PC / Freebox far apart: What Ethernet connection solutions are available
tomafou
Posted messages
253
Status
Member
-
brupala Posted messages 111189 Registration date Status Member Last intervention -
brupala Posted messages 111189 Registration date Status Member Last intervention -
Hello everyone,
I’m reaching out for your help and advice on setting up my computer equipment following a move.
The context is that I’m working remotely, and I’m juggling two "stationary" PCs that don't have WiFi cards, just RJ45.
I’ve just moved, and the Fiber Optic socket is located at the other end of the apartment, or at least the office.
In my previous home, my office was close to the Freebox. I had run an RJ45 cable from the Freebox to an Ethernet Hub that allowed me to distribute the Internet to both PCs (since I use them simultaneously).
Today, as explained, the Freebox is too far away. To make the same connection, I would need over 30 meters of Ethernet cable to run along the walls, go over the doors, run along the ceilings, etc... and all this without talking about aesthetics.
So I’m looking to see if there's a simpler and more discreet alternative. Knowing that I would like to lose as little bandwidth as possible since I connect to my company’s server, listen to streaming music, and constantly use the internet (research, webinars, videos, etc...).
I have two ideas, but I’m not sure if they are viable/reliable:
- Use a Freeplug on one of the electrical outlets in the office to retrieve the internet, and then send it back to my Ethernet hub.
-> It’s an old apartment, and I have no idea about the quality of the electrical network. Will I lose bandwidth?
- Use a WiFi amplifier (or repeater? I don't understand the difference between the two) that I would place in the office.
-> First, I’m not sure if the WiFi signal will be weakened due to the walls. Then, is it possible to connect an RJ45 to the amplifier to retrieve the internet via a cable? And I would like to avoid being too bombarded by waves.
Do you have any opinions on these two alternatives or even another idea for optimal connection?
Thank you very much for your help, and have a great weekend everyone!
I’m reaching out for your help and advice on setting up my computer equipment following a move.
The context is that I’m working remotely, and I’m juggling two "stationary" PCs that don't have WiFi cards, just RJ45.
I’ve just moved, and the Fiber Optic socket is located at the other end of the apartment, or at least the office.
In my previous home, my office was close to the Freebox. I had run an RJ45 cable from the Freebox to an Ethernet Hub that allowed me to distribute the Internet to both PCs (since I use them simultaneously).
Today, as explained, the Freebox is too far away. To make the same connection, I would need over 30 meters of Ethernet cable to run along the walls, go over the doors, run along the ceilings, etc... and all this without talking about aesthetics.
So I’m looking to see if there's a simpler and more discreet alternative. Knowing that I would like to lose as little bandwidth as possible since I connect to my company’s server, listen to streaming music, and constantly use the internet (research, webinars, videos, etc...).
I have two ideas, but I’m not sure if they are viable/reliable:
- Use a Freeplug on one of the electrical outlets in the office to retrieve the internet, and then send it back to my Ethernet hub.
-> It’s an old apartment, and I have no idea about the quality of the electrical network. Will I lose bandwidth?
- Use a WiFi amplifier (or repeater? I don't understand the difference between the two) that I would place in the office.
-> First, I’m not sure if the WiFi signal will be weakened due to the walls. Then, is it possible to connect an RJ45 to the amplifier to retrieve the internet via a cable? And I would like to avoid being too bombarded by waves.
Do you have any opinions on these two alternatives or even another idea for optimal connection?
Thank you very much for your help, and have a great weekend everyone!
4 answers
-
Hello,
If you have a fiber internet connection, a wired Ethernet connection will always be the best solution. With all the others (PLC or Wi-Fi), there will be some loss, and to know how much, it needs to be tested on-site.
There are discreet Ethernet solutions if you can't run a cable through the walls: https://www.electromagnetique.com/produit/se_proteger/alternatives_au_sans_fil/internet_filaire/kit-ethernet-hd-cable-ultrafin-1-gigabits-izilink/
For PLC, since it depends on the electrical network, it needs to be tested.
A Wi-Fi repeater is usually placed halfway between the sender, the box, and the receiver, a PC. Its role is to retransmit the initial signal further than it reaches. If you place it next to the PC, it's not necessarily the best spot. And this device can, from the received Wi-Fi, output via Ethernet like: https://www.amazon.fr/TP-Link-RE200-R%C3%A9p%C3%A9teur-Compatible-inatteignables/dp/B00KXULGJQ/ref=sr_1_7?keywords=Pont%2BWifi%2BEthernet&qid=1570872588&sr=8-7&th=1
-
Hello,
I confirm everything that my buddy JP is telling you, and I'm even going to suggest the same product as him: https://www.touslescables.com/kit-izilink-giga-M5AL-970.html see the video at the bottom, which corresponds to an older version limited to 100 Mbit/s but it's the same principle.
I will add two things:
1/ Powerline adapters work better on older electrical installations (fuses and taps) than on those up to the latest standards (circuit breakers and central panel concentration).
It still means that it will always reduce the speed on a fiber connection.
2/ A Wi-Fi amplifier doesn't exist, there are always repeaters or network extenders (relays). In fact, it could exist, but it's prohibited because the power at the antenna is limited to 100mW.
--
and ... Voila! -
Cool! Thanks for your answers!
I'm going to try with a Freeplug, but the only thing I know about my electrical installation is that there is indeed a circuit breaker and a Linkee meter. So I think I'm going to lose some bandwidth, right?
On the other hand, my concern about the Ethernet Kit is that I need to go through doors. In the video, it looks simple, you run along the door frame and the walls. But in my case, I should still be able to close the doors, so I'm worried that the cable might get cut...
I thought I could make a small hole in the wall to pass the ultra-thin cable, but the RJ45 connector will always get stuck....
What a puzzle!-
"I thought I could make a small hole in the wall to pass the ultra-thin cable, but the RJ45 connector will always be blocked...." No, on the kit cable, there is no connector; once laid, we connect it to the two female sockets to be fixed to the wall.
- For CPL, the freeplug is not necessarily the most efficient hardware. It will depend on the generation. Thus, the one from the Delta box seems to be top-notch; previously, it was less effective: https://www.universfreebox.com/article/48222/Test-Freeplugs-Freebox-Delta-Vs-les-anciens-modeles-voici-les-debits
- Wow,
the UF site has really changed :-)
not luxury at the same time.
What do you think,
are the screenshots with the speeds provided by Freebox OS?
Because if it's like Devolo Cockpit, the speed indications between powerline adapters never match those from iperf tests between two machines, they remain theoretical values of radio carriers, not Ethernet flows. - I think. I've just replaced my Freebox V5, which was 12/15 years old, with a Mini 4K. There is also a Freebox OS and a page for the Freeplugs, which is not exactly the same but also has tx and rx columns.
I don't have anything in there because I haven't connected the Freeplugs; I've kept the CPL modems that I had.
-
Indeed,
these kits are delivered with the connectors disassembled, which greatly simplifies installation.
They are still very easy to assemble in the end with no special tools needed, just a scalpel and a wire cutter will do, a glue gun as well.
Moreover, the cable can easily pass under a door, preferably on the hinge side to avoid being pinched in the frame, if one does not want to make a hole in the adjacent wall.
-
-
Hello,
If you choose powerline adapters, it would be better if they were filtered so as not to overload the electrical outlet they will be plugged into.
Regarding the positioning of the Wi-Fi repeater, if you opt for this solution, I don’t think placing it as far from the box as possible is a good idea.
It may cost more, but since it’s for work, I suggest this setup:
Place a quality Wi-Fi router between the box and the work area, connected to the box via cable. Put a repeater or powerline adapters between the router and the work area.
It’s a shame it’s not a house; with some work, we could have installed female RJ45 sockets in the rooms and run cables invisibly under the house or in the walls with grooves. That would involve quite a bit of work, true, but at least it would limit Wi-Fi to the strict essentials and avoid the need for powerline adapters.-
Place a quality wifi router between the box and the work area, connected to the box via cable. Put a repeater or powerline adapters between the router and the work area.
If you want to add this type of equipment, you need a wifi access point, not a router; it will work but will introduce other issues. -
-
