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Wi-Fi Networks - Blackmagic
Mar 16, 2023 09:35:09   #
jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY
 
Even the "experts" on YouTube admit that Wi-Fi is not simple and straightforward. For some reason, I have three networks in my house.

When I first set up the Wi-Fi network, I had to give it a name. When I put an extender in the living room, I had to give that network a name. It was the same for the extender that's upstairs. When a wireless device wants to connect, it chooses the one with the best signal. I thought an extender would extend my current network, not create a different one.

My goal today is to replace the four Cat6 cables on the router with longer, colored cables. As it is now, I have four black cables plugged in. Where do they go? The cables are barely long enough to reach the router, so I can't move it more than a couple of inches. The long, colored cables will let me know where they're going and also let me pick up the router to plug and unplug cables. I recently started putting labels on cables. I should have done that from the beginning.

I bought an 8-port switch so I'll have room to connect something else to the network. That will go right by the router. When that's done, I'm going to connect the TP-Link Deco mesh system. Hopefully, with longer cables, the new switch, and the Deco, I'll be able to have Ooma working on all my phones and disconnect the phone modem that's connected to Spectrum.

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Mar 17, 2023 09:18:45   #
jbk224 Loc: Long Island, NY
 
Jerry, you might want to completely reconfigure your home network(s).
You have a 'default network' from your internet provider through your modem/router combination or modem+router.
This will always be present--but you do not want to use this as your 'home' network.
You set up your Deco mesh system as your primary home network. The primary Deco router (with two ports) connects to your modem and to your 8 port switch. Your 4 'extended' black/colored cables (labeled now) connect to your switch. You will name your network when you set up the primary router. And you will likely name the router as well. i.e. Office..I also figure that Deco has an app that will work with your phone. D/L and set up to give you access to your new network.
Next up is installing your other Deco routers. Again you will log into the new network and name the location of your router(s). I have two Eero routers in my network (Office + Family Room).
Once you have this set up, you will need to register all wireless devices (+ cat 6 devices) to connect to your new network.
While you may be able to set up your new network with an existing network name and same PW--it becomes more complicated and not always successful. As long as you don't have so many devices to worry about--easier to set up all into new network. In the end, you should have one network you use and the other the provider default that provides your gateway to the WWW.

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Mar 17, 2023 09:53:47   #
jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY
 
jbk224 wrote:
Jerry, you might want to completely reconfigure your home network(s).
You have a 'default network' from your internet provider through your modem/router combination or modem+router.
This will always be present--but you do not want to use this as your 'home' network.
You set up your Deco mesh system as your primary home network. The primary Deco router (with two ports) connects to your modem and to your 8 port switch. Your 4 'extended' black/colored cables (labeled now) connect to your switch. You will name your network when you set up the primary router. And you will likely name the router as well. i.e. Office..I also figure that Deco has an app that will work with your phone. D/L and set up to give you access to your new network.
Next up is installing your other Deco routers. Again you will log into the new network and name the location of your router(s). I have two Eero routers in my network (Office + Family Room).
Once you have this set up, you will need to register all wireless devices (+ cat 6 devices) to connect to your new network.
While you may be able to set up your new network with an existing network name and same PW--it becomes more complicated and not always successful. As long as you don't have so many devices to worry about--easier to set up all into new network. In the end, you should have one network you use and the other the provider default that provides your gateway to the WWW.
Jerry, you might want to completely reconfigure yo... (show quote)


Thanks for that. I'm saving this.

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Mar 17, 2023 11:35:55   #
TriX Loc: Raleigh, NC
 
Regarding the WIFI network names, you can get away with naming them all the same IF they are far enough away and all on different channels - my house is set up that way. If I were doing it over today, I’d use a mesh system, but this network was built 20 years ago when I had a NetApp NAS in the basement which was the network file server, so the 2 subnets and edge switches (with WiFi) are hardwired back to the central router which also has WIFI, so 3 “zones”, all with the same WIFi network name

The modem, which has a VOIP port is simply plugged into a Panasonic wireless phone system, which works great. Placed in the middle of the house on the second floor, it covers everything including in the yard, plus it’s encrypted.

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Mar 17, 2023 12:35:41   #
jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY
 
TriX wrote:
Regarding the WIFI network names, you can get away with naming them all the same IF they are far enough away and all on different channels - my house is set up that way. If I were doing it over today, I’d use a mesh system, but this network was built 20 years ago when I had a NetApp NAS in the basement which was the network file server, so the 2 subnets and edge switches (with WiFi) are hardwired back to the central router which also has WIFI, so 3 “zones”, all with the same WIFi network name

The modem, which has a VOIP port is simply plugged into a Panasonic wireless phone system, which works great. Placed in the middle of the house on the second floor, it covers everything including in the yard, plus it’s encrypted.
Regarding the WIFI network names, you can get away... (show quote)


I have the modem and router on the ground floor, near to where the cable enters the house.

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Mar 17, 2023 13:14:12   #
DirtFarmer Loc: Escaped from the NYC area, back to MA
 
We have a mesh network. Works fine on all repeaters. It came with the opportunity to have a second network you can give to guests. They get internet but no access to your printers or other local devices.

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Mar 17, 2023 13:14:39   #
DirtFarmer Loc: Escaped from the NYC area, back to MA
 
We have a mesh network. Works fine on all repeaters. It came with the opportunity to have a second network you can give to guests. They get internet but no access to your printers or other local devices.

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Mar 18, 2023 09:13:35   #
jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY
 
DirtFarmer wrote:
(Mesh)They get internet but no access to your printers or other local devices.


See? Blackmagic! Why can't they work with printers? Ridiculous.

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Mar 18, 2023 09:28:02   #
DirtFarmer Loc: Escaped from the NYC area, back to MA
 
jerryc41 wrote:
See? Blackmagic! Why can't they work with printers? Ridiculous.


Only the secondary network doesn’t work with printers. The primary network works fine.

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Mar 18, 2023 09:33:51   #
jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY
 
DirtFarmer wrote:
Only the secondary network doesn’t work with printers. The primary network works fine.


As I said, Blackmagic.

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Mar 18, 2023 10:27:59   #
Drbobcameraguy Loc: Eaton Ohio
 
jerryc41 wrote:
Even the "experts" on YouTube admit that Wi-Fi is not simple and straightforward. For some reason, I have three networks in my house.

When I first set up the Wi-Fi network, I had to give it a name. When I put an extender in the living room, I had to give that network a name. It was the same for the extender that's upstairs. When a wireless device wants to connect, it chooses the one with the best signal. I thought an extender would extend my current network, not create a different one.

My goal today is to replace the four Cat6 cables on the router with longer, colored cables. As it is now, I have four black cables plugged in. Where do they go? The cables are barely long enough to reach the router, so I can't move it more than a couple of inches. The long, colored cables will let me know where they're going and also let me pick up the router to plug and unplug cables. I recently started putting labels on cables. I should have done that from the beginning.

I bought an 8-port switch so I'll have room to connect something else to the network. That will go right by the router. When that's done, I'm going to connect the TP-Link Deco mesh system. Hopefully, with longer cables, the new switch, and the Deco, I'll be able to have Ooma working on all my phones and disconnect the phone modem that's connected to Spectrum.
Even the "experts" on YouTube admit that... (show quote)


I read an article about how to use the existing cable as an Ethernet connection. It was pretty interesting article.

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Mar 18, 2023 10:57:10   #
TriX Loc: Raleigh, NC
 
By existing cables, do you mean electrical lines? if so, yes, there are range extenders that use the house AC electrical lines.

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Mar 19, 2023 09:17:41   #
jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY
 
TriX wrote:
By existing cables, do you mean electrical lines? if so, yes, there are range extenders that use the house AC electrical lines.


I have an MSRM extender upstairs, and it often gives me the strongest signal in the house. There are no cables to run. It's about 2" square, and I just plug it in. The price has doubled since I bought it. The one I have is no longer listed, but there are man available.

https://www.amazon.com/s?k=msrm+1200+mbps+wifi+extender&crid=SXMVRLZTR69V&sprefix=msrm%2Caps%2C164&ref=nb_sb_ss_ab-sx-deeppltr-rank-purchase-acceptance_1_4

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