Hub 7 - Ethernet Cable to a Ethernet Switch - Can i add a modem/router AFTER the Switch

[Kelvin156WN]

Apologies if my technical terms are not correct here.

I currently have a Hub 7 with a 6 port Ethernet Switch throuhg a Cat6 cable as the WIFI at the upstairs rear of the house, where my office is located, is beyond rubbbish.  I also have 2 pods already but this does not really help with signal or speed in the office.

My question is, can i ADD a modem/router AFTER the switch to provide WIFI access in the Office.  Is there a specificiation i would need to look for or any settings to change on the hub to allow this.

Most things are cabled from the switch but i have a WIFI router, Alexa etc which cant be cabled.

Thanks

[legacy1]

Whats a hub 7?

you can add a AP but would suggest you use the hub in modem mode with a router

[Kelvin156WN]

The Hub7 is the router/modem currently provided by Virgin - I would not want to lose the WIFI which is currently being emmited downstairs though - Maybe i could do the following - Put Hub into Modem Mode, run a router directly from ethernet port in the room where the Hub is, keeping WIFI downstairs and run a router from the switch giving WIFI upstairs - Not sure if 2 routers can be run from the same Hub at the same time - Will investigate this option.

[jpeg1]

You can't run two routers in parallel from the modem. You can in theory feed one router from the output of another, but that would be messy. 

Your best option would be to use modem mode with a router near it radiating WiFi downstairs, then ethernet upstairs to one or more wireless access points. 

[Adduxi]

If you are happy with the Hub Wifi downstairs,  just add a Wifi Access Point to the end of an ethernet cable in your upstairs room.  So that's Hub - cable - Switch - cable - Access Point

One of these will suffice to give decent coverage and can be wall mounted as well as ceiling mounted. TP-Link AC1750 Wi-Fi Dual Band Gigabit Ceiling Mount Access Point, MU-MIMO, Support 802.3af/at/Passi...

[Kelvin156WN]

That sounds perfect, some AP's just show up as routers, i assume there are options within the settings to dedicate this as an AP

[Adduxi]

That is an Access Point and nothing more.  I've have 3 of those (just not that model) in my property to service Wifi for my devices.  You don't need to worry about Routers, or AP mode.  They also come with a power injector in the box, so you don't need a PoE switch. The unit is powered by the ethernet cable btw.  So basically Cable - Power Injector - Cable - Access Point.  A very neat solution for a single AP.  They can be managed by a web browser or the TP-Link Omada app.  All quite simple really.

Here is the TP-Link emulator if you want to poke around the interface and see what you think EAP (tp-link.com)

[Kelvin156WN]

Ok so when searching AP, if a router comes up this is not what i need - so i need something like this https://www.amazon.co.uk/TP-LINK-TL-WA1201-AC1200-MU-MIMO-Wireless/dp/B084BGKJZT/ref=sr_1_4?crid=1JQ...

And not https://www.amazon.co.uk/TP-Link-Dual-Band-Advanced-security-configure/dp/B0937B8TMB/ref=sr_1_5?crid...

[Adduxi]

Yes, the former one is just a plug and play access point. 

The latter is a Router that can be configured as an access point, albeit this one will also give you a couple of ethernet ports as well.

It's really up to yourself and how much you want to spend.

[Kelvin156WN]

Thanks, Might go for a Router as seem to offer better speeds for the cost and just configure as an access point. Thanks for all you help - Much more usefull that Virgins own tech teams