I have a new plan for the home network

Forums › LAN (ethernet/Wifi/routers/Bluetooth) › I have a new plan for the home network - what do you think?

Scoobing

44 posts

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#105185 28-Jun-2012 21:42

Right. After months of reading reviews, discussing on forums, I think I have a plan!

My devices have slightly changed but I'll give you a rundown of my situation.

In the main house I have:

iPad2 x2
iPhone4
iPhone4S
WD Live box with attached HD
HP Pavilion Laptop

In terms of network devices I have an old telecom D-Link 502T that is chugging along with a WRT160N in the main house.

About 20-30ft away is a sleepout and the following devices:

PC - with Belkin N+ USB Wi Fi adapter
iPhone 3GS
Playstation 3

Throughput to the PC is quite good, and phone wi-fi reception is good. However the PS3 online play is suffering quite badly. With the laptop gone I think I can switch from WPA to WPA2 so hopefully that might help with speed?

My thought was powerline networking for the PS3. I am looking to upgrade my router to a Netgear WNDR 3700 as currently signal is not good in some places in the main house. EDIT: Doh, just thought. The fact that it is a separate building with it's own fusebox probably means I can't use powerline networking....right???

Would anyone be able to recommend a good powerline kit just for the PS3. I think I only need two adapters. Do I then just connect an ethernet cable from the second adapter next to the router into one of its LAN ports?

Will the WNDR3700 work ok with this? And would I be able to keep my old 502-T modem working with this setup?

Appreciate any advice,

Cheers.

Goosey

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#647875 28-Jun-2012 21:56

Whats seperating your house and sleepout? i.e. is it grass/gravel or concrete. Im thinking you could run an ethernet cable via a conduit. Is the power from sleepout supplied underground or above ground via conduit?

You could then set up 2 wi fi access points using the router devices you currently have. Id suggest you bin the D-Link though ! (you could also directly connect the PS to the 2nd router (using it as a network hub).

Ethernet cable is cheap... are you game enough to dig (being careful of course) and also paying attention to making sure the conduit is secure and water proof.

chevrolux

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#648361 29-Jun-2012 18:21

If the sleepout is on the same phase as the house you will be sweet is. Has it got it's own meter? Or just a separate fuse box? Buy them from Dick Smith and just take them back with in 7 days if they don't work. That was the case last time I bought something I didnt like.

Scoobing

44 posts

Geek

#648516 29-Jun-2012 23:08

Thanks guys for your replies.

I don't fancy running a cable as I won't be here too much longer. There is a plug socket right by the PS3 and one also by the router so I fancy giving this powerline solution a shot - just to see if it is any improvement over wireless for gaming.

I wasn't sure about returns policy at Dick Smith's - will they take them back even if they are opened?

The sleepout is all on the same meter as the house but there is a separate fuse box out here....I think it's worth a try but I would like to be able to get my money back if it doesn't work. :)

Hatch

797 posts

Ultimate Geek

#653543 10-Jul-2012 14:46

I wasn't sure about returns policy at Dick Smith's - will they take them back even if they are opened?

Not when I last checked, they got rid of this policy sometime last year.

Lias

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#653619 10-Jul-2012 16:14

Hatch:
I wasn't sure about returns policy at Dick Smith's - will they take them back even if they are opened?

Not when I last checked, they got rid of this policy sometime last year.

Ensure you tell the salesman what you want the product for, express doubts it might not work as intended, wait for them to tell you it will work (and they WILL tell you whatever you want to hear to close the sale), claim CGA unfit for purpose if it doesnt work and they get uppity about a return.

I'm a geek, a gamer, a dad, a Quic user, and an IT Professional. I have a full rack home lab, size 15 feet, an epic beard and Asperger's. I'm a bit of a Cypherpunk, who believes information wants to be free and the Net interprets censorship as damage and routes around it. If you use my Quic signup you can also use the code R570394EKGIZ8 for free setup.

richms

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#653639 10-Jul-2012 16:39

Lias:
Hatch:
I wasn't sure about returns policy at Dick Smith's - will they take them back even if they are opened?

Not when I last checked, they got rid of this policy sometime last year.

Ensure you tell the salesman what you want the product for, express doubts it might not work as intended, wait for them to tell you it will work (and they WILL tell you whatever you want to hear to close the sale), claim CGA unfit for purpose if it doesnt work and they get uppity about a return.

+1 on that with the salesperson. And use a credit card to pay so if they get difficult you can get the bank on your side which tends to help things along.

RCD breakers stop the powerline signal cold when I was trying it. Normal breakers less so.

If your sleep out is on a seperate meter than forget about it working.

Richard rich.ms