This topic

Ethernet ports

willgrier — Sat, 03 May 2025 10:33:51 GMT

Apologies if this is a dumb question but I don't really understand much of how my connection works.

I have fibre broadband and 4 wired ethernet connection ports around the house. I am basically just wondering if I can connect an additional BT hub/ extender discs as a wired connection to one of these ethernet ports and if that will improve my coverage/ speed in other rooms.

Any help, advice or guidance would be greatly appreciated.

Re: Ethernet ports

WSH — Sat, 03 May 2025 16:13:16 GMT

It’s not very clear what you are trying to do. (Hence the lack of response, I suspect).

So, these ethernet ports are built-in around the house I assume?

If so, yes you can connect one to your hub then connect the other end to an extender disc (assuming the extender has an ethernet port, of course).

It is also possible to do this with a second hub but not using it as a second router. (You can only have one router in your network). The trick would be to disable everything except the wireless function on this second hub. Give it a static IP address within the network being managed by your router. Then connect one of its yellow LAN ports to the ethernet port in the room. The other end of that LAN port then connects to one of the yellow LAN ports on your other router.

Re: Ethernet ports

willgrier — Sat, 03 May 2025 18:50:24 GMT

Apologies if I was unclear.

What I'm trying to achieve is coverage and connection speed.

Essentially, if I plug a BT extender disc into one of my ethernet ports (so a wired connection), will that give me a faster and more reliable connection.

Re: Ethernet ports

WSH — Sat, 03 May 2025 19:24:27 GMT

The answer to that is "maybe". There are too many variables for anyone to say for certain. Try it and see.

Re: Ethernet ports

willgrier — Sat, 03 May 2025 19:26:50 GMT

Thanks. Hopefully someone else can offer some wisdom.

I don't really understand the variables. To the uninitiated it just seems like a question that should have a yes/ no answer, i.e., will a BT extender disc offer superior speed & reliability of it has a wired connection to router.

Re: Ethernet ports

licquorice — Sat, 03 May 2025 19:41:51 GMT

Nothing with networking/WiFi has a yes/no answer.

Superior speed and reliability compared to what?

Re: Ethernet ports

gg30340 — Sat, 03 May 2025 19:43:18 GMT

Assuming that your Ethernet ports are connected to your BT hub then yes you will have a better wired connection to the disc and the disc will produce a wifi signal.

Whether or not the wifi coverage will be better than what you have at present will depend on where the disc is placed and the infrastructure of your property. ie is the wifi going through brick walls or stud plaster board walls. If plaster board walls are they foiled lined. etc etc.

As has already been pointed out the only way to tell is try it and see as nobody on this forum has any idea the lay out and construction of your property.

Re: Ethernet ports

willgrier — Sat, 03 May 2025 19:49:42 GMT

I don't know how else to put it.

Even if I lived in a stately manor, it's not relevant to my question.

I'm asking: Is a BT extender disc that has a wired connection to an ethernet port that is connected to the hub likely to produce a faster WiFi connection than a disc that isn't connected to the hub via a wired connection and ethernet port.

That, to the uninformed, feels like it should have a yes/ no answer.

Thanks for your response though, kind of you to read and try to help.

Re: Ethernet ports

gg30340 — Sat, 03 May 2025 19:53:18 GMT

Did you read message 7.

There is no yes or no answer. If there was you would have been given it but if it makes you feel better I'll say yes and I'll get one of the other posters on the thread to say no just to cover all bases!

Re: Ethernet ports

willgrier — Sat, 03 May 2025 19:55:03 GMT

OK. Perhaps they will be a little less prickly and sarcastic.

Best wishes.

Re: Ethernet ports

gg30340 — Sat, 03 May 2025 19:56:13 GMT

Perhaps you should try and understand what has been posted.

Re: Ethernet ports

willgrier — Sat, 03 May 2025 20:00:43 GMT

I got it. Answers were :

"Dunno" & "Maybe" followed by sarcasm.

Doesn't encourage any 'beginner' to seek help via a community forum.

If you can't help, consider not posting at all.

I was polite and respectful. Don't really see how you get any kicks out of being rude.

Re: Ethernet ports

WSH — Sat, 03 May 2025 20:23:38 GMT

I’m sorry you feel that way but, unfortunately, it’s not a yes/no problem even if you think it is. You freely admit you don’t understand what’s involved, so why do you not believe us when we say we can’t answer your question in a precise way?

It’s a bit like me asking you if I put different tyres on my car will it go faster? Well yes, in some cases better tyres will make a difference but it’s not something anyone can answer without being there and trying it.

Re: Ethernet ports

gg30340 — Sat, 03 May 2025 20:25:00 GMT

You were given the correct answer from the poster on this thread when you initially asked. You then dismissed the poster who answered with the comment "Hopefully someone else can offer some wisdom". Not exactly "polite and respectful".

You were then given the same information with slightly more detail at how the answers were arrived at which you dismissed with sarcasm "Even if I lived in a stately manor, it's not relevant to my question".

Asking the same question repeatedly does not get a different answer.

Re: Ethernet ports

willgrier — Sat, 03 May 2025 20:28:29 GMT

Nothing disrespectful in hoping another poster can offer wisdom.

Not going to waste any more time debating with you. I came onto the forum seeking assistance, not hassle.

Your username doesn't seem quite appropriate. Your demeanour is less than distinguished and your advice is hardly sage. Consider something more suitable, maybe something like 'keyboardwarrior'

Best of luck to you.

Re: Ethernet ports

licquorice — Sat, 03 May 2025 20:33:06 GMT

You are totally missing the point.

Nobody here has a crystal ball. As had been said repeatedly, WiFi is not a precise science.

You haven't even answered my question regarding what you are comparing with.

Re: Ethernet ports

gg30340 — Sat, 03 May 2025 20:38:04 GMT

You were given assistance however it is indeed a pity that you can not comprehend the answers that you were given particularly the "try it and see" which, had you been able to, you would have been on your way long before now and been plugging your disc into the Ethernet port to see if you did or did not get a better more stable wifi signal.

Re: Ethernet ports

Crimliar — Sat, 03 May 2025 20:48:34 GMT

If you can run a cable to a mesh disc which is a sensible distance from the route, you will extend the area over which you have decent WiFi speed. So, probably in a clear space, you'll want 10m between the disc and the router, but if you have solid walls and floors, that could be as little as 5m. But unless you were to have wired Access Points on different frequencies, you don't want them any closer than that. Wired APs on different frequencies, ideally more than 3m, but maybe 2m at a push!

*Is this what you were asking?

Re: Ethernet ports

VeteranISPUser — Sat, 03 May 2025 20:48:50 GMT

Hi @willgrier If you had asked the question, if I connect a WiFi extender disc by Ethernet to one of my Ethernet ports, will I get a stronger WiFi signal in that part of the house? The answer is Yes.

Re: Ethernet ports

willgrier — Sat, 03 May 2025 20:52:01 GMT

Excellent, many thanks. That is indeed what I am asking, albeit it took me a message or 2 to be able to frame it in that manner. Unfortunately, I'm a 'beginner'.

Thanks for that clear and specific answer.

Best wishes.