Extending wifi to garden office

[jaymg]

Hi, we just built a small garden office which is installed with electricity and an ethernet cable that runs from the router in the house to a socket in the office.

I currently have a netgear wifi range extender that I've connected to the ethernet socket, but the signal is still pretty patchy (and dropped out completely half way through a meeting today!).

I was looking at a Deco mesh extender to give me reliable internet out in the office as well as improve the signal upstairs in the house — I just wasn't sure if it would cover this distance (the office is about 120ft from the original router).

Someone suggested a powerlink adapter instead/as well? But do I need both if the office has a direct ethernet connection?

Any advice would be much appreciated. Thanks.

[bmc]

@jaymg 

As you've run ethernet cable you should get a solid signal in the office. Try connecting a laptop by ethernet and then run a speed test. If it's poor, there could be a problen with the ethernet cable from the house.

Brian

[Champnet]

A Wi-Fi extender will be looking for a Wi-Fi signal to extend. Can you put the extender in Access Point mode ?

[Marksfish]

Do you know someone with / have an old router? Turn off the DHCP, plug into the ethernet and set it up. I used the instructions here, even though mine isn't TP. Most routers have the same functions, you just need to find them in the settings.

https://youtu.be/Cg_gGECGLiY?si=oycMQfjaQj7LKL7E

[mystreet1]

We purchased a Fritzbox 7530 from Cex (out of stock atm) and changed it to an access point with a different wifi SSID. Get a solid 850 download on wired connection.
But as stated, check to ensure the wiring connection are good. Can also get a ethernet cable tester fairly cheap.

[jaymg]

Thanks, I didn't realise this is what I was supposed to do (bit lost with all the options) but set it up as an access point and seems to be more stable for now. I realised the model I have isn't wifi-6 though — should I think about upgrading it? 

Here's my speed test results:

• Internet speed 91mbps (though immediately started lagging and dropped to 74 next time I checked)
• Latency 5 ms
• Loaded 117 ms
• Upload speed: 44 Mbps

We've got Full Fibre 30 which says estimated speed 300-330mbps but I don't think we have anything near that in the house. 

I'll test it out on a video call later and see, as that's when it seems to struggle most. 

[jaymg]

Thanks for the suggestion. Would a router be a more reliable access point then? 

[bmc]

@jaymg 

You need to sort the incoming speed out before you start looking at units to plug in for WiFi.

When checking speed, you should always use a wired connection as WiFi can be subject to interference. Start with the house PC / Laptop. You should get near 300 down if that's the service you're on. On FF74 I always get above 70 down.

If the house is up to speed, then check the office. If nothing is running in the background you should get near the same speed as the house connection.

When you laid the ethernet cable from the house to the office do you know which type of cable was used - Cat5e or Cat6?

Brian

[jaymg]

@bmc thanks I will check. My mac doesn't have an ethernet port so I'm just waiting for an adaptor to arrive to test the speed off the house router. (I can also then just plug directly into the ethernet port in the office, presumably.)

The cable to the office is Cat6.

[Dan_the_Van]

@jaymg 

What is the make/model number of the Netgear device you are using, some extenders only have a 100Mb LAN port which would restrict the speed.

[jaymg]

@Dan_the_Van it's a Netgear AC1200 range extender (EX6120): https://www.netgear.com/uk/home/wifi/range-extenders/ex6120/

And yes you're right, looking at the specs it's 100mb via the LAN port.

Any tips on what should I be looking for in an alternative? 

Thank you!

[bmc]

@jaymg 

From what's been said it's highly probably your starting speed is as it should be though it's still worth checking.

If the WiFi is just for the office all you need is a WiFi Access Point (WAP). As stated spare routers can be configured for this or you can get WAP units.

Check CEX for second hand FritzBox routers. They are highly regared units. The AX versions are WiFi6 capable.

Brian

[Dan_the_Van]

@jaymg 

If you're unhappy with the speed you would be looking for one with a 1Gb or 1000Mb LAN port device, make sure the chosen device has Access Point in it specification.

90 mbps should be enough for most purposes unless it's a high internet usage office. 

A newer device might support WiFi 6 but unless you have a 500 or 900 mbps product you would gain any benefit.

Many AP are available with a wide range of prices, high product price does not necessary mean better performance.

[MisterW]

I'd go for the Cudy WR3000, has 4 gigabit ports and is Wifi 6. It can easily be set to Access point mode https://www.cudy.com/en-gb/blogs/faq/how-to-configure-cudy-wi-fi-router-as-an-access-point

You can pick up new on ebay for £33 https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/187631156627 or even cheaper if you dont mind used.

If you dont like the bay then £40 on Amazon https://www.amazon.co.uk/Cudy-WR3000-MU-MIMO-WireGuard-OpenVPN/dp/B0BRK3CYY3