Powerline Adapters or Wi-Fi Extenders

[ourcore]

Hey, guys,

I recently started experiencing spotty Wi-Fi connections at my new place through my MBP, iPhone, and iPad, so I'm looking for the most suitable solution.

I live downstairs, and the router is upstairs, which connects into a cable box with a 50Mbps service. There's a deadspot at my desk, which I'm trying to reach--it's too far to even see the 5GHz network. I thought about getting these extenders, but I don't want to sacrifice speed, though I'm not certain if it'd be negligible. On the other hand, I'm considering these powerline adapters, which I'd connect into my own (second) router downstairs, but I'm not sure if I'd have to connect the adapter into the cable box or the first (upstairs) router, since I don't want to remove the existing setup so my roommate can continue connecting to it.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

 

[Altemose]

Hey, guys,

I recently started experiencing spotty Wi-Fi connections at my new place through my MBP, iPhone, and iPad, so I'm looking for the most suitable solution.

I live downstairs, and the router is upstairs, which connects into a cable box with a 50Mbps service. There's a deadspot at my desk, which I'm trying to reach--it's too far to even see the 5GHz network. I thought about getting these extenders, but I don't want to sacrifice speed, though I'm not certain if it'd be negligible. On the other hand, I'm considering these powerline adapters, which I'd connect into my own (second) router downstairs, but I'm not sure if I'd have to connect the adapter into the cable box or the first (upstairs) router, since I don't want to remove the existing setup so my roommate can continue connecting to it.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

Does the "cable box" have a second LAN port that your roommate can connect to? Ideally, you have one router. What "routers" are you using?


You could go:


"Cable Box" --> Ethernet --> Router --> Powerline --> 1st floor AP/Switch

 

[drsox]

Hey, guys,

I recently started experiencing spotty Wi-Fi connections at my new place through my MBP, iPhone, and iPad, so I'm looking for the most suitable solution.

I live downstairs, and the router is upstairs, which connects into a cable box with a 50Mbps service. There's a deadspot at my desk, which I'm trying to reach--it's too far to even see the 5GHz network. I thought about getting these extenders, but I don't want to sacrifice speed, though I'm not certain if it'd be negligible. On the other hand, I'm considering these powerline adapters, which I'd connect into my own (second) router downstairs, but I'm not sure if I'd have to connect the adapter into the cable box or the first (upstairs) router, since I don't want to remove the existing setup so my roommate can continue connecting to it.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

If you are going with power line then IMO look through the posts on this forum : http://www.snbforums.com/forums/moca-homeplug-hpna.34/

When I tried out power line (before I went with CAT6 wired) I usually found that the actual data rate was 15% of the rated rate. So expect 75Mbps from your TP-Link (unless things have got much better). It also depends on the state of your wiring and the power box.

If all your apple stuff is recent then you might find that the WiFi extender route is actually faster.

 

[ourcore]

Does the "cable box" have a second LAN port that your roommate can connect to? Ideally, you have one router. What "routers" are you using?

Unfortunately, it doesn't. Otherwise, I would connect a powerline adapter directly into the cable box. A Netgear N300 (don't remember the exact model number) and Asus RT-N56U.

If you are going with power line then IMO look through the posts on this forum : http://www.snbforums.com/forums/moca-homeplug-hpna.34/

When I tried out power line (before I went with CAT6 wired) I usually found that the actual data rate was 15% of the rated rate. So expect 75Mbps from your TP-Link (unless things have got much better). It also depends on the state of your wiring and the power box.

If all your apple stuff is recent then you might find that the WiFi extender route is actually faster.

This makes me really unsure if using the powerline adapter is trustworthy over a Wi-Fi extender. I recently moved into the place and I'm only renting, so I have no idea how it's wired. My iPhone and iPad are new, but I have a late 2011 MBP. I'm only concerned about a performance downgrade with an extender because I do a lot of downloading and wireless streaming.

 

[Altemose]

Unfortunately, it doesn't. Otherwise, I would connect a powerline adapter directly into the cable box. A Netgear N300 (don't remember the exact model number) and Asus RT-N56U.

I would go cable box --> ASUS --> Netgear. Put the ASUS as the main router and the Netgear as an AP.

 

[ourcore]

I would go cable box --> ASUS --> Netgear. Put the ASUS as the main router and the Netgear as an AP.

Since the Asus is a better router, I think I'd prefer to use it myself downstairs on a separate WLAN. If I connect the first adapter directly into the cable modem, I don't think the Netgear router will affect my chain of connection. What do you think?

 

[Silvrbill]

Try the 2.4 ghz instead.
The higher the hertz the shorter the range.

 

[ourcore]

Try the 2.4 ghz instead.
The higher the hertz the shorter the range.

I know, that's the only one I can connect to--can't even see the 5GHz network.

 

[drsox]

Unfortunately, it doesn't. Otherwise, I would connect a powerline adapter directly into the cable box. A Netgear N300 (don't remember the exact model number) and Asus RT-N56U.



This makes me really unsure if using the powerline adapter is trustworthy over a Wi-Fi extender. I recently moved into the place and I'm only renting, so I have no idea how it's wired. My iPhone and iPad are new, but I have a late 2011 MBP. I'm only concerned about a performance downgrade with an extender because I do a lot of downloading and wireless streaming.

Powerline is trustworthy - i.e the data rate is continuous without the latency issues with some WiFi (in my experience) - but the actual speed of the data transfers varies according to the state of your wiring and the type of connection configuration (i.e. best not to connect through a multi plug power train connector)

 

[ourcore]

Powerline is trustworthy - i.e the data rate is continuous without the latency issues with some WiFi (in my experience) - but the actual speed of the data transfers varies according to the state of your wiring and the type of connection configuration (i.e. best not to connect through a multi plug power train connector)

Right, just like ethernet, but my concern is with the state of the wiring, which I have no real way of verifying. Do you think it's worth the gamble? How likely is this kind of issue in a newly renovated apartment in Brooklyn?

 

[drsox]

Right, just like ethernet, but my concern is with the state of the wiring, which I have no real way of verifying. Do you think it's worth the gamble? How likely is this kind of issue in a newly renovated apartment in Brooklyn?

If it's newly renovated then the power box should be new and the wiring checked. I would think OK, but why not get a unit from Amazon and send it back if it doesn't work ? Make sure you test it with direct plug connections to the power (not through a power train). First check it on the same ring main (e.g. same room), then on the max. ring main distance (make sure the signal has to go through the power box).

 

[ourcore]

If it's newly renovated then the power box should be new and the wiring checked. I would think OK, but why not get a unit from Amazon and send it back if it doesn't work ? Make sure you test it with direct plug connections to the power (not through a power train). First check it on the same ring main (e.g. same room), then on the max. ring main distance (make sure the signal has to go through the power box).

Not sure if I can, so I wanted to be sure before I buy it. That's a good idea. I definitely intended on going straight into the wall. Thanks for the advice.

 

[mic j]

Not sure if I can, so I wanted to be sure before I buy it. That's a good idea. I definitely intended on going straight into the wall. Thanks for the advice.

If going through Amazon, make sure Amazon is the seller and not a 3rd party vendor. Often, the 3rd party vendors make you pay a restocking fee.

 

[ourcore]

I would go cable box --> ASUS --> Netgear. Put the ASUS as the main router and the Netgear as an AP.

I got the adapters, and I've connected the first one into the Netgear router upstairs, and the second into the Asus router downstairs (where I've created a separate WLAN). According to Speedtest.net, my connection ranges from 1Mb/s to 30Mb/s. What's the benefit of using the second router as an AP? The main reason why I wanted to created my own network was to use 5GHz.

Before getting the adapters, I also noticed that my MBP gets better signal when open over clamshell mode, which is a concern...

 

[Altemose]

I got the adapters, and I've connected the first one into the Netgear router upstairs, and the second into the Asus router downstairs (where I've created a separate WLAN). According to Speedtest.net, my connection ranges from 1Mb/s to 30Mb/s. What's the benefit of using the second router as an AP? The main reason why I wanted to created my own network was to use 5GHz.



Before getting the adapters, I also noticed that my MBP gets better signal when open over clamshell mode, which is a concern...

1. AP mode should make the router not handle routing and simply work as a wireless access point.

2. I believe the wireless antenna is built into the display assembly on recent MacBook Pros. That would explain the difference in performance.

 

[ourcore]

1. AP mode should make the router not handle routing and simply work as a wireless access point.

2. I believe the wireless antenna is built into the display assembly on recent MacBook Pros. That would explain the difference in performance.

Would it have any impact on performance? I don't think the clamshell mode is really an issue, because previously, it wouldn't find the network at all, whereas now it connects, though a little spotty. I think the Netgear router might be faulty

 

[Altemose]

Would it have any impact on performance? I don't think the clamshell mode is really an issue, because previously, it wouldn't find the network at all, whereas now it connects, though a little spotty. I think the Netgear router might be faulty

I do not see any difference on my MacBook Pro when in clamshell mode but I suppose it may vary on model.

 

[ourcore]

I think the Netgear router is the second part of the issue, 'cause right now it's working well and I'm downloading at 1.9MB/s. Do I need to adjust my train of connection to use the Asus as an AP?

 

[Altemose]

I think the Netgear router is the second part of the issue, 'cause right now it's working well and I'm downloading at 1.9MB/s. Do I need to adjust my train of connection to use the Asus as an AP?

What is the current order of devices?

 

[ourcore]

What is the current order of devices?

Upstairs: The Netgear router connects into the cable modem, and the first powerline adapter connects into the router

Downstairs: The Asus router connects into the second adapter (directly into the wall), broadcasting its own WLAN

 

[Altemose]

Upstairs: The Netgear router connects into the cable modem, and the first powerline adapter connects into the router

Downstairs: The Asus router connects into the second adapter (directly into the wall), broadcasting its own WLAN

The ASUS should not be routing but rather just working as an access point. Verify that the link over the powerline adapters is getting decent speeds too as that may be the bottleneck.

 

[ourcore]

The ASUS should not be routing but rather just working as an access point. Verify that the link over the powerline adapters is getting decent speeds too as that may be the bottleneck.

I think my confusion came in when configuring the WLAN after setting it up as an AP. Will it still broadcast its own network?

 

[Altemose]

I think my confusion came in when configuring the WLAN after setting it up as an AP. Will it still broadcast its own network?

Yes. AP mode simply makes it broadcast a network of your choosing, disable routing, and connect to the existing wired network.

 

[ourcore]

Yes. AP mode simply makes it broadcast a network of your choosing, disable routing, and connect to the existing wired network.

That makes sense. I just reconfigured it. Hopefully replacing the Netgear will solve everything. Thanks!

EDIT: Now, for some reason iTunes isn't picking up my devices or remote over Wi-Fi

 

[Altemose]

That makes sense. I just reconfigured it. Hopefully replacing the Netgear will solve everything. Thanks!

EDIT: Now, for some reason iTunes isn't picking up my devices or remote over Wi-Fi

Essentially the ASUS is a dumb wireless AP that simply puts out a network. The Netgear and the ASUS should be on the same subnet so devices on the Netgear will be seen on the ASUS. Ensure that the ASUS is not set to DHCP & NAT Router Mode as that would therefore cause double NAT and block that functionality.