Forum Discussion
Ethernet configuration
If I use an ethernet cable, do I need to configure my wi-fi network or just leave it alone with the ethernet cable as a “back up” such as bad weather situations?
It really does not matter if you use the wireless adapter or an Ethernet cable to connect your client(s) to the gateway. The "network" component is the same connection in effect. The ports on the gateway are copper gigabit Ethernet ports so a CAT5e or CAT6 cable should work fine. You can use a lesser category of cable but it will not be as good for the communication.
With respect to the WIFI you should at least make sure it is secure if you use it or not. If you live in a rural area where the neighbors are too far away to connect then it is not as critical but having the wireless radios secure so only you know how to connect is best. The gateway uses the cellular connection to communicate to the cell tower so if the weather is bad the impact could be to the cell signal not the local WIFI radio signals. If you have an issue with your PC on the wireless and it has an Ethernet cable you can use that to determine if the problem is with the local wireless.
If you see the bars on the LED on the gateway diminished or not showing then that is a pretty clear indication that the cellular signal is degraded. To know if the local wireless is working well look at the client and see if it is connected and how well it is connected. If it seems really slow try the cable connection to the client. A direct physical connection is the most simple solution.
I am not trying to infer that you were an idiot. That did NOT come to my mind. The initial statement is not 100% clear on your objectives. If you want to leverage your existing wireless router and connect its WAN port to to the T-Mobile gateway with an Ethernet cable you can go that route. The prior wireless router with its existing configuration should work for your existing clients as they are. There are many users that have lots of clients and they do not want to change their IP addressing nor deal with the transition to a different wireless LAN. If you have a wireless router you prefer, and like the feature set, and controls, using the WAN port of the old router to connect it to the Ethernet port on the T-Mobile gateway and using the prior wireless is fine.
The statement, “If I use an ethernet cable, do I need to configure my wi-fi network or just leave it alone with the ethernet cable as a “back up” such as bad weather situations?”
Sorry I cannot tell if you are referring to a client OR your prior wireless router nor which wi-fi network you are referring to in that statement. I assumed you were talking about a client.
Using an Ethernet cable is really not that "old school". Sure wired Ethernet predates WIFI but I would take a 1G or 10G wired Ethernet connection over a wireless connection in many situations. The farther you are from a wireless source the signal speed is going to drop off. Sure a wired solution has its distance limitation but 330 feet is still going to handle the gigabit connections and not have problems with the walls and external RF influences like wireless. I cut my teeth on old tech. Fun days my friend.
