Networking solutions?

[#1]

I have recently moved to a new property and upgraded by PN service from FF300 to FF500 in the process.

Switch over to the new property has taken place but I am scratching my head a bit with the networking options available.

The ONT looks like an older unit than I had in my last property and is pictured. It is located under the stairs where there are only two power sockets installed. Once socket is used for the ONT unit and the other I have plugged in my Archer C6.

In my previous property I had the luxury of my PC and router being sat next to the ONT and a powerline adapter used for my partner who worked in the room next door. Full speeds were achieved without issue.

In the current property the network hub being situated under the stairs is causing me a bit of a headache because we will each be working upstairs in separate offices. I have tried plugging two powerline adapters into the sockets next to the ONT under stairs. These have passthrough to allow the ONT and C6 to then also be plugged in. With each corresponding adapter situated in the offices I am getting around 100mb down, 60up. Worth noting at this point that the offices are directly at the top of the stairwell so I would not have expected -400mb signal degradation but maybe I am being naive. wi-fi is about 20mb down, 35up.

We both work from home and use video calls frequently so I am ideally looking to prioritise the signal to each office PC. The house does not have a large footprint and the wifi coverage appears to be absolutely fine.

Any suggestions would be very much appreciated!

[#2]

@alsayeds 

The ONT is indeed an older unit. If it's the same as mine you can theoretically have more than one incoming fibre connection if you can find someone to provide it. More to the point, it has a battery backup unit for the ONT. It's currently showing a fault, which may be nothing more than the internal batteries needing replacement.

Is there any chance of running ethernet cable from the router to the desired locations?

Brian

[#3]

Hi, thanks for the reply.

I have tried running a long cable direct from the router to my PC and hit full speed. It's not an ideal solution though as that is literally just a cable running through the middle of the property. 

[#4]

I have tried plugging two powerline adapters into the sockets next to the ONT under stairs. These have passthrough to allow the ONT and C6 to then also be plugged in. With each corresponding adapter situated in the offices

@alsayeds assuming they are all the same type powerline adaptors, then you should only need one connected under the stairs. You then sync all 3 adapters together. The performance of powerlines will depend on your electrical wiring. If the offices are on a different circuit then performance can be reduced, especially if circuits are on separate RCDs.

If they are on different circuits, is it possible/convenient to run a cable to somewhere else on the same circuit as the offices , and then use powerlines from there ?

[#5]

Moderators Note

This topic has been moved from Full Fibre to Tech Help

[#6]

@alsayeds 

Some powerline adapters only have 100Mpbs ethernet ports, which models  are you using?

You can check the ONT to Archer C6 speed by checking on the Ethernet Status page on the router 

Found here >Network Map >Archer C6

[#7]

@MisterW 

Re the adapters I did wonder if that could be the case. Useful to know, thank you.

There are different circuits for ground floor and first floor sockets. Upstairs both offices are on the same circuit. Downstairs is where the router and powerline adapter is initially plugged in. So in short, yes, there are different circuits between the two adapters. I suppose that will answer why there is so much loss.

Practically there will be little difference between running a power lead from upstairs to downstairs so that the powerline can stay on the first floor circuit while plugged into the router, and running a long ethernet cable directly between the router and each PC.

Is it likely that the best solution here is to have a joiner with some networking knowledge come out to run cables through wall cavities?

[#8]

@alsayeds 

The following video shows how to change the BBU batteries. Although it looks different, once the ONT is opened up it's got the same BBU unit. If you put power backup in place for the router you'd at least have WiFi for about an hour during a power cut.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YVMQqOvIZX8

The router doesn't have to be in the same place as the ONT. If, as a test, you move it out from under the cupboard to a different location does this make a different to the WiFI upstairs.

Brian

[#9]

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@alsayeds wrote:

Is it likely that the best solution here is to have a joiner with some networking knowledge come out to run cables through wall cavities?

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joiner ?,  I would have thought any competent electrician would be used to running cables through wall cavities or between floor joists, and have a better understanding on the correct way to terminate ethernet cables to wall mounted RJ45 socket faceplates.

.

[#10]

So in short, yes, there are different circuits between the two adapters. I suppose that will answer why there is so much loss.

@alsayeds if its a modern electrical installation with either RCBO's or a split load Consumer unit then almost certainly the upper floor will be on a different RCD than the ground. My experience with a pair of 1000AV powerlines is that around 150Mb is the max on then same electrical circuit, 50Mb on different circuits (same RCD) but only 25Mb ish on different RCD's.

Is it likely that the best solution here is to have a joiner with some networking knowledge come out to run cables through wall cavities?

Real cables (cat5e or better) will ALWAYS beat powerlines...

[#11]

@alsayeds 

A local computer network firm might be you best bet. Not only will they know how to run cables they could advise on the network itself.

Brian

[#12]

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@outcast wrote :

joiner ?,  I would have thought any competent electrician would be used to running cables through wall cavities or between floor joists, and have a better understanding on the correct way to terminate ethernet cables to wall mounted RJ45 socket faceplates.

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 We used a local aerial installer, he knew what he needed to do & how to do it. Cost £30 a connection.

[#13]

@alsayeds 

Another thought.

If the stair cupboard has an external wall you could run an external grade ethernet cable outside and up the wall before coming back in. It would give you a solid starting point upstairs.

Brian