Should I run Cat5 to WAP or use a Powerline adapter?

Should I run Cat5 to WAP or use a Powerline adapter?
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Subject Author Date
Should I run Cat5 to WAP or use a Powerline adapter? pattyjamas 09-15-2006
Posted by on September 15, 2006, 7:47 pm
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I have a Linksys with Speedboater (WRT54GS) router upstairs in my home.
The wireless signal is not strong enough in parts of the house
downstairs so I am using a WRE54G Linksys Range Extender. It works okay
but signal is weak.

I do not transfer a lot of files but just want it for Internet, Email.

I may want an occasional file transfer (30 minute show using Tivo
Desktop) from Tivo box downstairs to desktop upstairs.

___

1. I can get someone to run Cat5 for me from upstairs to downstairs and
perhaps add a WAP Router from some manufacturer and thus get a stronger
signal.
Cable Cost and labor: $150


or

2. I could buy some NetGear Powerline adapters and then attach a WAP to
the one downstairs.
NetGear Powerline Cost: I guess about $200
____________

******Thoughts, comments as it relates to speed, cost, reliability.

Also any recommendation on hardware WAP.


(I guess I could use 3rd party WRT software for my router and boost the
signal. I did at one time try SVEASOFT and bricked the router).


Thanks, Patty


Posted by $Bill on September 15, 2006, 10:46 pm
pattyjamas@hotmail.com wrote:

> I have a Linksys with Speedboater (WRT54GS) router upstairs in my home.
> The wireless signal is not strong enough in parts of the house
> downstairs so I am using a WRE54G Linksys Range Extender. It works okay
> but signal is weak.
>
> I do not transfer a lot of files but just want it for Internet, Email.
>
> I may want an occasional file transfer (30 minute show using Tivo
> Desktop) from Tivo box downstairs to desktop upstairs.

I've never used wireless (so far), what about picking up a Pre-N router ?
You'd have to check, but I think they have a much wider range than the
G routers (try Netgear/Linksys sites for specs). They cost more, but
the total may be less than your other solutions and they're faster.

Someone with some experience should be able to help more.


Posted by BR on September 15, 2006, 11:56 pm
On Fri, 15 Sep 2006 19:46:42 -0700, $Bill wrote:


> I've never used wireless (so far), what about picking up a Pre-N router
> ? You'd have to check, but I think they have a much wider range than the
> G routers (try Netgear/Linksys sites for specs). They cost more, but
> the total may be less than your other solutions and they're faster.
>
> Someone with some experience should be able to help more.

Hmmm. I know the antenna(s) on those routers attaches in the back. But
couldn't one add some cable and place the antenna (or a better one) in a
better spot?

Posted by Warren on September 16, 2006, 2:12 am
$Bill wrote:
> pattyjamas@hotmail.com wrote:
>
>> I have a Linksys with Speedboater (WRT54GS) router upstairs in my home.
>> The wireless signal is not strong enough in parts of the house
>> downstairs so I am using a WRE54G Linksys Range Extender. It works okay
>> but signal is weak.
>>
>> I do not transfer a lot of files but just want it for Internet, Email.
>>
>> I may want an occasional file transfer (30 minute show using Tivo
>> Desktop) from Tivo box downstairs to desktop upstairs.
>
> I've never used wireless (so far), what about picking up a Pre-N router
> ?
> You'd have to check, but I think they have a much wider range than the
> G routers (try Netgear/Linksys sites for specs). They cost more, but
> the total may be less than your other solutions and they're faster.
>
> Someone with some experience should be able to help more.
>

I'd avoid the pre-N stuff unless it's absolutely necessary. Pre-N isn't N.
And there's no money-back guarantee that the firmware will be able to be
updated to N when it comes out. You may be stuck with pre-N equipment that
will only talk to pre-N equipment of the same brand, or else it'll
fall-back to G.

In most marginal situations, I've seen Netgear's RangeMax equipment work
better than Linksys's SpeedBoost. The gap is less if you compare RangeMax
to Linksys's SRX. But again we're talking about non-standard equipment.
You need all matching equipment, or it just falls back to plain-old G.

So if you're not willing to spend the money update both the router and the
NIC's, or if you can't wait until the N standard equipment becomes
available next year, playing around with the placement of the equipment
may be the best bet. Keep the router as far away as practical from other
electric equipment that might not be shielded very well. Keep it away from
any CRT-style monitors. Keep it away from the cablemodem. Keep it away
from cordless phones also working in the 2.4 range. Keep it away from your
microwave oven. A 7' Ethernet cable to move it to the other end of the
desk may be a better investment than a new router and new NIC's.

--
Warren H.

==========
Disclaimer: My views reflect those of myself, and not my
employer, my friends, nor (as she often tells me) my wife.
Any resemblance to the views of anybody living or dead is
coincidental. No animals were hurt in the writing of this
response -- unless you count my dog who desperately wants
to go outside now.

Power Lawncare Tools for Spring Clean-up:
http://www.holzemville.com/mall/blackanddecker/




Posted by on September 16, 2006, 11:41 am
Thanks all.
I have high gain antennas on the Linksys router and the pre-n stuff has
had some bad reviews with the new models being weaker than the current
ones.

Anyone know the speed difference of Powerline versus perhaps me running
Cat5 to a Wireless Access Point?

Thanks
Patty
Warren wrote:
> $Bill wrote:
> > pattyjamas@hotmail.com wrote:
> >
> >> I have a Linksys with Speedboater (WRT54GS) router upstairs in my home.
> >> The wireless signal is not strong enough in parts of the house
> >> downstairs so I am using a WRE54G Linksys Range Extender. It works okay
> >> but signal is weak.
> >>
> >> I do not transfer a lot of files but just want it for Internet, Email.
> >>
> >> I may want an occasional file transfer (30 minute show using Tivo
> >> Desktop) from Tivo box downstairs to desktop upstairs.
> >
> > I've never used wireless (so far), what about picking up a Pre-N router
> > ?
> > You'd have to check, but I think they have a much wider range than the
> > G routers (try Netgear/Linksys sites for specs). They cost more, but
> > the total may be less than your other solutions and they're faster.
> >
> > Someone with some experience should be able to help more.
> >
>
> I'd avoid the pre-N stuff unless it's absolutely necessary. Pre-N isn't N.
> And there's no money-back guarantee that the firmware will be able to be
> updated to N when it comes out. You may be stuck with pre-N equipment that
> will only talk to pre-N equipment of the same brand, or else it'll
> fall-back to G.
>
> In most marginal situations, I've seen Netgear's RangeMax equipment work
> better than Linksys's SpeedBoost. The gap is less if you compare RangeMax
> to Linksys's SRX. But again we're talking about non-standard equipment.
> You need all matching equipment, or it just falls back to plain-old G.
>
> So if you're not willing to spend the money update both the router and the
> NIC's, or if you can't wait until the N standard equipment becomes
> available next year, playing around with the placement of the equipment
> may be the best bet. Keep the router as far away as practical from other
> electric equipment that might not be shielded very well. Keep it away from
> any CRT-style monitors. Keep it away from the cablemodem. Keep it away
> from cordless phones also working in the 2.4 range. Keep it away from your
> microwave oven. A 7' Ethernet cable to move it to the other end of the
> desk may be a better investment than a new router and new NIC's.
>
> --
> Warren H.
>
> ==========
> Disclaimer: My views reflect those of myself, and not my
> employer, my friends, nor (as she often tells me) my wife.
> Any resemblance to the views of anybody living or dead is
> coincidental. No animals were hurt in the writing of this
> response -- unless you count my dog who desperately wants
> to go outside now.
>
> Power Lawncare Tools for Spring Clean-up:
> http://www.holzemville.com/mall/blackanddecker/


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