Wireless repeater / extender?

[Quattro Pete]

My main router (ASUS WL-500gP v2 running Tomato) is in the basement. It is also my wireless access point. On the second floor of the house, wireless signal is a bit weak... I see my little netbook negotiating the speed down to 1 Mbps sometimes, even though this is supposed to be 802.11g (54 Mbps).

I wanted to see if I can install another access point (repeater, booster, extender, whatever you call it?) upstairs. I can plug it in directly into the wall (hardwired ethernet).

Can you recommend such a device that will play nicely with my existing wireless router and hopefully not cost an arm and a leg? Up to $50 would be great, but I'm open to all suggestions. Don't need wireless N support, but if it's there, it's there.

Thanks!

 

[PandaBear]

Why not another router running Tomato or DDWRT?

 

[brandini]

Add router (same model for sake of keeping things simple/compatible/familiar.
Put in bridge mode
turn off dhcp and NAT and firewall (if bridge doesn't do this already)
Use far away channel number from main network (1 and 11 etc)
Use the EXACT same wifi security type and passphrase
Done!

Your wifi clients should float between both with ease.

 

[PandaBear]

I think most chipset need you to use the same channel between the incoming and the outgoing end in bridge and repeater mode.

 

[Rand]

well usually a wireless repeater uses wireless. Hes hooking it up vs wired so its a slightly different story.

he really just needs a second access point.

you might also consider dropping 50-80$ or so on a high power router and trying that.

http://www.buy.com/prod/buffalo-airstation-wireless-n-300mbps-cable-router/212961832.html

etc

 

[Quattro Pete]

Originally Posted By: Rand
you might also consider dropping 50-80$ or so on a high power router and trying that.

http://www.buy.com/prod/buffalo-airstation-wireless-n-300mbps-cable-router/212961832.html

I am hesitant about doing this. It'll give me a more powerful signal, but my wifi devices will still be far away from it, so the devices will be able to listen better, but communication from the device to the router will still be just as weak as it was before, which is really what the issue is right now. That's why having a second access point close by seems like a better solution.

 

[Quattro Pete]

Originally Posted By: PandaBear
Why not another router running Tomato or DDWRT?

OK, sounds easy enough. I might just swing for the more beefed up ASUS RT-N16. I'll use it as my main router and then move the old Asus upstairs to work as my second access point.

 

[big_guy]

Another option is a long range wireless adapter. http://www.data-alliance.net/-strse-73/Alfa-AWUS036H-1000mW-USB/Detail.bok This thing is amazing. I can pick up signals across Lake Erie in Cleveland,Ohio from Wheatley,Ontario Canada. If you decide on this. Make sure to get the extension cable and window suction cup acessory. That way when you travel with the netbook you can put the adapter where you pick up the best signal.
I tried repeaters in our campground. They were nothing but trouble!

 

[brandini]

Originally Posted By: PandaBear
I think most chipset need you to use the same channel between the incoming and the outgoing end in bridge and repeater mode.


For a repeater yes, but a router in bridge mode is simply an access point (since the OP said he had ethernet run to where he needed it). Not only will you get a new wireless access point, but you'll also get the additional ethernet jacks in the rear of the 2nd router to use.

Wall --- cable/dsl modem ---- router 1 ------ethernet------ router2 in bridge mode

 

[Quattro Pete]

Originally Posted By: brandini
Wall --- cable/dsl modem ---- router 1 ------ethernet------ router2 in bridge mode

That's exactly what I want to do.

 

[brandini]

bam:
http://www.wi-fiplanet.com/tutorials/article.php/3810281

 

[Quattro Pete]

Originally Posted By: brandini
bam:
http://www.wi-fiplanet.com/tutorials/article.php/3810281

Thanks! Sounds like "Wireless Ethernet Bridge" mode is what I want to use on the secondary AP.

 

[JHZR2]

Why not just run cable up to another broadcast point?

 

[Quattro Pete]

Originally Posted By: JHZR2
Why not just run cable up to another broadcast point?

Yes. That is basically what we are discussing here. I called it a repeater / extender, but in reality it's just another AP that will be plugged into the network. I wasn't sure initially whether it required a specialized piece of hardware or if any wireless router/AP would do. It's clear now. The second router/AP just needs to be configured differently.

 

[earlyre]

if you are going to run a wire up to the other floor anyway, why not just leave the modem where it is, and move the router you have to the higher location. the higher your broadcast antenna, the better/further your signal propagation.
if you need wired hookups in location where modem is, spend about $25 bucks on a switch, with one of it's outputs going up to the router?
This is similar to what i am using ( so $25 might have been a couple yrs ago)

 

[Quattro Pete]

I've got the whole house wired and plenty of gigabit switches everywhere.

That's not the issue. If I move my existing wireless router upstairs, then the wireless devices downstairs and in the basement will suffer.

 

[Deltona_Dave]

Why not try a powerline ethernet. Newegg has them for about 60 bucks for a transmitter and a receiver. I am using a Trend net. Plug a cat 5 from the router into one wall wart, on the other end plug a cat 5 cable into the other wall wart. press the sync button and you are done. Will push upto 200Mbps.

Dave

 

[brandini]

It's amazing how little people read...

 

[earlyre]

move it to somewhere in the middle?

 

[Deltona_Dave]

Originally Posted By: brandini
It's amazing how little people read...


Apologies Brandini. I jumped the gun. A bridge would work, or adding a better antenna, such as a Hawking (about 2 foot long) down in the basement, would improve signal.

Dave