a straightforward choice that uses the power cables already available in your house, so look into that if you can.

As you've noted, directional antennas are typically rather bulky, I can't think of one I would want to throw in a backpack regularly. A different strategy is to use an external usb wireless card that has higher power than your laptop, and can be positioned into windows or other places to get a better signal by using a 15 foot cord.

Mine is old and looks like this: https://www.amazon.com/Alfa-U24N-Wi-Fi-Adapter-Compatible/dp/B01G3ZOPY2/

This newer one looks interesting too: https://www.amazon.com/Wireless-Adapter-External-Antennas-Warranty/dp/B074FRMDJ2/

Seems like it could be viable, but are you certain it could connect to a non-directional network inside a building 500+ feet away? I was also looking at this: http://www.amazon.com/Ubiquiti-BULLET2-CPE-Outdoor-802-11b/dp/B002Y31PHS/ref=sr_1_3?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1377567388&sr=1-3&keywords=ubiquiti+bullet

It's by the same company and allows for an external antenna, but it seems like the transmitter is only 100 mw vs 1000 mw on the nanostation.

Get a set of these (Ubiquiti Airwire):

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003Z53K8Q/ref=olp_product_details?ie=UTF8&me=&seller=

And a cheap wireless router for your end, like one of these:

http://www.amazon.com/TP-Link-TL-WR740N-150Mbps-Wireless-Router/dp/B002WBX7TQ/ref=sr_1_8?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1343246649&sr=1-8&keywords=tp-link

The airwire units are zero-configuration, plug one into the landlords router (one of the LAN ports), one into your router (into the WAN port). Setup the router to your liking (SSID, encryption).

With this solution, as opposed to a mesh solution, there will be less hassle, and much more bandwidth.

If you are tech savvy and can deal with the hassle, you can buy a single Ubiquiti Nanostation Loco M2 instead of the pair of airwires and use it as a client off of the landlords AP, but it may not be as fast or stable.

I really hope you're joking.

If you're not, buy this.

TP-LINK TL-SG1005D 10/100/1000Mbps 5-Port Gigabit Desktop Switch, 10Gbps Capacity
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000N99BBC/ref=cm_sw_r_awd_7FZkub0JSQR12

I'm always a fan of TP-Link myself. amzn.com/B0098QV038

amzn.com/B003CFATSS <--- if you meant a nonWi-Fi router but I'm assuming that since you are talking about security then you want Wi-Fi.

Psychologix is right. If you rely on out of the box solutions, you wont magically get a full connection. You are hampered by the endpoint's (tablets) internal antenna. Think of it this way, if you are on top of a 10 story building in NYC with bullhorn, the people on the street may hear you, but you may not hear them shouting back at you. They would need a bullhorn.

I would look at an external antenna to start. Not knowing what the HP tablet is or supports, I assume that it has a USB port that can be used.
Something similar to this may help
http://www.amazon.com/External-Antenna-Wireless-N-High-Gain-Network/dp/B0038LA23S

If that doesn't work, then swap out the access point with one that will use external antennas,
http://www.amazon.com/TP-LINK-TL-WR841N-Wireless-Router-300Mpbs/dp/B001FWYGJS

I don't see any problem with you using their wireless if you're in range, especially if you're a student there. You could try something like this - https://www.amazon.com/High-Gain-Long-Rang-Alfa-9dBi-Mount/dp/B0038Q4AIG/ref=sr_1_17?ie=UTF8&qid=1481462090&sr=8-17-spons&keywords=alfa+networks+awus036h&psc=1

These are what I am using.

Belkin N1 Wireless Router

Cisco DPC3010 DOCSIS 3.0 8x4 Cable Modem

Ubiquity 802.11ac Long Range Access Point easily covers 50x24 feet of office space which costs ~ $80 costing ~ $130


I got the above one for Office use and Home use but budget was not constraint I would use the 802.11ac PRO Access Point

Use this as your main router and flash DD-WRT onto it. Turn your WRT160N into the Repeater using DD-WRT aswell.

• Guide to flashing DD-WRT to the E3000
  
• Guide to flashing DD-WRT to the WRT160n
  
• Guide to setting up a wireless repeater with DD-WRT
  

The general rule for extending your network is:

Ethernet > MoCA > Powerline > Wireless

If you don't want to drill holes, consider running Cat6 through external raceways.

If you don't want to do that, do you have existing coax cabling for cable TV? If so start with MoCA.

If that doesn't work, try Powerline.

MoCA and Powerline have a 50/50 chance of working. There's no way to tell in advance. You buy stuff, test, and return what doesn't work.

I keep telling the mods to sticky this.

You can try those power-line ethernet adapters. Personally, I have had very mixed results. Sometimes they worked great, other times total crap. I would unplug the two that I had from the wall at one apartment (where they worked great), and take them to my next apartment where they "worked" slightly less well than a 9600 baud modem on a noisy phone line.^1

On a similar note, if there's a phone jack both upstairs and downstairs you can try and use those ethernet-to-phoneline bridges - for example.

But both of those require spending money, which it sounds like you're loathe to do.

Are you sure you can't run an ethernet cable upstairs? Even just running loose up the stairs? (I assume you're not willing to drill holes in the walls because it's a rental.)

-----
^1 Whelp, I just showed how old I am. GIT OFF MAH LAWN!!

The wifi card might have been damaged or disconnected from the antenna cables. You'll need to open the laptop to get to it. Or you could buy a usb wifi adapter. Like this thing for instance