topic Re: wireless bridge in My Router

wireless bridge

tannaroo — Mon, 12 May 2025 12:39:53 GMT

I recently upgraded to full fibre but the openreach engineer could only install the openreach device at the front of the house. (previously our landline / ADSL was wired to a central location of the house).

As a result, i am having a few blindspots. I have tried AV600 and AV1000 powerline adaptors but am having mixed results.

I have old unused routers and was wondering if any of these could be configured to a wireless bridge.

Plusnet Hub One

sagecom 2704n

Technicolour dwa0120

Can any of these old routers be configured to set a wireless bridge to auto connect with the primary router?

Re: wireless bridge

bmc — Mon, 12 May 2025 12:45:55 GMT

@tannaroo

Is there any chance of installing ethernet cable to supply WiFi access points? Good solid signal and future proof.

You could get someone in to run external cable from the front to the rear of the house. Not the cheapest of options but with the speeds available it may make sense.

Brian

Re: wireless bridge

tannaroo — Mon, 12 May 2025 12:49:50 GMT

Yes I already have ethernet connection but that is my problem. The ethernet cable is at the centre/back of the house with an existing wireless access point.

The fibre broadband unit is now at the front of the house.

So I am trying to connect these two points through a wireless bridge. The powerline adaptors are not working well.

Getting ethernet cables between the two will be expensive (e.g. floorboards etc will need to be removed).

So i think my only option is a wireless bridge. Even better if I cna reuse one of my old routers?

Re: wireless bridge

MisterW — Mon, 12 May 2025 12:55:13 GMT

Plusnet Hub One

sagecom 2704n

Technicolour dwa0120

@tannaroo well the first two definitely cant be used as a wireless bridge. I've no experience of the Technicolour so can't say for sure, but I doubt it...

Re: wireless bridge

Baldrick1 — Mon, 12 May 2025 13:01:58 GMT

@tannaroo

You can use an old hub as an access point connected to the router via an Ethernet cable, but not as a wireless bridge. Have you fully considered Ethernet? There are often routes to hide cables, you can also get flat versions that will fit under carpets. With an Ethernet cable you can resite the router in it's original location if you cable between the ONT and Router.

Re: wireless bridge

bmc — Mon, 12 May 2025 14:19:25 GMT

@tannaroo

Going external may not be as expensive as you think. It would at least get an ethernet connection to the back wall where the modem originally was (and could be it you were to so choose).

Competant electricians, local computer network companis or even TV arial installers could do the work. If you're into DIY you could make up your own cables after running the cable. It costs about £20 to get a reasonable ethernet plug crimper.

Brian

Re: wireless bridge

Baldrick1 — Mon, 12 May 2025 15:37:20 GMT

@bmc

It makes a much more professional job if fixed sockets and patch leads are used. These are much easier to terminate and you only need a simple push tool costing a couple of pounds.

Re: wireless bridge

MisterW — Mon, 12 May 2025 15:47:58 GMT

Complete 50m kit including cable, backboxes, faceplates and patch leads https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/291569882481

The only thing I'd suggest adding is a network tester (saves a lot of hair tearing out!) https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/291569882481

Re: wireless bridge

bmc — Mon, 12 May 2025 17:26:55 GMT

@MisterW

While that certainly provides what is needed I'd worry abou the quality of the ethernet cable. It's an awful cheap price for 50mtrs of cable.

Brian

Re: wireless bridge

RobPN — Mon, 12 May 2025 17:56:35 GMT

Well it claims 100% copper in the title ...

Re: wireless bridge

tannaroo — Mon, 12 May 2025 18:28:54 GMT

I appreciate all of the comments but I don't think the new ethernet cable will work. It's on the 2nd floor with difficult access so will be costly.

Are there any known routers that support wireless bridge?

Perhaps I can buy a used one on ebay

Re: wireless bridge

Champnet — Mon, 12 May 2025 19:17:09 GMT

We had a local TV aerial man install several exernal cables round the outsife of the house @ £30 each.

Nothing to lose by asking around........................

Re: wireless bridge

mrjkenward — Tue, 13 May 2025 11:51:29 GMT

@tannaroo wrote:

Are there any known routers that support wireless bridge?

One option would be to use a Mesh system that comes with several satellites. Wire the Mesh system to your existing router and use the satellites to spread the wifi.

You have a few options.

See if you can disable the router bit of the unknown BT hub and use the new Mesh as the router (most BT kit doesn not allow that "modem only" option)
Use the new Mesh router as an Access Point to feed the satellites.
Put the new Mesh router into the "DMZ" of the BT hub and use the Mesh router as a router that feeds the satellites.

Whichever you go for, you should be able to turn off the wifi from the BT hub, to avoid confusing things that try to connect to your network. Let the Mesh do the wifi work.

A Mesh network with two satellites should have no problem getting wifi to the second floor. Using "daisychain" mode as one satellite feeding the next satellite.

The reason fior suggestiing a Mesh network is that it is designed for the job. Trying to jury rig a bunch of old hardware runs into all sorts of problems as the different bits and pieces trying connect over the wifi.

There is a big choice of Nesh technology, depending on your wallet and your needs. Some satellites come with extra LAN ports that you can use to plug in hardwired devices.

There are many brands out there. I am familiar with Netgears MK93 devices and a low end Orbi Netgear system. Both are capable of getting the wifi out of my office into a house that is about 15 metres away. The speeds are decent enough for a VDSL network that starts at ~60 Mbps. While "full fibre" could mean anything, it should provide a decent source for a Mesh system,

Disclaimer: Just another user with time on their hands.