How can I turn Ethernet extension into a WiFi Hotspot?

I have a long house with thick brick walls. The router is at one end of the house and the WiFi does not reach the rear rooms. I do have a hardwired Ethernet connection running to the back of the property with an Ethernet splitter attached.

Is there any type of device/dongle I can attach to the splitter that would transmit a WiFi signal that could be picked up by mobile phones etc? I'm not very computer savvy and have no idea where to start.

4 Answers

You will want to look for an access point, and based off your description, not a PoE one.

I would really recommend replacing the ethernet splitter with a switch, it is really not recommended to use hubs and splitters. Then you can run ethernet lines from the switch and connect them to access points like @JCA122204 said.

Ubiquiti has really good prices on their products and their products are really good, their products are used for businesses that cannot afford or do not want to purchase overpriced cisco equipment.

I've added a diagram of what I think your current setup looks like, and what you need to add labelled in red:

The red square represents your house, and the blue ovals represent your WiFi coverage areas (where you can get a WiFi connection on your devices). Currently, you only have one WiFi router, meaning you have only the bottom oval that covers half your house. Myself and the community here are suggesting you add a second wifi access point to give you the second oval and provide WiFi across the whole house.

The easiest way to do this is to buy another router such as this one and connect an ethernet cable from it to the current router in the house. Make sure the new router is on the opposite side of the house to the current one.

It will need to be in Access Point Mode, which is a setting you can change following the instructions here. I appreciate these are still a little technical, so if you don't have help available in person I am happy to provide further advice.

As far as I understand your latest comments, your setup is as follows:

Multipurpose Device (Modem/Router/AP/Switch) (front) <--Ethernet cable--> Switch (back)

(and you have an existing WiFi setup)

In this case, you will just need an AP which will be connected to the switch in the back (as you already realized correctly according to your last comment).

If possible make sure that the new access point is compatible to the existing one (the one that already gives you WiFi, regardless if it's integrated in the multipurpose device or if it's a separate device), which means same frequency and same encryption etc. This way you're device will roam more "smoothly" between the APs in the front and in the back. When you set up the AP make sure to use the same SSID and the same password as you use for your existing WiFi. If you don't know if your Multipurpose Device / Switch supports PoE (power over ethernet) make sure to get an AP without PoE (one that provides a power supply you can plug into a power outlet).

Some PCs already have WiFi integrated, you might want to check that before you buy an extra "WiFi dongle". You also can connect the PC via another cable if it has a network card to the switch in the back or the multipurpose device in the front.

Also note: if you only connect the AP to the switch in the back, you can just disconnect the switch altogether and connect the AP directly with the ethernet cable. This way it will save you a little power consumption.