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I am trying to properly place the Wifi router and AT&T gateway with 'Structured Media Enclosure' (essentially a metal box) and having a heck of a time arranging an otherwise basic setup.

So the WiFi components should NOT go into the metal box, but there are also no power outlets next to 'Structured Media Enclosure,' which leads to adding an outlet next to it and another outlet for the ethernet cables going in/out. So now we have a bunch of wires plastered over the wall.

I am here to ask if there is a better way: requiring fewer modifications and hiding more of the wires into the wall?

Here is a diagram of what I see as required:

enter image description here

okigan
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4 Answers4

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If the builder put that structured media enclosure in place, then they obviously provided at least a few runs of inside wire (Cat 5/6/etc). Might as well put it to use.

Because those wiring enclosures are often in places that aren't optimal for WiFi coverage (often shoved in a garage/basement/closet at the corner of the dwelling), I usually locate the WiFi access point somewhere else in the house - usually a bookshelf or other piece of furniture that can be placed in front of an existing Ethernet jack. Then locate the WAN router inside the enclosure.

Doing it that way, you'll be able to choose the location for optimal wireless coverage. Plus, you'll likely be upgrading/replacing your WiFi gear before you want to go back and reconfigure that enclosure anyway.

Of course, that won't work if your WAN gateway and WiFi access point are the same device, but the way you have it drawn, you have them separate so that's the way I structured the answer.

enter image description here

Getting any deeper into network design puts us into another SE, but that's the basics of what I would do.

ThisOneGoesToEleven
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4

if your router has screw in antennas (or a spot to connect one) you can use a wifi antenna extension cable. (or buy an antenna with such a cable attached)

That way the router can remain inside the metal box but the antenna itself can be outside the faraday cage. This is only a single thin wire that could even sneak out a notch in the enclosure's door frame.

ratchet freak
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Here are a few options:

  1. Heed Chris O's answer about simply placing the router in a more appropriate place. You'll have to run coax or fiber to that location though.
  2. If the present location is a good one for the wifi router, and if you think structured media enclosure doors look more attractive than wifi routers (sorry to be a little judgmental) then install a second, plastic enclosure in the wall above the existing one. Put the wifi router there, with the ethernet, and low voltage wires passing to the existing enclosure through grommeted breakouts.
  3. Leave the ISP router in the cabinet but turn off its wifi and don't use it. Buy a wifi mesh system. Run ethernet from the cabinet to the location of (at least) one mesh node. Add more nodes if/as necessary. In other words, separate the modem (which perhaps has to be close to this cabinet to avoid running coax/fiber elsewhere) from the wifi, which you can provide on your own terms.
jay613
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Another option is to do away with the metal enclosure and install a plastic one. This should be translucent to radio waves.

enter image description here

This may have code dependencies if your region specifies metal casing for power etc, so be mindful of that.

Criggie
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