Help setting up networking infrastructure in household

[ph4t3]

Hi all.

So this is the scenario. On my new (yet to fully move there) property there is the main household and a separate cottage area. In the main household most of the rooms are already wired for ethernet access. All this leads to a central location in the main house. I am not sure if the cottage is wired for ethernet.

Now my questions:

1. I would place the adsl modem in the central location. Correct?
2. Would it be better to buy a switch if I need more than 4 ethernet ports or do you get routers (with wifi) that can handle more?
3. I want to put another router in the cottage (use it as an access point) and connect it via ethernet cable. Or is it better to connect via wifi?
4. It's not possible to use more than one adsl modem on one line is it? Come to think of it this would be rather pointless. Only reason I am asking is that I am sure the cottage is wired for phone access but not sure if its wired for ethernet.

Your help in this regard is highly appreciated.

 

[chan0o]

How far is the cottage from the main household?

If <50meters away:
1. I would recommend it, since you already have the main household is already wired.
2. You can get 4 port + wireless router for quite cheap. No need for additional switch if you only need 4 cabled connection and the rest relies on wireless. http://www.rebeltech.co.za/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=45_47&products_id=2896
3. Wireless, unless you are running servers from the cottage.
4. One line can only connect to one modem? (unless you know how to crimp your own lines and connect it to the adsl box)

 

[Tim the Techxpert]

Hi There,
1) place the modem close to the telephone connection and away from any electrical appliances.
2) Wireless routers are not expensive and they give you flexibility. I would if possible connect the routers via Ethernet cable rather than using the wireless for the signal. If you go connecting wirelessly then this may be helpful.
3) for the cottage I would go the cable route. I wrote this about connecting a cottage to a main house and if construction is still ongoing it should not be too disruptive.

Regards

Tim

 

[ph4t3]

Thanks for the tips and links guys! Greatly appreciated.

 

[wobblewiz]

I assume the cottage runs on the same power grid than the main house. In that case I'll use Ethernet over Power. It's easy to install and less interference than wifi. Check out - http://www.billion.com/product/home...ug-AV-Wall-Plug-Gigabit-Ethernet-Adapter.html