Talk of The Villages Florida - View Single Post - Convert Phone Network Jacks to Ethernet?
View Single Post
 
Old 08-28-2020, 07:16 AM
M2inOR M2inOR is offline
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2019
Location: Village of Marsh Bend
Posts: 393
Thanks: 247
Thanked 261 Times in 163 Posts
Default

I'm going to third the suggestion for a mesh network. I have the TP-Link Deco system. Much better than a WiFi extender.

I have used the Deco for several years in my large Oregon home. First thing I installed in my Iris when I got to my Marsh Bend home. I have several Decos installed in the house for good WiFi; not only for the computers and tablets, but also our cell phones. We use WiFi calling on our Samsung and Apple phones. We installed a Deco near tv, in the kitchen near the lanai, and in the garage. This gives great performance. In addition, we have ethernet switches at the tv and office that plugs into the Deco for hardwired connections at those locations in the house.

Even though our home was prewired for cat6 cable, the Deco mesh network solution was easier than just putting a switch in the low voltage box in the garage.

An added benefit of the Deco system was that it also offered phishing protection. It stopped access to suspected malware websites.

I have several streaming devices: Apple TV, Roku, Amazon Fire. Ring doorbell, and Ecobee thermostat. In addition to the cable dvr, we also have a TiVo and TiVo Extender. Someday the outside webcam, security cams, and weather station will be installed.

I've been in the tech field for decades, so all this is second nature for me. I only have 100Mbps internet from Spectrum and it's working great for my needs. I just wish cable internet had faster upload speeds as I use the cloud for all backups.

I have one other gadget that might be useful for others - Panasonic cordless phones. This system has a Link-to-Cell feature that connects to 2 cell phones. This way, we can leave both our cell phones at the charging station and use cordless handsets in kitchen, office, and bedroom when calls come in. We don't have a landline. Yes, they work well, so we don't have to run to our cell phones when we are in another room.

I've also used power line networking. Works great in smaller home, not as well in larger homes.

Here is a link explaining mesh network technology.

Wireless mesh networks explained | PCWorld

I hope this helps.
__________________
--------------------------------------------
Mike
Village of Marsh Bend
--------------------------------------------
We live in interesting times
--------------------------------------------

Last edited by M2inOR; 08-28-2020 at 07:22 AM. Reason: Corrections and adding link to article.