>>>>>>>>I ran the Windows network diagnostic and its saying Ethernet doesn't have a valid IP configuration.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>Just curious (not trying to be a wise guy, just curious), why not just go with wireless?
>>>>>>
>>>>>>Speed would be one obvious answer ? (But I see that that's not Nick's reason)
>>>>>
>>>>>In my case wireless is faster. The ethernet connections are usually through powerline adapters which are about 2 or 3mbs I think. The ethernet plugged straight into the router is faster but I don't think much faster than the wireless connection.
>>>>
>>>>Presumably you (and Kevin) are referring to Internet speeds. On your own LAN you should be getting 1.0Gbps on Ethernet compared with about 24Mbps on wireless (depending on your router/wireless capabilities...)
>>>
>>>24Mbps was a reasonable, real-world figure for performance back in the 802.11g days. The newer 802.11n and 802.11ac standards (Wireless-N and Wireless-AC respectively) can do much better: http://www.extremetech.com/computing/160837-what-is-802-11ac-and-how-much-faster-than-802-11n-is-it
>>>
>>>Even the latest WiFi standards are still no match for wired gigabit Ethernet. Wired doesn't drop out when your next door neighbour microwaves a burrito and is more secure. As a side note it's amusing that the earliest WiFi security standard (now risible) was called WEP, short for Wired Equivalent Privacy.
>>>
>>>Regardless of all this, if any single wireless user can get consistent bandwidth equal to or greater than the ISP's service, then wireless won't be a bottleneck to and from the public Internet. Wireless may even be OK media streaming within a home, although that case might benefit from wired, or wired could be used to connect an AP or range extender to areas where wireless signals would otherwise be weak.
>>
>>My 24mbs was a typo - I meant 54. Hadn't looked at 802.11ac prices recently but it looks like a could get a reasonable router for ~$100 and cards/dongles for $25. But I've got three repeaters (and a couple of powerline adapters) around the building so the total cost would add up.... :-{
>
>Old property thick walls ?
>
>We had that in Wiltshire. Some rubble walls where 3 or 4 feet thick and wireless would not go anywhere except up and down through ceilings/floors.

Yup, that's the basic problem, plus three storeys. I'm also trying to find a decent outdoor wireless camera which will have to work about 60 yards from the house but I think I'll have to get it wired (or try a powerline adapter for the wireless)

BTW, did you get down to Wales this year ?