Got a new job ! Working from home help with WiFi lead needs to be connected to WiFi b

Prinnydtt1 · 16-09-2020 10:45AM #1

Hey everybody I’m not sure where to post this but I am stressing out, I have gotten a job to work from home and I couldn’t be happier, I have been unemployed since March.

I still live at home with my parents. Apparently the desktop they send me needs to be plugged into my wifi box with a lead they also send.

Problem is I will be working from my bedroom, I have bought a desk and chair etc and made it into a workspace for myself. I cannot run a lead down my stairs into the living room and into the back of the WiFi box. My parents would go mad and it wouldn’t even be that long.

I thought of having my own WiFi box in the bedroom and not using my parents. I have rang up Vodafone and told them the situation, he suggested that I could get a dongle or something like this .. and plug it into my wall and I can connect the lead that way to the desktop.

He is sending it out to my address, the first two weeks are free and if I want to keep it, it will cost 40 euro a month. Did I get the right thing ??

I have searched everywhere for answers to this and can’t find anything, hopefully somebody can help me because I need this job. Very confused about this lead business..

I can’t work in the living room because my parents use that too please help ðŸ˜…

Ish66 · 16-09-2020 10:56AM

Just buy a wifi dongle that plugs into a usb plug in your pc, Get the wifi code off the router downstairs and set up wifi on your computer. Your only cost wii be the price of the Wi Fi dongle and no 40 euro a month. Argos do them for about 15 euro, Just look for a wifi usb adapter.

Prinnydtt1 · 16-09-2020 10:57AM

Awh your a ledgend!! Are you sure that will 100 percent work

dam099 · 16-09-2020 11:00AM

Ish66 wrote: »

Just buy a wifi dongle that plugs into a usb plug in your pc, Get the wifi code off the router downstairs and set up wifi on your computer. Your only cost wii be the price of the Wi Fi dongle and no 40 euro a month. Argos do them for about 15 euro, Just look for a wifi usb adapter.

If its a corporate PC it may not be user configurable to set up WiFi.

A set of powerline plugs might be a viable option for the OP.

Desktop PC by ethernet to plug in bedroom, then plug in living room by ethernet into the router (what the OP is calling "Wifi box").

https://www.argos.ie/static/Product/partNumber/5742734/Trail/searchtext%3EPOWERLINE.htm

Prinnydtt1 · 16-09-2020 11:02AM

That sounds better I think, so that one powerline goes into the router, and the other powerline stays in my bedroom and I can plug the ethernet into the powerline??

Ish66 · 16-09-2020 11:03AM

Prinnydtt1 wrote: »

Awh your a ledgend!! Are you sure that will 100 percent work

Ask your IT dept can you configure it to wifi. I doubt it is locked, If its not it will work 100%

mistermatthew · 16-09-2020 11:04AM

The below will work but is a tad expensive. The Dongle mentioned above will work. I have this one below and it is fine

https://www.argos.ie/static/Product/partNumber/1420579/c_1/1%7Ccategory_root%7COffice%252C%2BPCs%2Band%2Bphones%7C14418968/c_2/3%7C50000560%7CNetworking%7C50000563/c_3/4%7Ccat_50000563%7CWireless%2Bnetworking%2Baccessories%7C50000589.htm

dam099 wrote: »

If its a corporate PC it may not be user configurable to set up WiFi.

A set of powerline plugs might be a viable option for the OP.

Desktop PC by ethernet to plug in bedroom, then plug in living room by ethernet into the router (what the OP is calling "Wifi box").

https://www.argos.ie/static/Product/partNumber/5742734/Trail/searchtext%3EPOWERLINE.htm

dam099 · 16-09-2020 11:09AM

Prinnydtt1 wrote: »

That sounds better I think, so that one powerline goes into the router, and the other powerline stays in my bedroom and I can plug the ethernet into the powerline??

Yes, the powerline plugs essentially act as a bridge mimicking what would happen if you plugged one long ethernet cable from your PC

PC --> PC Ethernet cable --> Plug 1 --> Electrical Wiring --> Plug 2 --> Router Ethernet Cable --> Router.

Not as fast or reliable as a direct Ethernet cable but likely fast enough for your needs as long as the electrical wiring isn't in bad shape or something odd like the house has more than one fuse-board.

BnB · 16-09-2020 11:13AM

dam099 wrote: »

If its a corporate PC it may not be user configurable to set up WiFi.

A set of powerline plugs might be a viable option for the OP.

Desktop PC by ethernet to plug in bedroom, then plug in living room by ethernet into the router (what the OP is calling "Wifi box").

https://www.argos.ie/static/Product/partNumber/5742734/Trail/searchtext%3EPOWERLINE.htm

That sounds right to me. If they are sending a cable to plug directly into the router, it sounds like they don't want them to use WiFi for whatever reason.

It might be a security thing or it could be that they want a better connection (possibly having had issues with other staff working from home and having problems with their WiFi)

Anyway, whatever their reason, the thingy linked to in Argos above is what I would get.

jester77 · 16-09-2020 11:19AM

How is your modem connected? Fibre, cable, DSL?
Most houses have additional termination points upstairs, especially in the master bedrooms. It might be possible to move the modem there and run the ethernet cable to your room while you are working during the day.

ArrBee · 16-09-2020 11:19AM

+1 for powerline adaptors.

Another option, if WiFi is not possible on the PC, is a wireless bridge.
Probably a bit more expensive, but if powerline is not stable due to old wiring and USB is disabled for security (as it is on my work PC), then its a 3rd option.

Parabellum9 · 16-09-2020 11:36AM

Welcome to the work from home club

As others have said, Powerline adapters might be your best bet - takes 2 seconds to setup and you will have a decent connection in place (depending on how old house is, the wiring setup being standard enough etc). . I certainly wouldn't be buying a dongle that costs 40e a month. The one catch I can see to what others have said regarding wifi dongles is the desktop likely has wifi built in already, and some work from home jobs will request speedtest screenshots to confirm you have the connection speed required to work remotely.

There will be a difference in the speedtest on wifi vs a powerline connection, and that's before you consider whether there will be impacts on a wifi signal from router to bedroom - insulation, how many other wireless networks are around you etc. The last thing you want with a remote job is a connection that keeps dropping and coming back.

smuggler.ie · 16-09-2020 05:03PM

just a side note.
Consider avoiding contract with Vodafone(others).
I do wish you to secure your new job, but if its gone some time you will remain tied to pay for mobile broadband

Nicetrustedcup · 16-09-2020 05:08PM

powerline adaptors is your go to, I had to work home before and it was a big no no to use WiFi and use a wired network so powerline adaptors was what I used.

Basicly your desktop could even come with must settings changes blocked form you and yes company’s do it .... all depends if they give you local admin rights or not

Also do you know if they are giving you a monitor to ?

ED E · 16-09-2020 05:53PM

dam099 wrote: »

If its a corporate PC it may not be user configurable to set up WiFi.

A set of powerline plugs might be a viable option for the OP.

Desktop PC by ethernet to plug in bedroom, then plug in living room by ethernet into the router (what the OP is calling "Wifi box").

https://www.argos.ie/static/Product/partNumber/5742734/Trail/searchtext%3EPOWERLINE.htm

This is the right answer. The reason they're not sending a wifi enabled unit is probably because they don't want you using wifi.

Let me guess, you're doing customer contacts? If so powerline is definitely what you want. In _most_ homes they work really really well.

Ten Pin · 16-09-2020 07:41PM

just a side note.
Consider avoiding contract with Vodafone(others).
I do wish you to secure your new job, but if its gone some time you will remain tied to pay for mobile broadband

It's doubtful the employer would even allow mobile broadband for remote work when they won't allow WiFi from fixed broadband. Vodafone sales person over eager to make comnission.

OP should ensure they cancel that order with Vodafone.

smuggler.ie · 16-09-2020 08:12PM

Ten Pin wrote: »

It's doubtful the employer would even allow mobile broadband for remote work when they won't allow WiFi from fixed broadband. Vodafone sales person over eager to make comnission.

OP should ensure they cancel that order with Vodafone.

Don't see why not but mileage might vary.
We don't even know the environment/policies and its not clear if it is actually restricted and how, is user local admin, - "apparently", based that Ethernet cable was send along... - do test, it might just work with USB-WiFi adapter
We dont even know what connection household has now, more detail please

In any way i would not be rushing to sign-up - loop on the neck for 24 months with no guaranty of quality down the line. Most of us were there - good service for a 3-4weeks and then an hour on support line per day. If not possible to get direct WiFi/poor coverage look into least cost vs quality. If power plugs provide and no other alternative - why not. If it comes to midband - top up option perhaps.
Could be issues with VOIP(if applicable) due to CNAT - public IP change random, had to get my APN changed and provider to whitelist IP(range) - not ideal, but they weren't to fussed.
Speed/latency - again what is the requirements, nature of work. VPN/RDP or call/mail, browser solution...

Prinnydtt1 · 19-09-2020 07:38PM

Hello, I have received a dongle from Vodafone https://n.vodafone.ie/business/products-and-solutions/fixed-communications/mobile-broadband.html

I am on a 2 week trial, then after that it will cost 40 euro a month, bit stuck on what to get now, I don't want to buy another wrong product, on the back I can plug in an Ethernet cable

Prinnydtt1 · 19-09-2020 07:41PM

Yes 2 monitors, what are they for

Prinnydtt1 · 19-09-2020 07:43PM

EBAY - Customer service

Parabellum9 · 19-09-2020 07:55PM

Prinnydtt1 wrote: »

Hello, I have received a dongle from Vodafone https://n.vodafone.ie/business/products-and-solutions/fixed-communications/mobile-broadband.html

I am on a 2 week trial, then after that it will cost 40 euro a month, bit stuck on what to get now, I don't want to buy another wrong product, on the back I can plug in an Ethernet cable

Send that back and get the home plugs, there’s no reason to hand over 40 a month to Vodafone for a dongle when you have working internet in the house already. The 2 monitors you got are to be connected to the pc, you basically have 2 screens to work with and for eBay I’m assuming 1 would be used to access the CRM tool (customer info and tickets) and the 2nd to view emails or knowledge base (how to solve problems you’ll get on the phone).

Ten Pin · 19-09-2020 10:35PM

Hello, I have received a dongle from Vodafone https://n.vodafone.ie/business/products-and-solutions/fixed-communications/mobile-broadband.html

I am on a 2 week trial, then after that it will cost 40 euro a month, bit stuck on what to get now, I don't want to buy another wrong product, on the back I can plug in an Ethernet cable

What provider is supplying the existing broadband service...
- Virgin Media
- Eir
- Vodafone

And what level of service is it....
- Up to 100Mbps
- 150Mbps
- 300Mbps or higher

If it's anything above 50Mbps via fixed line then it's just a matter of connecting to it via ethernet home plugs. Has the employer specified a minimum broadband speed requirement? They might only require 10Mbps which would make most fixed line broadband sufficient for the job.

Return that Vodafone equipment and cancel the contract, in technical terms it's similar to tethering from a mobile phone, it would only be of use if there wasn't any broadband in the house.

Got a new job ! Working from home help with WiFi lead needs to be connected to WiFi b

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