How Can I Connect Two Sets of Computers Within My Home Office So There's No Cables On the Floor?

Question

I have a group of five computers at one end of my home office and another group of four computers across the same room. All are hardwired on the same internal network. These cannot be consolidate or moved into one corner or closet. There just is not the space and it's just physically not possible.

There is one Internet router as provided by the local cable company. I have this connected to a LinkSys WRT54G2 broadband router. A Netgear DS108 8-port hub is connected the LinkSys. All computers either connect to the Netgear hub or to the LinkSys router. As of now, the WiFi from the LinkSys router is only ever used by my cell phone while at home.

This set up is annoying. At first I did not mind, but there are cables on the floor that I have to step over. These CAT5 cables connect one set of computers to the LinkSys or Netgear. I have to watch where visitors are walking or stepping to assure they don't trip.

How can I keep these computers on the same network and eliminate just those cables crossing the floor of my home office?

It seems easy to see my only option is to use some kind of wireless method, right?

Should I use WiFi NICs? Would this overwhelm the WiFi on the LinkSys?

(Although I did first search this site for similar questions, I could not readily find one. If you find one I missed, please share it's link.)

Thank you for any help.

Additional (01/27/2012 at 16:40:28 UTC)

This is a rented flat/apartment. I cannot pull up carpet, punch holes in walls, and there's no access to attic. Modifying the flat risks losing my 'security deposit'.

Answer 1

I would use powerline networking to link to a switch at the far end.

You can buy a pair of HomePlug units that plug into ordinary wall electric sockets. They will bridge the two ends of the room together without any cables lying on the floor.

Answer 2

Buy a couple of cheap switches, put them on either side of the room and plug in the PCs on that side. Run one cable neatly around the perimeter of the room, plug one end into your router and the other into the switch on the far side of the room. Connect the other switch that's on the same side as the router.

Answer 3

Get a pair of wireless access points that support Wireless Distribution System (WDS), use them to bridge the two locations on your network sans-wire.

There are pre-configured WLAN bridges that do all the work for you, like e.g. the Zyxel WAP5605. You attach them to a hub or router on either end of your setup.

Answer 4

Well, you'll need another router for this, but this sounds pretty much like what dd-wrt client mode is designed to handle. You'll need a wireless router that supports the firmware, and you can connect the PCs on one side of the room to the ethernet ports on the router running in client mode (so you only need one device, and you can use conventional ethernet to connect those systems, rather than have multiple wireless adaptors), have the AP and other computers on the other side.

Answer 5

You could leave the cables running along the floor and use a cable protector to protect them and prevent tripping.

Answer 6

There's another option if you have coax (cable TV) outlets in both locations; you can use MoCA adapters. MoCA sends Ethernet over coax without interfering with cable TV signals. I use this in my house to communicate between the first and third floors. Speed is comparable to a wired 100Mb connection (a little faster than powerline Ethernet, which I also use.)

Verizon FIOS routers implement MoCA, and used ones can usually be found on eBay for less than $50. They also include a 4-port switch. You would need one for both ends of your connection.

More info here:

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=1145636

Answer 7

Multimedia over Coax Alliance

As an alternative to power line networking, you can use MoCA. It allows you to do networking communication across your already existing coaxial cable.

Powerline networking has improved over the years, but it's not perfect. Newer implementations can also be expensive. MoCA doesn't use noisy powerlines that were never at all designed for such a thing.

Honestly, I don't think either solution is really a good idea for just across the room, but I thought I would mention it, since I think it's a better solution than powerline networking.

The equipment is only ~$80 for a pair and boasts 270mb connectivity. (Just like powerline networking, that's a theoretical max, but you should see 70mb in most situations) http://www.amazon.com/NETGEAR-MCAB1001-Coax-Ethernet-Adapter-Black/dp/B001N85NMI/?t=slickdeals&tag=slickdeals

Answer 8

If its your house, stick the cables into the wall cavity.

Answer 9

3M Command Strips are the security deposit's best friend. Specifically, 3M makes a "Medium Chord Clip" which will hold your cables more snugly than pounding something into your wall, and will come off completely clean when you move out.

They're a little bit pricey, but less so than an additional router, and they won't require you to change your network setup at all.

Answer 10

How about something like a "backdrop support" ( Photo from shop I don't work for etc. etc). Can be obtained from a photo supply store, and fairly inexpensive. Put one in each corner of room, raise it to ceiling height, and run the cables across it with tie-wraps. Adjustable, portable.