Re: Extending WiFi range at home

Redsnk95 · ‎10-16-2012

I've read a ton of threads on here but read multiple solutions & directions. I'm wanting to have a better WiFi signal on other side of my house.

I was thinking too much about it (new house) when I had the tech install the 2Wire modem in the game room near my desktop computer. In our bedroom (other side of the house from the modem location) we get a decent signal but nothing great. My daughters room is even further away, and soon she will be ready for a TV and I had planned on using a wireless cable AT&T box.

Currently our desktop has a wired ethernet connection to the 2wire modem, and I have a 100ft cable (under the carpet) connecting the PS3 to the 2wire modem. Not at all the same time, but we have a laptop, two cell phones and a tablet that uses the WiFi signal from the 2wire modem. We have a great signal in the living room but weak signal in the bedrooms on the other side of the house.

How to get a better signal on the other side of the house? Options based on what I've read:

1) Purchase a wireless -N router and place it in a centralized location of the house (attic). I would need to run an ethernet cable from the 2wire to the new router correct? I am assuming I would need to disable to wireless broadcast from the 2wire? Also I would like to keep the desktop & PS3 wire connected to the 2wire as they are now.

Can I purchase "wireless access point" as opposed to a wireless router? If I did that would I be using the "g" speed of the 2wire as opposed to the "n" speed of a new router?

2) Someone mentioned a high gain antenna?

3) Someone mentioned a signal repeater?

Thanks for any help. I am trying to simplify this as much as possible so that I can leave all my current connections but extend the WiFi range in the house.

Troy

GeekBoy · ‎11-06-2008

In my house, I have the 2-Wire RG in the basement on the south side of the house. I have my old LinkSys WRT350N router in a bedroom on the north corner of the house. I also have Cat5e cable connecting many rooms in the house to the basement. I have the two routers connected via cat5e cable, and old router is set to be notheng more than a WAP . It provides wireless-n connections to anything within it's range, and the 2-Wire RG provides wireless-g connections to the devices near to it. In essense this seems to be what you are trying to do.

Redsnk95 · ‎10-16-2012

I may have an old wireless router in the attic, I am going to check when I get home. I believe it is a "g" signal router. The more I think about it, connecting a good wireless router in the central area of the house might be best. I was thinking about a repeater but then I would have two different signals in the house (even though they would have the same password). I don't want to make things more difficult for the wife for using her wireless devices.

Does anyone have any experience or success with a repeater/extender? Seen a couple that just plug into a wall outlet.

DonNewcomb · ‎01-09-2012

If the ethernet cable stops at a convenient point you could put a router or access point there. You want to set the 2nd router up so that it has a different subnet (e.g. 192.168.9.XXX) and it's best if it uses a different channel than the RG. There is no reason that the SSIDs can not be the same. You may need to force the RG to not go into DMZ+ mode when it sees the 2nd router. You can plug the game machine into the 2nd router.

There is no reason at all to get a 2nd RG and U-verse account.

JefferMC · ‎11-16-2009

DonNewcomb wrote:

...

There is no reason at all to get a 2nd RG and U-verse account.

Agree with this

DonNewcomb wrote:

If the ethernet cable stops at a convenient point you could put a router or access point there. You want to set the 2nd router up so that it has a different subnet (e.g. 192.168.9.XXX) and it's best if it uses a different channel than the RG. There is no reason that the SSIDs can not be the same. You may need to force the RG to not go into DMZ+ mode when it sees the 2nd router. You can plug the game machine into the 2nd router.

...

Disagree with most of what is said above that is highlighed. Instead:

1) I'd probably set it up as an access point, as described see post 13 in this thread. This means it's just another point that your wireless cards can access the same network subnet as the RG. DO give it the same SSID and security settings as the RG so your mobile devices can switch seemlessly between them.

2) If you do want to set it up as a router, I'd using different SSID's. Otherwise, you or your equipment may get confused about the routing environment you're in as you switch between the two routed subnets. I'd suggest that you do put it in DMZplus mode if you set it up as a router. Please see see post 2 in this thread.