help with access point

[rh71]

Before I put in the access point, my VZ FIOS router (provisioned 50/50 Mbps) wasn't providing enough reach to the other end of the house. It's installed in my office (see sketch) and sitting next to it, my phone's wifi speedtest.net connection would show at least 40 Mbps which is fine. If I stood in front of the stairs behind the wall (no direct line of sight), I would still get an acceptable 20 Mbps down. If I stand around the corner just past the stairs/wall in the living room, it would drop to something like 5 Mbps and be inconsistent. I would also get nearly nothing in the kitchen nor the 2nd floor above the kitchen area.

I then used a CAT6 cable to connect to an old Netgear WGT624 v3 router (wireless g) as an access point (marked as AP) - assigned it a static reserved IP and enabled its wifi, same SSID/password, etc. It seems to serve the questionable areas better, but it's still slow. Standing next to the access point, I use wifi analyzer and it does see both routers and shows the AP connection to be 100%. Technically speaking, shouldn't the access point wifi right there in the living room give me close to the 40-50Mbps again?

Is it the old Netgear having difficulties or am I not doing it right?

I was also told that if I replaced the FIOS router altogether with something like a Nighthawk, I'd have a perfect signal throughout the entire house. Do the new wireless standards (N, AC, etc.) in routers matter that much and is it the only factor here? I can see it's certainly expensive at $175 compared to something like a $20 TPLink that also gets good reviews.

 

[JackMDS]

The Netgear WGT624 was nothing to write home about even in its "Glory Days".

I agree with the Notion that you better of keeping the FIOS Wireless Router and adding a Better Wireless Router insted of the 624.

This would do nice - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16833320091

Use same SSID and password put the FIOS on Ch-1 and theAP on Ch-11, configured this way.

Using Wireless Routers (or Modem/Wireless Router) as a Switch with an Access Point - http://www.ezlan.net/router_AP.html

 

[Hopeless]

You mentioned the old Netgear is wireless G, which typically was advertised as max of 54 but real world max was in the 15 - 25 range. Add in some interference, walls, etc and the speed drops down. While some had even higher advertised speeds from what I remember the only way to even attempt it was both ends of the wireless connection had to support the same way of boosting the speed which varied from brand to brand.

Not too long ago I got the ASUS router that in Jack's post to replace / upgrade the Linksys G gear that after many years were having issues. I've been very happy with it.

 

[pauldun170]

Before I put in the access point, my VZ FIOS router (provisioned 50/50 Mbps) wasn't providing enough reach to the other end of the house. It's installed in my office (see sketch) and sitting next to it, my phone's wifi speedtest.net connection would show at least 40 Mbps which is fine. If I stood in front of the stairs behind the wall (no direct line of sight), I would still get an acceptable 20 Mbps down. If I stand around the corner just past the stairs/wall in the living room, it would drop to something like 5 Mbps and be inconsistent. I would also get nearly nothing in the kitchen nor the 2nd floor above the kitchen area.

I then used a CAT6 cable to connect to an old Netgear WGT624 v3 router (wireless g) as an access point (marked as AP) - assigned it a static reserved IP and enabled its wifi, same SSID/password, etc. It seems to serve the questionable areas better, but it's still slow. Standing next to the access point, I use wifi analyzer and it does see both routers and shows the AP connection to be 100%. Technically speaking, shouldn't the access point wifi right there in the living room give me close to the 40-50Mbps again?

Is it the old Netgear having difficulties or am I not doing it right?

I was also told that if I replaced the FIOS router altogether with something like a Nighthawk, I'd have a perfect signal throughout the entire house. Do the new wireless standards (N, AC, etc.) in routers matter that much and is it the only factor here? I can see it's certainly expensive at $175 compared to something like a $20 TPLink that also gets good reviews.

I also have the FIOS 50\50 plan and the Fios Actiontec "advance router" N300 or what ever it is.


1. The original installation in the office is a poor choice for coverage. In that layout house you really want it to start in the middle house and then after checking the impact of walls and other devices move it appropriately.


2. With access point, try placing it on a different channel than the fios router. Around my neighbor hood, it seems like everyone's fios router is set to 11. After doing a wirelsss scan of your neighbors signal try switching to a 1 or 6 on the netgear.

3. Sit back and realize that the Netgear even when setup perfectly is a good candidate for a garage sale. Archer C7 is allegedly a good choice for speed and range. Pretty cheap too.

(I picked up the Asus RT ac68W and that now handles all my wireless needs. Big difference over the old FIOs router. Especially at the far ends of the house. We are only using 5ghz yet it still covers most the house )

 

[azazel1024]

No, the Netgear is not a good candidate for a garage sale, its recycle in your nearest electronic recycler candidate. It has no value at this point.

I'd look at the C7, but you are still going to need to distribute things, move the new router in AP mode across the house from where the verizon router is sitting right now to blanket the house in coverage. Then set same SSID and seperate wifi channels (set one on channel 1 and one on channel 11 for 2.4GHz).

 

[rh71]

Thanks I'll go with a new router first. I didn't realize the old Netgear was that poor to begin with. I did also have both on channel 1.

 

[dave_the_nerd]

Thanks I'll go with a new router first. I didn't realize the old Netgear was that poor to begin with. I did also have both on channel 1.

Just as an aside/tidbit/csb:

Wireless G (54Mbps) is so old that I had a 802.11g WAP that had a built-in dialup modem. Somebody thought enough of their customers would have dialup that this was a good idea.

 

[kevnich2]

Another option to consider is using that ethernet cable to install a dedicated WAP. A unifi AP costs around $80 and you can install it in the ceiling in the center of your house that should give the best coverage and they are N wireless so should be good. Just another option for you.

 

[rh71]

Is there a reason the c20i is only an economical $30 but still does wireless ac? Lack of external antennas really affect its range? Will it cover 2700 square feet and through walls just the same?

No gigabit ports but don't think it's necessary sitting out in the living room as an AP.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00N2R...=AC_SY200_QL40