Another wifi question

[ct03911]

My detached garage is 50' from the house and probably another 50-75 feet from the house router.
I don't get good wifi in the new garage.
I have Comcast as a provider.
I have cable and Cat5 into the garage.
Would I be able to just connect the cable into another router in the garage and have wifi there?
Is this complicated or will I just be able to set it up all on one account with two routers sending a wifi signal?

 

[p_mori7]

Yes, you can install a wifi router in the garage.

 

[Git]

No - you don't want another router since a router assigns IP addresses to all the devices in your local network

Want you want is a "bridge" or "access point". Something like this:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004UBU8IE/?tag=atomicindus08-20

The other question is - do you really need "wifi" in your garage? You could also buy just a cheap switch and connect your device in the garage to it with a cable

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000N99BBC/?tag=atomicindus08-20

It's not complicated and it will all work off your same account

 

[dogdog]

if you have another spare wifi Access Point / aka wireless router, but not another cable modem/wifi router....the one Git posted or hundreds of other similar.... ones.... I like Asus brand, but not netgear....

The exact option is dependent on the wifi router and brand. If you have LAN cable already it's better than setting wifi bridge mode.



set your wifi router to anything else other than default ie if your main wifi router is 190.168.0.1 then set it to 192.168.0.253 or anything else not within DHCP assignment range........

turn off DHCP or forward it to the main router.
set your WIFI AP name. WPA / WPA2 Passwords and everything.
Turn off WAN port.
then all you have to do is plug the CAT5 Cable into the LAN port, not WAN port on that wifi router.

that about it.

 

[jchetty]

If you have Cat 5e into the garage, then the hard work is done. What I would do is get a wireless router and give the garage its own network with a unique ssid (network name).

For a friend with your exact issue, we dug a trench in the cold NE winter and dropped conduit. Then we split that one wire using a Netgear 8 port gigabit switch which only costs $40.

From there- we hardwired a tv, blu-ray player, security camera(with remote access), and a wireless router. The garage network is named "Jchetty's Garage" and the the house network is named "Jchetty's Home Network".

No need to spend mega bucks on your garage router if you are just using it inside. A cheap 802.11n will work. Now if you want to be able to use it outside the garage, you may want to look at 802.11ac. Just make sure all of you ethernet ports are gigabit.

This provides great flexibility as the 8 port switch still has available ports. The wireless network makes it easy to use laptops and for guests to sign on.

If you were in NJ, I'd do it for free. You have done all the hard stuff.

 

[wyliesdiesels]

My detached garage is 50' from the house and probably another 50-75 feet from the house router.
I don't get good wifi in the new garage.
I have Comcast as a provider.
I have cable and Cat5 into the garage.
Would I be able to just connect the cable into another router in the garage and have wifi there?
Is this complicated or will I just be able to set it up all on one account with two routers sending a wifi signal?

No u cant connect the RG6 CABLE to a router.

u would plug the CAT5e into a wireless router. If u want to be able to access garage network and house network resources from any point on your network, then u should plug the CAT5e into a LAN port on the router NOT the WAN port.

Make sure to turn off any DHCP server functions in the new router. Also make sure the IP address of the new router is different than the existing router in the house.

No - you don't want another router since a router assigns IP addresses to all the devices in your local network

Want you want is a "bridge" or "access point". Something like this:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004UBU8IE/?tag=atomicindus08-20

The other question is - do you really need "wifi" in your garage? You could also buy just a cheap switch and connect your device in the garage to it with a cable

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000N99BBC/?tag=atomicindus08-20

It's not complicated and it will all work off your same account

its totally possible to put one router behind another router. Just make sure that theres only one router with DHCP server capabilities turned on.

And a "bridge" is something entirely different.

 

[Git]

No u cant connect the RG6 CABLE to a router.

u would plug the CAT5e into a wireless router. If u want to be able to access garage network and house network resources from any point on your network, then u should plug the CAT5e into a LAN port on the router NOT the WAN port.

Make sure to turn off any DHCP server functions in the new router. Also make sure the IP address of the new router is different than the existing router in the house.



its totally possible to put one router behind another router. Just make sure that theres only one router with DHCP server capabilities turned on.

And a "bridge" is something entirely different.

So just to clarify - the OP apparently has limited knowledge of routers, access points, switches, etc - and you want him to add a second router which would require him to access the setting and turn of DHCP or set it into Bridge Mode?



I would be willing to bet he would be clueless on how to pull up the router's web page or even know the username and password...

 

[jchetty]

So just to clarify - the OP apparently has limited knowledge of routers, access points, switches, etc - and you want him to add a second router which would require him to access the setting and turn of DHCP or set it into Bridge Mode?



I would be willing to bet he would be clueless on how to pull up the router's web page or even know the username and password...

Thank you

Not everyone is comfortable with routers. Hook up a unmanaged switch(this mean no logging in, it does everything for you) to your modem. This is just like when the cable company hooks up a splitter for your catv. You then can connect as many routers or any device. You can hook up 7 wireless routers if you want

The key is that each router have its own wireless network name. Yeah you get some interference, but it really wont be a big deal. No need to disable your dchp server, no need to assign different ip addresses- this is the easiest, most-cost effective way.

I am recommending using hardware to set up your network. If you change settings here and there and rely on software, better make sure you have a good understanding.

The guy saying to change your IP address to such and such range has some understanding of networking. Just remember Apples are 10.0.0.*** from the factory.

 

[wyliesdiesels]

So just to clarify - the OP apparently has limited knowledge of routers, access points, switches, etc - and you want him to add a second router which would require him to access the setting and turn of DHCP or set it into Bridge Mode?



I would be willing to bet he would be clueless on how to pull up the router's web page or even know the username and password...

What kind of attitude is that?

I do networking, wireless P2Ps, communication cabling, etc for a living.

Its really not that hard to access a network device and configure it. With a little help from the collective board(sounds like youre not willing to help), the OP can be guided on how to properly configure everything.

And for the second time, he wouldnt be using bridge mode. That would be used to connect a wired device to a wireless signal through a wireless router or AP- essentially bridging the wireless signal from his house to a wired device in his garage. Thats not necessary here and wouldnt work unless the bridging device was outside where the WiFi signal is presumably decent enough to get a solid connection.

 

[wyliesdiesels]

Thank you

Not everyone is comfortable with routers. Hook up a unmanaged switch(this mean no logging in, it does everything for you) to your modem. This is just like when the cable company hooks up a splitter for your catv. You then can connect as many routers or any device. You can hook up 7 wireless routers if you want

The key is that each router have its own wireless network name. Yeah you get some interference, but it really wont be a big deal. No need to disable your dchp server, no need to assign different ip addresses- this is the easiest, most-cost effective way.

I am recommending using hardware to set up your network. If you change settings here and there and rely on software, better make sure you have a good understanding.

The guy saying to change your IP address to such and such range has some understanding of networking. Just remember Apples are 10.0.0.*** from the factory.

Not true. Setting up multiple wireless access points or wireless routers does require some knowledge and u have to do more than just change the SSID.

U cant just plug in a bunch of them in the same building and not have issues if theyre near each other. This is because if some or all are setup on the same channel, then u WILL have interference and this will cause connectivity issues. When setting up multiple access points, u need to make sure that theyre on different channels...

 

[jchetty]

What kind of attitude is that?

I do networking, wireless P2Ps, communication cabling, etc for a living.

Its really not that hard to access a network device and configure it. With a little help from the collective board(sounds like youre not willing to help), the OP can be guided on how to properly configure everything.

And for the second time, he wouldnt be using bridge mode. That would be used to connect a wired device to a wireless signal through a wireless router or AP- essentially bridging the wireless signal from his house to a wired device in his garage. Thats not necessary here and wouldnt work unless the bridging device was outside where the WiFi signal is presumably decent enough to get a solid connection.

Ok, I'm sorry. You are right- didn't mean to call you out like. I have a CCNA so we sometimes forget how overwhelming it can be for some other ppl.

Its like this guys on this board being so handy. We don't think twice about doing house repairs or car repairs where a network engineer at fortune 500 company would run scared.

Don't know where you get the not willing to help though, I offered a great solution and if he was in NJ I would do it for free.

If you had to walk you 65 year old uncle with very little networking knowldege through this over the phone , would you do it your way or my way

 

[dogdog]

OP can always buy a bigger better and badder antenna, if his router have one of those removable antennas. I always use that to get McDonald Wifi when ever I am up in CT at my parent's place that is over a mile away line of sight..

 

[dogdog]

Ok, I'm sorry. You are right- didn't mean to call you out like. I have a CCNA so we sometimes forget how overwhelming it can be for some other ppl.

Its like this guys on this board being so handy. We don't think twice about doing house repairs or car repairs where a network engineer at fortune 500 company would run scared.

Don't know where you get the not willing to help though, I offered a great solution and if he was in NJ I would do it for free.

If you had to walk you 65 year old uncle with very little networking knowldege through this over the phone , would you do it your way or my way

Lol You use netgear.... you won't be coming to my property....with that junk.... I am sorry.
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Just kidding...

 

[wyliesdiesels]

Whats wrong with netgear? I have installed hundreds of Nighthawks at various customers locations working just fine. I also have one as my main router at home.

Ok, I'm sorry. You are right- didn't mean to call you out like. I have a CCNA so we sometimes forget how overwhelming it can be for some other ppl.

Its like this guys on this board being so handy. We don't think twice about doing house repairs or car repairs where a network engineer at fortune 500 company would run scared.

Don't know where you get the not willing to help though, I offered a great solution and if he was in NJ I would do it for free.

If you had to walk you 65 year old uncle with very little networking knowldege through this over the phone , would you do it your way or my way

I almost went for my CCNA but decided it wasnt worth the student loan headaches...

As far as what i meant about not willing to help, u couldve explained how the OP could access the web interface on a wireless router but instead u badgered him and assumed he wouldnt be capable of doing so.

Its not rocket science! Ive explained to many of my customers how to do this. Its not hard! I guess your CCNA cert. got the best of u.

 

[jchetty]

Lol You use netgear.... you won't be coming to my property....with that junk.... I am sorry.
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Just kidding...

Dammit....I missed the just kidding lmao...good one

 

[Git]

What kind of attitude is that?
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I think you missed my point

To me - and maybe I assumed wrongly based on the original post, But, I don't think the OP has the technical know how or desire to be messing around with router settings. I don't even think that the majority of Garage Journal readers even know the username and password for their router. This is Garage Journal, not SmallNetBuilder or other similar forum... (no disrespect intended)

I offered a very simple, cost effective answer to his problem. Buy whatever brand Access Point. The one I linked to on Amazon is one of their best sellers and is less than $25. All he has to do is connect the cat5 in his garage to the access point and the other end of the cat5 in his house to his router or switch and BOOM - he has wifi in his garage. Easy Peasy, $25 and he is done

When you start screwing around with your router settings and something goes wrong and you no longer have internet access - what do you do?

You were right about the 'bridge' thing. I meant access point but I typed bridge

 

[dogdog]

Dammit....I missed the just kidding lmao...good one

but seriously, that woman on the second pic looks really pissed that you dig up the ground and make a mess....

 

[CJ7VFR]

No u cant connect the RG6 CABLE to a router...

Is the coax cable that connects to the back of my Verizon Fios router a Cat5/6 cable, or an RG6 cable?

It comes directly off my main Fios box in the basement from a splitter that has all RG6 cables on it.

Strange.

Jim

 

[wyliesdiesels]

Is the coax cable that connects to the back of my Verizon Fios router a Cat5/6 cable, or an RG6 cable?

It comes directly off my main Fios box in the basement from a splitter that has all RG6 cables on it.

Strange.

Jim

Sounds like RG6. But the verizon unit is most likely a modem/router combo. Routers by themselves do not have an RG6 connection on them.

Do u have a pic?

 

[dogdog]

Is the coax cable that connects to the back of my Verizon Fios router a Cat5/6 cable, or an RG6 cable?

It comes directly off my main Fios box in the basement from a splitter that has all RG6 cables on it.

Strange.

Jim

That "cable modem / wireless router " combo Access point you have uses the coax cable from supposedly Verizon fiber --> fiber optic converter --> RG6 --> your cable modem --> wireless access point....

It just happens your unit is a cable modem (running Verizon firmware) / wireless access point combo unit.

CAT 5/Cat 6 is the cables if you have any that connects the the LAN point of the device..... the WAN port is not used on these Verizon things.


if you wanted a second wireless access point off the same connection at the house or in the garage that you had cat5 cable already pulled.
All you have to do is connect the

Verizon WIreless AP LAN port --> New Wireless AP LAN port via a CAT5/6 Cable. (after you configured the new access point)

or

configure your access point as a wireless bridge mode to rely the signal to the garage.

or

get a higher power antenna hope that it would work out signal strength to the garage.

or

Paid Verizon then rent get a second combo unit/device and have a separate network / wireless access point at the garage, since you have the RG6 cable in the garage.... their craps gets weak after so many distances away from that fiber convert though.... took them almost a year to fix my "friend's" connection. years ago when they first introduced the service. ..... that was a hoop jumping with those customer service guys.

 

[1991Syclone]

I ran into a similar issue, but it was across the house. The main router sits in the office on one side of the house. I told the cable guy that the WiFi signal was really poor on the other side of the house in the master bedroom.

So, during the install, he put in an Actiontec Extender (http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00FF8ZRR8/?tag=atomicindus08-20).

All you have to do is supply power and a coax cable to the box and it will extend the WiFi signal. Bam, full strength on both sides of the house. Since you said you have cable installed in the garage, call Comcast and let them know that the wireless signal on the other side of your house is low (telling them it's in the garage may negate any free equipment).

Best part of the solution for me is that the equipment is free. Typically it's up to the installer to determine if it's needed or not. You might want to call Comcast and see what they can do for you, cause you might get it for free.

 

[CJ7VFR]

Sounds like RG6. But the verizon unit is most likely a modem/router combo. Routers by themselves do not have an RG6 connection on them.

Do u have a pic?

I don't have a pic right now, but my router is model number MI424WR. I think your right, it is a modem/router combo. I just checked and there is an RG6 Quad coax cable connected to the coax connector on the back of the router.

There is also a white Cat-5e cable connected to the router also. Both the RG6 Quad and the Cat-5e come directly from the Fios box down in my basement.

The Cat-5e wire has a connector on the end of it that appears to be the same as an eithernet connector.

If I disconnect the RG6 Quad cable from the router, none of my set top boxes work properly, and if I disconnect the Cat-5e cable, then I don't get any internet or wifi in the house.

Jim

 

[wyliesdiesels]

I don't have a pic right now, but my router is model number MI424WR. I think your right, it is a modem/router combo. I just checked and there is an RG6 Quad coax cable connected to the coax connector on the back of the router.

There is also a white Cat-5e cable connected to the router also. Both the RG6 Quad and the Cat-5e come directly from the Fios box down in my basement.

The Cat-5e wire has a connector on the end of it that appears to be the same as an eithernet connector.

If I disconnect the RG6 Quad cable from the router, none of my set top boxes work properly, and if I disconnect the Cat-5e cable, then I don't get any internet or wifi in the house.

Jim

We dont have Verizon FIOS out here so Im not familiar with their equipment specifically so Im going off of what u tell me. It sounds like your modem/router distributes the internet and cable TV.

When I had Uverse, it had a similar setup. The vDSL modem/gateway distributed the TV but it was via CAT5e. VOIP phone service was distributed from the modem as well. If CAT5e or phone lines arent available, then the modem can be hooked up via coax/RG6...

Typical off the shelf routers connect via CAT5e...

 

[rutwad]

I installed a wifi range extender. It did exactly that. I placed it between my wireless router and my "weak" spot and it worked great!

 

[wyliesdiesels]

Range extenders dont always work. Had several clients with them and they sucked. Had to run wire and switch to additional access points.

 

[ct03911]

Thanks guys. I've read and re-read this many times.
As in most things, the more you study something, the more questions you have.

Bottom line for me is I just want to do this right before drywalling my detached garage. Again, I have cable and cat5e out there pulled in to the sub panel.

Sounds like I'd be well served by running the cat5 cable from the existing home router into a multi-switch in my garage. From there go to a wap which basically is an antennae for that location for my wifi needs, and then from the switch I can continue cat5e to any devices such as the tv or even a hardwired computer.

One last question. I do have a future apartment over the garage. If I want that space to have capabilities for its own network then would I be correct assuming if I run cable up there they we could at then run that into a modem/router for someone living there later?

Thanks very much..

 

[dogdog]

.........

Bottom line for me is I just want to do this right before drywalling my detached garage. Again, I have cable and cat5e out there pulled in to the sub panel.
..........

One last question. I do have a future apartment over the garage. If I want that space to have capabilities for its own network then would I be correct assuming if I run cable up there they we could at then run that into a modem/router for someone living there later?

Thanks very much..

if you don't plan to share your internet access... just have a spot for coax or fiber to enter that living space and the rooms are finish with a cat5 coax to a main place you plan for the fiber/coax to enter..... that is what I did. An extra cat5 to that 2nd floor won't hurt,,,

btw... hope you didn't pull that cat5 / coax with those high voltage wires on the same conduit..... think that is a No Go.

 

[onkyo]

My detached garage is 50' from the house and probably another 50-75 feet from the house router.
I don't get good wifi in the new garage.
I have Comcast as a provider.
I have cable and Cat5 into the garage.
Would I be able to just connect the cable into another router in the garage and have wifi there?
Is this complicated or will I just be able to set it up all on one account with two routers sending a wifi signal?

I am late to this show, and quickly read the through the thread so I may have missed some info.

You say you have Cat5 and Cable Into the Garage, does that mean you have cat5 from the house to the garage, or you have it run in the garage and all of the cables end in a service panel?

I am assuming you do not have a cat5 from the house to garage.

Does your garage have it's own power meter? If it is running off your home's power service, you could try something like this

I have used them for some very unusual situations and have been satisfied with the results. I have had some situations where they are not feasible to use

The best resolution would be to have several cat5 runs from your house to the garage. If you are going to have to do this use a good quality cable, I personally prefer Ubiquiti Toughcable
In the garage I would terminate the Cat5 into a Panel

Going this route you would only need an Access Point for wireless coverage, and a switch for network distribution


The Easiest Solution would be the Power Line Networking, You would still need the switch and the Access Point.

If the previous suggestions are not an option you could setup a p2p bridge.
I would do that using two of these, you would still need a switch and still need a AP.

There are thousands of ways people would do what you're trying. Everyone is going to have different ideas, and with quite a few people in this industry you will have some that tell you their way is the best and get **** hurt if a different option is presented.

What I posted are they way I would try and tackle the problem from my understanding of it.

Most people find this stuff overwhelming, I can assure you that if I were to try to do your job I would feel overwhelmed also.

I am happy to help in any way I can.
Good Luck

 

[onkyo]

Thanks guys. I've read and re-read this many times.
As in most things, the more you study something, the more questions you have.

Bottom line for me is I just want to do this right before drywalling my detached garage. Again, I have cable and cat5e out there pulled in to the sub panel.

Sounds like I'd be well served by running the cat5 cable from the existing home router into a multi-switch in my garage. From there go to a wap which basically is an antennae for that location for my wifi needs, and then from the switch I can continue cat5e to any devices such as the tv or even a hardwired computer.

One last question. I do have a future apartment over the garage. If I want that space to have capabilities for its own network then would I be correct assuming if I run cable up there they we could at then run that into a modem/router for someone living there later?

Thanks very much..

If you have cables pulled to multiple locations all of the terminated at a central location. You could then have all the data run's to the apartment plugged into its own switch/router which would segment it from your network.

Or you could spend a little more on a managed switch, and use a vlan to setment the networks.

 

[Beemer533]

I'm a big fan of the Ubiquiti stuff as well. Just get a Unifi like Onkyo linked to and you will be all set. I personally have 3 to cover all my property and they work very well..

 

[Beemer533]

Thanks guys. I've read and re-read this many times.
As in most things, the more you study something, the more questions you have.

Bottom line for me is I just want to do this right before drywalling my detached garage. Again, I have cable and cat5e out there pulled in to the sub panel.

Sounds like I'd be well served by running the cat5 cable from the existing home router into a multi-switch in my garage. From there go to a wap which basically is an antennae for that location for my wifi needs, and then from the switch I can continue cat5e to any devices such as the tv or even a hardwired computer.

One last question. I do have a future apartment over the garage. If I want that space to have capabilities for its own network then would I be correct assuming if I run cable up there they we could at then run that into a modem/router for someone living there later?

Thanks very much..

Make sure you run a line a line from your switch in the garage to a central location in the ceiling that will get you the best coverage. Then you can use a PoE AP like the Unifi.

 

[anythingyoucanimagine]

If I want that space to have capabilities for its own network then would I be correct assuming if I run cable up there they we could at then run that into a modem/router for someone living there later?

There is a lot going on in this thread so I went back and re-read so I could try and understand what you mean.

Yes, you can daisy chain routers. You can pay for internet service and then run a (cat5/6/7) cable off your router to a second router in a different location. There may be some complications with that (IP address schemes, double NAT, violating service agreements, etc.) but it is possible.

I wouldn't do it. It's a headache.