best way to extend wireless network......advice plz

[Batmeat]

Been looking at extending my my wifi network throughout the house. I've thought about adding access points, routers (with dd-wrt to turn it into an access point), or using higher dbi antena's to broadcast the signal.

What is the best way to go? Any specific hardware recommendations? I don't mind spending upto $200.00 per piece of equipment to give me reliable connects throughout the house.

 

[dstevod]

I'd also love to know.

I've tried Billion extenders/repeaters lately. Difficult to set up, and when running any Apple iOS devices seem to really struggle if they can see both the original router and the repeater at the same time. When I say struggle, I mean no data. Move away from the original router so it only sees the repeater and no problem. So I've turned those off and am looking elsewhere...

S

 

[alkemyst]

We need to know really what you are dealing with? Sq footage? Any special things like steel walls, concrete, etc?

What bands?

 

[JackMDS]

Good Dual Band Wireless Router as a source..

If there is a need for large space/floors coverage, configure additional Wireless Routers as Access Points.

Lay a cable as long as you can from the Modem/Router toward the intended reception area. Many times just laying a cable from the Modem's (or main Router) room to the Hallway (or up the stairs of a basement) and putting an Access Point, the Signal might improve dramatically and would provide working WIFI service through the House/Apartment).

Using Access Points or Wireless Cable/DSL Routers as a Switch with an Access Point - http://www.ezlan.net/router_AP.html

In large complicates areas there might be a need for few additional Access Point.


😎

 

[dstevod]

We need to know really what you are dealing with? Sq footage? Any special things like steel walls, concrete, etc?

What bands?

It's just that the signal fades out at a certain distance, hence trying to use a wireless repeater to extend that coverage. There are a few walls along the way, and no opportunity to extend using a cable to a second access point in my situation.

Original router is a billion bipac 3100n.

S

 

[alkemyst]

It's just that the signal fades out at a certain distance, hence trying to use a wireless repeater to extend that coverage. There are a few walls along the way, and no opportunity to extend using a cable to a second access point in my situation.

Original router is a billion bipac 3100n.

S

At what distance? This may be something solve with a better AP than going with a repeater.

Many AP's should have a range around 20m (66 feet).

Looking at Billion's line up you could move the 3100n to a repeater mode and get a full-sized AP like the 7800N or so.

A better AP may solve your need alone.

Not enough information to say.

 

[dstevod]

^Sorry I got mixed up. My router is actually the Billion 7800N.

(The repeaters I was trying to work with were the 3100N)

Hope that's more useful.

Cheers,

S

 

[alkemyst]

^Sorry I got mixed up. My router is actually the Billion 7800N.

(The repeaters I was trying to work with were the 3100N)

Hope that's more useful.

Cheers,

S

That would be a way to go. Unless you have the antennas jacked up (they should be tight and vertical), you should have excellent range.

A repeater will half your bandwidth of anything connecting to it (in case you didn't know this).

Those two products should go hand in hand well.

 

[dstevod]

^yes I thought they should work together well. Setup was difficult though, and the iPad seemed to really dislike 'seeing' both the original AP and the repeater at the same time. Other aspects (such as the wired port) wouldn't work either.

I'll try and put some more time in to getting them working when I can.

S

 

[s44]

UniFi APs