Access Point Question

[amheck]

Hey Gang,

I spent a few hours last weekend wiring our new home with coax and cat5 for the new network and TV jacks. I had the BrightHouse rep out today to wire up the line from the cable company to my wiring panel.

The tech suggested that I run another cat5 cable from my panel, to the attic above the 2nd story, basically around the middle of the house. I asked why, and he said that I might find that once I put my Linksys WRT54GS router in the metal cabinet and put the metal door on, I might find that I get no wireless signal at all. So he started talking about an "Access Point" that I could connect with that extra wire and since it was sitting up high and in the middle of my house, it would cover everything very well. He also said they were around $300 and he thought On-Q made one. Although I know most of the name brand router makers make an acess point, so maybe we were talking about 2 different things.

I've really only ever used a router, and no additional hardware, so I just want to understand more what he was talking about. Any ideas?

Thanks!
Aaron

 

[Atheus]

$300? I don't know much about American prices but that seems like a rip off. Access points are usually cheaper than consumer wireless routers.

BTW - I have a WRT54GS in a cupboard with a wooden door on the bottom floor and it covers up to the top (3rd) floor fine.

 

[JackMDS]

Atheus, in the USA Access Point are more expensive than Wireless Cable/DSL Router.

You can find a decent Wireless Router for $30, Access Points start above $70.

amheck, at the store Entry Level Brand name Access Points, start at about $70 and up.

Good Mid Level Access Point is above $200.

Very Good Pro Access Point go for much more.

However, why the Linksys has to go into the Cabinet?

If you want immediate Routing in the cabinet, get a Wire only Router for $20, and use the Linksys as an Access Point (Using a Wireless Cable/DSL Router as a Switch with an Access Point ).

:sun:

 

[amheck]

Jack,

Thanks for the link. Interesting. I do have my old Linksys 4 port wired router. I guess I could use that, and then use my wrt54gs as the access point. But I was thinking about buying some new hardware anyway. Maybe one of the SRX/MIMO/N routers. We'll see.

Here'a link to what the guy was talking about. Yeah, looks about $230. http://www.onqlegrand.com/jahia/Jahia/lang/en/pid/2340

So assuming I don't want to use an old router, is an access point what I want? Are they made to connect up to a router to extend the wireless range? I really prefer to install the router in the cabinet. It'll be in my closet and will be the hub for all of the internet, phone and coax wires in the house. There will be a coax splitter in there, along with a switch, router, VoIP adapter, etc. I just think the closet will be more functional in the cabinet with the cover on.

 

[walkman]

Wiring and hubs are no problem, but it makes no sense to put a wireless router or access point (AP) in a metal cabinet or place where it's going to have the signal blocked before it gets anywhere.

The guy's suggestion makes a lot of sense if you are going to this much effort to wire your house. At least run the cable up there.

Most people would just buy a regular AP or router such as Linksys for $60-70 and try that first.

 

[nweaver]

If your house is wired for cat5 everywhere, I would play with placement/coverage. If you put it in the attic, I would point the antenna down, not up. It's easy enough to add wireless routers as AP's later if you have cat5 run all over.