Help using second router to extend wi-fi

Forums › LAN (ethernet/Wifi/routers/Bluetooth) › Help using second router to extend wi-fi - what should I Google?

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#1087341 11-Jul-2014 17:20

Happy to help.... see this link ;)

RunningMan

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#1087342 11-Jul-2014 17:24

aboylikedave: The Apple page linked to by WellyGary suggests you can extend wirelessly, albeit less efficiently than with cable. Or is that just with the Airport?

Any device that extends a Wifi network wirelessly (including the Airport) is convenient but at the expense of network throughput. In very basic terms, it listens for each bit of data coming from a device, then broadcasts that same data to the next device - it effectively delays and slows down everything passing over it.

Only you can decide if this is OK for your setup and usage. For things that don't require high throughput and low latency, like browsing the web and checking email, it will be fine. If you want to stream video or game in real time over it, I would recommend using a cabled solution instead - it will be far better. Either a physical cable, or the ethernet over power devices already suggested.

If you want to use the Airport, you can set it up to extend an existing network - if you've already got it, it costs nothing to configure it and see if it will perform OK for your needs. Just don't be too disappointed if it you can't stream full HD video and game over it...

aboylikedave

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#1087343 11-Jul-2014 17:26

timmmay: Happy to help.... see this link ;)

I refer the learned gentleman to my original past which I asked to clarify the terms to use so that I could Google.

My EPL football websites: Get the results but hide the score of your team at HidetheScore.net. Compare league positions with wage bills at RealPremierLeague.net.

timmmay

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#1087347 11-Jul-2014 17:34

You have them now :)

aboylikedave

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#1087367 11-Jul-2014 17:55

Googling throws up a lot of the terms bridge and repeater. Are they relevant to this scenario? Is a repeater the same as an extender? Don't read Timmmay, it will only annoy you ;-)

My EPL football websites: Get the results but hide the score of your team at HidetheScore.net. Compare league positions with wage bills at RealPremierLeague.net.

timmmay

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#1087369 11-Jul-2014 17:58

Repeater is the same as extender. Bridge could be the same as well, depending on context.

I just like using the LMGTFY website, no offence was intended :)

aboylikedave

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#1087443 11-Jul-2014 19:32

timmmay: Repeater is the same as extender. Bridge could be the same as well, depending on context.

I just like using the LMGTFY website, no offence was intended :)

None taken now :-)

My EPL football websites: Get the results but hide the score of your team at HidetheScore.net. Compare league positions with wage bills at RealPremierLeague.net.

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farcus

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#1087484 11-Jul-2014 20:31

I'm running a TP-Link as my main router and extending wireless (no wired connection) using a Buffalo Airstation running DD-WRT.
Works very well - the key in this instance is to make sure the extender uses the same SSID and channel as the main router.

Setup following this guide

http://www.dd-wrt.com/wiki/index.php/Repeater_Bridge

any router running DD-WRT should be OK to use as an extender.

aboylikedave

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#1087489 11-Jul-2014 20:42

Ok guys thanks for all your help. I've decided to take the plunge and sort out a cable. I'll get under the house, i fact if I take a podcast with me it might be some nice 'me' time.

Any advice on the best place to go about getting a 20 metre cable? do I just ask for an 'Ethernet cable'? What's the technical name for the connectors on an Ethernet cable?

My EPL football websites: Get the results but hide the score of your team at HidetheScore.net. Compare league positions with wage bills at RealPremierLeague.net.

aboylikedave

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#1087490 11-Jul-2014 20:45

farcus: I'm running a TP-Link as my main router and extending wireless (no wired connection) using a Buffalo Airstation running DD-WRT.
Works very well - the key in this instance is to make sure the extender uses the same SSID and channel as the main router.

Setup following this guide

http://www.dd-wrt.com/wiki/index.php/Repeater_Bridge

any router running DD-WRT should be OK to use as an extender.

Thanks, I don't think the dynalink can run DD-WRT. Shame as I recently sold my old Buffalo for barely anything :-(

My EPL football websites: Get the results but hide the score of your team at HidetheScore.net. Compare league positions with wage bills at RealPremierLeague.net.

richms

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#1087492 11-Jul-2014 20:48

PB tech or any other decent computer shop will sell you ok priced pre-made ones, but you have to make a big hole for the plugs to go thru. 20m is quite doable over a stranded patch cable.

If you are not comfortable drilling 15mm holes in the floor for an RJ45 to pass thru, then you can drill smaller holes and put plugs on yourself, or else wall jacks or the surface mount jacks.

If you have nice flush phone sockets, pull them off and see if you can get a cable thru the same hole in the bottom of the wall that the phone cable goes thru. If your sparky just used 20mm holes everywhere then you can probably push the cat5 cable up that hole and fish it out of the wall, just check for exposed power points in the same wall space before trying to hook it with a coathanger.

Richard rich.ms

aboylikedave

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#1087504 11-Jul-2014 20:53

richms: PB tech or any other decent computer shop will sell you ok priced pre-made ones, but you have to make a big hole for the plugs to go thru. 20m is quite doable over a stranded patch cable.

If you are not comfortable drilling 15mm holes in the floor for an RJ45 to pass thru, then you can drill smaller holes and put plugs on yourself, or else wall jacks or the surface mount jacks.

If you have nice flush phone sockets, pull them off and see if you can get a cable thru the same hole in the bottom of the wall that the phone cable goes thru. If your sparky just used 20mm holes everywhere then you can probably push the cat5 cable up that hole and fish it out of the wall, just check for exposed power points in the same wall space before trying to hook it with a coathanger.

Thanks.sorry to be such a know nothing but what tool do I need to put the jacks on myself? And can I confirm it is cat5 cable and rj45 jacks. Will my local electrical wholesalers be able to sort me out or does it need a computer place?

How can I repay you guys. Anyone need any World Cup analysis? Or have any questions about the life and works of David Bowie 1969-1980?

My EPL football websites: Get the results but hide the score of your team at HidetheScore.net. Compare league positions with wage bills at RealPremierLeague.net.

richms

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#1087508 11-Jul-2014 20:57

Elecrrical wholesalers will rip you off for a cash sale over the counter with their inflated "trade" prices. Computer shops selling dynamix branded stuff are a fair deal normally.

cat5e and rj45 is what you want. The tools is often called a krone tool as that is the one that was used on phone sockets when they were a new thing, but there are actyally at least 3 types of tools in common use, so get it from the same place you get the jacks from if you are going to the effort of putting jacks in.

Dont try to put a jack onto the stranded cable that you buy as patch leads. It will just fold over and not cut thru the insualtion when you do it. There are plenty of videos on youtube about wiring cat5e or cat6 cables so just go have a watch of them.

Richard rich.ms

aboylikedave

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#1087517 11-Jul-2014 21:18

Is CAT6 OK?

My EPL football websites: Get the results but hide the score of your team at HidetheScore.net. Compare league positions with wage bills at RealPremierLeague.net.

richms

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#1087520 11-Jul-2014 21:21

Yes, just get cat6 sockets and be more careful when installing it as it will twist and kink easier than cat5e will.

Richard rich.ms

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