Wireless Access Point & attic, what's the best option for WiFi?

[kiddingguy]

Just a question from my brother:

He would like to have wireless internet on his attic.

 

There is a wired connection already, but for his tablet etc wireless is preferable.

 

Is an access point like the Linksys WAP300N a good option. The wired cable can be used for the internet signal.

 

Preferably his current WiFi network should be cloned. And the strongest signal should be picked up by the device on ground floor and attic.

 

His current router is also a Linksys.

 

Or are there better alternatives? And if so, which?

 

A wireless access point/switch might also be an option.

 

Pricerange: it just should work and not the high-end solution is needed.

[T3X4S]

Well to answer your question - yes that model you mentioned would work.

There are many factors - and some people in here will get pretty technical and complicate things for you.

So, a quick answer would be - yes - that would solve a problem.

HOWEVER - If you have lightning fast internet at your house, and your brother wants to stream 4K, or HD content and a bunch of other factors are present (like he has the ability to receive 802.11AC - then you should look at a capable AP.
If the rest of the network is all on 802.11N - then there is no reason to spend more for 802.11AC

A linksys (now made by Belkin) or Netgear is OK for run of the mill consumer products - 

If all he wants is connectivity in the attic - an AP is the way to go for sure since the CAT5 connection is present.

 

[kiddingguy]

23 minutes ago, T3X4S said:

Well to answer your question - yes that model you mentioned would work.

There are many factors - and some people in here will get pretty technical and complicate things for you.

So, a quick answer would be - yes - that would solve a problem.

HOWEVER - If you have lightning fast internet at your house, and your brother wants to stream 4K, or HD content and a bunch of other factors are present (like he has the ability to receive 802.11AC - then you should look at a capable AP.
If the rest of the network is all on 802.11N - then there is no reason to spend more for 802.11AC

A linksys (now made by Belkin) or Netgear is OK for run of the mill consumer products - 

If all he wants is connectivity in the attic - an AP is the way to go for sure since the CAT5 connection is present.

 

Thx, he doesn't have the fastest WiFi and his router is 3-4 years old.

He just wants some WiFi to stream Spotify and connects his iPad. No real need for speedy internet, just some internet ?

Edited September 1, 2016 by kiddingguy

[T3X4S]

Just now, kiddingguy said:

Thx, he doesn't have the fastest WiFi and his router is 3-4 years old.

He just wants some WiFi to stream Spotify and corrects his iPad. No real need for speedy internet, just some internet ?

That AP would be perfect for his needs then

[+BudMan MVC]

$75 for old POS???

https://www.amazon.com/Linksys-WAP300N-802-11n-Wireless-Access/dp/B00BK0YRZS

 

WTF why would you get that?? Get something from unifi if you want an AP the current gen AC lite model would be much better choice..

 

https://www.amazon.com/Ubiquiti-UAP-AC-LITE/dp/B017MD6CHM/ref=pd_lpo_147_tr_t_2?ie=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=6QDMB7YFZWB6NMXHM750

Same sort of pricepoint.. AC vs ###### single band 2.4 or 5 not even dual..

 

Selectable Dual Band (2.4 + 5 GHz) Operates on either band to help avoid interference

 

And its not even really 300, its a 150 and 150..  So yeah that is a POS I wouldn't use that if you gave it to me for free..

 

You say you have the ethernet already there then get a real AP with POE so you don't even need to have power where you want to best place is for coverage, etc.

 

[kiddingguy]

1 minute ago, BudMan said:

$75 for old POS???

https://www.amazon.com/Linksys-WAP300N-802-11n-Wireless-Access/dp/B00BK0YRZS

 

WTF why would you get that?? Get something from unifi if you want an AP the current gen AC lite model would be much better choice..

 

https://www.amazon.com/Ubiquiti-UAP-AC-LITE/dp/B017MD6CHM/ref=pd_lpo_147_tr_t_2?ie=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=6QDMB7YFZWB6NMXHM750

Same sort of pricepoint.. AC vs ###### single band 2.4 or 5 not even dual..

 

Selectable Dual Band (2.4 + 5 GHz) Operates on either band to help avoid interference

 

And its not even really 300, its a 150 and 150..  So yeah that is a POS I wouldn't use that if you gave it to me for free..

 

That's also an option. However, some sort of switch would/could be nice.

Is there something around $60-80 that has these features?

[kiddingguy]

The mentioned Linksys has, according to specs, 300 Mbps on 2.4 and 5 ghz

[sc302 Veteran]

fwiw, the 300 is combined...it really is 1/2 at best or 1/2 of 1/2...gotta love the advertisements to make them seem like they are more...like the 120Hz TV's working at 60Hz but the chip inside of them trying to simulate 120Hz or the 240Hz working at 120 Hz but the chip inside of them simulating 240Hz...what does that even mean other than marketing trying to get someone to buy something sucky because they have no way to really make it happen.

 

anywho...  get the ubiquiti.  pay attention to wireless in the area and put it on a different band if possible.   the ubiquiti is 300Mbs on the 2.4 and 867Mb/s on the 5GHz...

 

you can go absolutely nuts with the ap pro

https://www.amazon.com/Ubiquiti-Unifi-UAP-AC-Pro-Wireless-UAPACPROUS/dp/B015PRO512/ref=sr_1_1?s=pc&ie=UTF8&qid=1472758334&sr=1-1&keywords=uap-ac-pro

 

that is 450 Mb/s on the 2.4 and 1300 Mb/s on the 5 and it supports poe+ vs passive on the lite.  The lite requires a power injector or a switch that has poe always on, the pro accepts poe+ so the switch energizes the port as needed, if the device asks for it....not to mention it is a bit faster.

 

 

[+BudMan MVC]

why do you need a AP with switch ports?  If you need a switch then get a switch..  You can pick up smart 8 port gig switches for like $50 without any problem..  How does switch ports allow you to properly place the AP for coverage.. Which would be in the ceiling or the wall.. not sitting on some shelf or the floor somewhere.

 

So your connection connects to your switch.. Then you run a cable into the ceiling/wall from the switch and connect and correctly mount for best coverage your AP.  Use a power injector that comes with the AP to provide power over the ethernet that is run to it.  Or get a poe switch.

 

That device is utter crap for the price point that is for sure..  It not even dual band its 2.4 OR 5 not both at the same time..  Lets take them at their word 300, but pretty sure its actual 150 + 150 since that is how they show it on their website even

 

What are you wifi devices?  Do they support AC??  Do you plan on getting any current devices.  All current smart phones are AC, etc.. unless your buying some really really bottom of the barrel budget something.  Why anyone would buy just N these days is nuts if you ask me..  The price difference for AC vs just N is pretty nonexistent..  If you want wave 2 AC then your going to be paying a bit more sure.