Background: I have a Linksys WRT54G in my basement hooked up directly via ethernet to an xbox and a ps3 in the basement, and to a PC on the 1st floor. I get my Internet from our cable service provider (VOIP cable modem). I set up a WAP54G as a repeater on the first floor to extend the range of the wireless signal to 2 PCs on the second floor.
I have never been quite sure if the signal was being extended or not. The signal has been typically low to the 2 PCs on the 2nd floor. Lately, the signal has been dropping entirely (no signal). And I have even been having problems with lots of dropped signals to tablets (which didn't previously have a problem). I have been resetting the router quite a bit, which briefly resolves the issue for a few days.
I came across a Netgear WNDR4300 on sale/clearance a few weeks ago for half off. Seems like a good deal. it is dual band.
http://www.netgear.com/home/products/wirelessrouters/high-performance/WNDR4300.aspx
Questions:
(1) Will this Netgear router work with the Linksys WRT54G or WAP54 as repeaters? I doubt that the Netgear will have a much stronger range. I have read that the Netgear WNDR4300 can be a repeater. But I would prefer to not have to buy another if one of my Linksys devices can do the job equally as well.
(2) Is there a huge advantage to 5Ghz band? (i.e., to avoid interference with other devices and get a better signal). I wonder if I should purchase another as a repeater. Also, will I need special wireless plugin adapters for the 5Ghz signal for the 2 PCs on the 2nd floor?
(3) If this does not work out, I really need to consider ethernet wiring to the 2 PCs. Is it expensive to have an existing home wired? Any tips on minimizing the cost of such a project? The cable company was able to come into our house and raise cables up from the basement (main cable entry location) to the bedrooms so just wondering what it might cost to do the same for ethernet. Now that I finished part of my basement, it might be trickier though.
I have never been quite sure if the signal was being extended or not. The signal has been typically low to the 2 PCs on the 2nd floor. Lately, the signal has been dropping entirely (no signal). And I have even been having problems with lots of dropped signals to tablets (which didn't previously have a problem). I have been resetting the router quite a bit, which briefly resolves the issue for a few days.
I came across a Netgear WNDR4300 on sale/clearance a few weeks ago for half off. Seems like a good deal. it is dual band.
http://www.netgear.com/home/products/wirelessrouters/high-performance/WNDR4300.aspx
Questions:
(1) Will this Netgear router work with the Linksys WRT54G or WAP54 as repeaters? I doubt that the Netgear will have a much stronger range. I have read that the Netgear WNDR4300 can be a repeater. But I would prefer to not have to buy another if one of my Linksys devices can do the job equally as well.
(2) Is there a huge advantage to 5Ghz band? (i.e., to avoid interference with other devices and get a better signal). I wonder if I should purchase another as a repeater. Also, will I need special wireless plugin adapters for the 5Ghz signal for the 2 PCs on the 2nd floor?
(3) If this does not work out, I really need to consider ethernet wiring to the 2 PCs. Is it expensive to have an existing home wired? Any tips on minimizing the cost of such a project? The cable company was able to come into our house and raise cables up from the basement (main cable entry location) to the bedrooms so just wondering what it might cost to do the same for ethernet. Now that I finished part of my basement, it might be trickier though.
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