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Adding network cabling to an existing flat
Thirith
Registered User regular
Registered User regular
Our internet subscription just got considerably faster at the same price - when I ran the router's speedtest, it told me that we were getting between 900 and 1000 Mbit/s to the router. However, from the router to the PC (via Powerline) we're only getting 10-15% of this.
I'm now wondering whether it would be feasible to add network cabling to our flat, which we're renting. I assume it depends on the existing cable ducts, and I've asked property management whether this would be an option.
My question is this: has anyone here got any experience with adding network cabling to an existing flat or house? Is it a major thing in terms of work and costs?
I'm now wondering whether it would be feasible to add network cabling to our flat, which we're renting. I assume it depends on the existing cable ducts, and I've asked property management whether this would be an option.
My question is this: has anyone here got any experience with adding network cabling to an existing flat or house? Is it a major thing in terms of work and costs?
"Nothing is gonna save us forever but a lot of things can save us today." - Night in the Woods
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edit: oh, ethernet over powerline. Yeah, I have no experience there.
The costs is then only materials meaning the network cables and wall sockets - the later you can even skip if you don't wanna do a permanent installation and instead simply let the cables extend out trough the walls at the end points ie. directly from the router to your PC. You will need a special tool to put the connectors on the network cables if you don't do wall sockets, but those aren't expensive.
There are some good videos on youtube that tells you more:
https://youtube.com/results?search_query=diy+network+cabling
PS. I know nothing about Powerline, but amuse it is network running through the electric cables so I don't know what speed it offers and if that is what limit what you see at your PC. It could also be that your PC's network hardware doesn't support more than the speed you measure, so do check your PC can do 1,000 Mbps and not just 100 Mbps.
The big question is do you have simple access to where you're going to place the drops? If you can easily run the cable down from, say, having access above the ceiling it's an insanely simple task. If you have to cut lots of holes in drywall and snake cable then it's tougher.
I strongly recommend you do wall sockets either way unless you're forbidden to, as it's a much easier task to troubleshoot cables.
I have to say I'm still quite amazed by Powerline and how well it generally works, using a system that was designed a long time ago for an entirely different purpose. I expect it's what limits the speed from the router to the PC, as the mainboard allows for 1GBit/s speeds.
"Nothing is gonna save us forever but a lot of things can save us today." - Night in the Woods
You may want to look into WIFI as an alternative rather than having deal with installation of cables. I haven't gone that route my self so no real experience to speak from, but from what I hear something 3x what you're seeing now should be possible with 802.11ac.
Also something which might seem almost ludicrous is to consider if you would really benefit from faster internet to your PC. Of course once in a while you may up or download something where the bandwidth in the other end is like limitless, but in my experience that is rare so while the concept of "fast enough" is like almost criminal whit anything computer related it is a thing :P
As far as Wifi is concerned, how reliable is it these days? Back when I used it regularly on my main PC, it was okay in that respect but not brilliant - and since I use one PC as a dedicated server, I'd definitely want the connection to be as reliable as possible.
"Nothing is gonna save us forever but a lot of things can save us today." - Night in the Woods
if the place has wiring ducts that you can be easily accessed that's a pretty easy job, doable either on your own or by a super or local handyman
another option to consider if you have carpet is just running a cable along the edge of the room under the carpet. Couple bucks worth of carpet glue and you can be done with that in an hour or two.
Pluto was a planet and I'll never forget
There are several tiers of powerline speed based on technologies, so it's definitely possible it's an older one.
"Nothing is gonna save us forever but a lot of things can save us today." - Night in the Woods
I haven't seen any source be able to push over 100 mbps sustained (for more that a few minutes) that wasn't a private network. It sometimes happens when I download ISOs from MS. Also I can pull it sometimes via usenet, but it gets throttled. I don't Torrent though.
If your ISP-provided router supports, then I'd suggest using 802.11ac, or requesting from your ISP to upgrade your router to 802.11ac.
Edit: I have Gig-capable access and an AC wifi router.
Edit: In the meantime I've received the offer from the electrician. It's more expensive than I'd hoped (though this is Switzerland, so my hopes were probably naive), but not so much so that I'd reject it outright. I'll have to think about it, but most likely I'll go for it.
"Nothing is gonna save us forever but a lot of things can save us today." - Night in the Woods
It takes some time to do it carefully but you can usually pry it up a little bit and sneak the cable in behind it.
You need longer cables then if your running it through cold air returns or between studs, but it is a solution anyone can do without needing a pro to come in.
Other decent option is some cable raceways, you can either put them down low near the floor and paint them the same colour as the wall, or you can get ones that look like crown molding.
This is almost wholly dependent upon the wiring in your home. At my house, I was able to push almost the full 1000 megabits over powerline. Other places are a half or less. It's hit or miss, but for most homes it is more than adequate.
There are things I'll absolutely do myself. But electrical stuff? I am too ignorant of what needs to be done, too lacking in dexterity to do it right, and fortunately paid well enough at this point to get professionals to do this work. If it was just one or, at a pinch, two of those things, it'd be different, but I know what I'm good at and what I'm... less good at.
"Nothing is gonna save us forever but a lot of things can save us today." - Night in the Woods
Ouch!
It is a clever man that knows his limitations. Much cleverer than he who doesn't and is insisting on doing stuff he should not - the later makes for badly assembled furniture and worse
Since you're expecting to be living at your place for a good while I'd say having a pro do the job seems reasonable, so if the property manager says okay get a estimate from an electrician to be sure it isn't too costly before you go ahead.