Attempting to Improve Reliability Upstairs

[FirelanceRZ]

Hi all.

So I have a Xfinity modem and router combo sitting in the basement along with an ASUS RT-N66W. With how far the connection has to travel, by the time it gets to us on the 2nd floor, the signal is already interrupted by a million other things. I simply can't just move the router and modem to the main floor since the printer has to be attached to the modem, otherwise I would think that would be the best solution.

I was looking into MOCA devices and seem like they would work decently, but they are also very expensive. We do not have ethernet ports in any of our rooms upstairs (only phone jacks), but out of curiosity I inspected to see if it was an RJ11 cable or just a RJ45 cable split and this is what I found:

http://imgur.com/OnNA5YQ

I am not very experienced with networking and cables, but is this actually just an RJ45 cable?

If so, what about buying a router and using it as an AP upstairs using the ethernet from the wall? Or am I crazy and this wouldn't work?

Sorry for the very newbie question, but if you have any alternatives or advice, please share. Thank you.

 

[thiggins]

Can't see your images. CAT5 and higher cable has eight wires, grouped into four twisted pairs.
Have you considered powerline networking to connect the upstairs AP?

 

[FirelanceRZ]

Can't see your images. CAT5 and higher cable has eight wires, grouped into four twisted pairs.
Have you considered powerline networking to connect the upstairs AP?

Hi. Sorry for the pics not being there, just fixed it. I haven't considered powerlines yet as I've heard they really do vary if they'll even increase range or not. But to clarify, I was asking if I could convert my phone line to an ethernet, then buy a router and connect the Ethernet to that router (which would be upstairs.) that's how an AP would right? Or would the cable have to be going directly from my router downstairs to the one upstairs. Sorry for being an idiot, thanks a lot.

 

[netwrks]

An Access Point would Ethernet connect to your Base router. Router<--Ethernet--> Access Point

 

[abailey]

In your Pic it appears to be cat5. Does it not say anything on the blue wire insulation? Often times it will be written on the insulation. Anyway if it is CAT5, then yes you need a cable directly from downstairs to upstairs. Now this does not have to mean one cable. If your phone lines are pulled into a junction box then you can possibly connect the wires there. If there is no junction box then the phone lines are probably spliced somewhere and it could be a real mess to try to figure it all out. Are you using the COAX that goes upstairs?

 

[FirelanceRZ]

Hi all. I tried looking for it saying it's CAT somewhere on the cable, but this was all I managed to find this:

http://imgur.com/B8fuu2e

Regardless, if I have to have a cable directly running from my original router, I unfortunately can't do that. The routing would be too crazy, and alas, I can't drill any holes to even route the cable.

So I guess I should be looking at powerlines or MOCA. And yeah, the junction box isn't there so it's probably being split a million times somewhere in the attic.

If I'm understanding it correctly, are there only one output Moca devices, or are there multiple port ones?

I've seen this one recommended a lot:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B008EQ4BQG/?tag=snbforums-20

Ideally I'd prefer for there to be more range for everyone on the upstairs floor, not just my TV and laptop. What would you guys do?

Thank you all again!

 

[CaptainSTX]

Hi all. I tried looking for it saying it's CAT somewhere on the cable, but this was all I managed to find this:

http://imgur.com/B8fuu2e

Regardless, if I have to have a cable directly running from my original router, I unfortunately can't do that. The routing would be too crazy, and alas, I can't drill any holes to even route the cable.

So I guess I should be looking at powerlines or MOCA. And yeah, the junction box isn't there so it's probably being split a million times somewhere in the attic.

If I'm understanding it correctly, are there only one output Moca devices, or are there multiple port ones?

I've seen this one recommended a lot:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B008EQ4BQG/?tag=snbforums-20

Ideally I'd prefer for there to be more range for everyone on the upstairs floor, not just my TV and laptop. What would you guys do?

Thank you all again!

The best and most reliable fix is to make the Ethernet you have work. Cost to terminate it on both ends with female keystone jacks is less than $12.00. No tools needed.

Also remember your modem can be installed anywhere in your house where there is a live coaxial outlet with Comcast service.

In the long run you will have more flexibility if you purchase a seprate modem and router. Will give you the most flexibility on where to place the router for the best possible WiFi. Payback should be less than eighteen months.

 

[Samir]

Moca is a great solution and can be multi-point.

Since the printer is the thing that's needing the wireless, why not just move the router where you need it and get a gaming adapter so the printer can connect wirelessly (if it doesn't natively support wifi)?