PCI WIFI card as repeater?

ilsmku · 05 Jul 2011

Hey all,

Can someone school me please? I have a switch box upstairs with my cable modem and a wifi router. Downstairs I have a PC that is hardwired to the wifi router. My PC has a WIFI N PCI card installed into it (was forced to use wireless connection until I had a cat 5 jack dropped). My question is, can I make the WIFI card in my PC act as a repeater to the WIFI router upstairs? Reason I ask, the WIFI router upstairs doesn't get great coverage all over my house and if possible, I would like to make my PC repeat the WIFI signal.

Can that be done easily?

Johnathan Lyman · 05 Jul 2011

On paper, it can be done with some heavy modification. The wireless card would need two create two independent connections (one from the router to the pc, and a second from the pc to the next device). Since 99% of cards do not do that out of the box (and I am not certain any can be made to do that), I don't think it's possible.

I promise you it is much easier to buy a wireless ap/bridge for around $50-100 US. I have the D-Link DAP-1522 and it works like a beastly charm as both a repeater or a bridge. I currently use it in bridge mode for my Sony BD player and DiSH Network HD box (to pull guide info faster, etc). I can manage its settings via its ip (mine is 192.168.0.50).

Bill2 · 05 Jul 2011

I believe wireless routers are cheaper than access points. So you can just buy one or use a spare, old router lying around and use that as a switch to extend the wifi coverage. Just place the second router downstairs or wherever the signal is weak right now, then hook it up to the main router with CAT5 cable (LAN port to LAN port). Disable DHCP and NAT on the second router (those functions are being handled by the main one) and configure the ssid etc. just like on a regular router. The ip address of the second router would have to be in the range of the main router.

ilsmku · 07 Jul 2011

ok, thanks guys. I appreciate the help!