Extending WiFi Repeaters or Second Router?

[InnocentADD]

Looking for some advice here. Our wireless range sucks and it doesn't reach the back room. Trying to decide between using a WiFi repeater (a third party piece of kit which takes a signal and repeats it again) and this one looks good.

But I'm not sure how much of a boost if they'll really give. I wonder if we'd be better just getting another router or access point would that give us a better reach. It's either that or we start running Ethernet cables everywhere.

 

[Zap]

I've taken the liberty of moving this thread to the Networking forum.

I personally haven't had much luck with a cheap pocket sized repeater. Mine works for a while, and then... stops working even though devices can connect to it. Have to power cycle. Though, mine remembers settings, unlike the one in your link. IMO that's pretty dumb to design a device like this to not retain settings through a power cycle. Just for that alone, I would avoid the device in your link.

AFAIK when you "extend" WiFi you cut the bandwidth.

Have you considered other alternatives?

What is your current wireless router? Maybe you can reposition it or upgrade antennas?

What device is in the "back room?" If it is a stationary computer and all other devices in the building works well, maybe upgrade antenna or even buy a USB WiFi dongle that comes with a higher gain antenna just for the one computer? I did this to "fix" my problem of my crappy repeater not working well. Just a USB WiFi dongle with a 5dBi external antenna did the trick.

 

[JackMDS]

Take into consideration that a Repeater cuts the Bandwidth (speed) into half past the Repeating.

The stand alone Repeaters (as the one that you link to) are well overpriced.

You can make a Repeater from any Wireless Router that can be flashed with the DD-WRT free firmware.

The long Story.

The general approach that I take for Network 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 through the cables to the Main Router.

You do not want/can not/hate/your client hates to lay Cables!
WDS (repeater) Wireless network is the answer

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

Otherwise, you have to add Repeating units, Aka build a WDS Network

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wireless_distribution_system

Due to the added flexibility, it is a better solution to choose Routers that can work with the free 3rd party firmware 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 spots with weak or No signal.

Repeaters have to be put in places that have relatively strong signal and are in proximity of the "dead" areas.

How many WDS units are needed? It depends on your specific environment. It is a good idea to be one additional unit, try it, and decide on the Next step according to the outcome.

---------------------------

Good Wireless Routers that can be flashed with DD-WRT and be configured as main Wireless Router. Access Point or Repeater.

Money is Not an issue. Asus RT-N66U -RT-N66U

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16833320091

Best value for the price. Cisco E4200 refurb.

http://homestore.cisco.com/en-us/Ro...-router_stcVVproductId133604734VVviewprod.htm

I want sub $100 and new (I am allergic to refurb.) Buffalo WZR-HP-AG300H

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16833162047

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All the above are Dual Radio, Giga Switch, and has USB port for NAS.

They are very good with their stock firmware but also can be flashed with DD-WRT in case that special additional features are needed.

---------------

I want less expensive good Wireless and Giga, but I do not care about Dual Radio and NAS.

Buffalo WZR-HP-G300NH, currently $47 after Rebate.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16833162031

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I want to spend even less and do not care about Giga, and NAS, but need good Wireless.

This is decent Wireless Router with Dual radio.

Cisco E2500 refurb. $35.

http://homestore.cisco.com/en-us/Ro...-Router_stcVVproductId138177695VVviewprod.htm

 

[frowertr]

As other have said, wireless repeaters stink...

If you can lay cable then go with a dedicated Access Point that you can plug into your router: http://www.amazon.com/Ubiquiti-Netwo...words=ubiquity

Problem solved...

 

[lopri]

What you picked is indeed what I would pick, hands-down. I've just seen the performance of an Amped Wireless product at Windham mountain last weekend. I have never seen such a performance from a wireless router/repeater/AP (or whatever that was) before.

Repeaters and routers are largely the same thing and you can probably buy either one and get it to work for the same purposes. Repeater may be more friendly (i.e. easier) to configure, though.

My home is wired but I had a pretty bad signal problem with Nexus 7 so I purchased a $20 router (this -> http://www.microcenter.com/product/383878/300Mbps_10-100Mbps_Wireless_N_Home_Router ) to use as an access point for just upper part of my house. It did not help the Nexus at all (I concluded its adapter was faulty) but it's great for the rest of my phones and tablets. But I wouldn't recommend it for PCs.

P.S. Download inSSIDer to see how congested your neighborhood is. It's a great free app that informs you quite a bit about the environment. -> http://www.metageek.net/products/inssider/

 

[lopri]

Oh and if you plan to invest at this point, definitely consider 5.0 GHz variants.

 

[Desisuperman]

Don't want to start a new thread and my situation is same similar to the OP.

I want to extend the range of my router which is in my basement using a second router.

1. My main router (basement) Asus Rt-N66U (stock firmware)
2. Second router Linksys WRT54GL (tomato) can be flashed with Dd-wrt
3. Moving the router is not an option
4. Running Ethernet cable between the two routers is not an option. It must be wireless.

My question is what are my options and what's the best method to extend my wireless connection to the upstairs of my home? What's the pros and cons of running an access point vs a repeater.

Also, I've read that your wireless bandwith goes to half when run a wireless repeater or access point... Does getting a better router or an actual repeater change that or will this always be the case if I run a wireless setup.

If somebody can point me to a reliable guide that can walk me through this process it would be appreciated. Thanks

 

[s44]

The Linksys won't help you at all, since it's G-only.

I'd forget about repeating and use the UniFi linked in the thread above -- just run it up with an ethernet cable to a wall/ceiling at ground level by the basement exit. Great coverage and comes with its own PoE injector, though the actual setup isn't quite idiot-proof.

 

[MontyAC]

You can try the Amped wireless repeater and range extender. Good reviews at Amazon:


http://www.amazon.com/Amped-Wireless.../dp/B004NBL9WK

 

[Desisuperman]

The Linksys won't help you at all, since it's G-only.

I'd forget about repeating and use the UniFi linked in the thread above -- just run it up with an ethernet cable to a wall/ceiling at ground level by the basement exit. Great coverage and comes with its own PoE injector, though the actual setup isn't quite idiot-proof.

So this will not work because its G-Only or will it just slow my wireless connection? I don't mind if it slows my connection. Say if I figured out a way to wire this is it doable then using these two routers and set it up as an access point?

 

[Desisuperman]

Managed to move my router to another location in the basement and now my whole home is getting signal

 

[IndyColtsFan]

FWIW, I have had recent wireless issues (probably due to increased interference in the neighborhood) and bought the Amped SR10000 and am running tests on it right now. A few notes so far:

1. I had assumed (incorrectly) that it would repeat the existing SSID network, but it does not. You have to create a second SSID for the extended network it creates. To be able to do this, you need devices that support WDS. The most commonly-available devices that support this are certain routers (Atheros and Broadcom chipsets) supported by DD-WRT.
2. The device is also a wireless bridge, which is nice.
3. It definitely has helped (I am currently testing it on the first floor, directly under the main wireless router on the second floor), but I am not yet sure if the claims of the huge coverage area are correct. I hope to do more testing this weekend and my plan would be to replace my current DAP-1522 wireless bridge with this device in my entertainment center and then run more tests.
4. Remember, a repeater like this one will be half as slow as a standard wireless connection because the radio is carrying on two conversations at once with a single radio -- one with the main router and one with the client.