Do I need another router or what do I need?

tom1ie

hi all,

I have my VM modem in the front room, with all Ethernet ports used up.
I have one cat 6 cable going from the VM modem into the living room.
I need to be able to plug in four Ethernet devices at this location.
I would also like to have the WIFI boosted here.
Is there a device I can get with 4-5 Ethernet ports (like a switch) that also boosts WiFi?

blackbox

A wifi router that is set up in Access Point mode should do this for you.

tom1ie

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122177788#Comment_122177788

thanks.
Can you recommend any, and where I’d get one?
Would it already be in Access Point mode?

blackbox

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122177811#Comment_122177811

I haven't bought one for several years so wouldn't be able to recommend any current models.

They would not normally be set up in AP mode, but there will be instructions. I have never come across one that doesn't have the AP feature.

dam099

While @blackbox's solution will work, using two unrelated routers for WiFi either with different SSID’s or the same one duplicated is probably not optimal in terms of mobile devices like phones roaming from one to the other.

For the cost of a router depending on its quality (and of which you won’t be using all the features) you are starting to get into the price range of a 2 pack of mesh WiFi devices like Deco and Tenda.

I would suggest as an alternative a 2 pack of Deco M4 or S4 (they can use the Cat 6 for the back haul between the 2 units) and a cheap unmanaged 5 or 8 port switch and switch off the Virgin WiFi completely. If only 4 devices you could get away with a 5 port switch as while the Deco will take up 1 port on the switch it has a second port for LAN out so no net loss of ports.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/TP-LINK-Deco-M4-Seamless-Replacement/dp/B07QN4GLRG/ref%3Dsr_1_4?crid=28CI0G0XOPTPN&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.FlgbMq6WZtTd72mlcyhfpbGjz_XkdOEuYguu-akdnk4O-Ns-87F2i_i3Zb6OynoCu4rmTEXxtDjlGk6TjQE2njRJoqzoKVCnHfVsoyf8hONRQU6zlL9ui3ZcD8OgMP8B9Cmqj3Hc5zjqny-PJoK_bKxHOgthyqr1hv19IMyB0gXPFADlJLjh5YsEXZ0Tv5rqnZ39RuU3WrkuYU2UhrCkv-IfVnkcRnFwak2EVG30eVM.o9Ju-u2jKpP_harSFyOyDIcjQx_dOst7-_qSaziaCAM&dib_tag=se&keywords=deco+s4&qid=1716577174&sprefix=deco+s4%2Caps%2C70&sr=8-4

https://www.amazon.co.uk/TP-Link-LS1005G-Wallmount-Ethernet-Splitter/dp/B07VWB347G/ref%3Dsr_1_5?crid=3ONJJHIOFFJFS&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.EgFfa1ffSkgtBztS8NV2LHHjsfVCRsJ9YEJrI9ZrR55WWxTFo64mchX7a9X0KNof7Odw0_Pyq1XdASiFEbjBygZY3Tnffnf_Yh3jmvG9JqCkgoRpjlP9LsQ1ZGWDSJ4s5tXpCT3WUvbZNzl6RtGOMAz9oOtgSYeDOTtfdBG3xppr6NpXX5nnmJiIc4HDzguqJMAQg0DxdF8jpLALSmXr7xFXTdK4O_V7lTp3mXDirjQ.fNs8mx0li8k2SK4LzxZG_TxT8dwlU0UxnGHnXiVzyJ4&dib_tag=se&keywords=5+port+gigabit+switch&qid=1716577230&sprefix=5+port+%2Caps%2C68&sr=8-5