Ethernet into Observatory -help

[Astroman]

Hello all,

I want to be able to run ethernet/internet into the observatory from the house, because wireless doesn't make it through the shed walls. The observatory is just in my backyard so not a large run <30m from the house.

The problems I face are, I don't currently have a spare ethernet port on my modem, wifi cannot reach inside the observatory due to it's steel construction. and I don't want to be digging trenches. The shed runs on a separate breaker to the rest of the house, so I am not sure if Ethernet over power is possible... Oh big point is it cannot be too expensive.

can any of you recommend another way of getting internet etc into the Observatory as I want to have a dedicated computer in there at some point so I don't have to rely on my laptop all the time.

Thanks in advance...

[Merlin66]

Andrew,
Have you considered a simple length of CAT5 cable between the laptop(?) in the observatory and the office PC.
That's basically what I do and use Teamviewer to make the connection...
You can buy a 50mtr length of pre-made CAT5 cable on eBay for next to nix.

[JoelyE95]

Andrew,

If you can pick up wifi from just outside the shed, perhaps get something like a wifi extender/access point and set up an external antenna outside the shed to repeat the network or convert it then back to Ethernet inside the shed.

I have a backhaul set up for work over 500m that works in a similar way with two TP Link CPE510's, but you don't need something that is good for 200km for this.

Joel

[glend]

Wifi extender. Any CAT5 cable is going have to be buried or on an ovehead support wire, you can't just lay it on the ground - the sun will eventually destroy it or you will run over it with the lawnmower. Plenty of wifi extenders available.

[Astroman]

Hi Ken, Yes I thought about doing that, but the closest computer to the Observatory is still a good 20 metres away and in the house, I didn't want to run the cables over the ground or looping between buildings either.. Also all the PC's in the house are already connected to the one WIFI router/modem.

[Astroman]

Can you recommend any and how do they work, still learning all this stuff... I will be trolling youtube and the net soon. If I cannot get wifi in the observatory now, how will an extender help?

[Astroman]

I missed this post the last time I looked, sorry.. I am still trying to learn about wifi extenders etc... I saw one that plugs into a normal power socket but it wasn't clear to me how it actually works

[JoelyE95]

Andrew,

The power line Ethernet extenders typically do not pass through surge protectors or RCD devices. Seeing you said the shed was on a different circuit (I'd be guessing a mixed circuit with its own RCD), a power line Ethernet extender will either not work, or work extremely poorly. I'd check to see exactly where you can get signal and go for the wifi extender/access point client with an external antenna that you can place in a location where you can get signal.

Joel

[Astroman]

Do you think this would work then?

http://www.dicksmith.com.au/networking-wireless/netgear-ex6100-ac750-dual-band-wifi-range-extender-dsau-xm1620

[JoelyE95]

Andrew,

Considering the antenna would be outside, for ease of use I would go for something like this
http://www.umart.com.au/umart1/pro/Products-details.phtml?id=10&id2=272&bid=4&sid=272933

Otherwise, you would be looking at one of these
http://www.umart.com.au/umart1/pro/Products-details.phtml?id=10&id2=272&bid=4&sid=99469

One of these
http://www.umart.com.au/umart1/pro/Products-details.phtml?id=10&id2=274&bid=4&sid=71101

And one of these
http://www.umart.com.au/umart1/pro/Products-details.phtml?id=10&id2=274&bid=4&sid=71101

Joel

[JoelyE95]

Sorry, one of the links doubled up. This is missing
http://www.umart.com.au/umart1/pro/Products-details.phtml?id=10&id2=274&bid=4&sid=15518

And need to check the frequency matches the existing network

[Astroman]

So if I went with the TP-LINK TL-WA7510N, I would still have to think about frequency yeah? It may only be on 2.4ghz or is that only if I use 2 of them over a longer distance?

So far I can see I only use one of these and connect one outside the observatory with the other little Passive PoE Injector inside the observatory, connected to the Observatory computer? Does that sound right?

Sorry for the stupid questions. Still getting my head around it.

[JoelyE95]

If you used two of the WA7510's, one would be at the shed, the other would be in the house. You would then have a very reliable direct link when they are pointed at each other. However, for 20 or 30m, this is probably [Definately] overkill.

To test, I would do the following;
I would grab your phone/notebook and walk around the yard to see how far the signal gets. If it gets to the shed, but not inside, you could start by temporarily moving your existing wifi to the nearest window of the house. Then with your phone/notebook, see if it gets better signal to the shed. It might even get inside the shed. Make sure you try with both the window open and closed as glass could affect performance.

If this is the case, you would likely just need a wifi extender (on the same frequency) at that window. If it performed better with the window open, you would need to put an antenna outside with the wifi extended. However, if the performance was satisfactory with the window closed, all you would need is the wifi extender and that would be at an end.

Joel

[DavidTrap]

I'm using a TP-Link TL-ANT2409A external antenna. I have it plugged into a USB network adapter. It is giving me a very good signal over 80 metres. I'd suggest putting one on the outside of your observatory and point it in the general direction of your router. They're designed to be mounted outdoors.

DT

[ZeroID]

Keep it simple.
My PC is in the 'Office' at one end of the house. I have it connected to a small hub\switch in the lounge at the other end to support the media PC and stuff. I run a cat5 cable out under a door, beneath a deck then just a spade split 'trench' across the lawn. Cable is only a couple of inches below the surface for about 5 meters then pops up near the Ob into some plastic conduit and up through the floating floor. Cable is about 25 meters long. When\if it deteriorates I'll just get another cable. It's been there nearly a year now and it's still working.
Simple, cheap, reliable.

[Merlin66]

+1 from me for the CAT5 cable...
Mine runs from the "office" along the fence and looped across into the "observatory" - I've used the same cable since Belgium, four years ago - no issues, no drama.

[bugeater]

I've been using wifi, but its been too flaky with teamviewer. The distance the wifi goes is only about 35m. So I've got a 305m box of Cat6 next to me I'm going to try. I'll just run it along the fence. Should be about a 50m run. If it goes bad, I've got another 255m of cable to replace it with.

[OICURMT]

Doesn't matter if the observatory is on a different breaker as long as it is on the same busbar as where you want to work from. If this is the case then ethernet over power will work.

Looks like cheapest option is $49 @ https://www.pccasegear.com/category/200_1348/networking/ethernet-over-power

[Exfso]

Andrew if you have power in the obs, power line adapters work a treat. I have them all over the house saves using cabling, the internet is transmitted over the power network. Do a search for power line adapters, I use the TP link brand, but there are several other varieties.

https://www.target.com.au/p/tp-link-av5-powerline-adapter-starter-kit/58804766?utm_term=58804766&utm_content=tp-link-av5-powerline-adapter-starter-kit&utm_source=google&utm_medium=merchant-site&utm_campaign=merchant-site&gclid=CPDUqqr5-8sCFUsGvAodKi0LuA&gclsrc=aw.ds

Here is the pdf on the TP link

http://www.tp-link.com.au/resources/document/TL-PA411_V1_User_Guide_1910011029_AU.p df

[bugeater]

I tried ethernet over power as my first choice, but it doesn't seem to work over a long extension cord...... which was a shame.

[Exfso]

Yes that is correct Marty. They say the preferred option is wired in power, that is why I said if Andrew has power to the obs. Probably should have been more specific. I tried them with a shortish extension lead with varying results. Not a problem with hard wired power though, they work a treat. Also no good with 3 phase unless you know exactly what leg you are connected to..

[Astroman]

Thanks all for your input, I have purchased the TP-link wireless extender, if that doesn't work then I will give something else a go... At least I have a few more options up my sleeve... I was going to do the Cat-5 but running the cable is a little difficult for me, the way the back yard is arranged and am not in the position to dig trenches or anything like that... I will see how it goes via wireless. The shed is on the same Busbar I think, but a different breaker to all the other powerpoints etc... So from my understanding that should work? I thought they had to be on the same breaker... I don't really know, I am new to this extended networking stuff... I do appreciate all the feedback though.

[Astroman]

Well power into the obs is via an extension lead... from the shed, it's only a 5m cord though... Cord plugs into one of the sheds power points, which I fed through some conduit into the observatory. Pretty high tech stuff... Although it has not been completed as I need to get an electrician to put the plug back on the other end :D

[Astroman]

Also on a side note, can anyone suggest how I can go about adding another ethernet port? the Modem is maxed out of its 4 ports, thanks to the PS4, TV, Fetch TV and Kids computer...

[OICURMT]

You'll need a small ethernet switch...

http://staticice.com.au/cgi-bin/search.cgi?q=ethernet+gigabit+switc h&spos=1

Look for a gibabit speed, the really cheap ones are 10/100.

Set it right next to you router and plug it in... if you router/modem is set to DHCP, it should work as any other plug and play... The first one that comes up on StaticIce is an old version of the SG1005D TP-Link for $19.00

http://www.tp-link.com/en/products/details/cat-4763_TL-SG1005D.html

[Astroman]

Cool! Thanks
Looks like that might work :)

[Astroman]

Well I went with the TP-WA7510N and for the life of me cannot get it to work with my network. I have tried all sorts of things and nothing works. So far looks like I bought a $99 brick.

I have a feeling that because it doesn't use IEEE801.11b that it is incompatible with my wireless network. But of course, I am not sure if that is right or not. I will look into other options now and see if it will work.