wireless router/internet question

[8ntw8tn]

I'll apologize now if I make this too long. Hopefully it will at least be clear if not concise.

I want to add a wireless security camera system to my house. One of the systems I'm looking at is dlink; specifically, three dlink 942l cameras. Cost is one of the factors of course.

This type of arrangement requires a wireless router, of course, and I have a modem/router supplied by my IP that is (finally) working quite well with the exception that its signal does not appear to be quite as strong as my old Linksys. I make this claim because my iPhone loses the wireless signal soon after leaving the house and with my old router it kept the signal at least an additional 50-75 feet further.

The distance from the router to at least one of the proposed camera locations is about 50 feet and it is not line of sight; several intervening walls.

I have a separate connection inside the house for internet. (I don't understand the technical parts to this, I just know that when we were having intermittent connection problems the phone technician somehow split the signal and I now have separate connections for phone and internet. He also replaced the old modem (we'd been having connection problems since that modem had been installed) with the present modem/router, making my old Linksys router an unneeded paperweight. The result was that my internet now works quite well. I'm sure it was the old modem because all I had to do was unplug the modem from power for a couple of minutes, plug it back in, and it was good for another week or 10 days.

Is there any way I can connect my old Linksys router to my internet and use it as the link to the dlink cameras (or whatever system I happen to end up with)? Thanks for the replies.

[jhilley]

You can use your old router. Just plug one of it's LAN ports into a LAN port on the new modem/router. Make sure to turn off DHCP on the old router. Make sure not to plug in to the old router's WAN port. In this configuration it becomes an AP (WiFi access point) and Ethernet switch.

[8ntw8tn]

Thanks for all the replies.

The internet connection is DSL. The wireless camera(s) I was looking at would each have its own mini SD card for video capture, so a DVR would not be necessary.

However, after looking at the challenges of a wireless system in my house (interrupted line of sight, potentially weak signal, sensitivity, technical issues like "port forwarding") I'm going to start researching a small 4-camera wired system. Thanks again for the replies and information. It really was helpful.

[pconroy328]

garry1p wrote:

Regardless if you plan on a DVR and remote access I suspect you will need to set up port fording on your router.

The newer cams like Dropcam don't require you to setup port forwarding. I haven't checked but I'll bet the new Nest Cam is the same.

[garry1p]

I decided to go with wired cameras after reading the specs on wireless with wired there are no worries about distance up to 150ft and no interference.

Regardless if you plan on a DVR and remote access I suspect you will need to set up port fording on your router.

DLink probably has tech support that can assist you with the set up.

[pconroy328]

8ntw8tn wrote:

I want to add a wireless security camera system to my house. One of the systems I'm looking at is dlink; specifically, three dlink 942l cameras. Cost is one of the factors of course.

I haven't looked up the specifics on the DLink 9421, but I would caution you if it requires "port forwarding" to be setup in order to operate. My inexpensive cameras do (that's why they're cheap) and port-forwarding is usually a challenge to accomplish.

If you're non-technical, a better (and likely more expensive) camera might have a happier ending.

8ntw8tn wrote:

I make this claim because my iPhone loses the wireless signal soon after leaving the house and with my old router it kept the signal at least an additional 50-75 feet further.

There are a lot of reasons why you had (have?) poor signal. Your ISP is going to probably plop the least expensive router in there. And, the older ones we subject to more interference issues; used default channels, etc. You could dork with the existing router (assuming you had access and the expertise) or you could look for a "range extender" of sorts. An investment of another $50 to $100.

8ntw8tn wrote:

The distance from the router to at least one of the proposed camera locations is about 50 feet and it is not line of sight; several intervening walls.

With poor signal transmission already, this could be a stretch. Those cameras really need a good signal to stream video.

8ntw8tn wrote:

I have a separate connection inside the house for internet. (I don't understand the technical parts to this, I just know that when we were having intermittent connection problems the phone technician somehow split the signal and I now have separate connections for phone and internet.

Do you have internet via cable or DSL?

8ntw8tn wrote:

Is there any way I can connect my old Linksys router to my internet and use it as the link to the dlink cameras (or whatever system I happen to end up with)? Thanks for the replies.

Post the model number of the Linksys. Odds are the answer is "Yes" but again, it may take a bit more technical expertise than you have (or want to acquire. 🙂 )

[joebedford]

The WRT54G is an oldie for sure, but a goodie. It can do b and g wifi which is probably good enough for a dedicated security system as long as you don't have too many cameras. You can get larger antennae for better range if needed. And if you really want an adventure, you can reflash with completely different firmware to get more capabilities (but you probably don't want to do that). 🙂

My FOSCAM gave me live video in 5 minutes but motion and sound detection (alarms they call it) isn't working. I think I need to add a micro SD card - it appears that the camera won't all me to record video on my PC over the network. That's annoying. More to follow...

[8ntw8tn]

joebedford wrote:
If your modem is so old that it can only do 802.11b and not 802.11n, I would chuck it because of low speed.

The one thing that somebody mentioned and I'm not sure if you caught it is that the router will have to connect to the modem from your ISP via cable. There is no easy way to make it connect to your wifi modem via, well, wifi.

My Linksys router is a Model WRT54G, if that helps any. The newer modem/router supplied by Windstream is only about a year old but I cannot find a model number on it. I figured I would have to connect my Linksys router, or whatever I would get to replace it, to the Windstream modem by cable via one of the Ethernet slots so the Linksys/replacement router could connect to the internet. This router would then be dedicated to the dlink wireless security system.

The primary reason I was looking at the dlink 942l was because of the reduced cost and the success one of my friends has had with the cameras, albeit in a slightly different setting.

As the costs potentially increase with the possible purchase of another router I may just opt for a closed circuit system connected to a dvr which would in turn be connected to my Windstream modem/router by Ethernet cable.

Regardless, I appreciate the information I'm receiving here. Thanks.

[joebedford]

Supposedly the Dlink "cloud" routers and cameras have a QR code that you scan with you smartphone and it automatically connects.

I ordered a FOSCAM FI9281WBV2 yesterday and it will arrive later today. I'll let you know how hard it is to hook to my Dlink (not cloud) router.

[joebedford]

I have a 5-year old router that I use for wired and wireless connections IN ADDITION to the modem (that also provides wired and wifi ports) provided by my ISP (not IP).

If your modem is so old that it can only do 802.11b and not 802.11n, I would chuck it because of low speed.

The one thing that somebody mentioned and I'm not sure if you caught it is that the router will have to connect to the modem from your ISP via cable. There is no easy way to make it connect to your wifi modem via, well, wifi.

You can configure the router and the modem to use the same SSID so you can walk from one part of the house to the other and your device will switch connections seamlessly (but it's a bit technical to hook up).

[8ntw8tn]

Thanks for the replies. I'm intrigued by the comments regarding a "very good router". I'm extremely limited in my technical knowledge so I really have no idea what comprises this definition. I purchased the Linksys a few (several?) years ago on a friend's recommendation and it seemed to work well. None-the-less, what brand(s) & specifications should I look for should I decide to follow that route? Dlink advertises their own router that supposedly makes the connection to its wireless cameras easier. Would that one qualify? Thanks again for the responses.

[bcsdguy]

sherlock62 wrote:
Wondering why you would even consider keeping your "old Linksys" or the router provided by the IP. Buy yourself a top notch router, then add the surveillance system. A very good router and a high speed internet connection from your IP, are going to be the keys to your surveillance set-up performing optimally.

X2

[AsheGuy]

wa8yxm wrote:
If it does not find a vintage Linksys WGA-54G (how I do it) this is, technically a MODEM, only its not a cable modem, It's not a dial up modem, Its not a DSL modem. it is a WI-FI Modem.

Maybe I am just thick headed, but this sentence makes absolutely no sense to me. If there is no cable, telephone or DSL signal to process (modulate/demodulate), there is no modem involved. How does this relate to the OP's question (other than your first sentence that does relate)?

[wa8yxm]

Yes... if the Supplied "Wireless router" has device ports (most do) just plug it in.

If it does not find a vintage Linksys WGA-54G (how I do it) this is, technically a MODEM, only its not a cable modem, It's not a dial up modem, Its not a DSL modem. it is a WI-FI Modem.

ISP supplied router---Wi-Fi >>><<>><<

There are some considreations.. Change the 3rd Octed in the IP address of the 2nd router so they are NOT the same
IE 182.168.1.1 (router #1) Make 2nd router 192.168.5.1 or some such.

If you can not find a WGA,, I got a product on clarance at Wal-Mart.. TP-LINK The one I have is physically different but..

Range Extender

[sherlock62]

Wondering why you would even consider keeping your "old Linksys" or the router provided by the IP. Buy yourself a top notch router, then add the surveillance system. A very good router and a high speed internet connection from your IP, are going to be the keys to your surveillance set-up performing optimally.