Do you get a WiFi switch (to extend wifi)?

[fever2tel]

I have looked for the such a thing but can't find it. I have tried to convert some routers to wifi switches (disable DHCP and give the extender a static IP outside of the DHCP range), but with power failures and load shedding, they revert back to default configuration and arent so reliable.

What I would like is something like this: I have my router ----> long ethernet cable ---> Wifi switch.
The wifi switch communicates with the router via ethernet cable, but it talks to devices near it via wifi, allowing areas far away from the router to have wifi.Basically extending the wifi.

I am not looking for a unreliable wireless wifi extender. It must connect to the router via ethernet.

I would like a dedicated product. Setting up routers to do this has just proven to be a constant source of pain for me.

Does such a thing exist? Bonus if I can make it use the same SSID (so the wifi appears seemless), and bonus if the wifi switch has some ethernet ports one can plug into too.

My router is a D-Link DIR-825 if that makes any difference.

 

[DapperDanMan]

I think the term (and product) you are looking for is:

Access Point (AP)

 

[WAslayer]

It's called a WiFi access point..

I would however recommend looking at something like the tp link deco systems that can mesh and increase WiFi coverage..

 

[Mzezman]

A mesh system like this will cover your requirements

Check this out on takealot: TP-Link Deco E4 - AC1200 Whole Home Mesh Wi-Fi System (2-Pack)

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[Speedster]

Open a terminal for your brain

Sudo rm -r wireless AP
Sudo apt install mesh

Thank me later

 

[fever2tel]

Thanks to everyone for the replies, it is a great help. What I don't understand is how they can make the wifi network seemless? So I have a D-link DIR-825, and this is a D-link: https://www.takealot.com/d-link-dap-1360-300mbps-indoor-wireless-access-point/PLID33056467 ... is there some sort of properiertay software for extending the range with same SSID/password? In which case I imagine your access point and router must be compatible? I can see how it could work with the different SSID, but if I the AP to have the same SSID surely it will clash with the existing router if I stand midway between the two?

 

[fever2tel]

Open a terminal for your brain

Sudo rm -r wireless AP
Sudo apt install mesh

Thank me later

echo "I was only looking at AP's, but will investigate meshes thanks you"

 

[craigcul]

Hi there I use TP-link Deco M4

Takealot

They work well

 

[fever2tel]

Open a terminal for your brain

Sudo rm -r wireless AP
Sudo apt install mesh

Thank me later

Do you get a mesh system where each unit is connected via ethernet, instead of the mesh nodes talking to each other via Wifi?

I see this comes for 3x ethernet cables, is it because you plug each one into ethernet? https://scoop.co.za/cudy-dual-band-ac-1200mbps-gigabit-mesh-3-pack-m1300-3-pack.html

I prefer to keep only the last leg wireless, and use wired as much as possible.

 

[Mzezman]

Do you get a mesh system where each unit is connected via ethernet, instead of the mesh nodes talking to each other via Wifi?

I see this comes for 3x ethernet cables, is it because you plug each one into ethernet? https://scoop.co.za/cudy-dual-band-ac-1200mbps-gigabit-mesh-3-pack-m1300-3-pack.html

I prefer to keep only the last leg wireless, and use wired as much as possible.

Most mesh systems can do wired and wireless. The Decos above can

Ethernet Backhaul for Deco: Setup, Benefits and Troubleshooting | TP-Link

Learn how Deco Ethernet backhaul works, how to set up wired backhaul, which switches are compatible, and how to fix common issues.

www.tp-link.com

 

[fever2tel]

Open a terminal for your brain

Sudo rm -r wireless AP
Sudo apt install mesh

Thank me later

Ive come back to thank you, thank you!

 

[Hamster]

Thanks to everyone for the replies, it is a great help. What I don't understand is how they can make the wifi network seemless?

If you put the two WIFI routers/APs far away enough from each other the switch over seems seamless. But it is no replacement for a proper mesh system if this is your main concern.

Heads up: TP-Link has two mesh systems: Deco (ok/good) and OneMesh (garbage).

 

[CheddarByte]

Don't waste time screwing around with wireless meshing if you have the ability to put down solid cable runs.
Do yourself a favour and get some good quality access points (preferably a type with built-in controller)
I've recently swapped from Aruba IAPs to the TP-Link EAP series and they're pretty good with or without a controller (can run in docker on a PI)
These work amazingly both indoor & outdoor:

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www.takealot.com

 

[McGuywer]

Open a terminal for your brain

Sudo rm -r wireless AP
Sudo apt install mesh

Thank me later

I get a "Connection closed by beer" error?

 

[web_dude]

Lots of people are telling you to get a mesh system.... but maybe you do not have the money to get one, yet.
But I think what you are doing is OK, except that why your secondary router (with dhcp deactivated) is going back to default settings?
What you are doing is very simple: Main Router -> LAN Cable - > secondary router with no DHCP and wifi. It should work and it should come back on its own after power failure.
Stupid suggestion: did you save the settings? some routers allow you to change settings and apply them but if you didn't press "save", after reboot (or power off) it will go back to default or the last settings saved. You can also try not using the WAN port on those routers and try using a normal port (port 2 or 3). If still fails, maybe the secondary router is "Stuffed" and for more than you try to put the correct configuration, it will go back to default after power is off.

I have a similar HOME setup with the main FTTH router and two other old wifi routers (DHCP deactivated) to other sections of the house with LAN cable and everything works lekker for me. no isues after loadsheeding and the settings remain in place.