Device causing Ethernet disruption?
Device causing Ethernet disruption?
Hi, a few days back I installed cabling in my home. I moved the modem to a more central location and added a router in the living room that was too far away. The router is a Xiaomi Router 4A. I’m fine connecting it to Wi-Fi and using it as an access point, but I need to link it via Ethernet cable. The cable runs from the modem → coupler → Ethernet cable through the wall to the living room socket → router. When I set it up this way, it fails to connect. Connecting it directly to the router works perfectly. I thought maybe the coupler was faulty, so I swapped one out but the problem persisted. Then I tried a different setup: modem → coupler → router, which succeeded. After that, I added another coupler, but it didn’t help. People online suggest not overloading the couplers to avoid connection issues. Thanks for pointing out the structural errors. Appreciate any advice. I added an image to clarify the setup. The blue part goes through the wall to the socket.
A 100 mbps coupler might only have 4 out of 8 contacts in the Ethernet jack connected. I’d inspect the socket and verify that the wires in the cable are properly linked to the socket in the correct sequence. It’s common for electricians to install Ethernet sockets without understanding the proper wire color arrangement. One of these two color patterns should be used on both ends of the cable inside the wall. A coupler will slightly reduce signal quality, but it shouldn’t prevent you from achieving a 1 Gbps connection between devices at either end of the entire cable.
Please share an image of the coupler in question.
Note: The edit date is September 10, 2024 and the editor is SansVarnic.
AT&T clearly opposes this because your device is required after the ONT setup, especially with older models like BGW210 on slower connections. In some cases, higher-speed plans turn your device into an ONT, but avoiding it remains difficult.
I received the new coupler and it seems to be functioning properly. It worked well even when I connected the router without using the wall socket, and the speed was gigabit as expected. The label on the modem side appears to be a router, which is from my ISP. I have a Huawei HG255s router and a Xiaomi Router 4a. My ISP advised that the copper connection from the ONT device should link to a router or modem. I’m considering using a network switch instead of a coupler, but I’m not very familiar with networking.
It seems the concern was about network setup rather than a technical fault. Using two routers with default settings can lead to unexpected connectivity problems later. A switch and an access point without router or firewall features would be better suited. Your issue likely stems from physical cabling—such as the coupler, wall wiring, or outlet. I don’t know AT&T’s setup, but Verizon’s ONT devices ignore the Ethernet jack on copper cables. In their routers, you can release the WAN IP, disconnect it, and then plug in your own device to get a fresh public IP without trouble.
= Revisited = Arguing semantics isn't contributing to the conversation.