I'm trying to setup my wireless network with a Linksys Wireless Access Point with 4-Port Switch, but I found that the range on the Switch would not reach all the way through my house. I'm looking for a way to "amplify" the wireless signal and NOT just bridging 2 wired LANs. I'm thinking of getting another Access Point with 4-Port Switch, but I called Linksys tech support and they said this would not work. Supposedly I need the Linksys Wireless Access Point in order to increase my wireless network's range. Please help because I am very confused now and not sure which one to get.
How do I increase my wireless network range with Linksys?
- Thread starter Uclagamer_99
- Start date
- Oct 25, 1999
- 29,548
- 424
- 126
There is few ways to go about it depends on the envioroment, and amount of money you can afford.
The simplest is to buy an Access point like the D-Link 900AP+, and to set it as a repeater some where in the house, to extend the coverage.
If I was starting from scratch, I would get rid of the Linksys and get a regular Wired Router and plug into it a good Access Point with a good external Antenna installed in a key position of the envioroment.
============================================
Wireless, Network Configuration Mode.
Access Point (AP) Configurations:
Mode 1 - Gateway. All Entry Level Wireless Access Point (AP) can act as Wireless Hub to connect to Wireless Clients that are installed on computers (Wireless PCNCIA, WirelesS USB, Wireless PCI).
Mode 2. Bridge - Some APs can also be configured as a Bridge. In such a Configuration the AP can only communicate with another AP that is configured as a Bridge. This mode is useful to Bridge two LANs segments that are apart, and it is preferred to connect them wirelessly. Plug one AP Bridge to a Switch on the first LAN, the other AP to a Switch on the second LAN, and they are connected.
Mode 3. Client - Few APs can also be configured as Clients. In such a configuration they act as a "Fancy" regular Wireless card that usually goes on a computer. Under such configuration The AP can only communicate with Wireless Cable/DSL Router or an AP configured as a Gateway.
Mode 4. Repeater - One or two APs thus far (D-Link 900AP+) can work as a Repeater. It acts like a client to receive a signal from any 802.11b source (regular Router or AP), and then switches to AP mode to broadcasts to regular clients. Such a configuration can be used to extend the range of a Wireless LAN.
Since basic repeaters have only one Radio it alternates between Client and AP mode, thus reduces the "Speed" of the extended segment by 50%.
Mode 5. Independent Bridges - These are units that are actually Wireless clients that are Independent of Drivers. As a result they can be connected to a device that supports Wireless but it is not a regular computer. They can turn printers and game boxes that are equipped with Ethernet connection into 802.11b Wireless compatible devices. (Linksys WET11, D-Link DWL-810).
Let capture.
Mode 1 can only communicate with Mode 3.
Mode 2 can only communicate with Mode 2.
Mode 3 can communicate with Mode 1,
Mode 4 can communicate with Mode 1, and Mode 3.
Mode 5 can communicate with Mode 1 (and Mode 2 if it can be configured as a real bridge).
=============================================================
As far as I know. To date, almost all the APs that are part of a Wireless Cable/DSL Routers are hard set as Gateways, and can not be configured as Bridges.
This is the one Cable/DSL Router that Claims capacity to work as a Repeater, and compliant with the pre draft of 802.11g.
AirStation G54 Broadband Router.
The simplest is to buy an Access point like the D-Link 900AP+, and to set it as a repeater some where in the house, to extend the coverage.
If I was starting from scratch, I would get rid of the Linksys and get a regular Wired Router and plug into it a good Access Point with a good external Antenna installed in a key position of the envioroment.
============================================
Wireless, Network Configuration Mode.
Access Point (AP) Configurations:
Mode 1 - Gateway. All Entry Level Wireless Access Point (AP) can act as Wireless Hub to connect to Wireless Clients that are installed on computers (Wireless PCNCIA, WirelesS USB, Wireless PCI).
Mode 2. Bridge - Some APs can also be configured as a Bridge. In such a Configuration the AP can only communicate with another AP that is configured as a Bridge. This mode is useful to Bridge two LANs segments that are apart, and it is preferred to connect them wirelessly. Plug one AP Bridge to a Switch on the first LAN, the other AP to a Switch on the second LAN, and they are connected.
Mode 3. Client - Few APs can also be configured as Clients. In such a configuration they act as a "Fancy" regular Wireless card that usually goes on a computer. Under such configuration The AP can only communicate with Wireless Cable/DSL Router or an AP configured as a Gateway.
Mode 4. Repeater - One or two APs thus far (D-Link 900AP+) can work as a Repeater. It acts like a client to receive a signal from any 802.11b source (regular Router or AP), and then switches to AP mode to broadcasts to regular clients. Such a configuration can be used to extend the range of a Wireless LAN.
Since basic repeaters have only one Radio it alternates between Client and AP mode, thus reduces the "Speed" of the extended segment by 50%.
Mode 5. Independent Bridges - These are units that are actually Wireless clients that are Independent of Drivers. As a result they can be connected to a device that supports Wireless but it is not a regular computer. They can turn printers and game boxes that are equipped with Ethernet connection into 802.11b Wireless compatible devices. (Linksys WET11, D-Link DWL-810).
Let capture.
Mode 1 can only communicate with Mode 3.
Mode 2 can only communicate with Mode 2.
Mode 3 can communicate with Mode 1,
Mode 4 can communicate with Mode 1, and Mode 3.
Mode 5 can communicate with Mode 1 (and Mode 2 if it can be configured as a real bridge).
=============================================================
As far as I know. To date, almost all the APs that are part of a Wireless Cable/DSL Routers are hard set as Gateways, and can not be configured as Bridges.
This is the one Cable/DSL Router that Claims capacity to work as a Repeater, and compliant with the pre draft of 802.11g.
AirStation G54 Broadband Router.
Jack's repeater idea is probably best. The way I did it is similar to as follows:
* Buy 2 Netgear PE102 Phoneline to Ethernet Bridges.
* Hook one PE102 up to your router.
* Hook the other one up to a WAP.
This will let you place the WAP wherever you want, so long as both the router and the WAP can be placed near a phone jack on the same phone line.
You could do something similar with Powerline equipment; in fact Speedstream supposedly has a powerline WAP, but I've never actually seen it for sale anywhere.
This could get a little expensive (you may be able to find stuff cheaper on EBAY) but it probably will work in case no purely wireless alternative proves feasible.
* Buy 2 Netgear PE102 Phoneline to Ethernet Bridges.
* Hook one PE102 up to your router.
* Hook the other one up to a WAP.
This will let you place the WAP wherever you want, so long as both the router and the WAP can be placed near a phone jack on the same phone line.
You could do something similar with Powerline equipment; in fact Speedstream supposedly has a powerline WAP, but I've never actually seen it for sale anywhere.
This could get a little expensive (you may be able to find stuff cheaper on EBAY) but it probably will work in case no purely wireless alternative proves feasible.
Another option is a replacement high gain atenna like the one I use from HDcom. You can get an omnidirectional antenna or a directional to point where needed. I have both and you can go from no to good signal for under $100. They even have a pair of omni antennas for Linksys for $99.
Give them a call, they will answer all your questions.
Give them a call, they will answer all your questions.
Anyone has experience with the D-link antennas? They have a pretty wide selection of antennas for their wireless routers and was wondering an antenna would provide me with more range or a repeater?
I would prefer the Antenna solution to boosters a swell. It is normally the receivers fault and not the transmitter which is why D-link now has a removeable aimable antenna for it line of receiver clients. Having the Antenna stuck inside a PC card doesn't cut it.
- Oct 25, 1999
- 29,548
- 424
- 126
A better Antenna helps to make a better use of the Access Point that you have. A repeater adds an additional source of ~50mw transmission.
If you are using omni directional Antennae, using a repeater will provide more distance than upgrading the Antennae.
In cases of highly directional Antenna you will get more distance from a good Antenna.
If you are using omni directional Antennae, using a repeater will provide more distance than upgrading the Antennae.
In cases of highly directional Antenna you will get more distance from a good Antenna.
just return the unit ASAP...
i had this piece of junk and i called linksys about it and they recommended essentially (i say essentially because replacing the antennae voids warranty) buying these antennae from Radio Shack which they said have worked for many cusomters.
After about 10-15 calls back and forth from linksys and Radio shack (linksys said they exist call Radio shack back, radio shack said they have no f'in idea what im talking abou and call back linksys) i finally got a worthwhile response from linksys "the unit specification of 300ft (or however many feet is says on the box) is guaranteed for if there is a line of site between the router and the wireless cards, meaning no walls"....now who sets up a network with no walls in mind? i returned this unit as it was the biggest piece of junk i ever bought...
i recommend you do the same...the antennae connection on the back of the unit is wierd andi have no idea what antennae would fit in it.
i had this piece of junk and i called linksys about it and they recommended essentially (i say essentially because replacing the antennae voids warranty) buying these antennae from Radio Shack which they said have worked for many cusomters.
After about 10-15 calls back and forth from linksys and Radio shack (linksys said they exist call Radio shack back, radio shack said they have no f'in idea what im talking abou and call back linksys) i finally got a worthwhile response from linksys "the unit specification of 300ft (or however many feet is says on the box) is guaranteed for if there is a line of site between the router and the wireless cards, meaning no walls"....now who sets up a network with no walls in mind? i returned this unit as it was the biggest piece of junk i ever bought...
i recommend you do the same...the antennae connection on the back of the unit is wierd andi have no idea what antennae would fit in it.
- Oct 25, 1999
- 29,548
- 424
- 126
When it comes to Entry Level Network Hardware you don not deal with the Manufactures, and or Radio Shack.
The manufactures are good only for RMA, and occasional Driver firmware downloads.
Radio Shack is a nice Electrical Gizmo Store, not a computer store.
All the Antennae that can fit Linksys and others here:
Higher performance Antennas for Wireless Lan OEM Products.
first off...i bought all this stuff when wireless had just come out...
The linksys unit..the BEFSW4 or whatever the model is, the 4pt switch + WAP cable modem router, that cost $300...i had to get 2 wireless PCI cards for 2 computers that would use the wirelss for $100, and i had to buy two laptop wireless cards which went into the PCI cards for $260...overall price: $660 for a 10mbps wireless network.
I returned it all and set my house up on a phoneline network for...$40 for 2 linksys HPNA PCI cards (i was new to this at the time...now i wont pay more than $10 a HPNA PCI card), there was an HPNA card already in my gateway computer, and i bought another one from www.shentech.com, a Diamond model, for $15...overall price: $55 for a 10mbps wired network.
www.shentech.com now has 3com PCI cards for $9 a pop...
JackMDS - i highly doubt ANYONE is willing to shen out $80+ for antennae...im sure those antennae exist at Radio Shack, but are hard to find. On a side note, i even brought the unit with the antennae into Radio Shack for them to look at, and they said there was nothing.
Edit: take it for what its worth: i was at microcenter some time later, and i saw some guy buying SMC wireless products, and i noted to him that i had linksys products and didnt work, and he was like "yeah linksys sucks...ive had good experiences with SMC wireless products".
The linksys unit..the BEFSW4 or whatever the model is, the 4pt switch + WAP cable modem router, that cost $300...i had to get 2 wireless PCI cards for 2 computers that would use the wirelss for $100, and i had to buy two laptop wireless cards which went into the PCI cards for $260...overall price: $660 for a 10mbps wireless network.
I returned it all and set my house up on a phoneline network for...$40 for 2 linksys HPNA PCI cards (i was new to this at the time...now i wont pay more than $10 a HPNA PCI card), there was an HPNA card already in my gateway computer, and i bought another one from www.shentech.com, a Diamond model, for $15...overall price: $55 for a 10mbps wired network.
www.shentech.com now has 3com PCI cards for $9 a pop...
JackMDS - i highly doubt ANYONE is willing to shen out $80+ for antennae...im sure those antennae exist at Radio Shack, but are hard to find. On a side note, i even brought the unit with the antennae into Radio Shack for them to look at, and they said there was nothing.
Edit: take it for what its worth: i was at microcenter some time later, and i saw some guy buying SMC wireless products, and i noted to him that i had linksys products and didnt work, and he was like "yeah linksys sucks...ive had good experiences with SMC wireless products".
- Oct 25, 1999
- 29,548
- 424
- 126
The whole issue of one brand ?Sux?, and the other ?Rules? is childish and have nothing to do with Technology.
At the Entry Level Network Hardware, each manafacture has a lot of lame ducks and one or two good products.
In top of all, the variability within a brand ?Sux? because of low quality control. Which means that even a good product will get bad BBS ?press? because some people will get the lemons.
Linksys has the best marketing of all concering brands, but marketing is not a Technological variable.
As far as I am concerning the only good Wireless products coming from Linksys is WAP11, and the WET11.
To quote myself from another post:
If you need Cobalt Blue, get Linksys.
Dark Blue get, Netgear.
Nice Gray Silver, get D-Link.
Futuristic look, get Belkin.
Stylish, get Microsoft.
Battleship Gray, get SMC.
Humble look, get Siemens SpeedStream, or Hawking.
In other words there are no real differences between the above.
At the Entry Level Network Hardware, each manafacture has a lot of lame ducks and one or two good products.
In top of all, the variability within a brand ?Sux? because of low quality control. Which means that even a good product will get bad BBS ?press? because some people will get the lemons.
Linksys has the best marketing of all concering brands, but marketing is not a Technological variable.
As far as I am concerning the only good Wireless products coming from Linksys is WAP11, and the WET11.
To quote myself from another post:
If you need Cobalt Blue, get Linksys.
Dark Blue get, Netgear.
Nice Gray Silver, get D-Link.
Futuristic look, get Belkin.
Stylish, get Microsoft.
Battleship Gray, get SMC.
Humble look, get Siemens SpeedStream, or Hawking.
In other words there are no real differences between the above.
I, for one, have used Linksys wired and wireless products, and although I can also say most of them died or their early wireless NIC's stink, they revised replacement products they have sent me are working fine. Most tech support has been of little worth to me from any manufacturer.
I have a WAP11 and the 4-port wireless router, and they do have better range than my Netgear router. This is low-end equipment (in real terms) and I fully expected to add something to boost signals, and the antennas did it. Doubt they have them at Radio Shack, but that is why people mention places like Hdcom or Hyperlink. They specialize. There are unique situations like mine where you need wireless, but I have also seen great success with powerline networking and a powerline to ethernet bridge.
It all depends on your needs...
I have a WAP11 and the 4-port wireless router, and they do have better range than my Netgear router. This is low-end equipment (in real terms) and I fully expected to add something to boost signals, and the antennas did it. Doubt they have them at Radio Shack, but that is why people mention places like Hdcom or Hyperlink. They specialize. There are unique situations like mine where you need wireless, but I have also seen great success with powerline networking and a powerline to ethernet bridge.
It all depends on your needs...
TRENDING THREADS
-
Discussion Zen 5 Speculation (EPYC Turin and Strix Point/Granite Ridge - Ryzen 9000)- Started by DisEnchantment
- Replies: 25K
-
Discussion Intel Meteor, Arrow, Lunar & Panther Lakes Discussion Threads
- Started by Tigerick
- Replies: 21K
-
Discussion Intel current and future Lakes & Rapids thread- Started by TheF34RChannel
- Replies: 23K
-
-
Facebook
Twitter