Extending wireless signal across house - repeater options??

[squirrel]

Hey guys

Currently have a Billion 400G router that is sitting in the computer room. Signal doesn't reach across the house so am looking for some kind of solution. Anyone know what dbi the antenna is? I am also looking for one or two repeaters to improve signal. Would using another Billion product be the best bet? Any recommendations?

 

[Snormossel]

Hi Squirrel

Phone Nology and ask them for the Airlive 5460AP.
You can either connect them via WDS or run a cable from the router to the AP to extend the range.

Also maybe ask them for a wireless N AP/Router. The range on those routers is quite nice normally as well.

Otherwise speak to one of the techies, they give good advice.

It will be a 5dbi antenna. Dont play around with the antenna's get another AP....

 

[paulcolmer]

I agree with the previous post, Nology will assist you here. They also have some nice Ethernet over power devices so you can turn a power outlet into a LAN point, so no cables and you dont have to worry about lack of Wi-Fi.

 

[squirrel]

Can't run any cables so that's why I'm looking for a repeater. Power over ethernet might be bit of an expensive setup. Was thinking of this cheapie from Esquire at R340 inc vat http://www.intellinet-network.com/en-US/products/8833-wireless-300n-access-point just a bit worried it might not work well?

My knowledge of PoE is a bit weak. Can someone explain the equipment needed (and rough costs) and how it works

 

[paulcolmer]

Ok my buddy, here we go !
We are not talking about PoE ( power over Ethernet ) we are talking Ethernet over power, you use the existing electrical wiring in your house to build a LAN.
If you are BRAVE ! here is the way to go for Wi-Fi as it seems money is an issue. TP Link TL-WR703n is a little router out of China that costs around $18, maybe R120 ! we can flash the firmware on these devices as they run openWRT, the software of choice would be SECN available from www.villagetelco.org. Once you have done this you can throw these things all over and as long as they can see each other you have a ' Wi-Fi mesh' . If you 'Google' the TL-WR703n you will find lots of references to the Village Telco development and what can be done with this little toy. It does however require a degree of technical ability but what the hell, why not get involved in some radical Open Sourse development and have some fun at the same time !

Just my 2 cents worth !

 

[squirrel]

Yep sorry was a mistake. I understand you use electrical wiring, but what is all the equipment needed? I'm assuming at least two powerline network adapters for each end? Considering the Asus RT-N12 in repeater mode

 

[paulcolmer]

Ethernet over power adapters, use Billion P106 R2, for a universal range extender ( Wi-Fi ) use a Billion 3100SN ,all available at Nology

 

[alkit]

We actually stock both a wifi repeater and a homeplug set (hope it's ok to post links from my own site):

http://www.geewiz.co.za/networking/127-200mbps-homeplug-networking-set-2x-ac-adapters.html

http://www.geewiz.co.za/networking/128-wireless-n-wifi-repeater-extender.html

Homeplug will be in stock in around 1-2 weeks. PM me if you need more info

 

[georgelza]

Hi Alkit.

I've got a NetGear DGN 2000, (capable of 130Mb/s atm) sitting with the normal problem, lounge next to study got great signal, back of house, rooms is useless.

I'de like to extend the signal, With what range does the unit extend the signal, and can I use more than one extender?
Is there stock, how long does shipping take.

G

We actually stock both a wifi repeater and a homeplug set (hope it's ok to post links from my own site):

http://www.geewiz.co.za/networking/127-200mbps-homeplug-networking-set-2x-ac-adapters.html

http://www.geewiz.co.za/networking/128-wireless-n-wifi-repeater-extender.html

Homeplug will be in stock in around 1-2 weeks. PM me if you need more info

 

[nfbs]

I got the Billion 400G with my free Telkom account. It is the 3rd Wireless router I have used. The others being Linksys and Netgear. I compared all three in the same house and the Billion is just shockingly bad. My computer 2 meters away shows 3 bars. Cellphone's wifi can't even pick up from 2 meters. Other routers have no problems.
If it is a small to medium size house first ask a pal to bring over his wireless router to check you can get away with one good all in one device rather than installing repeaters.

 

[georgelza]

Hmm, I've used the Netgear ADSL/WiFi router for 8yr now, not a single problem. Good signal also,
G

 

[kilobits]

Hey Hey

Currently using a Trendnet AP for signal distribution around the house... and no problems so far. The router is a Netgear and I have had no problems getting them to talk to each other. The Trendnet cost around R400 from Kalahari, almost half the price of what I have been recommended to use and about R2000 cheaper than what the iStore in Cape Town said I should use.

http://www.trendnet.com/products/proddetail.asp?prod=100_TEW-650AP&cat=176

I would recommend looking at this as a repeater... it is working here for me without any issues.

 

[alkit]

Hi,

Range is pretty decent. Almost as good as you'll get from a regular router, so basically, it will almost double your current range.
Our range extender is wireless N, so you will still get the same 130m/bit speed.
You can easily use more than 1 extender without a problem.
We have various shipping options starting from as low as R29 for normal post to R75 for overnight delivery.
We do currently have stock.

Please feel free to ask if you have any more questions.

Hi Alkit.

I've got a NetGear DGN 2000, (capable of 130Mb/s atm) sitting with the normal problem, lounge next to study got great signal, back of house, rooms is useless.

I'de like to extend the signal, With what range does the unit extend the signal, and can I use more than one extender?
Is there stock, how long does shipping take.

G

 

[georgelza]

Hi,

first Merry xMas all, hope you have a wonderful day with family and friends.

I've noticed, it seems most Netgear Wifi routers seem to have this function, according to the below, but can't figure out what the feature/function is called.

By the Duxbury site reference -> WN2000RPT-100PES (http://www.duxbury.co.za/Netgear/datasheets/wireless_access_point/WG602_ds.pdf) it seems the WG602 can do this, looks like a pretty basic low end unit, if i can figure out what the feature is called might get a higher end Netgear unit.

Can you help.

G

 

[fionab]

I just converted my old router to act as a repeater as my wifi signal was weak in one part of the house. I am now able to access my media on a main PC and watch on TV. So before getting a new AP see if your old equipment will work.

 

[georgelza]

only got one, so need to buy a router or repeater.

Saw the Netgear, which looks like a nice unit is R999, and then the unit mentioned above at R500

G

 

[fionab]

only got one, so need to buy a router or repeater.

Saw the Netgear, which looks like a nice unit is R999, and then the unit mentioned above at R500

G

If you are in Cape Town and want to self install, I sell AP's for R400

 

[brandlc]

Okay not trying to hi jack the thread or anything, but would it be possible to just use an old router as a repeater? Because I have the same problem as the OP, but am not willing to spend cash on this, but I do have a Netgear as my main router which I am using now with and Ethernet cable, but i also need wifi in my room, I have an old ZyXEL router lying around is it possible to turn the ZyXEL into a repeater?

 

[paulcolmer]

you may connect any Wi-Fi routers together via Ethernet to extend your Wi-Fi range, just remeber to disable the DHCP in the slave router,

 

[brandlc]

you may connect any Wi-Fi routers together via Ethernet to extend your Wi-Fi range, just remeber to disable the DHCP in the slave router,

Thats the thing i do not want to use a lan cable as I do not have a long enough cable. I just want it to boost the wireless signal