>>>>>>>>>>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 ?
>
>No. my wife broke her collarbone in April and with her other health problems its taking some time to heal completely. so its restricted traveling much as she was very uncomfortable in the car. Hopefully next year we can try and go camping over that way.

Hope she recovers soon - collarbone breaks can be painful.
If you fancy some 'luxury' camping we have a yurt and a shepherds hut :-}