Daft Wi-Fi question- any experts?

I have an Ethernet cable running from my router, down the garden to an out-building/ home office. I plug the cable into my laptop and all works well.
But I also want to be able to use wi-fi in the out-building, and it's too far from the house to pick up it's WiFi. What kind of device do I need to log the Ethernet into? To allow me to use the Ethernet as normal and also create a WiFi signal?

Any advice greatly appreciated 😀
UTB
 
It really depends on what you want to pay. I can highly recommend the Asus ZenWifi equipment to create multi room options and extend Wifi everywhere. For a slightly cheaper option, TP-Link do a similar kit. Powerline adapters are good, but signal degradation might make it a bit crap at the other end.

ZenWiFi | ASUS United Kingdom

Deco | TP-Link United Kingdom
I like the sound of these zenwifis. But which one?
Would I just have one in the shed connected to my main router (virgin media) via ethernet cable, and then it would give wi-fi in the shed? And also the ability to connect a laptop to it via ethernet,?

Sorry, I'm not really tech savvy
 
I like the sound of these zenwifis. But which one?
Would I just have one in the shed connected to my main router (virgin media) via ethernet cable, and then it would give wi-fi in the shed? And also the ability to connect a laptop to it via ethernet,?

Sorry, I'm not really tech savvy
Bump
 
For me, I'd run the ethernet into a switch (this basically turns one ethernet into like 5 options/ ports). Plug a router into one port, so you have wifi and plug an ethernet into another port from the switch into your computer and then you should have a few spares to plug anything else in, if needed, but other stuff should be fine on wifi.

Switch is about £20 for more than what you would want/need. https://www.amazon.co.uk/NETGEAR-Gigabit-Ethernet-Unmanaged-GS105UK/dp/B0000E5SEQ

I wouldn't bother with wifi repeaters, I've yet to use any that are decent, unless they cost a fortune, or you're using loads to create a mesh. Most are slow, subject to interference, or you get higher speed ones which lose data, if they're crap. Depends how critical what you're doing is. Repeaters may be better now, than when I last used them, but I doubt it, as they're restricted by physics. You need higher frequencies for high bandwidth, but high frequencies are crap at going through walls, and are shorter range etc. Low frequencies are great at going through walls, and longer range, but the bandwidth is crap.

It's why aircraft radars are high frequency, as the signals bounce back of aircraft in the open air, over shorter ranges. Same with submarines, they use low frequencies as the signals will go through water, crap, and even follow the curvature of the earth, if low enough and can travel thousands of miles the bandwidth is **** though. Most routers are very much in the radar/ high frequency range, they ahve to to get the high speeds, but it's why wifi is cack in most big houses, but in the main room where the router is, it's extremely reliable and massive bandwidth.
 
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When you connect to WiFi are you using the 2.4GHz or the 5GHz frequency?

The 2.4 has greater range but slower speeds and the 5 has shorter range but faster speeds.
 
For me, I'd run the ethernet into a switch (this basically turns one ethernet into like 5 options/ ports). Plug a router into one port, so you have wifi and plug an ethernet into another port from the switch into your computer and then you should have a few spares to plug anything else in, if needed, but other stuff should be fine on wifi.

Switch is about £20 for more than what you would want/need. https://www.amazon.co.uk/NETGEAR-Gigabit-Ethernet-Unmanaged-GS105UK/dp/B0000E5SEQ

I wouldn't bother with wifi repeaters, I've yet to use any that are decent, unless they cost a fortune, or you're using loads to create a mesh. Most are slow, subject to interference, or you get higher speed ones which lose data, if they're crap. Depends how critical what you're doing is. Repeaters may be better now, than when I last used them, but I doubt it, as they're restricted by physics. You need higher frequencies for high bandwidth, but high frequencies are crap at going through walls, and are shorter range etc. Low frequencies are great at going through walls, and longer range, but the bandwidth is crap.

It's why aircraft radars are high frequency, as the signals bounce back of aircraft in the open air, over shorter ranges. Same with submarines, they use low frequencies as the signals will go through water, crap, and even follow the curvature of the earth, if low enough and can travel thousands of miles the bandwidth is **** though. Most routers are very much in the radar/ high frequency range, they ahve to to get the high speeds, but it's why wifi is cack in most big houses, but in the main room where the router is, it's extremely reliable and massive bandwidth.
This sounds perfect, and a great explanation thanks.
Next daft question: what router would you recommend I use for the WiFi - will any router do the job, will it need configuring etc, or would it just automatically use the settings of the primary Virgin router on the house?
 
This sounds perfect, and a great explanation thanks.
Next daft question: what router would you recommend I use for the WiFi - will any router do the job, will it need configuring etc, or would it just automatically use the settings of the primary Virgin router on the house?
I did have an old Grandstream Networks Access Point that had a 5 port switch built in so that would necessitate only having one device that did both jobs, that said I can't seem to see any Grandstream Networks units for sale now having had a very quick look, but it's another option if you can find one.

I think Netgear do some BTW, but unsure of cost
 
I like the sound of these zenwifis. But which one?
Would I just have one in the shed connected to my main router (virgin media) via ethernet cable, and then it would give wi-fi in the shed? And also the ability to connect a laptop to it via ethernet,?

Sorry, I'm not really tech savvy
Look for the Wifi 6 version. Router connected to the first Asus node which acts as primary. Then put the second in the location you want Wifi and it connects to the primary. If you need more, you can add additional nodes and all become slaves to the primary.
 
Are you using your out building to view genitalmens entertainment services.

If so remember to soundproof the building as my neighbours complain about the noise :)
 
This sounds perfect, and a great explanation thanks.
Next daft question: what router would you recommend I use for the WiFi - will any router do the job, will it need configuring etc, or would it just automatically use the settings of the primary Virgin router on the house?
Any should do the job, you just make it a slave to the other main one, I think it's call AP mode, someone above mentioned it too.

If you can find a router with a switch built in and a couple of extra Ethernet out, then this will be even better.

The trick is making full use of that ethernet cable from your current router to your office, as this will give you top whack speed, and next to zero losses compared to trying to bounce the wifi up to where you need it.

I've got the virgin hub > ethernet cable > ethernet switch > https://www.amazon.co.uk/TP-Link-TL...F7BR/ref=dp_prsubs_1?pd_rd_i=B087MSF7BR&psc=1
Then the ethernet plugged from switch direct into PC

Effectively identical to what you're doing or want to do, and it works great (and was basically almost plug and play), very easy to set up. Switch and router both need power of course, but not much.
 
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