Extending Wireless network for dummy's

[shanianni]

Please can someone help me with settings (bearing in mind I am new to this so please explain in simple terms, I'm blonde to boot!).

I have large pockets of dead spots in my home so am trying to extend my wireless network but am unable to get my second router to work. Here was my plan of action, and I am really battling with the settings to sort the issue out.

I have a netgear N150 attached to the ADSL line. Into it is one wired PC and a few wireless attachments (laptops, phones, ipads etc).

I have a second router, a Billion 800vgt, which I wish to connect to the Netgear wirelessly to use as a secondary wifi point to reach the dead spots and service my home for better reception, offering wireless applications a second point of contact (maybe I have too many wireless attachments on the netgear as some laptops and phones keep dropping their connections or have very slow connections).

Is anybody able to help me with the settings please? I have tried so many different ways that I think I have totally messed up the Billion settings.

Many thanks

(PS Yes I know I could get a professional in, but if I do then I'll never learn how to do it, so I'd really like to try do this myself, also just to prove a point to my husband!)

 

[stricken]

Ideally you need a WiFiAccess Point configured in repeater mode. Airlink, TP-Link... make good ones. This would also solve your connection issue as ADSL wifi routers usually only allow a max of 3-4 wireless devices at a time. a WiFi Access Point can typically handle 10 or more.

You cannot connect the Billion to the Netgear wirelessly... only connect them with a ethernet wire (perhaps through a homePlug network) - although you'll still only be able to connect 5-6 wireless devices at any one time since the billion also doesnt handle many concurrent wifi connections.

I hope this helped.

 

[DjStyles]

I have the same problem, except my Netgear is in my office about 20m from my house. I have recently also managed to get my hands on a D-Link Access point, but still no joy on my side.

 

[shanianni]

Hi Stricken

Its the configurations I'm battling with, thats where my issues come in. I've set both up to use as a DHCP server and this apparently should allow them to connect wirelessly. arrghhhh. frustration! I've added the billion as a trusted ip/mac address but the netgear cannot find it!

 

[The_Unbeliever]

Hi Stricken

Its the configurations I'm battling with, thats where my issues come in. I've set both up to use as a DHCP server and this apparently should allow them to connect wirelessly. arrghhhh. frustration! I've added the billion as a trusted ip/mac address but the netgear cannot find it!

Use only one DHCP server at a time. You cannot have two DHCP servers.

 

[Willy Strong]

I have the same problem, except my Netgear is in my office about 20m from my house. I have recently also managed to get my hands on a D-Link Access point, but still no joy on my side.

Unless you have line of sight, I doubt you'll get it working.
If it's too far, network cable or home plugs if electrical wiring allows it.

 

[Willy Strong]

OP: I don't think you can use a router as a repeater, unless it has a repeater mode option?

 

[shanianni]

If I make the netgear a dhcp server (as I'm presuming is correct as its the one connected to the adsl line), would you know what my settings on the billion should be please?

 

[The_Unbeliever]

If I make the netgear a dhcp server (as I'm presuming is correct as its the one connected to the adsl line), would you know what my settings on the billion should be please?

Billion :
Billion : No DHCP server
SSID (and WPA key) should be exactly the same as on the Netgear
Billion's IP should NOT be the same as the Netgear's IP

 

[Dusty]

I got this to work, but I used TP-Link routers. There is a special option in the wireless settings to point the secondary router to the primary router. You need to fill in the SSID (name) of the primary router and its password. Your secondary router should not have DHCP enabled. When a device connects to the secondary router, it gets the IP from the primary's DHCP.

BUT, not all routers can do this (as far as I'm aware). If there is no option to input another wifi router's SSID and password, then your secondary router has no way of knowing what router to connect to.

I also had problems connecting the TP-Link router to my Linksys ADSL modem/router (not sure if this is common or not - maybe I was just being a dumb-ass). I needed a TP-Link router connected through short cable to my Linksys ADSL modem/router, then another TP-Link connected to the 1st TP-Link wirelessly to extend the wireless network.

 

[maumau]

hi Stricken, is the WiFi Access Point the same as a WiFi extender? we only need 2 PCs connected simultaneously for gaming but one of them is too far to pick up a good signal. tks

 

[stricken]

hi Stricken, is the WiFi Access Point the same as a WiFi extender? we only need 2 PCs connected simultaneously for gaming but one of them is too far to pick up a good signal. tks

A repeater / extender is the same thing although extenders are usually dedicated repeaters, whereas an access point can do various things including repeating...

repeating means it simply rebroadcasts signals between router and client... thus extending the range...

For gaming i would suggest ethernet through the roof... you'll save 1ms ; )

 

[shanianni]

I figured out the "repeater" option on billion (WDS), but it only lets me make that option if I drop my security across both AP's to WEP and even then still keeps telling me it cannot confirm the peer AP's mac address when I list it as the peer. Sheeeeeesh!

 

[maumau]

For gaming i would suggest ethernet through the roof... you'll save 1ms ; )

very important tks