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Brief Inquiry Regarding Most Efficient New Home Network Setup

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ejp

Occasional Visitor
Hello SNB Community,

I recently have moved into a new place and have some pretty decent home networking hardware at my disposal to setup my new network. The unfortunate part about it is my new place is in a rural area with abysmal DSL net speeds (ping: 14ms / Download speed: 5.25mbps / upload speed: 0.36mbps) due to having no other options but throttled low monthly data cap satellite.

The hardware I have on hand is:
> 1. ASUS RT-AC3200 Tri band router
> 1. netgear nighthawt AC1900 router

My house is about 100-150 feet in length (all 1 story) and I need to have the strongest possible wireless connection on both ends of the house in a straight line. My idea was to setup my ASUS3200 on one end of the house normally (all devices that need to be hardwired Ethernet lines are only in this room), and setup my Nighthawk1900 as just an access point at the other end of the house to strengthen the signal. I have tried to setup the ASUS 3200 alone to provide good wireless signal to the other end of the house, and it does extend far enough, but the signal strength often drops and reduces the wireless speed significantly due to the distance/interference. Moreover I have a 2 perfect condition netgear nhawk routers lying around so I figure this would be a more productive way to get use out of them, as apposed to using them as paper weights.

The best way I know of doing this setup most efficiently is through the use of a Powerline adapter which I would place in the room with the main ASUS router, and then in the room with the Nhawk router setup as an access point. To my knowledge, this is the best way to go about solving the weak signal strength at the other end of the house that only uses tablets and phones.

So in short, my direct questions are:

- Is this the best possible setup I can do given the circumstances outlined above?

- Through the little knowledge I have about networking, I've read consistently that wireless repeaters and range extenders are NOT the way to go as they immediately reduce signal efficacy by 50%, were as by setting up a spare router as a wireless access point. you don't get any of these drawbacks. Am I correct in this assumption?

- Since I assume that I will most likely be requiring a power line adapter, what is the very best quality/performance based power line adapter available today? (money is not an issue)

- I recently saw a review on a Ubiquity enterprise wifi system. Would just purchasing a Ubiquity access wifi system just be much better than using a second router as the access point on the other end of my house?

So yes, this is my idea and I'm more than open to learn from the incredible knowledge base here at Small Net Builder. Please provide any of your best suggestions or feedback on a better setup or hardware available that I would benefit from; even if I haven't covered it in my initial post. Thank you so much in advance for all the help, and please remember, wireless performance and range is really REALLY important for my network; so anything that can be done to help will be much appreciated.
 
Using network cabling is the best way to go. I would think the second best way is to use a powerline adapter. If you can't string CAT5e in the attic then I would try a powerline adapter. You have nothing to loose as you already own the wireless equipment.

You may be able to get your TV guy or internet provider to install a CAT5e cable for about the same money as the poweline adapter will cost. Ask him when he sets up your dish or what ever.

I would not use a wireless extender.
 
If you happen to have coaxial cable at both ends of the house I would try MOCA before trying powerline.

Spending the money for a Cat5e or Cat6 is really the way to go. If the house is newer construction wall fishing cable down an interior wall is a simple project. If you can't do it yourself even hiring an electrician is probably about the same cost of either powerline or MOCA adapters.
 
If you happen to have coaxial cable at both ends of the house I would try MOCA before trying powerline.

Spending the money for a Cat5e or Cat6 is really the way to go. If the house is newer construction wall fishing cable down an interior wall is a simple project. If you can't do it yourself even hiring an electrician is probably about the same cost of either powerline or MOCA adapters.
hire a good handyman who knows drywall. Low voltage cat5 doens't need a $$$$ electrician.
 
hire a good handyman who knows drywall. Low voltage cat5 doens't need a $$$$ electrician.

It depends on the job. In the OPs particular situation you are probably correct.

However a electrician who does residential wall fishes on a daily basis probably knows more tricks and has all the tools and gadgets to make the difficult jobs easy.

I lived in a house built in 1908, plaster and lath construction, two floors and a finished attic and basement. When I needed two additional AC circuits in the attic the electrician I hired was able to run a metal jacketed BX cable from the attic to the main panel in the basement in less than an hour. He didn't have to knock any holes in any walls or ceiling to run the cable. He knew that type of construction and had the long flexible drill bit and guides needed to do the job.
 
Unfortunately, circumstances are such that I will be unable to do any hard wiring modifications to any of the rooms throughout the home, so I will have to get as much expert advice I can on what the best options would be in my unique case.

I know that wireless range extenders and repeaters destroy your wireless connection so they are really off the table, but I'm having a hard time deciding if I should go with purchasing a Ubiquiti Networks UniFi WiFi system seen here: a http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0089QB1SC/?tag=snbforums-20

and place it at the other end of my house, or if I should purchase a powerline adapter and just setup my netgear Nighthawk router as an access point on the other end of the house using the powerline method. Does anyone know which setup would be best or have any 2nd best suggestions for someone unable to modify the home for a hardline install? Also, I don't quite have enough Ethernet ports on my Asus router for all the hard connected devices in my main room; so I need to ask if I should get a gigabit switch or a hub, what the difference between a switch and a hub is, and for a link to the very best performance switch or hub you know of so I can place the order (only 5 or so ports on the hub/switch are needed). Does adding a 5 port hub or switch decrease network performance and speed? Thx so much for the help in advance.
 
You want a switch to expand your Ethernet ports. You do not want a hub as it is a shared media and older technology.
 
You want a switch to expand your Ethernet ports. You do not want a hub as it is a shared media and older technology.

Thx so much, and ill be sure to get a switch ASAP :>. Can you provide a link to the best performance/brand of switch you'd recommend?

Does anyone have any advice with respect to the following:

Unfortunately, circumstances are such that I will be unable to do any hard wiring modifications to any of the rooms throughout the home, so I will have to get as much expert advice I can on what the best options would be in my unique case.

I know that wireless range extenders and repeaters destroy your wireless connection so they are really off the table, but I'm having a hard time deciding if I should go with purchasing a Ubiquiti Networks UniFi WiFi system seen here: a http://www.amazon.com/Ubiquiti-Netw...1058529&sr=8-4&keywords=ubiquity+access+point

and place it at the other end of my house, or if I should purchase a powerline adapter and just setup my netgear Nighthawk router as an access point on the other end of the house using the powerline method. Does anyone know which setup would be best or have any 2nd best suggestions for someone unable to modify the home for a hardline install?
 
If you have more than 4 wired devices than you would need a switch. For a switch there are many brands and you can even get semi managed cheaply now. There are many brands for switches that it would be much easier to find and post one here and we can comment on how good it is.

Using ubiquiti doesnt improve coverage but if you're looking to use a wireless bridge than ubiquiti does great with its greater tx power and directional antennas. Wire what you can and if you cant wire all APs, create a wireless bridge. A wireless extender does reduce the bandwidth by 50% but using a wireless bridge however gives you more bandwidth but it requires more APs.

Example setup:
((([AP]))) --[router]---[AP])))))))((((((]AP]---((([AP])))

Basically the AP that is bridging cannot distribute wireless at the same time unless you want to kill performance.

The AC3200 is unique in that it can bridge 2 AC1900. Im not sure if the firmware will let you create a 3 way bridge between another AC3200 like a bonded ethernet connection.
 
Powerline adapters need to be plugged directly into a wall electrical outlet in order to achieve potential good result. Using an extension cord usually degrades the signal.
Also, the electrical wiring system of your home should be relatively new. If your home is 'old', the copper wiring might not be in a good shape enough to transmit the signal without much noise.
Note these 2 'limitations'.

If it comes to using a range extender as a last option, read these 2 articles which might give you some hope.
http://www.gadgetguy.com.au/product/netgear-ex7000-ac1900-wifi-range-extender/2/

http://www.avsforum.com/forum/39-ne...tender-fastlane-technology-apple-airplay.html

If you do try using an extender (eg EX6200 or EX7000), I suggest trying a Netgear one with FastLane technology. The author of the 2nd article has a long ranch style home and he claims good result with.

I imagine there is no harm in trying one in your actual location to see if it works for you or not. If it does not give satisfactory result, you can walways return it to the store within the allowed return period.
 
Avoid plugging a power-line IP modem into
  • a plug-strip with surge suppressor filters (attenuates signal)
  • a wall outlet shared with the above OR shared with fancy TV, DVR, etc which have internal filters
  • In No. America, homes with two phase power can have issues with power line crossing phases. Some rooms work, some don't work well.
 

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