Need some suggestion on networking products please.

[suj999]

So, I have a fibre modem downstairs. Connected to about 3 wired devices and have 5ghz 801.11ac WiFi enabled.



Upstairs, I have couple of computers and an access point with 2.4ghz WiFi enabled. They are connected by homeplug but my wiring is not really good and get a max speed of around 30-50Mbps.



I move quite a bit of data from upstairs to downstairs via the homeplug but it is rather slow. Also the 2.4ghz spectrum is really crowded, but need to use it as few devices at home still need it.



I want to get a client WiFi receiver on the 5ghz to connect to the access point upstairs, as I think this can increase the transfer speed.





I have seen a the device below which is perfect, but it's only 2.4ghz. It can work in a client mode and seem to fit the bill perfectly otherwise.



Huawei WS322 Wi-Fi Repeater https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00C6XH6EW/ref=cm_sw_r_awd_X2iQub0QTK5PN



I need the device to be a client only and don't want it to be a repeater. I need the DHCP server to be the fiber modem downstairs.



Any other choices please?



Seen a 5 Ghz tp link one, but it seems to want to work as a repeater and not soley as a wireless client.

Also a Netgear one but that want to act as a router and has its own dhcp server.

 

[smitbret]

Wireless transfers between floors will undoubtedly be no faster than what you are getting with the powerline adapters with the addition of being less reliable.

If you have to have a better speed you will need to use AC bridges. My recommendation is to get two of these:

http://www.amazon.com/TP-LINK-Archer...ords=archer+c7

Use them to create a wireless bridge between floors. When I did this a year ago, I had transfer speeds from 375-450mbps.

If you click on the Amazon link and go to the reviews, apparently mine was the 3rd most helpful. It will give you an idea of my real world experience with it.

I did however end up going back to the gigabit wire along the ducting between floors when I started using my HTPC upstairs to backup my server that was downstairs, otherwise I would still be using it.

 

[suj999]

Thanks, that's the next route I'm thinking.

But what got me thinking was, seeing as I already have a AC WiFi network working reaching about 200Mbps upstairs whilst testing. Would it not be easier to get something like this

http://www.netgear.co.uk/home/produ...aming-home-theater/WNCE3001.aspx#tab-features

That could receive AC WiFi so I could just attach it to my upstairs switch?

 

[smitbret]

Thanks, that's the next route I'm thinking.

But what got me thinking was, seeing as I already have a AC WiFi network working reaching about 200Mbps upstairs whilst testing. Would it not be easier to get something like this

http://www.netgear.co.uk/home/produ...aming-home-theater/WNCE3001.aspx#tab-features

That could receive AC WiFi so I could just attach it to my upstairs switch?

Same concept, except that is n600 not AC.

Better than that would be this:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...-018-_-Product

It's the same concept that I mentioned above, I just failed to notice that you already had an AC signal that could get upstairs.

You can get a dedicated bridge like the Linksys that I linked or you can get an inexpensive AC router that you can just put into bridge mode. I like the router route because for a few extra bucks I have an extra router and they are more configurable than a dedicated bridge. Not to mention, if you read the reviews, the dedicated bridge can be a PITA to connect if you don't have a WPS button on your router..... that and I have used the C7 as a bridge and it worked great.

 

[suj999]

Is there any other cheaper routers you would recommend to put in to a bridge mode?

That TP Link C7 in the UK is working out to be over $130 ( even on Amazon).

Also heard some TP links don't have a internal clock and won't work in a bridge mode?? Not sure if it's still true?