My internet connection has been unstable for a while now and I think it's due to my internal wiring so I want to move the modem-router downstairs so I can plug it directly into the main socket. However my xbox, ps3 and pc are all upstairs and I would prefer a wired connection to them if at all possible. I had a look in B&Q and a home networking kit with 50m of CAT5 is about £37 but if ii'm thinking correctly I'll need to purchase a network switch as well to run 3 wired connections off a single CAT5 cable running from the router upstairs to the bedroom so an additional outlay on the costs of setting it all up. Does anyone have an alternative solution that I've not thought of?

Quick bit of searching and it looks like one of these would do the job... http://www.amazon.co.uk/Edimax-EW-7228APN-150mbps-Extender-5-Port/dp/B004JV42A0/ref=sr_1_3?s=computers&ie=UTF8&qid=1308762253&sr=1-3

Would it?

Edited 22 June, 201115 yr by Schern

The Amazon link there is a wireless repeater, which would work if you reckon your wireless throughput is decent enough to support all 3 devices (which might all be on at the same time?) So your devices would connect via CAT5 to that repeater upstairs, which would then transmit data wirelessly to your existing wireless router downstairs.

Your plan of CAT5 would work and what you propose would be required if you were only running one single CAT5 cable run upstairs.

Try homeplugs. Routes data through electric sockets. Typing on phone at the moment so no links.

I thought about home plugs but I'm trying to do it as cheaply as possible. I don't think bandwidth would be too much of an issue though as I only get about 3 meg broadband anyway and don't tend to do that much streaming between devices. G should give me up to 54mbps shouldn't it? I think my sky router only supports B+G, not N.

I thought about home plugs but I'm trying to do it as cheaply as possible. I don't think bandwidth would be too much of an issue though as I only get about 3 meg broadband anyway and don't tend to do that much streaming between devices. G should give me up to 54mbps shouldn't it? I think my sky router only supports B+G, not N.

Ok you say as cheap as possible....£37 for a CAT 5 kit (get it off ebay cheaper if you want to go down this route) then a switch for £10.....or an old router if you have one knocking about so say £50 and you have the hassle of cabling - (I am presuming you get a terminating tool with the kit).

...Or you can get these for £30 http://www.amazon.co.uk/TP-Link-TL-PA101-Powerline-Ethernet-AdapterTwin/dp/B002H0PNBW/ref=sr_1_4?s=computers&ie=UTF8&qid=1308777943&sr=1-4 and a £6 switch http://www.amazon.co.uk/TP-Link-Unmanaged-Desktop-TL-SF1005D-Plastic/dp/B000FNFSPY/ref=sr_1_1?s=computers&ie=UTF8&qid=1308777996&sr=1-1 Job done

Try homeplugs. Routes data through electric sockets. Typing on phone at the moment so no links.

Not a massive fan of those - if there is a power cut you have play X Box in the dark and in single player mode

Not a massive fan of those - if there is a power cut you have play X Box in the dark and in single player mode

xbox run on batteries?

If you can run cable use cable. Much better in the long run.

That powerline stuff puts out radio interference and some people are trying to ban it.

Cat5 is cheap, that b&Q price is daft. There is a guy selling a 300m drum of cat5 for £24 on Ebay.

I suggest running a good quality shielded Cat6 between your two points.

Get a cheap 100/10 unmanaged switch - http://www.ebuyer.com/product/119379 or a cheap used gigabit switch from ebay for all your devices and Bob's your uncle.

Routing the cable itself is by far the hardest bit. Just make sure at the sockets you have the wires at both ends in the same order.

I've not gone Powerline based on interference. If you can run cable pretty easily without it being inconvenient and unsightly, then it's definitely the way to go.

Quick, and reliable.

I'd agree with the above - if you're going to do it, run good quality cable. You'll then be set to run full gigabit if/when you feel the need. Not sure if you need shielded in a home environment mind you. I've only ever specced it in office fit-outs, when cable runs need to bypass large heavy-duty items of potential interference, like lift motors.

And this is a decent punch-down tool: http://www.kenable.co.uk/product_info.php?products_id=386

In the meantime I might have a spare 10/100 switch spare, if that helps.

Cheers,

Steve

Not sure if you need shielded in a home environment mind you. I've only ever specced it in office fit-outs, when cable runs need to bypass large heavy-duty items of potential interference, like lift motors.

Was guessing the poster would probably route the cable next to power cables.

But shielded was much more of a PITA to work with than unshielded as I recall.

I was in the same situation pretty much (wireless don't reach my room upstairs, and being Virgin internet, we couldn't just use another socket).

I ran a length of cat6 upstairs, and just plugged it into an old Linksys ADSL modem/AP set in switching mode. Gives me 3 wired devices and wireless connectivity upstairs for the sake of the cost of a piece of cable.

If something like a homehub or other ISP supplied router could be used, these can be found cheaply on eBay, or maybe on freecycle, and offer wifi as well.

Eg http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/BT-HomeHub-2-0-BNIB-NOW-FREE-P-P-/220802614179?pt=UK_Computing_NetworkingHubs_RL&hash=item3368dc83a3

xbox run on batteries?

Yeh - along with the TV and beer fridge - get the important things on battery backup

Done something similar myself - wanted the media streamer to be cabled no wireless.

These are what I bought (or near as damn it).

http://www.novatech.co.uk/novatech/prods/networking/switches/2-8portswitches/novatech/nov-sw5.html

http://www.ebuyer.com/product/130687

Been up and running for eleven months so far, apart from one reset to the switch needed after changing the router.

I have mine set up a little different to what you want though - I have the switch near the router and the cable running to the bedroom as I only needed one thing networked.

Was guessing the poster would probably route the cable next to power cables.

But shielded was much more of a PITA to work with than unshielded as I recall.

Yes, shielded could be useful then. Just that if you can possibly avoid running it near power, you can use cheaper cable that's easier to work with.

Shielded is a pain. Can be harder to terminate as well, as it's less flexible.

I wouldn't be running it alongside power until it gets behind the TV so that's not too much of an issue. I've ordered the wireless access point for ease at the moment as it seemed the cheapest and easiest solution as I don't use my network for much more than providing broadband to all the devices that utilise it. One question I've got... is a switch different to a router? I'll have my PC, PS3 and Xbox all plugged into the switch that's on the wireless access point. If I'm streaming music from my PC to my Xbox will it just use the switch or will it have to send the communication through the router?

No, the switch can handle the traffic between the PC and xBox on its own.

i.e. if you turned off the router downstairs, so the connected AP is redundant, the streaming of music from PC>xBox would be unaffected.

A router, in general terms, is very similar to switch - apart from the fact that a router can connect two (or more) networks together, i.e. it allows information from your internal network to reach the outside world, as the router is connected to your phone line.

Ah so streaming will be no different then as I'll still have the wired connection between all the devices upstairs. Excellent!

Yep, that's right