Extending the range of my router

[Texun]

A few months ago I moved, and I bought a new outer. This one>>>> http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16833129184

Since this is a new house (to me anyway) I move my desk to a converted garage an ... aw eff it ..... my WiFi sucks! 😡

The router is in a converted garage. The signal drops 30% just leaving the room and then peters out to 2-3 bars and "fair" at 30 feet away. I tested the range using another router and got the same thing, but move either router out of the garage and they fill the house.

I'm not in favor of moving my things around if I can find another option. What about getting a basic n draft AP and hanging it on a wall just inside the house? Does anyone use this and if so do you have any recommendations? Can an AP work with the router via wireless or does it require CAT5?

Naturally I want the moon. I want inexpensive and reliable, and I also want to keep it all -n if I can have inexpensive and reliable.

Thanks

 

[JackMDS]

Hi

First One needs to define what the Wireless main use is.

Bars is a "Joke" definition, for 90% of my Internet use, one bar would be OK.

If One is really lacking Bandwidth (not a psychological one), then depending on how much is the functional need there are three choices.

1. All the way CAT6.

2. Extending with a combo of CAT6 and a Wireless Router as an Access Point.

Wireless Router as an AP - http://www.ezlan.net/router_AP.html

3. WDS* see at the end of the main post.

----------------
Option1. Gives all the bandwidth.

Option 2. Gives the Wireless' bandwidth of the Access Point.

Option 3. YMMV, no matter what it cuts into half the second Wireless Output.

--------------------------------
WDS

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).

If you are lucky and your environment is conducive to get covered with one Good Wireless Router and you are done.

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

Buffalo-HP-54G, Linksys WRT54GL, and Asus, 520GU can do WDS when flashed with DD-WRT firmware.

It is a good idea to start with the Buffalo since it is a High Power Wireless Router that covers more distance to begin with, http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16833162134

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://meanderingpassage.com/2007/04...on-system-wds/

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).


😎