With the development of the Internet, people rely on the network for their works and keep communicating with each other. This requires good network connection in office and home. In this article, we will introduce 4 common ways to extend Ethernet to avoid network blind spot.
- Power line
The first way is using power line. It is new fashion devices to extend network signal within limited space. Power-line adaptors convert the network signal and add to the AC power line in home or office. The power line solution takes advantage of existed power cable to transmit the data simultaneously as the AC electric power. This solution has one constrains. It only works within the same power meter. If there are different power meters for each floor in the building, the power line solution couldn’t cross pass between two floors.
The power line adaptors usually work in pair, including transmitter and receiver. Plug the receiver into AC outlet closed to main network. Then more than one transmitter can be added in different rooms to pick up the network signal. Some of the power line transmitters support WiFi which can generate WiFi signal in those areas.
- WiFi booster
The WiFi booster is the most common way to extend WiFi signal. WiFi booster, also name WiFi extender, repeats the WiFi signal from your router. In most of the case, the WiFi signal is being weakly by the walls. The WiFi booster can be installed on the right spots to pick up the signal and forward to destination. Usually, it is the L sharp path to avoid blocking from the multiple walls. The WiFi booster is installed in the turning point of L.
The WiFi signal not only can be weaken by the walls, but also can be jam by each others while there are too many access points picking up from the neighbors’. One of the possible solutions is switching the WiFi channel to avoid the signal crush. Usually the WiFi router supports manual pick the communicating channel.
- Network Extender for up to 500 meters
According to IEEE802 standard, the network distance is limited to 100meters far. While the network installation spot is beyond 100meters, the network extender may help. The extender can repeat network up to 500meters with daisy chain setup. However, the convenient Network extender requires power source. Image there’re 2 network extenders for 300 meter. The power adapter has to be presented in each of these two extenders which bring new trouble. PoE network extender can deal with this power source issues.
What is PoE network extender? It is integrated with power over Ethernet technology which allows transporting data and power in one cable. So the power adapter can be removed. If users want 300 meters network, just connect 2 PoE extenders. The PoE extender can even power the remote ip devices if it is IEEE802.3 complaint.
The power will be add to the Ethernet cable by using PoE injector or switch closed to the main router. The PoE extender is simple plug and play products. No program required.
- Optical Fiber – repeat long distance network.
The advantages is fiber optical is high speed, low latency, and long distance. The fiber optical can easily transmit communicating network up to 20 kilometers. Fiber optical refers to the medium and the technology associated with the transmission of information as light pulses along a glass or plastic fiber strand. It needs straight line to transport the light and only data can be sent through. Because of fiber optical characteristics, there’s almost no loss and the speed is extremely fast.
It is fit for network communicating from building to building, even from city to city. In fact, the long distance network basically employs fiber optical technology today. If users want to setup network distance over 500 meters or above, fiber optical is a good way to go,
Generally speaking, PoE solutions and Fiber optical are suitable for long distance network extension. If network extending requires in short distance or limited space, Power line and WiFi booster can meet demand. Watch the video below see how to extend the network by using the power line adaptor.