How best to extend my wifi range


  1. Posts : 327
    Windows 7 Professional X64 Service Pack 1
       #1

    How best to extend my wifi range


    My modem/wifi/mta is in one box from the local cable company. On the extreme edges of the house, the wifi signal is weak. How best to extend this range, another AP, a repeater? Can you connect another router to the main router with Ethernet cable and relocate it in the weak area. Having two different SIDs/channels a problem? Most devices will auto change to strongest signal? Or other suggestions.
      My Computer


  2. Posts : 10,485
    W7 Pro SP1 64bit
       #2

    1) Can you relocate the original router? You can join two LAN cables via a female-to-female adapter and maybe put the original router in a better spot.

    2) Some people have had luck changing the antenna on their original router.
    D-Link - ANT24-0700 - 7dBi Omni-Directional Indoor Antenna at TigerDirect.com
    The link above is just an example, I'm not suggesting that you use that particular model or retailer.

    3) I'll let others comment on their luck with range extenders. I've used them in some settings, but the throughput suffers.

    4) I'll let others comment on their luck with other options
      My Computer


  3. Posts : 8,870
    Windows 7 Ult, Windows 8.1 Pro,
       #3

    meebers said:
    My modem/wifi/mta is in one box from the local cable company. On the extreme edges of the house, the wifi signal is weak. How best to extend this range, another AP, a repeater? Can you connect another router to the main router with Ethernet cable and relocate it in the weak area. Having two different SIDs/channels a problem? Most devices will auto change to strongest signal? Or other suggestions.
    Installing an A/P is the best way to do this. For most A/P's you would need to run an Ethernet cable from your router to the new A/P's location. Just remember to turn off DHCP on the A/P so that your router is handling DHCP, some have a client or A/P mode switch on the side.

    The SSID can be the same if you want to have easier roaming around the house, it will connect to the best signal automatically or you can set up two separate SSID's if you want, works either way.
      My Computer


  4. Posts : 327
    Windows 7 Professional X64 Service Pack 1
    Thread Starter
       #4

    chev65 said:
    meebers said:
    My modem/wifi/mta is in one box from the local cable company. On the extreme edges of the house, the wifi signal is weak. How best to extend this range, another AP, a repeater? Can you connect another router to the main router with Ethernet cable and relocate it in the weak area. Having two different SIDs/channels a problem? Most devices will auto change to strongest signal? Or other suggestions.
    Installing an A/P is the best way to do this. For most A/P's you would need to run an Ethernet cable from your router to the new A/P's location. Just remember to turn off DHCP on the A/P so that your router is handling DHCP, some have a client or A/P mode switch on the side.

    The SSID can be the same if you want to have easier roaming around the house, it will connect to the best signal automatically or you can set up two separate SSID's if you want, works either way.
    The cable company supplied "box" is located in the center of the house, which I would think is ideal? Relocating it would involve Ethernet and telephone lines (MTA). I have an old router I can experiment with before getting in the attic with a wire. Yes on turning off the DHCP for the second router. Cant quite get it straight for using the same SID. Not so for the same channel?? Tx.

    p.s. Original owner of 65 GOAT.
      My Computer


 

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