Question WiFi extenders, do they work?

[tinpanalley]

I've got a modem with WiFi-6 (HH4000 on Bell Fibe in Canada for those that know the device) but because of where it sits in my den, it has trouble sending an adequate signal down the hall to where the dining room and kitchen are because it's a bit of an elbow out of the room and down the hall that I think ruins its ability to get to the other side of the apartment.

But luckily there is a power outlet right in the middle of the hall, so is there a good extender for this kind of situation that is favoured by the community or is any one brand just as good as anything else? We're talking about a 9-13m distance total from the modem to the dining room/kitchen and the outlet is about halfway down that hall.

Thanks!

 

[tinpanalley]

Seamless transition cost more money. You could try just one unifi AP placed in front room but lined up to hallway, it may be good enough. You can try to find a spot that gives you wifi coverage for the whole place with just one AP.

These get connected ethernet? One spot for the whole place is less likely to work. I need the HH next to the desktop in the den.

 

[sdifox]

These get connected ethernet? One spot for the whole place is less likely to work. I need the HH next to the desktop in the den.

You don't move the bell box. You just disable the wifi.

 

[mxnerd]

What you described definitely meant you want seamless wifi experience, and that is exactly what all the mesh systems should give you, where your mobile devices will switch automatically and connect to the strongest signal when you are moving around.

The gigabit TPlink Deco M4 I linked earlier is only $149, that should be affordable for most people.

You will not get the same experience with router + AP using the same SSID.

https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=how+mesh+wifi+works

 

[tinpanalley]

You will not get the same experience with router + AP using the same SSID.

https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=how+mesh+wifi+works

Yeah, those are all the videos I watched earlier that finally explained it all to me. In particular this one and this one.

 

[tinpanalley]

I got the TPLink M4 3-pack. Probably arrive this week. Trying to figure out where to put them but it will probably require testing. The hall is weird for something like this without getting a table or something... Anyway thanks for the help.

 

[tinpanalley]

Ok, finally received and got to set up the tplink extenders today. Thanks for everyone's help.

So now, with only two of the three set up, it's becoming clear I may not need the third. I'm going to the farthest point of my apartment from the modem/router where my phone wouldn't even let me SEE my WiFi networks before to having over 118Mbps down and 40 up with 7ms ping. So, I'm wondering, would the two-node WiFi6 model be better than this three-node WiFi5 one?

I've tried a few rudimentary tests to push things, but is there some max-out-your-signal WiFi test you can run to see where it breaks, basically? Aside from playing HD video on every device for 10 minutes?

 

[mxnerd]

The higher frequency the shorter distance and lower penetration capability for wifi signal (if you have wooden door).

Test speed between devices.

iPerf - Download iPerf3 and original iPerf pre-compiled binaries

iPerf3 binaries for Windows, Linux, MacOS X

iperf.fr

Sell the extra unit on Amazon or eBay if you don't need it.

==

2 unit wifi 6 mesh system (refurbished) on the cheap. but it's in USA.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08KYGZ2ZD/ref=dp_cr_wdg_tit_rfb

 

[tinpanalley]

The higher frequency the shorter distance and lower penetration capability for wifi signal (if you have wooden door).
Test speed between devices.

iPerf - Download iPerf3 and original iPerf pre-compiled binaries

iPerf3 binaries for Windows, Linux, MacOS X

iperf.fr

Sell the extra unit on Amazon or eBay if you don't need it.

Thanks, I'll try that program. I was just going to take actual scenarios that could happen and run them all in the farthest part of the apartment to see what would happen. So, watch some football match in FullHD on a tablet, have a video call going on one phone while surfing around and doing some web connected phone stuff on another phone. Strange but that has occurred from time to time. I can (I think) force the TPLink to use 2.4 rather than 5. Just have to learn how. I think with the signal I'm getting 2.4 would do the job just fine and go longer completely removing the need for that third node. There's lots of wood here. Wood and plaster (not drywall). But I'm not complaining, I'd rather have this lovely 1930s apartment with all original mouldings and struggle to get the WiFi perfect than live in some generic looking place.

 

[JackMDS]

Just as an example.

This is how the Wireless Router in the link above described.

NETGEAR Nighthawk Whole Home Mesh WiFi 6 System (MK62) - AX1800 Router, coverage up to 3,000 sq. ft. and 25+ devices (Renewed)

So. are they lying? Probably Not.

But, it is not disclose how this was measured.

If you use such WIFI source in practically employ 50x60 ft (3,000 sq ft) room (like the size of many Office room of Corporations) it work well as describes.

But, almost of us use it in our living houses

Then, Walls, material, furniture, general and specific Electronic noise, and more matters.

In most cases once installed and working, the performance of the WIFI out of the Room that the Wireless Router is Declines with distance very fast.

So… what to do?

The best way is to install WIFI APs in key places and connect them with wire to main Wireless Router.

If Wires are impossible (or One have “Allergy” to wires) make sure that whatever hardware you get is easy to send back to the seller and keep trying.

We all trying to help but each one of us lives in a different enviroment so YMMV.

 

[tinpanalley]

Test speed between devices.

iPerf - Download iPerf3 and original iPerf pre-compiled binaries

iPerf3 binaries for Windows, Linux, MacOS X

iperf.fr

I appreciate the recommendation but I have absolutely no idea what I'm doing with Magic iPerf. WAY over my head.

 

[mxnerd]

You need one device to act as a server

 

[JackMDS]

Much simpler and more functional in Home or small office enviroment is to use.

There is free portable option that works very well.

Totusoft | LAN Speed Test

Portable Local Area Network (LAN) Speed Test for Windows, Apple Mac OS X, Linux

totusoft.com