Router and WiFi Network Cards

[MacGyverSG1]

I am thinking of upgrading to wireless AC hardware. My current wireless-N stuff is getting old and WiFi range is lacking. Any recommendations for a AC router and network card (USB and/or PCIe). My other alternative is to use Powerline adapters with my current hardware, but that means plugging in mobile devices (if possible).

[anon]

Range won't improve with 11ac; on the contrary, it will suffer significantly due to the shorter wavelengths and higher attenuation.

Always wire whenever possible. Otherwise, powerline adapters are okay as long as the stuff you want to network is in the same circuit, and they can also act as wireless access points.

[MacGyverSG1]

If I could hard-wire every device I would. I've read a lot about Powerline the last couple of years. The AV2000 models are pretty fast and TP-Link's work well on any circuit in the house (as most models do). As long as they are on the same circuit panel, they will be fine. You just need to plug them in on the same circuit to pair them. Then you can move the one not connected to router to anywhere in the house. I'm definitely going to try that out, but 11ac hardware should speed up WiFi speeds and hopefully extend range. If it doesn't help or is worse I can always return it.

[perky55]

've not has much luck with AV2000 powerlines. The non mimo AV1000 units replaced my AV2000 models and were actually faster in my house!

[MacGyverSG1]

Sometimes it depends on the brand and the electrical system in your house. I will probably try the TP-Link AV2000 model when I get a new laptop (old one is dead). I don't have a need for a laptop, but they are convenient at times.

[Gribley]

Now I went for the hardwired option, I have cat5e running up the house into loft then distro to all the upstairs bedrooms via a switch in the loft. Since I had that in place I stuck another wireless router up there (turned off the DHCP) but keeping the same 2.4/5 wireless network(s). You may not go with that and just want an extender in the loft/attic.... I also run a powerline adapter for the Kitchen as I couldn`t be arsed to run more cables and most important hide them in walls (only handles a couple of Pi running LibreElec anyway).

I only get 80Mb lines in UK so my gig switches can handle that minor load and my wifi cover is now fine.... I do stick to 2.4 as so much more stable than 5.


My loft/attic switch also double serves with my Apache webserver (running on an old Pi1) and my torrent seedbox (an odroid c2/ipvanish). Keeps `em out of the way and usually keeps `em nice and cool with our UK weather (last month or two not withstanding)

[MacGyverSG1]

Unfortunately my loft (attic) gets very hot in the summer (120+ F). I would need to locate a switch in the basement (~50 F all year) along with routers/extenders. I would love to be able to hard-wire the entire house. Not possible, unfortunately. If PowerLine can give stable consistent speeds, then that would be better than upgrading WiFi. The computers that need the download speed are wired to router.

[Gribley]

Unfortunately my loft (attic) gets very hot in the summer (120+ F)

Another option then having a small space in-built wardrobe (space allocated from wife, maybe requires contract and lawyers) and just running the cables back up into loft space. Anyway Power line adaptors like you said work fine (but I only trust in really short distance and then re-cable CAT5e), if you are not after full on speeds and just streaming around the house then they work really well.

[lightshow]

Also consider the COAX to Ethernet adapters. Chances are your home is wired for COAX, so you can buy the adapters that will do Ethernet over COAX. I'm probably going to look into that option soon.

I have one powerline adapter and it's performance is good, but not excellent. It's one of the netgear ones. But like you said it needs to be on the same circuit to be good, so if you want to do runs across floors then the COAX to Ethernet may be a good option. Plus, it seems based on my light research that its less expensive then buying a slew of powerline.

[joneson]

1. Try to power off the cat and WiFi routers.
2. Reduce the distance between the mobile phone and the WiFi router and physical obstacles to ensure good WiFi signal coverage quality;
3. If it is PPPOE dial-up Internet access, check whether the network cable between the cat and the WiFi router WAN port is loose or falling off.
4. Check too many people (even) WiFi or watch online videos, play online games, download files;