Beaminster — Mar 18th 2025

Mick explained how our home networks operate. At the centre is the hub/router which communicates with every device connected by WiFi or Ethernet identified by a 4 x 3 digit number. The router often uses IP addresses from the 192.168.0.x or 192.168.1.x ranges, with the router itself typically having an IP address of 192.168.0.1 or 192.168.1.1. The 4th number is issued out by the router to each connected unit, using DHCP. The router is also connected to your Internet provider via the telephone line or direct fibre. The router keeps track of outgoing and incoming data using the IP addresses to the relevant device.
MIck then showed three ways to extend the range of a WiFi network. You can use a powerline extender which uses the house electric cabling to carry the signal to one or more extenders. You plug the master unit close to the router and connect to the router with an Ethernet cable. In the areas where you need the boost connect the extender(s) which pick up the signal through a 13amp socket and transmit by WiFi. Most units will include an Ethernet socket for a wired connection. The second option is to use WiFi extenders which again plug in to 13 amp sockets, but in this case pick the signal up by WiFi so still need to be within range of the WiFi signal from the router. Extenders can pass the signal on to others and in a daisy chain but there is loss of signal strength. This weakness is overcome with the third option, a Mesh system where again there is a master unit connected to the router and extenders, but in this case they all interconnect with no loss of signal strength. The mesh system includes is its own WiFi network separate from the Router WiFi, so it may be wise to turn off the router WiFi.
Finally Mick gave advice on problem solving when “internet not working”. First confirm that it is just not one device or function that is not working e.g. email or browsing. If any internet reliant app is working then the problem is not the Network so check problems with the non-functioning app. Shut down and restarting is a good first step. If definitely no internet connection, it is most likely the service provider who has the problem. Whilst unlikely to be a router problem you can restart it to see if that works.

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