Network me up! (Please.)

[Bill]

We currently use power line to get WiFi around the house and it's a bit crap. We're now getting fttp so I'm finally getting off my arse to sort it out.

I've ordered a pair of AVM mesh repeaters as our router is AVM and it seems simplest. We have a long house and thick stone walls so I think I need to wire them together.

They'll be sited in three adjacent rooms. Room 1 at one end will have the router and I have already got 2 lengths of cat5 (or possibly 6) under the floor from that end of room 2 into room 3 with slack at both ends.

What do I need to link them all together?

[Trustmeimadoctor]

Depending on the ap's and how many ethernet ports they have daisychain router to ap1 to ap 2 or.run both from the router

[Troubleatmill]

Erm... maybe it is just me...but.

Plug the cat 5 cables into the router?

or

Plug the cat 5 cables into a switch - Plug the switch into the router?


The other end of the cat 5 cables - whatever switch/ wireless thingamebob you have.

[Bill]

Troubleatmill said:

Erm... maybe it is just me...but.

Plug the cat 5 cables into the router?

or

Plug the cat 5 cables into a switch - Plug the switch into the router?


The other end of the cat 5 cables - whatever switch/ wireless thingamebob you have.

Sorry, I didn't mention I'm a numpty. I'm vaguely aware of switches but no idea how to connect them or what I need to get one to work.

Similarly, what is the best way to terminate the cables I have? I guess a socket?

[eltawater]

If they're Mesh wireless then you don't plug any cables into them at all, they communicate wirelessly with each other.

[Trustmeimadoctor]

eltawater said:

If they're Mesh wireless then you don't plug any cables into them at all, they communicate wirelessly with each other.

Only if you choose to do it that way. Wireless backhaul is still the bestway.
Terminating cables it depends if they exit out of.a backbox stick a faceplate and rj45 socket there if not just stick a plug on the ends

[Bill]

Now I feel like a right plonker! It didn't occur to me that I could fit a plug.

[Trustmeimadoctor]

eady to do just need half decent ratchet crimps and the ability to trim the layers of cabling

o/w, o, g/w, blu, blu/w, g, brn/w, brn

[Bill]

Thanks. Are there any particular plugs you'd recommend?

[boxst]

You need a crimping tool and to be honest I would probably buy a tester as they can be a pain to do.

The wiring itself is relatively straight forward:

[Bill]

If they're a pain to do would I be better to use sockets and ethernet cables? The sockets are just like phone sockets AIUI.

[Trustmeimadoctor]

nah any will do

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B06WW4SQB9/ref=cm_sw_r... everything you need

[Trustmeimadoctor]

Punching them down isnt that much easier tbh still really use a decent punch rather than just a screwdriver blade

[Halmyre]

Trustmeimadoctor said:

Depending on the ap's and how many ethernet ports they have daisychain router to ap1 to ap 2 or.run both from the router

Don't know if it depends on whose kit it is but TP-Link says to daisy-chain the Mesh units, do not connect more than one unit directly to the router.

[Bill]

Trustmeimadoctor said:

nah any will do

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B06WW4SQB9/ref=cm_sw_r... everything you need

Brilliant, thanks.

I'll have a read of the instructions for linking them...

[Trustmeimadoctor]

in that case there is the answer. Tbh it help if we knew the part numbers for all we know the router may not support a mesh atleast without a firmware update

[Marlin45]

Our house has 2ft thick stone walls is fitted and FTTP into the BT router in the middle. CAT5 ducted to the office at one end into an 8 port switch so all the office requirements 'can be' hardwired. Cisco access point also mounted on the wall in the office and hardwired which gives WiFi access around the whole garden out to 100m.

The only WiFi 'dead spot' is the 'man loo' at one end of the house in an extension the wrong side of the 2ft external wall. Limits social media surfing while 'busy'.

Power line briadband connections are the bain of the Devil and should be crushed IMHO

Trustmeimadoctor said:

nah any will do

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B06WW4SQB9/ref=cm_sw_r... everything you need

I have the kit above above and it works spot on for occassional DIY network tasks. Bought mine on eebaay for around £6.

Edited by Marlin45 on Thursday 4th June 10:28

[Bill]

Trustmeimadoctor said:

in that case there is the answer. Tbh it help if we knew the part numbers for all we know the router may not support a mesh atleast without a firmware update

It's a Fritzbox 7530, and I've ordered 2 Fritz Repeater 3000s.

[Trustmeimadoctor]

your fine then can connect any way you like really.

[boxst]

Bill said:

It's a Fritzbox 7530, and I've ordered 2 Fritz Repeater 3000s.

Rather than the repeaters you can buy cheaper FritzBox’s on eBay and mesh network them. I have a 7590 as the main router and then three 7530’s to cover the rest of the house (which sounds a lot, but the house is big and with very very thick walls). I’m impressed with the mesh, and each device (iPhones etc) will swap access points with no drop in the connection.