Posts : 1455 Reputation : 0 Join date : 2009-06-13 Age : 36 Location : Kentucky
Subject: Wi-Fi help Wed Dec 29, 2010 8:00 pm
My dad called me today asking about what he could do to improve his wireless network in his house. He lives in an old house with thick brick and mortar walls so it definitely curtails the range of his router. He has a pretty old router (roughly 6-7 years old) an old "G" type. What would be his optimal solution? I suggested just getting a new router but the laptops they use are old as well and aren't wireless N compatible. If necessary he could get adapter cards for them but wants some information to base his decision on. He was asking about wireless extenders and whether it is possible to run a CAT5 cable from the first router and set up another in their "library". Networking is not really my area of expertise so I'm turning to you guys. Suggestions?
Cloister_the_Stupid Admin
Posts : 725 Reputation : 0 Join date : 2009-06-11 Age : 53 Location : North Idaho
Subject: Re: Wi-Fi help Wed Dec 29, 2010 9:37 pm
Newer routers are more then likely backwards compat down to like B draft, check specs out. I was going to get like an antenna with a higher gain so it could reach to my shop better, but never got around to it. Ask if he could locate more centraly in the house for better coverage or put in basement, crawl space if he has one.
Guest Guest
Subject: Re: Wi-Fi help Wed Dec 29, 2010 11:07 pm
yes to all of it. Routers can be setup as hubs and/or access points.
A cheap but ugly trick is to make a better atenna out of tin foil and a salad bowel. very ugly. i've never done it.
bankonit
Posts : 371 Reputation : 0 Join date : 2010-11-19 Age : 60 Location : Earth
I actually use DSLReports for all my technical help - good general info and tools but also almost live assistance from ISPs. There is a Wireless Forum and here is the link to the FAQs WIRELESS FAQs
Two other points, one - only one wireless router should be set up to assign IPs and two you could try to route a LAN cable to the "office" through a vent if they have central heating/air conditioning.
Nano
Guest Guest
Subject: Re: Wi-Fi help Fri Jan 21, 2011 7:31 pm
Nanobot wrote:
Two other points, one - only one wireless router should be set up to assign IPs and two you could try to route a LAN cable to the "office" through a vent if they have central heating/air conditioning.
Nano
I've done this. Works well.
Cloister_the_Stupid Admin
Posts : 725 Reputation : 0 Join date : 2009-06-11 Age : 53 Location : North Idaho
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