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I have WiFi in the house and this will not extend to my office/barn/soon to be my living accommodation (don't ask!). However I have an Ethernet connection which I'm currently using plugged into my laptop on which I'm typing this plea for help. What's the best way to get WiFi into the barn from the existing Ethernet connection? I want to be able to plug some form of WiFi box into the Ethernet connection, but still have the Ethernet connection to hard wire a PC, if that makes sense. I've tried Google, but I just seem to come up with WiFI extenders, which I don't think is the solution, because the barn is too far away from the house to pick up the signal. Hence the Ethernet connection which is routed to the modem in the house. I hope this is making sense, cos it's Friday and I'm confused! Help greatly appreciated.
You need a Wireless Access Point.
I can’t help with which one as the one I have is rubbish.
Or if you have an old router you may be able to use that with a bit of faffing about.
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You need a Wireless Access Point.
Exactly that.
Or POE, if the barn is on the same power circuit as the house you’ll be fine.
Arse-backwards, you mean EoP. Probably pointless in this case though as there's already an Ethernet link.
Whatever 😉
If you want to use an ethernet connection as well, you will also need a network switch.
ie you can buy a 5-port switch. Then plug in the cable to the house, plus a wireless access point. Then you have 3 more ports for other devices.
You could use a router as a combined switch and access point. Though can be more complicated to set up.
If you're prepared to spend, you want a Unifi UAP in wall:
About £100.
It replaces the front plate of your ethernet socket (check clearance, it's bigger) and is an access point. You power it from a POE injector wherever you feed the ethernet from. It's then got a pair of ethernet sockets on it too if you need them.
They are better with a controller running somewhere but you don't need one, you can "adopt" it with the ios/android app and set it up that way.
Still confused. I've looked up "Wireless Access Point" and "5-port switch" on Amazon and gives me all sorts of weird and wonderful recommendations. Can someone with some tech savvy, give me a recommendation on what to buy. Many thanks; it's been a long day...
TP-Link kit is reasonably priced, and works fine. I'd suggest something like this:
Nice little gigabit switch, £13
https://www.amazon.co.uk/TP-Link-LS105G-Desktop-Wallmount-Ethernet/dp/B07RQHL251/
Fairly standard 300Mbps access point, £20
https://www.amazon.co.uk/TP-LINK-TL-WA801ND-Wireless-Access-Point-Noir/dp/B004UBU8IE/
@CraigW thanks for your recommendations. This simplifies things somewhat. I've looked at the TP-Link WAP (getting used to this now!) and it appears to have a 2-port switch already in the box - Just looked up the Spec and this is described as a Passive PoE injector(?). I assume this would giver me WiFi and the Ethernet port to plug into my desktop PC; can you confirm? Would I still need the 5-Port switch with this setup?
No. I would guess the Poe adapter is to get power into the access point. You will still need the 5 port switch
That drawing on Amazon looks slightly confusing as it seems to imply you can have one cable going to the wap and one to the laptop but you still need a third to go to your ethernet connection in the wall
Many thanks all for your feedback and suggestions. Items on Amazon purchased. Hopefully the install won't be as bewildering!
That drawing on Amazon looks slightly confusing as it seems to imply you can have one cable going to the wap and one to the laptop but you still need a third to go to your ethernet connection in the wall
That drawing could be using it in repeater/bridge mode. ie using the wifi to connect to your router. But if you don't have a wifi signal already, you will need an extra cable.
Yes, the PoE is just for powering the access point. You don't need to use it, could just plug it directly into the socket. But maybe handy if you want to put it further away from a socket.