Extend wireless range using additional phone point

[dylan]

{Sorry if this question is a duplication - I did search, but didn't
find a specific answer regarding the two phone points.}

I need to extend a wireless signal to the far end of my house. At one
end of the house I have a Netgear RangeMax NEXT Wireless-N Router
WNR834B connected to a phone line. I want to extend the range such
that a Netgear Skype phone works at the other end of the house, where
the signal is a bit patchy.

I've read about the pros and cons of wireless repeaters and signal
boosters. Seeing as I have another phone point at the other end of
the house and also an old ADSL modem and wireless router, would it be
better just to plug these in to the phone point to avoid buying
additional hardware? Could I use the same network name and settings
to avoid having to switch networks on the Skype phone or would I have
to set up a different network name?

Thanks in advance for your help.

[Steve Pearce]

On Mon, 21 Jan 2008 04:48:49 -0800 (PST), dylan <dylan999@hotmail.com>
wrote:

>{Sorry if this question is a duplication - I did search, but didn't
>find a specific answer regarding the two phone points.}
>
>I need to extend a wireless signal to the far end of my house. At one
>end of the house I have a Netgear RangeMax NEXT Wireless-N Router
>WNR834B connected to a phone line. I want to extend the range such
>that a Netgear Skype phone works at the other end of the house, where
>the signal is a bit patchy.
>
>I've read about the pros and cons of wireless repeaters and signal
>boosters. Seeing as I have another phone point at the other end of
>the house and also an old ADSL modem and wireless router, would it be
>better just to plug these in to the phone point to avoid buying
>additional hardware? Could I use the same network name and settings
>to avoid having to switch networks on the Skype phone or would I have
>to set up a different network name?

Nope. Only one ADSL modem can be connected to an ADSL line at a time.
If running a CAT5 cable is not an option, have you thought of using a
"homeplug" (i.e. LAN via mains cabling) type of solution?

[Bill Kearney]

> Seeing as I have another phone point at the other end of
> the house

Where does that wire go? Is it daisy-chained along with a number other
outlets? Or is it a direct line back to the phone panel? If it's a direct
line you *may* be able to re-use it as an 10/100BaseT ethernet connection.

> and also an old ADSL modem and wireless router, would it be
> better just to plug these in to the phone point to avoid buying
> additional hardware?

That will not work. DSL uses the phone line and your existing DSL service
is already on that phone line. You'd have to get a second DSL line and
subscribe to the internet on it. Then you'd have a whole rats nest of
networking hassles.

Better choice is to see about just running a CAT5E line to other end of the
house and putting a wireless access point on it. Wire is CHEAP. Bite the
bullet and run the wire. Really, it'll provide much more reliable service
in the long run.

-Bill Kearney

[John Navas]

On Mon, 21 Jan 2008 10:50:08 -0500, "Bill Kearney"
<wkearney99@hotmail.com> wrote in
<g5udneA8j-2tIgnanZ2dnUVZ_qqgnZ2d@speakeasy.net>:

>> Seeing as I have another phone point at the other end of
>> the house
>
>Where does that wire go? Is it daisy-chained along with a number other
>outlets? Or is it a direct line back to the phone panel? If it's a direct
>line you *may* be able to re-use it as an 10/100BaseT ethernet connection.
>
>> and also an old ADSL modem and wireless router, would it be
>> better just to plug these in to the phone point to avoid buying
>> additional hardware?
>
>That will not work. DSL uses the phone line and your existing DSL service
>is already on that phone line. You'd have to get a second DSL line and
>subscribe to the internet on it. Then you'd have a whole rats nest of
>networking hassles.
>
>Better choice is to see about just running a CAT5E line to other end of the
>house and putting a wireless access point on it. Wire is CHEAP. Bite the
>bullet and run the wire. Really, it'll provide much more reliable service
>in the long run.

Powerline networking is another option that requires no cable pulling.

--
Best regards, FAQ for Wireless Internet: <http://Wireless.wikia.com>
John Navas FAQ for Wi-Fi: <http://wireless.wikia.com/wiki/Wi-Fi>
Wi-Fi How To: <http://wireless.wikia.com/wiki/Wi-Fi_HowTo>
Fixes to Wi-Fi Problems: <http://wireless.wikia.com/wiki/Wi-Fi_Fixes>

[dylan]

Thanks for your replies.

The phone line will be daisy chained as they're not separate lines.

regarding the Cat 5e idea, the cable run will be a complete nightmare
because of the number of walls and floors between where ADSL router is
and where I want the signal to be available.

How reliable is the "homeplug" option? Are there any other
disadvantages, apart from the price of buying the thing, I haven't
thought of? Do you mean something like the Netgear XE102G?

Seeing as I only need to use the extra range for a Skype phone, would
a dual mode cordless phone (Netgear SPH200D) do the job? The base
station would connect directly to the router where it is now and the
extra range would be provided by DECT.

[John Navas]

On Mon, 21 Jan 2008 09:14:46 -0800 (PST), dylan <dylan999@hotmail.com>
wrote in
<056a8244-fcd7-41b6-852d-536edd5cca90@e4g2000hsg.googlegroups.com>:

>How reliable is the "homeplug" option? Are there any other
>disadvantages, apart from the price of buying the thing, I haven't
>thought of? Do you mean something like the Netgear XE102G?

HomePlug AV works very well. NETGEAR is XE102 is older technology --
can work well, but relatively slow. NETGEAR Powerline HD is much
faster. Linksys PLE200 is another good option.

--
Best regards, FAQ for Wireless Internet: <http://Wireless.wikia.com>
John Navas FAQ for Wi-Fi: <http://wireless.wikia.com/wiki/Wi-Fi>
Wi-Fi How To: <http://wireless.wikia.com/wiki/Wi-Fi_HowTo>
Fixes to Wi-Fi Problems: <http://wireless.wikia.com/wiki/Wi-Fi_Fixes>

[Bill Kearney]

> regarding the Cat 5e idea, the cable run will be a complete nightmare
> because of the number of walls and floors between where ADSL router is
> and where I want the signal to be available.

Not necessarily. Don't think in just straight lines when it comes to
running wire. There are plenty of way to route it. Like out the side of
house, up to and then inside the attic, down to the inside room.

> How reliable is the "homeplug" option?

Given how noisy residential power can be I've never found them as reliable
as wired ethernet, even the newer versions. You add a new appliance and
suddenly the powerline stuff starts flaking out. Or there's transients on
the line and the powerline box gets cooked. No thanks. And given their
price premium it seems even more ludicrous to put yourself through the
hassles.

> Seeing as I only need to use the extra range for a Skype phone, would
> a dual mode cordless phone (Netgear SPH200D) do the job? The base
> station would connect directly to the router where it is now and the
> extra range would be provided by DECT.

It's a crapshoot, at best, guessing how wireless devices are going to work
in a residence. There are too many factors to take into consideration. You
can only really try it and see.

-Bill Kearney