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Resolved Question

How am I able to have my Wi-Fi on second floor of my house?

Dec 30, 2011 7:49AM PST

Let me put my question in perspective, my router is in my home office in the basement and I have a steel ceiling so my Wi-Fi can not reach upper floor. So to be fair my question is there a way that I may be able to get my Wi-Fi upstairs so I can run my laptop. Thank you

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Best Answer

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Through a steel floor . . .
Dec 30, 2011 8:58AM PST

you're gonna have to run cable to another wireless router and set it up as a WAP. You're also gonna have to do some research on how to accomplish this as there is not enough room here to explain it all. Maybe a knowledgeable networking friend or a commercial installer.

But you ARE going to have to run wire. If nothing else but to come off one of the router's wired ports to a spot in the above floor.

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Answer
Going to have to run the wire.
Dec 30, 2011 10:34AM PST

But always try those powerline networking bridges first.
Bob

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Answer
Of course. It all depends on how much you want to spend.
Dec 30, 2011 12:21PM PST

First, I assume you know what a wireless router is and you will likely need at least one. Drill a hole and run another wireless router as a WAP. Even those cheap repeaters may work if your signal is strong enough. Remember, every time you run a repeater, you have signal loss and it slightly slows down your connection. Good solution. Power line network, I've never had any luck with those, but if your home and wiring are new enough, another good choice. Another solution: run a cable outside and up the wall to your laptop, or to the new router. (Part of #1)
Another: Drill a hole and install an antenna for wi-fi with a short cable. I've done several of these. They work if you don't buy the cheapest antenna. Money does mean quality. Two 5 db antennas can cost $20 or $50. You don't know the difference, so you buy the $20 one. They're both 5db, right? The $50 one may actually work while the $20 likely won't. I guesstimate you should spend $75 on the antenna setup and at least the same as the last high quality wireless router you bought. Much cheaper than an electrician. Could yo do it cheaper? Sure, but how many hours do you want to spend "trying" things. Then when you have a problem, which thing is it? Do it once. Hire it done? Yes, a network installer, depending entirely on where you live can do the whole thing for you in 1.5-2 hours.