Wireless Issues

Posted by: Sloop John B on 30 January 2015

Considering my age and girth this is possibly quite a Noddy Does Wireless post.

 

Nonetheless................

 

I have 2 questions.

 

 

  1. On a wireless router (in my case Cisco EPC3925 router provided with UPC broadband and TV) is the wireless function independent of internet access. For example if the interent was down, I'd still have a wireless signal that should still be able to see my network in the same way as my wired PCs could still access the network with no internet connection? I thought this should be the case but an curt lady on UPC support tells me I am misinformed
  2. . As I am at the end of my tether with the wireless form the Cisco Router, can anyone recommend a good wireless box (I know I don't want another router and I have the Cisco connected to a switch box - not sure what the wireless box is technically called but presume apple extreme is an example) to give me stable wireless over the whole house?

 

Thanks

 

Posted on: 30 January 2015 by Aleg

Re. 2 It is called an Access Point (AP). I cannot recommend any as I don't have issues with my router based WiFi, but others will chime in for recommendations. I do recall there have been some (semi-)professional brands mentioned recently by S-i-S and someone else, that were reliable and had a good range.

 

Re. 1 Your wireless local network access will keep functioning regardless of the presence of an internet connection. First line helpdesk employees are not the most knowledgeable.

 

Posted on: 30 January 2015 by Bart

1. As Aleg says, your wifi will keep running even if external access to the internet is down.  I've heard at home on occasion, "The internet seems down but my iPhone shows the wifi symbol."  The two are independent.

 

2.  I have all Apple devices at home, and the Airport Extreme has been a very good wifi access point.  Ubiquiti gets high praises for their wifi access points.  TP-Link is probably very good too.

Posted on: 30 January 2015 by nudgerwilliams

I have Ubiqiti Unifi wireless access points.  2 in opposite corners in my house To give coverage.  Wired connection to my switch.  Dealer installed them so don't know more details on setup than that, but they work a treat.  

Posted on: 31 January 2015 by Sloop John B

Does the apple base station work OK with windows once you have an iPad to do the initial setup, or does it need a Mac?

 

 

SJB

Posted on: 31 January 2015 by Simon-in-Suffolk

SJB, Yes to your first question.. The wifi is bridged to your LAN and connects to the internet through your router.

I have had issues with some discovery protocols with Cisco wifi (on a Cisco 870). I used an Apple Airport Express instead, and it worked flawlessly with UPnP, AirPlay and Bonjour.

Posted on: 31 January 2015 by Simon-in-Suffolk
Originally Posted by Sloop John B:

Does the apple base station work OK with windows once you have an iPad to do the initial setup, or does it need a Mac?

 

 

SJB

The Apple Airport products I use can all be configured by the WindowsPC/macPC/iPad and iPhone.