Connecting a device that needs Ethernet cable to WiFi

We currently have a Hive heating control system in the local church. (For those not familiar with it, Hive is a system that allows remote control of heating systems via the internet). We have a British Telecom modem/router, and via 125 metres (100M - hub - 25 M) of ethernet cable to two Netgear Access points it gives complete WiFi in all areas - church, adjoining hall and in an adjacent building, two other halls. Currently Hive Hub 360 connects to the internet via WiFi. Unfortunately this is faulty and as they are no longer supplied, BT are replacing it (free) with the replacement hub (Nemo 2) that connects via ethernet cable. I don't want to have to run a new 125m cable to modem or even to a 25m one to hub as this is difficult to find holes in 2-3 foot thick walls. The ethernet socket in the Netgear AP in the hall where the Nemo 2 has to go is used to connect it to the BT modem so I can't use that.
If I install another hub by the Netgear AP, would it work if I connected the AP to this hub and the Nemo 2 to the hub and thus to the modem. ie share the 125m cable?

You could solve this if the access point on the 25M cable could connect to the BT hub wirelessly rather than by Ethernet. 25M itself shouldn't be a problem but the 2-3 ft thick walls might be but worth a try?

EDIT - you could also get an Ethernet switch which will allow either cable to share its connection.

These are great to convert an ethernet device to give it wifi ability.


The router connects to device and wifi bridge links to main router.

If the wifi signal is not strong enough, you could use powerline adaptors which transmit over existing electrial wiring.

cereberus suggestion of using the Travel Router is an excellent one. It has a mode called "client mode" that does precisely what you are looking for.

As an example, I have a printer located in a remote corner of the house that has Ethernet capability but not WiFi. I plug it into this device which I have configured to connect to the WiFi network and it bridges the Ethernet to WiFi. So, now I can access that printer without running an Ethernet cable to it. Have had it connected for several years and NEVER once had a single issue with it. Seems to be stone cold solid.

There is no hope of getting a WiFi signal direct from hall to modem. Apart from distance, there is the small matter of two medieval walls to get through. They are a problem for both ethernet cable and WiFi! Thanks for the suggestion of a Travel Router which is a good one I will file away for possible future use. Unfortunately I don't think it will solve my problem.

... and an Ethernet switch? These enable multiple Ethernet connected devices to share the connection.

I'd investigate the possibility of using a Power Line network, main issue is that they are on the same electrical circuit.

Out church uses a splitter provided by the Cable/Broadband ISP for running 2 lines from the outside junction box.

Power Line network not an option as the power supply is 3-phase.

They have plugs that plug into a 3 phase connector to bridge the powerline signal across the phases.

I wasn't aware of that but I don't think the church authority would be keen on my doing anything like that after the near disaster we had. A new meter was being fitted and the electrician either made a mistake or didn't notice a loose bit of wire. Result two phases shorted. Blew every transformer in the place but one light high in the nave next to wooden roof caught fire but fortunately self extinguished.

Sigurd said:

I wasn't aware of that but I don't think the church authority would be keen on my doing anything like that after the near disaster we had. A new meter was being fitted and the electrician either made a mistake or didn't notice a loose bit of wire. Result two phases shorted. Blew every transformer in the place but one light high in the nave next to wooden roof caught fire but fortunately self extinguished.

Click to expand...

Seemples ::

run the LAN cables into a cheap switch and then cables from switch to a decent wifi extender or whatever. The Nighthawk models are great and very fast too !!!.

Cheers
jimbo

I have a working 100M ethernet cable running from modem, along side of nave to organ loft (big church!), 4 port Netgear hub, from it I have managed to get 2 cables through a small hole alongside heating pipes into adjoining hall (10M) and two adjacent halls (25M). Access ports in adjoining hall and lower hall of adjacent building. All this gives me strong WiFi everywhere.
To deal with the need for an additional RJ45 port in each building I propose using a switch - the Netgear AP will plug into one of the ports and the Hive hub, which needs an ethernet connection in one of the other three.
Will try tomorrow when I get switches.

Sigurd said:

I have a working 100M ethernet cable running from modem, along side of nave to organ loft (big church!), 4 port Netgear hub, from it I have managed to get 2 cables through a small hole alongside heating pipes into adjoining hall (10M) and two adjacent halls (25M). Access ports in adjoining hall and lower hall of adjacent building. All this gives me strong WiFi everywhere.
To deal with the need for an additional RJ45 port in each building I propose using a switch - the Netgear AP will plug into one of the ports and the Hive hub, which needs an ethernet connection in one of the other three.
Will try tomorrow when I get switches.

Click to expand...

Hi there
Well done


At least I was on the right lines !!!!

Cheers
jimbo

Indeed you were Jimbo. If nothing else, between this thread and the specific Hive one, I have increased my networking knowledge several fold.
Mind you, I still think networking is a black art taught at Hogwarts.

Can't have you two claiming all the credit for this one - I gave you the answer in #2 and again in #6

My penultimate post (#13) was a summary of where I'd got to as a result of many bits of information I received, including from the Hive specific forum - there was a bit of overlap. I started with sparse networking knowledge and thanks to several suggestions solved several problems.
When this thread ends it will probably be with a thank you from me to all - I was brought up nicely to write thank you letters.

Sigurd said:

Indeed you were Jimbo. If nothing else, between this thread and the specific Hive one, I have increased my networking knowledge several fold.
Mind you, I still think networking is a black art taught at Hogwarts.

Click to expand...

Hi there
Even Gandalf the Wizard couldn't sort out Windows Networking !!

It really is the "Black arts" -- Linux while people think it's a complex OS seems to have all sorts of Networking that works straight out of the box !!!!!!.

Cheers
jimbo

I am still having problems with Hive and trying to get them to provide an engineer rathe than guided DIY. One thing they may blame is the length of cable - 100M - hub - 25m. Is there any app, like the ones to measure WiFi signal strength that can be used to measure signal drop along cables?

I am pleased to say that I have finally solved my WiFi and Hive problems and all now working well and reliably. I didn't get the engineer for Hive but a very helpful phone call from one talked me through the issues, combining actions by me locally and actions by him at their end. Incidentally, Hive uses Zigbee , not WiFi, which explains why doing things with WiFi did not help!

However I had got a long way towards the final solution of both WiFi and Hive issues with the help of all you guys, so thank you very much for your input.