Extend wireless network?

[TangoJuliet]

At work we have one of those wireless modem routers for our wifi network. We have some computers in the back office that have been getting spotty reception with their built in wifi adapters.

Is there an easy way to add something to the network so these computers can get a better signal?

 

[Modelworks]

Couple options. Move the current wifi router to a better spot.
Or install a second wifi box used as a bridge. It will work like a relay between the back office and the current wifi router.

You don't have to spend a lot or do anything except plug in the new device and configure it. It does need to be where it can get a strong wifi signal so about halfway between the back office and the front would probably be best.
http://www.amazon.com/ASUS-RT-N12-Wi...0338182&sr=1-3

Install the new firmware for it when you get it from the DDWRT site and you are good to go.

 

[TangoJuliet]

Couple options. Move the current wifi router to a better spot.
Or install a second wifi box used as a bridge. It will work like a relay between the back office and the current wifi router.

You don't have to spend a lot or do anything except plug in the new device and configure it. It does need to be where it can get a strong wifi signal so about halfway between the back office and the front would probably be best.
http://www.amazon.com/ASUS-RT-N12-Wi...0338182&sr=1-3

Install the new firmware for it when you get it from the DDWRT site and you are good to go.

Moving the modem/router isn't an option. The bridge on the other hand should work.

How do I go about getting that setup? Is it pretty simple to configure?

 

[aylafan]

This is how I extended my wireless signal at home.

I brought a cheap 2nd wireless router and flashed it with DD-WRT firmware. (I already flashed the 1st wireless router with DD-WRT)

I then set up the 2nd router with the settings from this page.
www.dd-wrt.com/wiki/index.php/Wireless_Bridge

Now people can either connect to the 1st or 2nd wireless router and browse the internet or have access to my local network (connecting through ethernet works too). I used different SSID names for each wireless router though, but they still have the same encryption, channel, and password.

The only flaw is that the wireless bandwidth from wireless router to wireless router will be cut in half if you do this, but it isn't a big deal if you aren't streaming HD videos to each other.

 

[Modelworks]

Moving the modem/router isn't an option. The bridge on the other hand should work.

How do I go about getting that setup? Is it pretty simple to configure?

It is fairly easy to set up. The router linked above uses the DDWRT firmware which has a lot of users if you get stuck.
http://www.dd-wrt.com/site/index

 

[JackMDS]

The general approach that I take for Coverage issues is the following.

The best way is to lay few CAT6 cables to central locations in the house, install Access Points, or Cable/DSL Routers configured as an Access Points ( Using a Wireless Cable/DSL Router as a Switch with an Access Point - http://www.ezlan.net/router_AP.html ), and connect them to the Main Router.

You do not want/can not/hate/your client hate to lay Cables.

Start with One affordable Wireless Router that can do WDS (the reason to start with WDS capable Router is that in case you need to add more Wireless WDS hardware the original Router has to support it).

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wireles...ibution_System.

Due to the added flexibility, it is better solution to choose Routers that can work with DD-WRT

http://www.dd-wrt.com/wiki/index.php/Main_Page

http://www.dd-wrt.com/wiki/index.php/WDS_Linked_router_network

Using a Laptop loaded with Wirelessnetview, do a Wireless survey,

http://majorgeeks.com/WirelessNetView_d6102.html

According to the signal strength reading, identify spots that have strong signal. and spot with weak, or No signal.

Evaluate how you can cover the space and start placing WDS units.

Additional Wireless Routers in WDS Mode (Wireless Network - Configuration Modes. ) has to be placed in spots were the signal is good about Half way to the dead spots.

How many WDS units are needed? It depends on your specific environment (that is a good the reason to buying WDS units one at the time, try it, and decide on the Next step).

 

[TangoJuliet]

OK, so I picked up the ASUS router here on the forums. It just needs to be configured. How do I go about doing it?

 

[TangoJuliet]

Anyone?

 

[TangoJuliet]

I just need help connecting the 2nd router. I know it has to be put in client mode but not sure how to configure it to the first router.