WiFi extenders

[Coyote]

I'm trying to help a friend get better connections in an old house and he thought that just getting an extender or booster could help out with his problems, but after reading Best WiFi Extender it says that should be your last option. What have you done to help out in dead spots in old houses?

[S33]

In order:

Router Location - Locate centrally on main level, away from glass or solid surfaces, or HVAC duct work and appliances. (as open as possible, elevated off the floor). If you have to go to best buy and purchase a longer Ethernet cable, do so.

Router Quality - There is a huge range of routers to choose from. Read reviews, the box, whatever available, but purchase a router appropriate for the size of home.

Wifi Extender - They do work. Often times, people are told that range extenders are a last resort, mainly because the setup. (people get confused on trying to sync the passwords, etc. but they're actually easy as pie to set up)

Pay an expert - (last resort) The "experts" may recommend a more commercial or "enterprise" grade of access point, which can be worth every penny. Your internet access is no different than any other utility, you have to think of efficiency. If your router is only 300mbps capable, but you're purchasing greater bandwidth from your ISP, you're wasting money. If your router is tucked away in a untility room or in a corner of the home, you're waisting money... and so on.

[Coyote]

He wants to know how an extender is any different than connecting straight to a device (PS4, or thru wifi)...
(he's too |expletive| proud to post this himself)

[S33]

He wants to know how an extender is any different than connecting straight to a device (PS4, or thru wifi)...
(he's too |expletive| proud to post this himself)

The extender simply augments the range of your router, almost like creating a mini-mesh network in the home, then pushes the signal further out.

For example: if router is on south end of home, put range extender in middle of home, to relay wifi to north side of home. At least that is my understanding.

[nebugeater]

I have a set up where I ran one hard wired network connection from point A to point B at reasonably far ends of the house. I then run two WIFI routers with two diff network names. Never have any issues with it and for devices that move around they are set for both networks. Have no issue with covearge this way

[S33]

I have  a set up where I ran one hard wired network connection from point A to point B at reasonably far ends of the house. I then run two WIFI routers with two diff network names.  Never have any issues with it and for devices that move around they are set for both networks.  Have no issue with covearge this way

Try utilizing the secondary router as an access point instead, that way you don't have two different networks. it will simply be an extension of your network instead of having to switch between networks (unless your preference is separate networks)

[jessep28]

It's my opinion from experience that the consumer WiFi extenders are junk. I haven't really looked at them, but another thing to consider would be to get one of those ethernet over power line adapters. Then you could set up an access point at the other end of the house or whatever without having to string cable. You'll have better performance than trying to duplicate the existing WiFi broadcast from the primary router, which is what range extenders do.

[Coyote]

It's my opinion from experience that the consumer WiFi extenders are junk. I haven't really looked at them, but another thing to consider would be to get one of those ethernet over power line adapters. Then you could set up an access point at the other end of the house or whatever without having to string cable. You'll have better performance than trying to duplicate the existing WiFi broadcast from the primary router, which is what range extenders do.

That was what I suggested to him after reading that article. I found a few decent looking ones for under $40. Heck, I suggested pulling cable wire through air ducts as a cheap alternative....

[Uffda]

i know people who use an airport express to extend their network, but a question how old is your friend's current router?

[Brad]

We ordered this one last night:

NETGEAR N300 Wi-Fi Range Extender, Essentials Edition (EX2700)
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It will be here tomorrow so I can let you know if its any good.