Internet switch with wifi

Network switch with a wifi connection

I’ve recently moved house, and was delighted to find that the house was already wired with CAT-5e cable in a few rooms, plus a neat little patch-panel in the office! Unfortunately though, the place where the internet enters the house (i.e. where I need to put the modem) is nowhere near where the patch panel is. I’ve had a cable guy come out today and he’s basically said there’s no (easy) way that the connection point can be moved to the office. I also can’t (easily) run another network cable from the modem to the patch panel. So instead, what I want to know is — is there a device I can use that’s effectively a network switch, but the incoming signal comes via wifi? i.e. I want the device to be on my wifi network, and then act as a switch so I can plug it into the patch panel. I appreciate that this means I’ll be sharing the network bandwidth but I have an AC router so hopefully bandwidth won’t be an issue. Hope that makes sense!

Is there CAT-5e Ethernet going from the patch panel to anywhere near the modem? Ethernet cables work the same way in both directions.

@grawity — no :'( I really don’t understand why they didn’t run an ethernet cable out to where the modem connects (it would have been the most logical place to have an ethernet cable!)

@CustomX — It’s possible, but it would be a bit messy! I think the powerline adapter may be the best option.

@gerrod, depends on how well you install it 😉 it will be a lot more stable than powerlines, as they don’t always perform

1 Answer 1

Many Wi-Fi devices have this mode – usually «range extenders» but occassionally «wireless routers» as well. (The former don’t actually have a switch; they’re just a bridge between Wi-Fi and a single Ethernet port. You’ll need a separate switch, and it’s really for the best. The latter usually have a 4-port switch.)

Depending on manufacturer, the option might be called «client mode», «station mode», or sometimes «bridge mode». (The last one often, but not always, means that the device will also provide its own Wi-Fi.)

For example, TP-Link range extenders call it «client mode». Mikrotik general purpose wireless routers call it «bridge mode» (specifically ‘station-pseudobridge’ in your case). Netgear routers call it «wireless bridge».

Depending on how the house was built, powerline (Homeplug AV or G.hn) might offer better performance than Wi-Fi bridging, and would avoid the MAC-address weirdness that the wireless bridge mode has.

Finally, you don’t necessarily have to run a dedicated cable from the modem/router directly to where the patch panel is. If there’s already a cable going from the patch panel to a wall socket somewhere near the modem – just use that!

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How to Switch From Wifi to Ethernet

What brings people across the globe on one shared platform?

We connect to the Internet using either Wifi or ethernet cable. However, if your Wifi doesn’t work, you should know how to switch from Wifi to Ethernet. Another possibility of switching from Wifi to Ethernet is to reduce the amount of EMF radiation in your household.

Do you know that an ethernet connection is faster and secure than a WiFi connection?

Nonetheless, if you want to learn about techniques to switch from Wifi to Ethernet, you are at the right place.

Why Switch From WI-FI Connection to Ethernet Cable?

It’s a valid question with the following possible reasons:

• Increased latency/ping – If you experience a lag while playing games or streaming video content, it’s time to switch from wifi to ethernet.
• Stable Network Connections – An ethernet provides a reliable and stable connection without any wireless interference, which we commonly observe while using a Wi-fi connection.
• Better speed – download speed can be more or less the same in both Wifi and wired connection; however, uploading speed increases drastically from 20 Mbs to 50 Mbs.
• No need for a password – An ethernet cable provides a dedicated connection. That’s why you don’t need to password-protect your connection.
• EMF radiation – These radiations are emitted by all the electric appliances, including the WiFi. Recent studies show that ethernet connection offers a lower-EMF alternative than WiFi.
• Less Prone to hacking – Ethernet cable provides a safe connection to the Internet, making you less susceptible to hacking.

WI FI to Ethernet Connection

It’s not an easy task to switch from Wi fi to an ethernet connection. You need to address the problems such as distance and the availability of the right equipment and adapters before switching from Wifi to Ethernet.

Don’t worry; because we’ve got your back. We’ll highlight the problem and their corresponding solution to make this transition smooth for you guys.

Get the Right Equipment

The very first step is to buy the supporting connecting equipment to establish a hard-wired Internet connection.

Modem

It would help if you bought a modem from your Internet provider to support the ethernet connection.

If you have a double router supporting both Wi fi and ethernet, it’s terrific. However, you need to ensure that the modem can turn off the Wifi broadcasting.

By the way, you can also opt for a universal modem, compatible with different Internet providers, instead of buying a specific one.

Also, you should check the bandwidth support of the device. A lower bandwidth ensures that the device provides a minimal amount of EMF radiation.

Ethernet Cables and Switches

Moreover, it would help if you bought ethernet cables and switches. Why? To establish a network connection with all the devices available in your home.

First, make a list of all the devices present at home, which requires an Internet connection. It includes your laptop, computer, printer, and Smart TV.

Once you are done with the list, you need to buy a port switch if you intend to switch from home’s Wi fi to ethernet connection. You can find many switch options, including 16 or even 48 switches, depending upon the requirement.

Generally, the ethernet switches come in the following configuration – 5-port, 8-port, 12-port, and 16-port. However, if you have a budget constraint or a lesser number of desired connections, you can opt for a five-port switch.

Built-in Internet Stations

Many modern smart homes have built-in Internet stations to plug the modem directly into the port. It will then send the signal via the wires to all the rooms in the house.

All you need to do is to plug into a hardwired wall port and connect to the internet. It’s an ideal setup, which doesn’t require you to buy additional equipment.

Shielded Cable

Since our foremost goal is to reduce EMF-output, it’s better to opt for a reinforced or shielded cable.

It’s entirely up to you to buy separate Ethernet cables for each device or share a cable between multiple devices if they aren’t in use simultaneously.

Type of Ethernet Cable

You can find multiple ethernet cables in the market, leading to a lot of confusion regarding their selection and, most importantly, compatibility.

• Cat 5 – It’s one of the oldest cables with a maximum speed of 100 Mbs with a maximum 100Mhz bandwidth.
• Cat 5e – It’s commonly found in the market, offering a maximum speed of 1000Mbs coupled with 100MHz maximum bandwidth.
• Cat 6 – This fine cable comes with a maximum speed of 1000Mbs along with a maximum bandwidth of 250Mhz.
• Cat 6a – It’s an advanced form of Cat 6, offering a maximum speed of 10,000 Mbs combined with a 500MHz maximum bandwidth.
• Cat 7 – It’s a super high-end cable with a maximum speed of 10,000 Mbs coupled with 600MHz maximum bandwidth.

One important thing to keep in mind is never to buy a Cat 5 cable because it’s outdated and won’t perform up to the mark. If you are on a budget, you can either opt for a Cat 5a or six ethernet cable because both are equally good. However, if you are a futuristic person with a lot of money, you can opt for a Cat 6a or 7.

Powerline Adapter

If you don’t want the cables to be running around in your home, you can opt for powerline adapters. You need to place one adapter near the router and the other near the device, where you want to access the Internet.

You can now hook in the ethernet cables from the Powerline to the router and another from the Powrfline to your device. This way, you can access the Internet using the electrical wires in your house.

By the way, you can buy Powerline with two or three ports if you have multiple devices in one room. However, it’ll certainly cost you a lot.

As an alternative, you can buy an ethernet switch, which looks like a box with multiple ethernet connections. You can easily connect the Powerline to the ethernet switch to plug in multiple devices simultaneously.

EMF Meter

As the name suggests, it measures the EMF radiation present in the atmosphere. It’s a worthy investment for anyone who is concerned with EMF radiation.

First, you need to set a benchmark by taking readings in each of your rooms to set the standard.

After switching off the Wi-Fi and installing the wired Internet connection, the recorded numbers must show a significant reduction.

Plug-in the Ethernet Cable

It’s showtime. Now that you have bought the right equipment, you can plug in the modem and set it up, following the Internet service provider’s instructions.

You need to install related software on your laptop to configure the mode, following on-screen commands.

Once you establish the Internet connection, plug the ethernet cable into the modem’s e ethernet port and connect the other end to the ethernet switch.

Now that the ethernet switch is live and connected, it’s time to provide a cable connection from the switch to all your rooms, where you want to give Internet access.

You surely don’t want to create a mess of cables lying on the floor. That’s why it’s a better approach to drill through the floor or ceiling to run the cable alongside the carpet. Moreover, you can tape the cables to the wall to minimize cable cluttering on the floor.

If appearance is your concern, you can run the cable behind the wall and insert a port in each room. However, it requires a lot of labor, and of course, cost.

Connect the Devices

At this stage, you have ethernet cables in all the rooms. Therefore, it’s time to plug the devices in. These include TV, desktop computers, laptops, and video gaming consoles.

We understand that some of your devices, such as smartphones and tablets, don’t support a wired connection. That’s why you need to have a weak wireless connection. In this case, you can use a Wi Fi router guard to protect yourself from EMF radiation.

Another useful tip is to switch on the Wi Fi only when required and keep it off at all other times.

Turn off WI FI

We are closing towards the final step of turning off the Wi Fi on the modem. If you have a wired-only modem, you don’t need to shut off the device’s Wi Fi.

However, you need to switch it off in the case of modems with WiFi capability. You can either turn it off using the software or the physical switches available on the modem. It’s better to refer to the modem’s instruction manual to turn off the Wi Fi.

Final Test

After doing all the hardwired Internet connection installation, it’s time to test the new EMF levels. Now repeat the exercise you previously did and compare the results. Following the above procedure correctly will result in reduced EMF levels.

Conclusion

A wired connection is, without any doubt, a better choice than a wireless connection. It’s because an ethernet connection is secure, fast, and reliable. Moreover, you’ll experience lesser outages due to equipment failure.

By the way, installing an Ethernet cable system is a one-time job and investment. It would help if you opted for good-quality ethernet cables with proper insulation. However, you can always upgrade the modem as the Internet speed improves.

It’s high time we consider the wellness of our family by minimizing our exposure to EMF radiation. That’s why it’s essential to switch from Wifi to ethernet while still enjoying the benefits of a high-speed and secure Internet.

Hedayat S

Hedayat is the new Editor-in-Chief of Rottenwifi and has been writing about computer networking since 2012. Hedayat’s strong background in computer science helped him cement his position in the ever-expanding tech blogging world. As a network engineer, systems administrator, and systems analyst during his decade-long career in Information Technology, he has a passion for the internet & technology in his DNA.

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