Using Router as a Wireless Repeater/Wireless Range Expander

[bigben2wardpitt]

I was hoping to set up my older Belkin N Router (F9k1002v1) as a wireless repeater/range expander in my living room, connecting wirelessly to my current router, a Netgear.

I've googled this and found some guides but it's usually unclear if the repeater/range expander has to be connected with a physical wire to the other router. If it does, I don't think that would really help my signal at all. Instead I'd like to set it up in an area that doesn't currently have great connection in my house.

1. Is this possible? I'm fairly certain it is.

2. What's the real difference between a repeater and range expander, technically?

3. How do I do it? If anyone could provide any guidance (even if it's just a step by step guide, I sometimes think I'm looking at the wrong guide) .

4. I think it would be easier to do this if I put DD-WRT on the router, but I took a look at their website and this Belkin router doesn't seem to be compatible with DD-WRT .

4. The Belkin router has an option to turn it into an access point and then asks for an IP Address to connect with. My question is - is that essentially turning it into a range expander or wireless repeater? If so, how do I get it to actually expand my wireless network? I read something about giving this second Belkin router the same wireless name, but what would the IP be? Would one of the routers have static IPs and if so which ones?

5. What are the technical/network drawbacks to having a repeater in the house, if any?

 

[JackMDS]

Repeater relates to a setting were the Wireless Router/Access Point connects Wirelessly to the source and extend further the signal.

Most Router can Not be used for Repeater Mode. If aRouter does not do Repeating Mode with the stock firm it needs to be compatible to flash with a 3rd party firmware that do.

If the second Wireless Router/Access Point can be connected with a wire to the source any Wireless Router can be used to provide better coverage.

Configured like this - Using Access Points or Wireless Cable/DSL Routers as a Switch with an Access Point - http://www.ezlan.net/router_AP.html

Please note that Repeatre cuts the bandwitdh into half the wired method is much better than the Repeater Mode.

 

[bigben2wardpitt]

Repeater relates to a setting were the Wireless Router/Access Point connects Wirelessly to the source and extend further the signal.

Most Router can Not be used for Repeater Mode. If aRouter does not do Repeating Mode with the stock firm it needs to be compatible to flash with a 3rd party firmware that do.

If the second Wireless Router/Access Point can be connected with a wire to the source any Wireless Router can be used to provide better coverage.

Configured like this - Using Access Points or Wireless Cable/DSL Routers as a Switch with an Access Point - http://www.ezlan.net/router_AP.html

Please note that Repeatre cuts the bandwitdh into half the wired method is much better than the Repeater Mode.

Thanks for clearing that up! few other questions:

1. So, would a range expander cut the bandwidth in half too or no?

2./ Additionally, if I turned the repeater off when I wasn't in that area, would it still take half the bandwidth?

3. Related to #2 I guess, but would both routers get half the bandwidth or would just the repeater get half the bandwidth and the regular router still has full speed?

 

[JackMDS]

The Bandwidth past the Repeater is half of the bandwidth that comes from the Main Router.

I.e., if the Wireless signal at the Repeater is 50 Mb/sec. the available Signal at the output of the Repeater would be 25 Mb/sec.

Bandwidth taken when Computer (or Wireless Device) uses it. Just the fact that there is a repeater on the Network does not do any thing to the rest of the Network.

I.e., if the Repeater is On but nothing is connected to it it does not take any "Speed" from the Router.

Signal past an Access Point connected with wire to the Main Router is the same as the Main Router.

A Router per-se does not work slower of faster it just provides its available bandwidth to the Network's Wire and Wireless devices. The more devices the less Bandwidth is available to each one of them. The sum of their consumption is about the total Bandwidth available from the Main Router.