I am currently looking into moving my router (consumer grade, my ISP router just acts as a modem to convert from COAX to RJ45) and mini server into a closet that it is nowhere near my internet COAX socket (e.g., other side of the apartment).
Best-case scenario: I can convince my landlord to add a new COAX socket in the closet. Then I can just bring the ISP router (as a modem) with the rest of my server/consumer router.
Here’s what I’m trying to figure out and would greatly appreciate getting your input and/or feedback on if the best-case scenario is not happening:
Can I use a powerline network adapter between the modem and the router WAN port successfully?
If option 1 is possible, if it has multiple ports, can it be also used in parallel to plug one of the switch ports on the router and have let’s say a third powerline adapter go to my computer?
Last time I looked at powerline network adapters was at least 12 years ago. Can modern adapters reliably handle GigE or 2.5GigE? And can we have more than 2 linked together all at once?
Would there be any other options to accommodate having the ISP-as-modem in one location and the actual router in a geographically different location?
Note: I know one of you is gonna suggest just running an RJ45 cable to and from the living room and closet. And no, having 10 meters of cabling literally traversing where I walk without it being dangerous or horrendous is not an option
Get two wifi routers/devices that are based on Mediatek Filogic, supported by OpenWrt run a link between using WDS between them. It’ll work just fine unless you live in a area where even all available 5ghz channels are overcrowded (a 40mhz wide link will do just fine). Using a setup like that will also be transparent to all devices as the wifi routers will act as transparent bridges so no need to mess around with wifi on the actual devies.
Funny, because I plan to do exactly what you do not want to do.
I do have outlets and coaxial jacks in the room where I am, but I want to put the rack (with the servers, modem, router, switches and Wi-Fi access point) far away from my living space. So all of that will be wired to the television and desktop from the other side of the apartment with the bundle of wires crossing a bedroom and bathroom.
To make that happen, I’m planning to build a low-profile catwalk over the path of the wires with the aesthetics of an urban, elevated, linear park.
These adapters exist and have consistently tested badly. Not recommended.
I agree with that scenario.
So, what would be the next best option?
Creating a wireless connection between coax terminated router and closet (using whatever is the best technology) seems to be a good suggestion that doesn’t involve cables.
Personally, I don’t have great experiences with wireless connections and recommend a continued look into a cabled solution.
The easiest cabled solution would involve an ethernet cable, which you’re not fond of for understandable reasons. You mentioned the existence of a landlord, which I assume makes in wall routing of cables undesirable/impossible. You also expressed dismay with cables running where you walk.
Did you know there are flat ethernet cables that can be quite discreetly routed along walls?
Another cabling solution could involve fiberoptic cables. These are generally smaller than ethernet cables, but in many forms more delicate (not to step on). But if you can identify a route along base boards these could be close to invisible. As a side benefit these can offer very high speeds 10gb+, although that is probably not a deciding factor.
