Internet Of Things / IoT / Connected Home / Smart Houses

Does plugging a laptop directly into the cable in the garden office let you access the internet?

I think so, yes. At least I thought I saw it earlier when I checked that

I can't, as above. The cable in the office doesn't click into the ethernet port of my laptop, so I can't check it

Ah, do you have nothing else you can test? Or an ethernet to usb adapter or similar?

I don't.

Reading some stuff overnight, I need to apparently set the access point to have its own IP, then the gateway should be set to the IP of my router. Is that right? Then disable DHCP on the access point, allow it on the router, and then it should work...?

This is all assuming the ethernet cable is actually working shrug emoji

Ok, the TP Link can't be found by the Virgin hub when connected via ethernet. It's not in the list of connected devices

I have an ethernet cable tester if you want to borrow, or a USB dongle that has an ethernet port on it. Where in SE9 are you?

Correct other than you shouldn't need to set a static IP address on the WAP, that is what DHCP on the router is for. You only want one device doing DHCP.

I have a TB2 to Ethernet adapter that you can have for a forum donation

If you’re just using one device in the garden then I’d be tempted to sack off the wifi and just go wired on the laptop

Thanks, but with the kind help of @duncs I think we've ascertained that the cable itself is knackered/the connectors not installed quite right.

In the meantime, while I rage at the electrician, I've managed to use the access port in range extender mode and got a mostly useable speed until it's fixed

Trying to crimp RJ45 plugs onto cables is a waste of time. Punch fixed cables onto the back of sockets, it is so much easier and so more likely to work, and then buy some patch cords.

+1 to this. I've done a few for my neighbour downstairs and redoing the punches into sockets is considerably easier than crimping plugs onto the cables - he had a mixture of both.

A full rewire including Cat5/6 cabling is top of the house list and is just awaiting the money.

Were you guys using a proper rj45 crimp tool? It's a piece of piss!

I've been playing around with this - https://www.superlecdirect.com/p-fstwifi-timeguard-timeguard-wifi-controlled-fused-spur-fstwifi?gclid=CjwKCAjw7fuJBhBdEiwA2lLMYekSorhHHtynuEsdcZZTrNQldKMFpAdZrnpOIEGZXUe5pACGfwEc4BoCtn4QAvD_BwE

App is a bit clunky but works. I'd recommend finding an expert to advise and install.

Were you guys using a proper rj45 crimp tool? It's a piece of piss!

It was with the >$500 crimp tool I used to use at work.

Not so much with a crimp tool that's part of a £15 networking equipment kit bought off ebay.

I don't do enough of it to warrant spending any more on them.

Thinking about it, the connectors themselves make a difference too. Not every brand has internal guides.

You also need to match the connectors to the cable (stranded v. solid), cat 5 connectors don't work well with cat 6 cable, it's basically impossible to get good strain relief with self-terminated RJ45 (the slip on plastic boots are too big when used with a high density switch) etc.

A Kickstarter for some Home Assistant hardware: https://www.crowdsupply.com/nabu-casa/home-assistant-amber

Looks pretty cool, and the M.2 slot for an AI accelerator is exciting. I've been looking for an excuse to play with a Google Coral

With the £8 one I bought from Amazon it was an absolute ballache.

On the other hand fitting a socket with a £5 punchdown tool was pretty easy.

Ooo tempting.
We're lining up a new thermostat setup and I was wondering which of the (many) systems I've read about play nicest with Home Assistant?

I cabled our flat with cat 6 at the weekend. It has been at least 10 years since I have done any cabling. Was pleasantly surprised at how easy it was. Only using pre made cables though so no need to crimp plugs.

I want to replace my four garage light strips (fluorescent) with LED battens - think I'll probably swap the entire units out rather than swap just the tubes for LED. Goal is to provide more / better light so upping lumens and temp (3000k to 5000k).

At the same time, I was thinking it would be handy to add the lights to Apple Homekit - either to use Siri to turn the lights on when I'm carrying something, or get them to turn on when I open the garage door (HomeKit connected already).

I can't find any HomeKit battens that exist so is there a way to add HomeKit to the switch or somewhere in the ring?

Lots of options. If you already have Hue then I'd get something like this that integrates into Hue (and Hue into homekit) https://smile.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B08RYT9XGL .

Or there are lots of other options from Sonoff depending exactly what you require. Lots of them sit in the wiring rather than being an actual switch or you can get switches like this https://smile.amazon.co.uk/Switch-Switches-Control-Neutral-Required/dp/B07T6SKFQH

Neutral-Required

You need to be aware of this for most smart switches.

Yep, you definitely need a look at the wiring. I had that in my earlier post and then deleted it for some reason.