Lower Signal Wireless or More Cable?

Amazing Jim · 11-19-2006, 06:08 PM

I've got a bit of a choice to make, and I'm stuck, so I'll take any adive I can get.

I'm having a few problems with my wireless broadband connection, which may or may not be down to reception /signal strength /interferance, so I was thinking about doing some re-wiring and going back to a fully cabled connection.

(It could be the ISP or a hardware fault, but I'm looking into that too, this is just thinking around the edges of the box)

However, to do this without having to get an engineer in, I'd need to add another telephone extension line into the set up to get everything to reach, which I know isn't ideal as it's also adding another connection point, i.e. a break in the line, and a longer line too.

The other alternative is to move the wireless modem/hub closer to the master socket, so it would receive a cleaner connection to the telephone line, but then the wireless signal being received at the PC would be worse.

So, technically, which should be better? More cables and remove the wireless? or go for a better quality of transmission even if what's being received is of lower strength? Or am I looking at pot luck?

Thanks as always in advance for any help and advice.

**johnwill** · 11-20-2006, 11:05 AM

There is no signal degredation running CAT5 cable, unless you're exceeding 100 meters in a single hop. FWIW, other than my laptop for occasional use, all of my stuff here is wired, and that includes devices all over the house. There's no comparison to the security, speed, reliability, or ease of configuration, wired wins all those races.

If you're talking about the DSL wiring, here's what I recommend for the best DSL performance.

Purchase a DSL splitter and install it at the telco service entrance. Run a direct line from the DSL port on the splitter directly to the DSL modem. Connect all of the other phone instruments to the telephone output of the DSL splitter.

This is as good as it gets for DSL installations, and will usually solve in-house wiring issues.

**JamesO** · 11-24-2006, 04:08 PM

IMHO, wireless is a temporary convenience, not a permanent solution!

JamesO

ebackhus · 11-27-2006, 07:20 PM

I'm inclined to agree! The townhome I'm planning to move into next month is a split level so I'm crunching out ideas for making it work. I really want to avoid using lots of wireless, but it may be the only choice.

**JamesO** · 11-28-2006, 06:29 AM

Some choices for getting around wireless when there are no wires to use:

http://www.netgear.com/Products/Powe...ome+Networking

http://www.coaxsys.com/products/

The Coaxsys are a bit hard to find, but are pretty neat boxes. Can overlay this on your CATV network (all except Verizon FIOS TV) and actually nework up to 8 or 9 devices. You end up with your computer network over your CATV system.

JamesO

**johnwill** · 11-28-2006, 08:54 AM

I give a big

to the powerline option. I've tried several brands, and they all sucked.

**JamesO** · 11-29-2006, 03:38 AM

The Powerline adapters can be a wildcard at times. YMMV!

Kind of depends on the quality of the adapter, house wiring, phase connection to the power system and length of wiring.

The only situation I ran into that did not work so well was a house that was built in the 30's that had many additions and a total of 4 different circuit breaker panels located in many different locations throughout the house. The unit worked, however, it had occasional dropped packets or errors and in the situation, I could not tolerate many dropped packets/errors.

Note, the newest Netgear device is probably the most advanced to date, higher speeds than most.

JamesO

Amazing Jim · 11-29-2006, 06:08 AM

Thanks for all the advice, much appreciated.

As an update, I've reverted back to wired, even though it was a much more complex job than it first looked to get the 'phone cables set up, and everything is running smoothly.

I've had to wire in an extra junction box and extend the telephone cable by about 3m (weird layout of the house), but the overall quality has definately improved. The d/l speed has increased by about 1mb per second on average, which is a huge improvement, and the reliability is also better.

So, again, thanks for the advice. I'll happily add my recommendation to cables over wireless.

**johnwill** · 11-29-2006, 01:21 PM

Wired will always be the more reliable way to go, you made the right choice.

11-19-2006, 06:08 PM	#1 (permalink)
Amazing Jim Registered User Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: UK Posts: 20 OS: Windows XP	Lower Signal Wireless or More Cable? I've got a bit of a choice to make, and I'm stuck, so I'll take any adive I can get. I'm having a few problems with my wireless broadband connection, which may or may not be down to reception /signal strength /interferance, so I was thinking about doing some re-wiring and going back to a fully cabled connection. (It could be the ISP or a hardware fault, but I'm looking into that too, this is just thinking around the edges of the box) However, to do this without having to get an engineer in, I'd need to add another telephone extension line into the set up to get everything to reach, which I know isn't ideal as it's also adding another connection point, i.e. a break in the line, and a longer line too. The other alternative is to move the wireless modem/hub closer to the master socket, so it would receive a cleaner connection to the telephone line, but then the wireless signal being received at the PC would be worse. So, technically, which should be better? More cables and remove the wireless? or go for a better quality of transmission even if what's being received is of lower strength? Or am I looking at pot luck? Thanks as always in advance for any help and advice.

11-20-2006, 11:05 AM	#2 (permalink)
johnwill Manager, Networking Forums Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: S.E. Pennsylvania, US Posts: 41,607 OS: Windows 7, XP-Pro, Vista, Linux Blog Entries: 1	There is no signal degredation running CAT5 cable, unless you're exceeding 100 meters in a single hop. FWIW, other than my laptop for occasional use, all of my stuff here is wired, and that includes devices all over the house. There's no comparison to the security, speed, reliability, or ease of configuration, wired wins all those races. If you're talking about the DSL wiring, here's what I recommend for the best DSL performance. Purchase a DSL splitter and install it at the telco service entrance. Run a direct line from the DSL port on the splitter directly to the DSL modem. Connect all of the other phone instruments to the telephone output of the DSL splitter. This is as good as it gets for DSL installations, and will usually solve in-house wiring issues. __________________ If TSF has helped you, Tell us about it! or Donate to help keep the site up! Microsoft MVP - Windows Desktop Experience Last edited by johnwill; 11-20-2006 at 11:07 AM.

11-27-2006, 07:20 PM	#4 (permalink)
ebackhus Manager, Design Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: SATX Posts: 14,243 OS: WinXP Pro SP3/Windows 7 RTM My System Blog Entries: 28	I'm inclined to agree! The townhome I'm planning to move into next month is a split level so I'm crunching out ideas for making it work. I really want to avoid using lots of wireless, but it may be the only choice. __________________ ----------------------------- There are no dumb questions, unless a customer is asking them. Help in the fight against cancer and other serious illnesses.

11-28-2006, 06:29 AM	#5 (permalink)
JamesO Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Fairfax, VA USA Posts: 2,289 OS: 98SE, W2k Pro, XP Pro	Some choices for getting around wireless when there are no wires to use: http://www.netgear.com/Products/Powe...ome+Networking http://www.coaxsys.com/products/ The Coaxsys are a bit hard to find, but are pretty neat boxes. Can overlay this on your CATV network (all except Verizon FIOS TV) and actually nework up to 8 or 9 devices. You end up with your computer network over your CATV system. JamesO Last edited by JamesO; 11-29-2006 at 03:39 AM.

11-28-2006, 08:54 AM	#6 (permalink)
johnwill Manager, Networking Forums Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: S.E. Pennsylvania, US Posts: 41,607 OS: Windows 7, XP-Pro, Vista, Linux Blog Entries: 1	I give a big to the powerline option. I've tried several brands, and they all sucked. __________________ If TSF has helped you, Tell us about it! or Donate to help keep the site up! Microsoft MVP - Windows Desktop Experience

11-24-2006, 04:08 PM	#3 (permalink)
JamesO Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Fairfax, VA USA Posts: 2,289 OS: 98SE, W2k Pro, XP Pro	IMHO, wireless is a temporary convenience, not a permanent solution! JamesO

11-29-2006, 03:38 AM	#7 (permalink)
JamesO Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Fairfax, VA USA Posts: 2,289 OS: 98SE, W2k Pro, XP Pro	The Powerline adapters can be a wildcard at times. YMMV! Kind of depends on the quality of the adapter, house wiring, phase connection to the power system and length of wiring. The only situation I ran into that did not work so well was a house that was built in the 30's that had many additions and a total of 4 different circuit breaker panels located in many different locations throughout the house. The unit worked, however, it had occasional dropped packets or errors and in the situation, I could not tolerate many dropped packets/errors. Note, the newest Netgear device is probably the most advanced to date, higher speeds than most. JamesO

11-29-2006, 06:08 AM	#8 (permalink)
Amazing Jim Registered User Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: UK Posts: 20 OS: Windows XP	Thanks for all the advice, much appreciated. As an update, I've reverted back to wired, even though it was a much more complex job than it first looked to get the 'phone cables set up, and everything is running smoothly. I've had to wire in an extra junction box and extend the telephone cable by about 3m (weird layout of the house), but the overall quality has definately improved. The d/l speed has increased by about 1mb per second on average, which is a huge improvement, and the reliability is also better. So, again, thanks for the advice. I'll happily add my recommendation to cables over wireless.

11-29-2006, 01:21 PM	#9 (permalink)
johnwill Manager, Networking Forums Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: S.E. Pennsylvania, US Posts: 41,607 OS: Windows 7, XP-Pro, Vista, Linux Blog Entries: 1	Wired will always be the more reliable way to go, you made the right choice. __________________ If TSF has helped you, Tell us about it! or Donate to help keep the site up! Microsoft MVP - Windows Desktop Experience