Time to ditch my Wireless Connection?

[Stretchman]

Hello again!

About a year ago, before I came home from college, my mother had cable/coaxial plugs installed in my room as well as my younger brothers. When I came home I assumed they were just for cable television, but recently discovered that the cable is setup for internet access as well (I called my cable provider and had them test and confirm the connection as I plugged a cable modem into each room’s line).

So for the past year and a half my brother and I have been using wireless adapters to connect to our base station downstairs, not knowing that wired access was right under our noses. I’m tempted to ditch my Edimax (RaLink) Wireless adapter now (which glc so elegantly helped me solve in this thread: http://forum.pcmech.com/showthread.php?t=160208) and hook up each computer directly. Performance with the wireless setup has always been good in the past, but I’ve always suspected it could be better. Little glitches and hiccups in some of my favorite MMO’s and other online games would make me wonder about the difference b/w wireless and wired. Also sometimes my little brother’s Microsoft wireless adapter would just drop the signal, something remedied only by a reboot.

I was browsing Kung-Fu’s thread with interest here: http://forum.pcmech.com/showthread.php?t=160291 and the consensus seemed to be that wired is always better than wireless.
I’m not as avid a gamer as I used to be, but having the best connection possible is still important to me. The cable tech-rep I was speaking to was trying to steer me in the direction of staying wireless and upgrading my wireless equipment. I mentioned that my Microsoft wireless router and adapters are about 3-4 years old and he said that wireless technology has made some great advances since then, and recommended that I look into getting a ‘business router’ for the best wi-fi signal I could get. Still, I’m tempted to purchase a cable modem for each of our PC’s and give wired a shot. I suspect the boost in performance will be most substantial, but was hoping to get your opinions. What would you do in my situation?

[Larry E.]

You can only connect one cable modem to your cable. Each additional modem would require a seperate account from your cable company. You could connect one modem then use a router to connect the other PC's with cat 5 cable.

[Stretchman]

Ah, thanks for clarifying that for me. Hm. With only one router, I'll have cat5 running all over the house. That wouldn't be good. One other interesting thing - I was discussing this with my mom and she mentioned that our higher than average cable bill might reflect the fact that the accounts are already set up. I'll check our account setup tonight.

[Ghost(BOO!)]

wired is better then wireless because it won't be interfered with by other electronics and you can only get 54Mbps at the moment. With wired you get at least 100Mbps. I used to have wireless and decided to go wired. Especially with games you want wired so you won't get cut off in the middle. If you use a router your cable bill won't change because it creates a new IP for every port. I have 3 PC's hooked to my router and pay the regular price

[Tony Williams]

To be honest I would wire all the desktop computers that way you can quickly stream media and laglessly play online. You can also use your wireless connection for laptops and other devices.

The cables are very cheap www.newegg.com or www.ebuyer.co.uk

[Stretchman]

One quick question about that - right now I have three desktops and one laptop in the household, all on the same home network. If I disable the wireless connection and wire two of the desktop PC's via cable modem (assuming the accounts are set up, still checking on that btw) will there be any change in how I connect to the network?

[Ghost(BOO!)]

The wired networks should connect right away as long as you have a driver for them. I just changed my wireless to wired and as soon as you put the cable in the router it should connect to the internet

[Staren]

Originally Posted by Stretchman One quick question about that - right now I have three desktops and one laptop in the household, all on the same home network. If I disable the wireless connection and wire two of the desktop PC's via cable modem (assuming the accounts are set up, still checking on that btw) will there be any change in how I connect to the network?

The problem with this is that if for some reason you do have multiple accounts for each computer to connect right to a cable modem, there would no longer be an internal network to speak of. You could get around that by using a VPN and connecting the computers together out on the net, but I would say that's a lot more of a pain then you should have to deal with.

[Stretchman]

Originally Posted by Staren The problem with this is that if for some reason you do have multiple accounts for each computer to connect right to a cable modem, there would no longer be an internal network to speak of. You could get around that by using a VPN and connecting the computers together out on the net, but I would say that's a lot more of a pain then you should have to deal with.

Now that is something to consider. We don't do a ton on our family network, but it is definitely a boon to be able to print wirelessly. Drat, lol. I thought the digital age was supposed to simplify my life.

In light of that then, I will hold off on any modem purchase for now. In the spirit of experimentation though I'll hook up our cable modem from downstairs and try that out in my room tonight.

It makes me curious - I can't be the only one with networking situations that aren't exactly conducive to cat5 wires laying all around the house. How do you fellas handle your wired/router scenarios in your homes?

[Ghost(BOO!)]

I drill holes to my basement and guide the wires down there to where the room is at that the cable goes to

[Staren]

You just have to get a little creative with running the wires. I run cat5 along the wall that the jack it's connected to is at under the carpet, then thru a small hole to the inside of a closet and up to my attic crawlspace. Then it just runs over to the next nearest closet and over to where it needs to go. It's not so hard if you do it right.

[glc]

If wireless isn't working well and you can live with a 10 mbps network, you can use phoneline or powerline bridges. Not exactly cheap, but it avoids having to run cables.

[Stretchman]

If wireless isn't working well and you can live with a 10 mbps network, you can use phoneline or powerline bridges. Not exactly cheap, but it avoids having to run cables.

Being new to all this, I've never heard of powerline bridges before. It sounds interesting though - how would that integrate into my setup? would it simply be a replacement for our wireless adapters?

I tried hooking up our cable modem to my computer upstairs and the connection speed reading went from 11mpbs to 400mpbs. I wasn't able to use my web browser - Windows asked for TCP/IP settings and in this arena my knowledge begins to disappear into the area of the map where monsters and dragons lurk, so I didn't go any further.

Still trying to dig around our bills folder to check out the cable situation - though I have a hunch that the accounts might not actually be setup anyway. If I can't determine it through examining the bill, i'll just call today.

btw - an odd little bit: if I try to access this thread with my own computer (using IE 6, latest build) my cpu usage spikes to 100% and the broswer freezes - but it only happens if I access this particular thread.

[glc]

Powerline bridges plug into electrical outlets, and they have a CAT5 jack on them. It uses your house wiring as a carrier for the network data.

You are probably another victim of the problem we are having with the keyword ads we use (Intellitext). We are working with the ad company to get this resolved.

[Stretchman]

Originally Posted by glc Powerline bridges plug into electrical outlets, and they have a CAT5 jack on them. It uses your house wiring as a carrier for the network data.

I think i'm going to look into this. As it turns out, we don't have any additional cable accounts set up, which makes me wonder my mom got our rooms wired in the first place. Its nice if we get TV's in there or decide to make one of those rooms the cable access point, but since neither is probably going to happen it seems like we've got wired internet potential in our rooms that will probably just end up going unused.

So, about the powerline bridges, i'm a little unclear how it works. as I understand it:

1. I would have to connect a powerline bridge to my router downstairs to connect it to the home wiring. By 'connecting to the home wiring' however, does that mean there is an additional cord or connector that runs from the powerline bridge (once its connected to the router) to an AC outlet (or something similar)?

2. Once the powerline bridge is connected to my router downstairs i'd have to connect a powerline adapter to my pc upstairs. is this done by plugging the adapter into the wall and running cat5 cable or directly via usb?

3. Would I still be connected to my wireless network? Also, would speeds be slightly faster than wireless? i.e. a substantial improvement?

You are probably another victim of the problem we are having with the keyword ads we use (Intellitext). We are working with the ad company to get this resolved.

Thanks for letting me know - I'm now able to access this thread from my own PC without getting the cpu spikage.

[glc]

1. Most bridges are like little power bricks - they plug directly into an outlet.
2. Yes. Powerline bridges have CAT5 jacks.
3. Speeds are not much better than 802.11b wireless, but you don't get lag and signal dropouts. You can still communicate with any wireless devices on your network - the powerline bridge is just like hardwiring a machine to your router.

http://www.netgear.com/products/details/XE102.php

Allows simultaneous shared Internet access across existing 110V Electrical Outlets
Works with 2 & 3 prong standard 110 volt electrical outlets
56-Bit DES Encryption network ensures privacy and security
Transfers data at speeds up to 14 mbps, faster than 802.11b wireless
Compatible with 10 Mbps or 10/100 Mbps Ethernet products
----------------------------------------

That said, the BEST way to do things is run CAT5 through the walls - which is what your mom should have had done when she had the coax run.

[Stretchman]

Thank you for clarifying those points, GLC.

I think I will look into both options - the stability of the powerline bridges sounds promising, but it also might be just as easy to have the wire-tech come back and run Cat5 by drilling a few discreet holes. The area were they would run up from our router to the upstairs floor isn't really noticeable. Since they've already run the coaxial cable, I'm assuming it might not be that much of a hassle. Would the Cat5 follow the same route of the coaxial cables to get upstaris to our rooms?

On a side note, while looking into our cable bill I was suprised to find that is seemed abnormally high - does 180 a month sound right to you guys? We are using Cox Cable + Internet with a few of the packages to get HBO and some other movie channels, but that amount just blew my mind when my Dad showed me the bill. I think there are some 'packages' that you have to buy that include some of the channels you want and a lot that you really don't, but still it seems rather excessive.

[Staren]

Originally Posted by Stretchman Thank you for clarifying those points, GLC. I think I will look into both options - the stability of the powerline bridges sounds promising, but it also might be just as easy to have the wire-tech come back and run Cat5 by drilling a few discreet holes. The area were they would run up from our router to the upstairs floor isn't really noticeable. Since they've already run the coaxial cable, I'm assuming it might not be that much of a hassle. Would the Cat5 follow the same route of the coaxial cables to get upstaris to our rooms?

I don't really see why not. The one thing I would do though is to insist that RJ45 wall sockets be put in. A lot of people like to take the easy way and just pull the bare cat5 thru the wall and stick a connector on it with a length of wire coiled up on the floor. It works just fine, but not the most atractive things in the world.

Originally Posted by Stretchman On a side note, while looking into our cable bill I was suprised to find that is seemed abnormally high - does 180 a month sound right to you guys? We are using Cox Cable + Internet with a few of the packages to get HBO and some other movie channels, but that amount just blew my mind when my Dad showed me the bill. I think there are some 'packages' that you have to buy that include some of the channels you want and a lot that you really don't, but still it seems rather excessive.

Sadly, that's pretty standard. My Comcast bill at college for basic digital cable and 6mbps internet is $118 a month. Trust me, if I ever find 'good' DSL in the area I'll switch in a heart beat. Welcome to the real world of household finance.

[Stretchman]

I don't really see why not. The one thing I would do though is to insist that RJ45 wall sockets be put in. A lot of people like to take the easy way and just pull the bare cat5 thru the wall and stick a connector on it with a length of wire coiled up on the floor. It works just fine, but not the most atractive things in the world.

Thanks - I'm a sucker for neatness, and if I do go this route I will be sure to tell the technician that this is a must.

Sadly, that's pretty standard. My Comcast bill at college for basic digital cable and 6mbps internet is $118 a month. Trust me, if I ever find 'good' DSL in the area I'll switch in a heart beat. Welcome to the real world of household finance.

Wow, that really is amazing to me. Speed does indeed come with a hefty price tag. It makes me wonder if the cable companies will ever succeed with the initiative to modify their charges based on the amount of bandwith used?

One other thing concerning the powerline bridges. The demonstration video at the link GLC provided, http://www.netgear.com/products/details/XE102.php was very helpful in explaining powerline bridge technology. The emphasis was put on console gaming however - is the same stability achieved for PC gaming as well?

I noticed Netgear recently announced a new Powerline Bridge kit:

http://www.netgear.com/products/details/HDXB101.php

...and claims up to 200 mpbs data rates. Does that sound correct? If so, that might pretty much solve any doubts or percieved issues I was experiencing with wireless.

On the other hand, and just to make sure all the possible options are covered, would upgrading my wireless equipment make a noticeable difference? Right now we're using the (now discontinued I believe) line of Microsoft MN-500 Wireless Base Station and MN-510 adapters.

[SpikiestDog2]

One question, why don't you go with 108MB/s wireless? Netgear has some good stuff and I have had good experiance with it.

[glc]

Yes, that new kit looks very promising.

That old Microsoft wireless stuff is crap in my opinion, as are all USB adapters. However, if you don't have a strong signal, no brand is going to perform well.

By the time you buy a good powerline kit or wireless gear, it may be just as cheap to get the tech in to string CAT5. The Microsoft router is not a bad wired device.

Check the cable bill carefully - how much is the Internet charge? How many digital TV boxes are you being billed for, and are you using that many?

[Stretchman]

One question, why don't you go with 108MB/s wireless? Netgear has some good stuff and I have had good experiance with it.

I definitely wouldn't mind looking into it. thx for the suggestion. If I ever do get back into online gaming though, I want the connection to be as solid as possible. i.e. if I have to do troubleshooting for games in the future (which I imagine I will somehow) i'd like the connection portion to be 'taken care of', i.e. shored up and working to the best of its ability so it isn't something else I have to factor in unless I exhaust all other options. Isn't it funny how fast tech support from game publishers drop you if you mention you are using wireless?

So even if I end up with a wireless solution I at least want to weigh all my options. Right now i'm taking a look at all three (wired/powerline bridge/wireless) from a cost/effort perspective to determine which would be the best one.

That old Microsoft wireless stuff is crap in my opinion, as are all USB adapters. However, if you don't have a strong signal, no brand is going to perform well.

Yea you are probably right. It seems 'ok' on the whole, but no glowing reviews for usb adapters, especially the MS ones. My signal became stronger once I swapped out my MN-510 usb adapter for the Ra-Link (Edimax brand from Newegg) PCI wireless adapter card. It definitely improved my WoW/CS experience. I'm pretty picky though, so little lags and stutters that most others might dismiss or not even notice would occassionally show up, really annoying me. My brother's MN-510 on the other hand seems to petter out occasionally, requiring a base station restart. To be fair though, i'm not sure if it is the MS-Networking software, the USB adapter, or just the base station that seems to drop the signal.

Check the cable bill carefully - how much is the Internet charge? How many digital TV boxes are you being billed for, and are you using that many?

One thing I completely forgot about (doh) - was the extra digital box in my parent's room. It's housed in a media cabinet and since I never use their plasma tv I completely forgot about it. Having two boxes plus cable television packages for each of them in addition to cable internet would help explain the amount, but I will check it again thoroughly anyway.