Connecting 2 routers wirelessly or other solutions

[code99cc]

Hello,

Ill attempt and keep this as short as possible ...

I have the following dilemma:

I have a PC connected to a home network via wired connection to the router, we shall call this the main router.

I am in need of a server like machine that will run non stop and it needs an internet connection at all times. The problem is that this particular machine is going to be located in another part of the building (my house).

Normally that wouldnt be a problem, i would get a longer lan cable and just connect it to the main router and that would be that. The issue is that I cannot get the cable to that part of the building because of a wall+door that I cannot drill through and there is no way for me to get a wire on the other side of the wall/door.

I could go the longer way around by have my wire go outside and go around the house (this is doable) but its a long way to go and i'd rather not do that.



I was thinking in having a second router be connected to the main router wirelessly and then have a wire go from the second router to the machine in question.

Now, I dont know that much when it comes to networking (i know some basics but thats it) so I am unsure if that would be possible with a simple home router or if i need some other type of hardware.

If its possible to have 2 routers connected like this, do all routers have this ability? How do i know if mine does?

Maybe it doesnt have to be a router, maybe there are other types of devices that can accept a wireless connection and then have a wired one leave said device.


Whats important in this setup is that the "server" has a constant and stable connection to the internet.

What would you suggest in this situation?

 

[anotherdrew]

First, a bit of nomenclature ... a router is a device that connects one network to another. It sounds like you want everything on one network (or maybe you don't ... we will see), so you will be creating a wireless link or bridge.

Before we get into wirelesss bridge, please read up on powerline adapters. When they work well, they are more stable than wireless. But like everything, they don't always work well.

So, creating a wireless link or bridge ... WiFi has it's limitations. The more walls/doors it has to go through, the lower the quality of the connection. Also, things that are common in people's home can create interference (cordless phones, microwaves, etc) and lower the quality of your connection. If possible, you want to cover the shortest distance possible with wireless, so you would run Ethernet for as much of the span as possible and then install an access point. There are many out there at all price points. If you are sufficiently close to your computer at this point, you may be able to use a wireless adapter via USB or PCIe card to complete the connection. If not, a 2nd access point can be used (look for one with client mode ... also called AP client or wireless client) and then Ethernet would span the distance to the computer.

So ... another question ... do you want everything on the same network? Are you going to have a server that is accessible (and thus hackable) from the internet? Do you really want that server on the same network as your other devices? Some home routers offer a 2nd network called a DMZ. While both networks have access to the internet, they don't have access to one another (well ... it depends on the implementation ... a real DMZ puts a firewall between the 2 networks .. not all routers with a DMZ do this).

Sorry .. in trying to help you with one question I have probably given you 3 more to ponder. So fire away with follow ups and don't be afraid to reference specific models of hardware. It's easy to say "that will work" when we know what the hardware is capable of doing.

 

[code99cc]

Yes, i want everything to be on one network and i want my server to be connected to the internet at all times. The internet cable is connected to the main router.

In a few words i just want to get past the obstacle i have, as in the door/wall, thats it.

There is no interference in that area of the building (other than mobile phones) and the wall/door are thin. The area i want to "jump" by using wireless is no more than 4 meters.

The server will be connected via wired connection to the second router/ap/whatever, the wireless connection is only between the 2 routers.

I've never seen powerline adapters until now, how do they work?

EDIT: After a little bit of research into powerline adapters, they seem to be my best option in this particular case? (at least on paper)

This would reduce the lenght of the ethernet cable i need too which is a bonus.

The problems that I foresee is the fact that my electrical wiring is a bit old but as long as speeds dont go down bellow 10mbps (thats all i need) that shoudnt be a problem, as long as its a stable connection.

 

[anotherdrew]

The biggest problem people face with powerline adapters is interference. Plasma TVs and dimmers have been mentioned as giving people problems. Age of the wires is not an issue. Well, some of the newest adapters use the ground wire as well and that can be an issue if you only have 2 prong plugs. I like the ones with a passthrough plug.