[LAN Extender] How to Extend a Network beyond 100m without Optical Fiber Cables?

Why do you need a LAN Extender?

If you want to extend your computer network beyond 100-meters supported by the RJ-45 Cat6/7 cables, you have two options – 1. Add multiple network switches along the way, each of which needs a power supply. 2. Use an optical fiber cable system. But both these options are expensive, and in some cases, not feasible.

That’s why you need a Network Extender device – to extend a LAN beyond 100m, up to 2000m using the inexpensive RJ-11 telephone or RJ-45 network (copper) cables.

Advantages of a LAN Extender

  1. As LAN Extenders use the existing network or inexpensive telephone cables, this is a cost-effective way to extend an Ethernet network beyond 100m without using an optical fiber cable system.
  2. A pair of LAN extenders can extend the network for up to 2000 meters when compared to regular LAN cables from switches which can run only up to 100m.
  3. Easy to install – these are mostly plug-and-play devices.
  4. Most LAN extenders have indicators (like LED lights) to monitor data rate, status, link activity, etc. So they are easy to troubleshoot.
  5. If the telephone line being used to extend the network is already in use for voice, a VDSL splitter can be used to run both voice and data together.
  6. These devices can be used for both stand-alone applications and as a part of a rack-mounted chassis system.
  7. Both RJ-11 telephone and RJ-45 Cat 5/6/7 cables can be used to extend the network using Ethernet Extenders.
  8. Very useful in places where the Line-of-Sight required for WiFi-based network extenders is not feasible.
  9. Many Ethernet extenders can be configured to work in symmetric (equal upload and download speeds) or asymmetric (higher download, lower upload) modes as the situation requires. If real time two-way communication like VoIP, Video Calling, etc. are a priority, symmetric mode may be better. If download speeds are a priority, asymmetric mode may be better.
  10. Generally, the LAN extenders come as a pair and are pre-configured to work as main and remote units – one each. You should be able to change these settings, with most devices.
  11. Some Network extenders allow you to choose a target SNR Margin (Signal-to-Noise Ratio) which can be used to offset the losses due to signal interference in wired networks.
  12. LAN Extenders can be used as a remote unit when you are extending a large network using DSLAM & telephone cables.
  13. When configured correctly, depending on distance, noise and other factors, you can get bandwidths of even 100 Mbps which should be sufficient for small remote networks.
  14. You can even extend the network in a home environment by connecting one extender device to the switch port of your modem/router and the other in a remote environment, both connected to each other via RJ-11/RJ-45 copper cables.

Where to Buy an Ethernet Extender?

You can buy pairs of Network Extenders online from Amazon or directly from manufacturers like Tupavco in the Continental US.

Architecture Diagram for Network Extender

Architecture diagram for LAN Extender

Limitations of a LAN Extender

  1. LAN Extenders need a power supply on both ends.
  2. Ethernet Extenders cannot be powered by PoE Switches, and neither can they provide power to a PoE device.
  3. Most of these devices don’t work with co-axial cables, at least not efficiently.
  4. There maybe be a drop in speed (when compared to OFCs and Network cables) especially when you use telephone cables to extend the network – depending on the distance and other factors.
  5. If you are located in a thunderstorm/lightning-prone area, you may need additional lightning arresting devices – not only to protect this but other network equipment too.
  6. Although the Network Extender provides only one network point, you can connect it to a small switch at the remote end if you need to connect more devices.
  7. Since you actually need to take a cable from the central office to the remote office, the entire area should be under your control. Eg. you may not be able to create a trench or lay cables across a public road/highway.
  8. It’s better if both the central extender unit and the remote unit are from the same manufacturer. That’s why they are normally sold as a pair.

Where to Buy an Ethernet Extender?

You can buy pairs of Network Extenders online from Amazon or directly from manufacturers like Tupavco in the Continental US.