WiFi + Ethernet ... What do I need?

[utgjon]

Due to having way too many adults living in one place, we're converting the shed into a bit of a man-cave - it's way out of range of our normal Wi-Fi so looking for some solutions.

Currently have a 100m ethernet cable coming out of our normal router and going to the shed, where we have some device that we borrowed from a static caravan that has an ethernet-in and 1 ethernet through port. This allows us to connect to the normal wifi network and to connect one wired device. Speeds are comparable to being in the main house.

We need to return the device, but obviously want to purchase one of our own but with extra wired ports so we can connect up PS4/TV etc.

Does anyone know what I'm looking for? Routers/extenders/etc seems like a bit of a minefield!

[QuartzDad]

If you're happy with just wired access in the shed then you need a hub/switch, plug your existing cable into one of the ports and use the other ports for your TV etc.: https://www.amazon.co.uk/s?k=ethernet+hub&ref=...

[utgjon]

QuartzDad said:

If you're happy with just wired access in the shed then you need a hub/switch, plug your existing cable into one of the ports and use the other ports for your TV etc.: https://www.amazon.co.uk/s?k=ethernet+hub&ref=...

happy with wired TO the shed, but want wifi + wired IN the shed.

[robbieduncan]

utgjon said:

happy with wired TO the shed, but want wifi + wired IN the shed.

Ubiquiti In-Wall access points will provide WiFi and 2 or 4 Ethernet ports (depending on the model). Or a router that you can put in bridge mode would work too

[QuartzDad]

utgjon said:

happy with wired TO the shed, but want wifi + wired IN the shed.

Then just about any modern wireless router will do what you want, just needs to be put in bridge mode.

[Mr Pointy]

One of these in Access Point mode might do the job?
https://www.amazon.co.uk/TP-Link-TL-WR841N-300Mbps...

[eps]

QuartzDad said:

utgjon said:

happy with wired TO the shed, but want wifi + wired IN the shed.

Then just about any modern wireless router will do what you want, just needs to be put in bridge mode.

This.

Plus if you've got time run a spare ethernet cable up to the shed - try to have redundancy built in, just in case the one you use starts to fail.

[utgjon]

QuartzDad said:

Then just about any modern wireless router will do what you want, just needs to be put in bridge mode.

will they accept ethernet-in? Looking at the back of our previous BT router it's only got the small connector input?

[QuartzDad]

utgjon said:

will they accept ethernet-in? Looking at the back of our previous BT router it's only got the small connector input?

Depends on the router but some allow you to use one of the ethernet ports as the bridge mode port. A quick Google suggests the BT HH6 and HH5 support bridge mode while the HH4 doesn't.

[QuartzDad]

Mr Pointy said:

One of these in Access Point mode might do the job?
https://www.amazon.co.uk/TP-Link-TL-WR841N-300Mbps...

Good shout.

[utgjon]

QuartzDad said:

Depends on the router but some allow you to use one of the ethernet ports as the bridge mode port. A quick Google suggests the BT HH6 and HH5 support bridge mode while the HH4 doesn't.

great, i'll have a look - thanks for the advice... sounds like the sort of solution i'm looking for

[S6PNJ]

Do you have any old routers kicking around as above? These ones were commonly used by ISPs and often (depending on type) can easily be used to give 3 ethernet ports and wifi.

[sgrimshaw]

This will do the job. Set it up as Wlan Access Point, will give you 4 wired connectioni and wifi:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/WAVLINK-dual-band-wireles...

[VEX]

Mr Pointy said:

One of these in Access Point mode might do the job?
https://www.amazon.co.uk/TP-Link-TL-WR841N-300Mbps...

Agreed, These are exactly what I use as emergency routers / boosters for clients in a predicament, cheap enough to keep a couple in the van, easy to set up and re-set each and every time.

They will work absolutely fine for what you need.

V.