Wireless AP vs Multiple Routers

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davidcole

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#154911 12-Nov-2014 15:27

So to extend a wireless network, why would I potentially look at a Wireless AP at about $150 over a full featured wireless router that I could bridge say for $90?

Or is there a cheaper way to do it. I'm not adverse multiple routers as it gives me multiple network connections at each location for if wiring is an issue - say one behind the telly, and one by the main computer where there might be more than one network device in that location.

I know the best option is star wired network back to a switch/router.

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hio77

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#1173639 12-Nov-2014 15:38

Ild go down the wireless AP route.

no reason you cant turn a old wireless router into a dumb AP as such though, Simply turn off its dns, dhcp etc, give it an static ip so its easy to access for management and let it simply hold open a wireless network for you.

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davidcole

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#1173656 12-Nov-2014 16:03

hio77: Ild go down the wireless AP route.

no reason you cant turn a old wireless router into a dumb AP as such though, Simply turn off its dns, dhcp etc, give it an static ip so its easy to access for management and let it simply hold open a wireless network for you.

that's what I was getting at. If I can do that with an old wireless router....and it's cheaper (from what I've seen), why would I buy a dedicated wireless AP?

hio77

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#1173660 12-Nov-2014 16:06

davidcole:
hio77: Ild go down the wireless AP route.

no reason you cant turn a old wireless router into a dumb AP as such though, Simply turn off its dns, dhcp etc, give it an static ip so its easy to access for management and let it simply hold open a wireless network for you.

that's what I was getting at. If I can do that with an old wireless router....and it's cheaper (from what I've seen), why would I buy a dedicated wireless AP?

absolutely an option.

the dedicated wireless AP is likely better gear.

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chevrolux

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#1173834 12-Nov-2014 21:13

Depends on the situation.

A Wireless AP is probably going to be powered with PoE so can be mounted anywhere you can get an ethernet feed. Also, the engineer's who built the AP only had one thing in mind - wireless performance. They didn't have any other functions to worry about. Antenna design is generally better than a router/wireless combo. The AP's generally look quite nice too.

But if you just want a quick, cheap, fix that doesn't look nice then just use a router.

shrub

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#1173848 12-Nov-2014 21:30

Do you have a cable connection between both APs or are you looking to do a wifi - wifi setup?

davidcole

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#1173857 12-Nov-2014 21:44

shrub: Do you have a cable connection between both APs or are you looking to do a wifi - wifi setup?

I would look at wired. That's the one advantage I can see with a ap is that they can normally do Poe

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NzBeagle

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#1174825 12-Nov-2014 22:00

My vote is for an AP, tidier setup and better bang for buck. I've got both options in play, just as I had an old wifi router which I repurposed for hard to reach spot, rather than buying an additional AP to complement my existing UniFi AP. If I wanted to spend the cash it'd be multiple APs for sure, for PoE at least.

qyiet

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#1174917 13-Nov-2014 08:14

Don't buy this one (it's nasty) but you can get VERY cheap APs too http://www.pbtech.co.nz/index.php?z=p&p=NETTPL0701&name=TP-LINK-TL-WA701ND-150M-Wireless-Lite-N-Access-Poi

Warning: reality may differ from above post

shrub

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#1175260 13-Nov-2014 15:25

davidcole:
shrub: Do you have a cable connection between both APs or are you looking to do a wifi - wifi setup?

I would look at wired. That's the one advantage I can see with a ap is that they can normally do Poe

Sweet if you can have a cable between the 2 then get a TP-LINK wr-941nd flash it with dd-wrt then you can disable all the features incl DHCP copy the ssid and password and wpa settings from your main router and its the best AP you can get. Only $70 most places. If you need step by step instructions http://www.dd-wrt.com/wiki/index.php/Wireless_Access_Point

I have a TL-WDR4300 as my main and the WR-941ND as an access point in my garage both running dd-wrt connected via cat5e i have been running 4 weeks without a reboot and all my devices eg phones and tablets will automatically switch between routers without dropping.