I'm using a Dell Wyse 5070 thin client for my work-from-home setup, but it only connects through Ethernet since there's no built-in Wi-Fi. I'm moving soon and will need Wi-Fi since my desk won't be right next to the modem. I noticed there are two antenna ports on the back of the thin client. I'm wondering if those ports can let me add Wi-Fi capability. If so, do I need two antennas? Are there specific antennas I should look for, and how do I connect them to enable Wi-Fi? I'm not familiar with hardware, so any help or recommendations would be greatly appreciated!
4 Answers
You can definitely explore getting a Wi-Fi extender like the TP-Link TL-WA850RE. It can work in bridge mode, so you would connect your thin client directly to it. However, beware that if you go with a traditional Wi-Fi adapter, you might need to install drivers on your client, which could be tricky if it's work-provided. Also, some Wyse 5070 models might support Wi-Fi as an upgrade option, but check if yours has that feature!
Yes, that's correct! Just plug the thin client into the extender with an Ethernet cable, and you should be good to go.
Keep in mind that if you're using a work-provided thin client, consult your IT department. There may be restrictions on using Wi-Fi for security reasons, especially if you connect to a VPN while working from home.
To add Wi-Fi, you'll likely need to install two antennas because they work together to create a better signal (that's MIMO technology for you). Just make sure both antennas are identical, as different types can impact performance in unexpected ways.
The Wyse 5070 can support M.2 E key Intel 9560NGW cards for Wi-Fi, but you'll have to install the card and enable it in the BIOS if it didn’t come with one. Just check your specific model to see if it’s compatible!
So if I use the Wi-Fi extender, do I just connect the thin client to that using an Ethernet cable? My IT used to hand out gear like that but stopped recently.