Geekzone: technology news, blogs, forums
Guest
Welcome Guest.
You haven't logged in yet. If you don't have an account you can register now.


peejayw

1841 posts

Uber Geek


#151669 1-Sep-2014 16:56
Send private message

Is it usual to install the Fritzbox inside the cabinet like this? Wifi signal strength is poor unless the cabinet door is left open which is not really an option. I assume the steel cabinet is blocking the wireless signal.
What else could be done, external aerial, relocate the box?







 I'm supposed to respect my elders, but it's getting harder and harder for me to find one now.


View this topic in a long page with up to 500 replies per page Create new topic
 1 | 2
sbiddle
30853 posts

Uber Geek

Retired Mod
Trusted
Biddle Corp
Lifetime subscriber

  #1119763 1-Sep-2014 17:03
Send private message

There is a brand new apartment building in Wellington with Mikrotik RB951's installed in the very same cabinets in every apartment tied into the building intercom system.

This 951 provides the wireless for each apartment and apartment owners are not allowed to use their own wireless and have to tell ISPs to send out a router with the WiFi disabled. They then plug a patch lead from their router to the RB951 to enable WiFi in their apartment.

The resulting outcome in both scenarios is terrible WiFi. People really haven't learnt their lessons from the early days of the BoF trials.






Oblivian
7296 posts

Uber Geek

ID Verified

  #1119767 1-Sep-2014 17:05
Send private message

Yep. Its the termination point in a Fibre Ready install/new home :)

The wireless on fritz isn't flash at the best of times (oodles of threads relating to it)

Best bet, a $60-70 AccessPoint/router slapped into a patched outlet somewhere else in the house.

chevrolux
4962 posts

Uber Geek
Inactive user


  #1119774 1-Sep-2014 17:19
Send private message

facepalming so hard just by reading the title.

Why do people think this is a good idea?! Yes it's tidy but my god, why stick the wireless in there!!

If you want to use the Fritzbox's wireless then you really want to have a dual outlet in a location that will allow you to get a decent amount of signal strength. You can then use on outlet for the layer 2 link back to the ONT and then feed the LAN back to the cabinet using the second outlet.

Or turn off the wifi on the Fritz and spend $300 on a Unifi Pro and stick the Unifi in a decent location.



timmmay
20574 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted
Lifetime subscriber

  #1119790 1-Sep-2014 17:45
Send private message

Putting RF equipment inside a faraday cage isn't the best idea ever. Install a simple WAP somewhere central. Fritzbox WiFi works great for me, but I don't put it inside a metal RF proof box, I put it up high in a central location in my house.

jnimmo
1097 posts

Uber Geek


  #1119814 1-Sep-2014 18:29
Send private message

chevrolux: facepalming so hard just by reading the title.

Why do people think this is a good idea?! Yes it's tidy but my god, why stick the wireless in there!!

If you want to use the Fritzbox's wireless then you really want to have a dual outlet in a location that will allow you to get a decent amount of signal strength. You can then use on outlet for the layer 2 link back to the ONT and then feed the LAN back to the cabinet using the second outlet.

Or turn off the wifi on the Fritz and spend $300 on a Unifi Pro and stick the Unifi in a decent location.


Unifi's aren't the answer to every wireless situation, unnecessarily complex for home users. I use them at work and they are great there, but don't want to have to install the controller just to change a setting.

There would be many suitable APs out there, an Apple Refurb Airport Express is pretty good buy for $108 in my opinion -especially if you have any iOS devices (built in switch, music streaming and dual band)

Unless you can find a plastic door to replace the metal one on the cabinet :)

peejayw

1841 posts

Uber Geek


  #1119825 1-Sep-2014 18:40
Send private message

 

Unless you can find a plastic door to replace the metal one on the cabinet :)


Haha, that will be my first suggestion to him. Getting cable from the cabinet to the required location in the house is a challenge so next suggestion will be powerline adaptors.




 I'm supposed to respect my elders, but it's getting harder and harder for me to find one now.


sbiddle
30853 posts

Uber Geek

Retired Mod
Trusted
Biddle Corp
Lifetime subscriber

  #1119879 1-Sep-2014 19:30
Send private message

peejayw:
 

Unless you can find a plastic door to replace the metal one on the cabinet :)


Haha, that will be my first suggestion to him. Getting cable from the cabinet to the required location in the house is a challenge so next suggestion will be powerline adaptors.


Where do all the cat5e cables inside there go to? Are you suggesting that despite a central wiring cabinet there are so RJ45 sockets around the premises?



 
 
 

Cloud spending continues to surge globally, but most organisations haven’t made the changes necessary to maximise the value and cost-efficiency benefits of their cloud investments. Download the whitepaper From Overspend to Advantage now.
peejayw

1841 posts

Uber Geek


  #1119880 1-Sep-2014 19:33
Send private message

One in TV lounge, maybe another for phone but not sure, its not my place. None in the required upstairs area though.




 I'm supposed to respect my elders, but it's getting harder and harder for me to find one now.


chevrolux
4962 posts

Uber Geek
Inactive user


  #1119888 1-Sep-2014 19:49
Send private message

Unifi's aren't the answer to every wireless situation, unnecessarily complex for home users. I use them at work and they are great there, but don't want to have to install the controller just to change a setting.


How often do you change your wifi settings though? I haven't changed mine since I put them in.

Also, the Unifi controller is easy enough to start and stop when required. Airports are just as annoying as you need the airport utility thing to configure them - i find that thing more annoying than the Unifi controller.

shk292
2853 posts

Uber Geek

Lifetime subscriber

  #1119942 1-Sep-2014 20:42
Send private message

I just can't understand how anyone with the most basic knowledge of networking would think putting a WAP in a metal box is a good idea.

Let me guess, all the light fittings are behind black-out curtains?

sbiddle
30853 posts

Uber Geek

Retired Mod
Trusted
Biddle Corp
Lifetime subscriber

  #1120164 2-Sep-2014 02:32
Send private message

shk292: I just can't understand how anyone with the most basic knowledge of networking would think putting a WAP in a metal box is a good idea.



Tell this to the large number of people designing apartment buildings and properties with this identical setup!



freitasm
BDFL - Memuneh
79250 posts

Uber Geek

Administrator
ID Verified
Trusted
Geekzone
Lifetime subscriber

  #1120205 2-Sep-2014 07:59
Send private message

peejayw: One in TV lounge, maybe another for phone but not sure, its not my place. None in the required upstairs area though.


You mean that people install UFB with 100Mbps - 200 Mbps services and then go on using crappy WiFi for their content distribution?

Are they out of their minds?








Please support Geekzone by subscribing, or using one of our referral links: Samsung | AliExpress | Wise | Sharesies | Hatch | GoodSyncBackblaze backup


Aredwood
3885 posts

Uber Geek


  #1120828 2-Sep-2014 21:06

freitasm:
peejayw: One in TV lounge, maybe another for phone but not sure, its not my place. None in the required upstairs area though.


You mean that people install UFB with 100Mbps - 200 Mbps services and then go on using crappy WiFi for their content distribution?

Are they out of their minds?







Yes, My Ex boss said that he does exactly this at his house.

But some of it would be people looking at their cheap Wifi router. Reading the banner printed on the case saying that it supports 150mbit. And thinking "thats faster than my UFB connection so its all good".





raytaylor
4014 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

  #1120876 2-Sep-2014 22:38
Send private message

I am amazed the overheads hasnt triggered a false advertising complaint yet after 10 years of popular wifi

Can you replace the antennas on the fritzboxes?
I wonder if a desktop antenna with a short cable going into the cabinet would be the best option, or to mount the wifi unit on the door itself

http://www.trademe.co.nz/computers/networking-modems/other/auction-774619315.htm




Ray Taylor

There is no place like localhost

Spreadsheet for Comparing Electricity Plans Here


hio77
12999 posts

Uber Geek

ID Verified
Trusted
Lizard Networks

  #1120879 2-Sep-2014 22:46
Send private message

raytaylor: I am amazed the overheads hasnt triggered a false advertising complaint yet after 10 years of popular wifi

Can you replace the antennas on the fritzboxes?
I wonder if a desktop antenna with a short cable going into the cabinet would be the best option, or to mount the wifi unit on the door itself

http://www.trademe.co.nz/computers/networking-modems/other/auction-774619315.htm


nope. its an internal antenna..




#include <std_disclaimer>

 

Any comments made are personal opinion and do not reflect directly on the position my current or past employers may have.

 

 


 1 | 2
View this topic in a long page with up to 500 replies per page Create new topic





News and reviews »

Air New Zealand Starts AI adoption with OpenAI
Posted 24-Jul-2025 16:00


eero Pro 7 Review
Posted 23-Jul-2025 12:07


BeeStation Plus Review
Posted 21-Jul-2025 14:21


eero Unveils New Wi-Fi 7 Products in New Zealand
Posted 21-Jul-2025 00:01


WiZ Introduces HDMI Sync Box and other Light Devices
Posted 20-Jul-2025 17:32


RedShield Enhances DDoS and Bot Attack Protection
Posted 20-Jul-2025 17:26


Seagate Ships 30TB Drives
Posted 17-Jul-2025 11:24


Oclean AirPump A10 Water Flosser Review
Posted 13-Jul-2025 11:05


Samsung Galaxy Z Fold7: Raising the Bar for Smartphones
Posted 10-Jul-2025 02:01


Samsung Galaxy Z Flip7 Brings New Edge-To-Edge FlexWindow
Posted 10-Jul-2025 02:01


Epson Launches New AM-C550Z WorkForce Enterprise printer
Posted 9-Jul-2025 18:22


Samsung Releases Smart Monitor M9
Posted 9-Jul-2025 17:46


Nearly Half of Older Kiwis Still Write their Passwords on Paper
Posted 9-Jul-2025 08:42


D-Link 4G+ Cat6 Wi-Fi 6 DWR-933M Mobile Hotspot Review
Posted 1-Jul-2025 11:34


Oppo A5 Series Launches With New Levels of Durability
Posted 30-Jun-2025 10:15









Geekzone Live »

Try automatic live updates from Geekzone directly in your browser, without refreshing the page, with Geekzone Live now.



Are you subscribed to our RSS feed? You can download the latest headlines and summaries from our stories directly to your computer or smartphone by using a feed reader.