Help a networking noob?

[rednal]

Hi, first off, I would like to state that I am not good with networking and have next to zero knowledge of terms/information about networking, so bare with me. A few days ago, my ISP (AT&T) came to my house and I asked if it would be possible to convert a phone jack to an Ethernet port in my room which is one floor lower than the modem/router (not sure what the difference is). The technician said that it was not possible (not sure why) however he did install this in my mom's office (sorry about the mess) which is downstairs like my room. I was wondering what the point is having the router/modem downstairs and if there would be issues or performance issues if I were to take the router/modem and put it in my room. Here is the speedtest with the router and the speedtest with the Ethernet cable plugged directly into her computer. There was virtually no difference. If I were able to put the router/modem in my room, would I be able to somehow connect the phone port to it and end up with a wired connection?
Thanks,
rednal

 

[Danimal1209]

The modem/router they gave you connects to a coaxial cable from outside the house (the white cable).

There really is no point to moving it if it is already somewhat close to your room.

 

[cubby1223]

DSL typically doesn't come available at speeds faster than 6mbps, or about 10% the speed of wireless g. The chances you will be able to tell a difference in internet speed over over wireless versus wired is so small it's not even worth discussing. Use the wireless connection.

The modem/router they gave you connects to a coaxial cable from outside the house (the white cable).

There really is no point to moving it if it is already somewhat close to your room.

That's a dsl modem, the white cable is being used as a phone line, not a coax cable.

 

[AnonymouseUser]

The question I have is: Do you have a wireless adapter for your PC? If not, then moving the DSL modem could be beneficial for you, but would then limit the PC it's currently wired into. That office PC would then need a wireless adapter in order to have internet access.

If you have a wireless adapter, but a weak signal in your room, the simplest solution would be to get a better Wireless N adapter.

As for converting a phone jack to Ethernet, it's not possible because most phone line is a 4 strand (2 pair) cable, and Ethernet requires 8 strand (4 pair) cable. While it is possible to convert an Ethernet outlet to a phone line, the opposite generally is not possible.