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I am extending an ethernet cable to my shed, using about 40 meters of cable. I also want to attach a wifi antenna so I can get wireless access in the garden. I was looking for something to plug into one of 4 ethernet sockets I will be installing into the shed. I might also consider putting an ethernet hub in there instead of just a wall socket. Would love to hear from the experts on the pros & cons.
I'm not looking to make the shed into a Bat-Cave, but I will have a laptop in it occasionally, but don't want to have to leave it in there all the time just to service a wifi antenna.
I am currently using BT Infinity broadband, and have bought a Netgear 8 port switch (GS308) which I will put into the roofspace, from which I will eventually feed ethernet into the rest of the house, with one port bringing the cable to the shed.
Any suggestions for a novice?
Thanks in advance,
Harry
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If just for the shed and sitting on a chair outside then something like this TP Link Access point will sit on the end of the Ethernet and give you wireless.
Putting an Ethernet switch into the shed might be useful, and are cheap enough at around £10 each too.
Better access points are available but sheds are probably not the best place to have expensive kit, since a few ants/spiders in a case can kill hardware.
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The author of the above post is a thinkbroadband staff member. It may not constitute an official statement on behalf of thinkbroadband.
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Or if you do want to go down the route of specific outdoor hardware, you can look at the UniFi stuff by Ubiquiti. I have put this access point in a few places now and it works a treat.
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Register (or login) on our website and you will not see this ad.
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Just find a cheap Router with WiFi such as a 2wire 2700 or 2701 - they were/are the BT hubs and routers for both ADSL and VDSL. You can pick up an unused one for £5-10 on a well known auction site.
Turn off DHCP, allocate a fixed IP (if you want) connect up and away you go - three ports available and Wireless.
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M H C
taurus excreta cerebrum vincit
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You haven't said if you have power in the shed or not.
If you use the Wireless AP MrSaffron links to then you can use this device without any mains power as it can use PoE (power over ethernet). So this could be just what you are after depending on your situation 
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I do have power to the shed, albeit only temporarily (whenever I plug in the extension lead)
My next problem is wiring my ethernet wall socket. I bought one off ebay, which is a combined ethernet/coaxial plate, and I've managed to squeeze the ethernet cable up the conduit and into the roofspace. My first attempt at connecting a plug on one end and the socket at the other has been unsuccessful.
Any hints or tips? I have a proper crimping tool etc.
H
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Is it solid core or stranded cable? What's the problem with the plug? What sort of connections are on the socket?
A link to ebay for the hardware would help
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The socket is here,
http://m.ebay.co.uk/itm/161118123922
And it is marked with 2 colour codes wiring schemes, marked A&B.
I wired my stranded cable to it according to colour code A, and wired a plug to the other end according to http://danlipofsky.com/technical/ethernet/
I have a cable tester.
Pity I cant post photos, as I sure I'm not explaining myself properly.
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What is the cable tester showing ?
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It's showing nothing at all, and I tested it with a bought cable, and it works fine.
I'm going to rewire the socket according to the B colour code, and get back to you.
If that doesn't work, then I have to assume the cable has been damaged when I was pulling it through the conduit. Oh joy, more cramped time in the roofspace 
H
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Are the socket and the plug designed for stranded wires?
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Nope. Still nothing. Damaged cable, or [censored] socket? Might wire up a plug at the socket end, and at least that will tell me if the cable's damaged, perhaps?
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Sorry. It is a solid wire, and yes, I am confident the socket is designed for it. I'm wondering if the socket's 'teeth' aren't stripping the wire when I push it in, thereby preventing a sound contact...?
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Oh, pity the cable is CCA - copper is a lot stronger.
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Probably why it was so cheap... Also, I'm a blind fool. When removing the wires I discovered that they are, indeed, stranded. So how shall I proceed? Strip the insulation before punching them in?
H.
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I don't think you can punch-down stranded cable, you should use screw terminals...
I guess you may be able to tin them with a soldering iron, but that's far from ideal.
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This is what I would do, assuming the cable works. I would just connect a bog standard ethernet connection at each end of the cabling. Plug one end into old router... Pop a bog standard cheap router at the shed end, even an old BT homehub or old router you may already have in the house would do the job. Turn off DHCP on it and let the original router allocate the IP. Then you can just use the WiFi from that.
Do you really need wired ports in the shed anyway?
I would Scrap the fancy faceplate etc that you were using, you can't use that with stranded cabling. You could buy a screw terminal but do you really need it?
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I'm throwing in the towel for tonight. I have a mate who used to work for BT, and I'll get him to look at it on Friday. I really appreciate all the advice, though. I'll let you know how it goes... :-/
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I don't think you can punch-down stranded cable, y
Of course you can. Whether or not they will make contact and work though ...
Your suggestion of twisting together and tinning will probably work - have had to use it in the past as a last resort.
The answer is for the OP put a plug on that end too.
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M H C
taurus excreta cerebrum vincit
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How times have changed with technology. Years ago you just took a magazine and a box of tissues in with you
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Just thinking the same for my shed. Wi-Fi for the self guided lawn mower. !!!
IanD
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