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Wi-Fi enhancers/range extenders - any good?
http://www.x404.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=17889		 Page 1 of 2
Author:  pcernie [ Sun Dec 23, 2012 10:06 pm ]
Post subject:  Wi-Fi enhancers/range extenders - any good?
Posted here cos I need a broader range of opinions. And I wasn't sure what heading it falls under :oops:

Thinking of getting something since it seems anywhere there's a collection of pipes stops my Wi-Fi dead (kitchen, bathrooms and nearby). Bit of a bugger when downloading on the move. I'm assuming there's something that would help that situation! :|

I also have a homeplug set-up for my PS3 (my room's near the boiler), I don't know if that makes any difference... Any help or suggestions greatly received!
Author:  Amnesia10 [ Sun Dec 23, 2012 10:10 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Wi-Fi enhancers/range extenders - any good?
Have you considered a Mifi?
Author:  pcernie [ Sun Dec 23, 2012 10:40 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Wi-Fi enhancers/range extenders - any good?
Amnesia10 wrote:
Have you considered a Mifi?


Isn't that more for mobile connections or when totally desperate? Either way, ideally I want something that'll sit out of the way and enable Wi-Fi for everyone in the house no matter where they are really. And you know me, the cheaper the better ;)
Author:  jonbwfc [ Sun Dec 23, 2012 11:37 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Wi-Fi enhancers/range extenders - any good?
pcernie wrote:
I also have a homeplug set-up for my PS3 (my room's near the boiler), I don't know if that makes any difference... Any help or suggestions greatly received!

Best option seems be another homeplug to a second WAP on the other side of the blocking wall. I've used 'stand alone' wifi extenders (i.e. boxes that connect to the existing wifi network and rebroadcast it with more power) via WDS but in general I've found that only works if you keep to same brand of kit for everything. Plus if you can't see the wifi signal on the other side of the wall using a laptop, the wireless extender isn't that likely to see it either.

Some sort of wire across the 'gap' seems the best way and unless you want to start running Cat-5, homeplug is it. If you set the second WAP up on the same channel with the same SSID and password as your normal one, devices should be able to hop between them pretty seamlessly. Just make sure you only have one DHCP server on the network or things will get confused.

Jon
Author:  Amnesia10 [ Mon Dec 24, 2012 1:32 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Wi-Fi enhancers/range extenders - any good?
pcernie wrote:
Amnesia10 wrote:
Have you considered a Mifi?


Isn't that more for mobile connections or when totally desperate? Either way, ideally I want something that'll sit out of the way and enable Wi-Fi for everyone in the house no matter where they are really. And you know me, the cheaper the better ;)

Well cost should always be considered. Is there anyway that you could put the main wifi hub near the centre of the house so that everywhere is reasonably equidistant from the hub? I would also try a wifi scan to see what other networks are in the area. If you have a lot you will have some clashes and might need to change basic settings.
Author:  big_D [ Mon Dec 24, 2012 5:09 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Wi-Fi enhancers/range extenders - any good?
I would go with a home plug as well. I use that them here, although I don't have a second WAP, I have gigabit switches on either end.

Here in the cellar, 5M from the access point, I get about 12kbps (not a misprint) from my 802.11n network!

One thing to remember with a repeater, it will half the total bandwidth available. If you don't need wireless the other side of the pipes, I'd go with a home plug and either stick the cable straight into the plug or use a switch, if you need to connect more devices.

If you really need wireless on the other side of the pipes, a home plug plus second WAP is the way to go, as Jon said.
Author:  pcernie [ Mon Dec 24, 2012 2:41 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Wi-Fi enhancers/range extenders - any good?
OK folks, thanks for the replies...

For talk's sake I'm looking at this:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Netgear-WN3000R ... 210&sr=1-1

Will that halve the bandwidth, especially alongside the current homeplug? If I'm gaming with my current set-up (standard homeplug) any idea how good the wi-fi will be around the rest of the house, for instance?

And does that extender above just plug into any socket and work without the need for another bloody plug near the router?

I'm getting so confused now :lol: :oops:
Author:  big_D [ Tue Dec 25, 2012 7:51 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Wi-Fi enhancers/range extenders - any good?
It will halve the wi-fi bandwidth. The homeplug and backbone (main router) won't be affected, but the available bandwidth to wi-fi devices will be reduced.
Author:  pcernie [ Tue Dec 25, 2012 8:24 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Wi-Fi enhancers/range extenders - any good?
Cheers! Am I right in thinking the extender I linked to is 'standalone', just acts as a bridge without need for a plug at the 'other end'?
Author:  big_D [ Wed Dec 26, 2012 8:05 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Wi-Fi enhancers/range extenders - any good?
Correct.
Author:  pcernie [ Wed Dec 26, 2012 10:41 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Wi-Fi enhancers/range extenders - any good?
big_D wrote:
Correct.


Lovely, time to do research into cheapness and user reviews then :D
Author:  JJW009 [ Wed Dec 26, 2012 10:53 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Wi-Fi enhancers/range extenders - any good?
Repeaters are of limited use and reliability. You need to find a location where you can see it, and it can see the main router. If you're surrounded by pipes, is there anywhere to put it that will work?
Author:  pcernie [ Wed Dec 26, 2012 11:21 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Wi-Fi enhancers/range extenders - any good?
JJW009 wrote:
Repeaters are of limited use and reliability. You need to find a location where you can see it, and it can see the main router. If you're surrounded by pipes, is there anywhere to put it that will work?


I know, but I can try it and return it if need be ;)
Author:  cloaked_wolf [ Wed Dec 26, 2012 11:28 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Wi-Fi enhancers/range extenders - any good?
Our house is a little old so the interior walls are quite thick. No plasterboard anywhere except in my old room (turns out was the master bedroom which then got partitioned to provide a separate bathroom upstairs). Consequently, wifi signal isn't as good in the other rooms upstairs but not too bad in the room below me. Thankfully the wifi is good enough wherever I need to use it.
Author:  pcernie [ Wed Dec 26, 2012 11:54 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Wi-Fi enhancers/range extenders - any good?
cloaked_wolf wrote:
Our house is a little old so the interior walls are quite thick. No plasterboard anywhere except in my old room (turns out was the master bedroom which then got partitioned to provide a separate bathroom upstairs). Consequently, wifi signal isn't as good in the other rooms upstairs but not too bad in the room below me. Thankfully the wifi is good enough wherever I need to use it.


We live in the house that Jack built, which actually proves a bonus with the 'Fi :lol:
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