DSL Modem for Gaming Recommendations...

Spanky The Dolphin · Post by **Spanky The Dolphin** » 2007-03-11 04:00pm

Okay, a little backstory. We used to keep the Wii primarily upstairs so we could connect it with the LAN Adapter to the router and DSL modem that the three computers use to make up the house network. In the past week though, we've cleaned out and reclaimed the basement, so all of our video game systems are back downstairs.

We want to keep the Wii connected online, so if you guys could be kind enough, I would like some recommendations for an inexpensive wired DSL modem to use for console gaming/Internet purposes.

Thanks.

Uraniun235 · Post by **Uraniun235** » 2007-03-11 04:29pm

Er, are you talking about adding a second DSL modem? Because I don't think that'll work.

Spanky The Dolphin · Post by **Spanky The Dolphin** » 2007-03-11 05:10pm

Yeah, it would be so that there'd be two DSL modems in the house.

Why wouldn't that work?

InnocentBystander · Post by **InnocentBystander** » 2007-03-11 06:37pm

Whats wrong with a wireless access point of some sort?

Crayz9000 · Post by **Crayz9000** » 2007-03-11 06:54pm

Well, wireless brings up all sorts of issues, notably with construction.

Why not just run an extra wire from the router downstairs and add a cheap $40 switch there?

Post by **Beowulf** » 2007-03-11 06:54pm

Spanky The Dolphin wrote:Yeah, it would be so that there'd be two DSL modems in the house.

Why wouldn't that work?

The hardware is designed for a point to point connection. If there's two modems on one line, then the two would try to talk over each other. I'd suggest a wireless AP.

Uraniun235 · Post by **Uraniun235** » 2007-03-11 07:02pm

Spanky The Dolphin wrote:Yeah, it would be so that there'd be two DSL modems in the house.

Why wouldn't that work?

You'd basically have two devices trying to talk at the same time on the same line. The exact technical details escape me but I'm really sure that wouldn't work.

edit: ah, Shinova beat me to it

Whats wrong with a wireless access point of some sort?

Wireless networking is the devil's own tongue. Oh hey, there's a microwave between here and the router! Whoops, someone turned it on, where did my internets go?? Oh hey, the dude next door has some horrible piece of equipment which creates tons of interference! My connection is horribly unreliable now! Oh hey, there's several walls between the wireless router and the computer, I can't get a reliable signal now!

This is why I absolutely refuse to set up wireless networks for people. Not that I am against them but that I refuse to get ensnared in troubleshooting them when something goes wrong.

Spanky The Dolphin · Post by **Spanky The Dolphin** » 2007-03-11 07:07pm

InnocentBystander wrote:Whats wrong with a wireless access point of some sort?

The overall straight line distance between the two devices is 80-100 feet, and separated by numerous walls between two stories, one of which has a ceiling of solid concrete.

InnocentBystander · Post by **InnocentBystander** » 2007-03-11 11:59pm

It would be totally sweet if you made a Pringlesor Wok Wireless antenna. The other option is to run cable, which isn't really so bad of an option, I'll admit. You could *try* powerline networking, I don't honestly know how good it is, but netgear (from a glance) does appear to sell powerline equipment. Of course a wall ethernet adapater looks to be around $100; so you're looking at $200 worth in equipment. I'd try the wok-based method first, as its cheaper and a FAR cooler solution.

Spanky The Dolphin · Post by **Spanky The Dolphin** » 2007-03-12 12:10am

Man, we're not gonna buy a wok just to fuck around with some MacGyver contraption that might not even work. Besides, man, it's a concrete floor!

It actually came under discussion, and what we'll likely do is just feed an Ethernet cable through the same course in the house frame that the satellite cables are. What's the max length Ethernet cables can be?

Stark · Post by **Stark** » 2007-03-12 12:11am

If all your systems are downstairs now, why not move the modem to a basement phone jack? If you want systems all over the house connected to a single wired network, have fun with that. Depending on the construction of your palatial home, running cable in the walls would solve you.

Wireless can be unreliable in many situations, but again depending on the construction of Casa de Spanks a single directional antenna upstairs could bridge to an AP downstairs. I'm with U235 though: I use wireless myself, but no fucking way I'm setting it up or supporting it for anyone else. My sister lives in a largely concrete apartment, and the electrical wiring in there is so bad she can barely get a connection across the room. Sucktacular.

EDIT - Goddamn instaposting. You can run a cat5 80ft with no problems, but to be safe and save on later cabling you could throw a switch somewhere along the way (interim floors, etc). That'll reduce the run length and give you a bit of flexibility in the kitchen cupboard or wherever.

Uraniun235 · Post by **Uraniun235** » 2007-03-12 12:22am

Ethernet cable can be run up to ~300 feet. You should be fine. Make sure you don't get ripped off on pricing; I can buy a 150ft network cable for ~$25 at a local place.

phongn · Post by **phongn** » 2007-03-12 12:24am

Spanky The Dolphin wrote:It actually came under discussion, and what we'll likely do is just feed an Ethernet cable through the same course in the house frame that the satellite cables are. What's the max length Ethernet cables can be?

100 meters. There are also alternatives like networking-over-power if you don't want to run new cable.

Rin · Post by **Rin** » 2007-03-12 12:36am

Longest cable that I have used was only 20m, but if you trust Cisco NetAcademy materials Cat5 UTP max lenght is 100m (328 feet).

But if cable is going even near that, better do as Stark recommends and drop a switch to some suitable place.

Lisa · Post by **Lisa** » 2007-03-12 12:25pm

When you get the cable get cat5e (it's capable of carrying gigabit), you probably don't need it now but it doesn't hurt to run it, specially if you put a gigabit switch at your dsl modem and your basement then you'll get better bandwidth usages going between the two.

as for 2 dsl modems on the same telephone line - as stated before, it can't be done. If you were using cable internet you would have no problem, but there would be an issue with networking to the stuff up stairs.

phongn · Post by **phongn** » 2007-03-12 12:38pm

With cable internet service it can be problematic as well, depending on your ISP.