Wireless / Wired Access Point Advice

I have a friend who I set up a video security system for in his small business.  His cable internet comes in on the top floor and that is where is router is installed.  He uses it for about 4 devices on the top floor, some wired and some wireless.

He wants to install a computer and a wireless Point of Sales terminal on the ground floor shop.  The wireless signal is sketchy by the time you get to the ground floor.  I was thinking of installing an access point for him.  I am unable to find the specs I am looking for, but think that maybe they are just advertising the products the wrong way.

So here is what I need.

A Wireless access point that offers wifi extender type services.  Meaning that is should extend the same network not create a new one (like connecting a wireless router would do).  I can not have double netting, it will break the security system.

I need it to have at least two wired switch ports that again, will only be switching, not routing (NO DOUBLE NAT).

I would like to spend as little as possible but get something decent.  Maybe the $50 - $100 range.

The advice:

1 If you cannot easily get a wired Ethernet cable to the ground floor, I suggest you get two powerline adapters (Ethernet outlets) and put one on the top floor and one on the ground floor.

Now on the ground floor put in a switch that will allow you to connect your POS to the network on the same subnet.

I assume your POS is best wired, but with the above setup you can easily add a wireless router on the same subnet and network as the top floor.

2 Perhaps this diagram will help.

The notion is, as many have said:

* Always* use Ethernet cable to connect when you can.

I can't emphasize this enough.

If routing some Ethernet cable isn't included in your price range then do seriously consider it.  The cable is cheap enough.

A commodity wireless router can do what you want in your price range.  Take a look at the attached diagram.

As mentioned, power line extenders are a userful substitute for Ethernet cable.

Never run QuickBooks shared over wireless.  Sometimes it may work and at some point may fail miserably and then you'll have a very hard time figuring out why.  You won't believe it's the wireless as the messages you get suggest corrupted files, etc.

The idea of centralizing wireless "radios" is a good one.  There are lots of factors and you may find that multiples are better than just one - as you have been pursuing.  Walls (particularly outside walls), ceilings and floors all attenuate the signals.  2 or 3 of them at most is about the limit.  None is best of course.  1 is usually OK.  2 is often OK.  Distance matters too but less so unless walls, etc. get in the way anyway.  It's hard to get coverage from one end of a large building space to the other end and hard to go from one floor to another unless the path is rather immediate above or below.

One easy way to find out is this:

Take a wireless router or access point around the building, plugging it into power as you go.  Then, while it's in one place, survey the result.  It doesn't need to have a connection to anything in order to test the wireless coverage.  Use something like NetStumbler to get signal levels on a laptop and walk around.

But, first, try hard to run a cable from the 3rd floor to the 1st floor.  That will resolve more problems than you might imagine!!

Some switch recommend for you, maybe you need them when connect the wireless / wired access point:

WS-C2960S-48FPS-L

WS-C2960S-48FPD-L