Range Extender VS Repeater VS Bridging

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cabous

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Hi,
I have a requirement for internet video calling (face time) and would appreciate some comments / suggestions.

I have a 2MB ADSL line with Axxess and I'm very happy with the speed overall. I have a TP-Link W8968 (N band) modem / router and doing tests with Skype video calling seems pretty decent.

I would now like to expand the range of my wifi and still be able to do video calling. I am uncertain about which hardware would provide me with the best quality of signal though. I have been looking at something like the TP-LINK WA830RE range extender. But what difference would it make if I was to just use another router / AP (given that they also operate at 20 dBm) and set up bridging between the two wifi devices or use a repeater?

For the really tech guys - what would be the bare minimum signal strength that can operate decent video calling? -60, -50dBm?
 
cabous said:
Hi,
I have a requirement for internet video calling (face time) and would appreciate some comments / suggestions.

I have a 2MB ADSL line with Axxess and I'm very happy with the speed overall. I have a TP-Link W8968 (N band) modem / router and doing tests with Skype video calling seems pretty decent.

I would now like to expand the range of my wifi and still be able to do video calling. I am uncertain about which hardware would provide me with the best quality of signal though. I have been looking at something like the TP-LINK WA830RE range extender. But what difference would it make if I was to just use another router / AP (given that they also operate at 20 dBm) and set up bridging between the two wifi devices or use a repeater?

For the really tech guys - what would be the bare minimum signal strength that can operate decent video calling? -60, -50dBm?
Click to expand...

In terms of a stable connection, I've found that anything down to around -80dBm is useable - both for end-users and repeaters.

If you aren't willing to lay a cable to a second access point, which is always the best option, your second best would be to use a repeater/range extender (those names are interchangeable).
Bridging won't work because fundamentally bridging is a whole different concept to broadening a WiFi'd area.

In terms of Repeater - a good option is the D-Link DAP-1360 if you can get ahold of one. It can operate in either AP or Repeater modes (along with a bunch of others incl. bridging), although if I'm not mistaken, it's limited to N150 rather than N300.. not sure if that would be an issue for you.
 
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Thanks for sharing Dean.

I figured N300 would be best and cause the least problems (I'm looking at a range of around 40 - 50 meters) but would be willing to opt for this baby if N150 makes no difference. Come to think of it - they push out the same amount of dBm and this one can also operate in conventional AP mode according to the information specified. Soooo, when does N300 really make a difference?
 
Thanks B@nD,
That's some nice hardware there!

I'd like to stick with TP-Link though - that's the base of my current set up and I figure I'll have less problems if I keep the bloodline 'pure' :D
 
cabous said:
Thanks for sharing Dean.

I figured N300 would be best and cause the least problems (I'm looking at a range of around 40 - 50 meters) but would be willing to opt for this baby if N150 makes no difference. Come to think of it - they push out the same amount of dBm and this one can also operate in conventional AP mode according to the information specified. Soooo, when does N300 really make a difference?
Click to expand...

40-50m is quite a lot - is there line-of-sight between the antennae? You may need more than 2 :|



b@nD said:
Talking about access point
This is a good one -- and may even have a repeater function ?

AirPremier N Quadband PoE Access Point DAP-2690

Expensive though :cry:
Click to expand...

Yea, PoE can make any humble AP cost skyrocket :(
 
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I ran a test with face time yesterday and it worked rather well. The scenario: Wireless connection from an iPhone about 40 meters away to my wired TP-Link W8968 AP. No walls in the way - only 2 windows - so it was basically line of sight.

I had to move the AP to a suitable spot using a long ethernet cable and it won't work as a permanent solution. I'm going to get the TP-Link WA730RE N150 and use that in the same spot as where I put the AP. Will provide update after testing the whole lot
 
All right - almost a month later and let me give some more feedback.

Face Time is working just fine with said home network and I'm duly impressed especially since the sales person didn't think that sending the data through the range extender would be feasible.

One issue is that Face Time loses the connection after about 20 minutes and after that it's difficult to connect successfully again but I think this may be a setting on the range extender.

Thanks to everyone who assisted me!
 
I always have found that the repeaters battle to receive/send a signal and send/receive it again. And they constantly lose signal (sometimes without a reason). it also depends of too many factors, like position, height, construction of the building (thick concrete can kill your signals), etc.

If you can run a cable and set your repeater as an AP, do it. I personally think is the best way to extend your wifi coverage without compromising connectivity.
 
I would have preferred a cable to the range extender, in fact I have one of sufficient length. Aesthetics made me go the wireless route. It appears there's some OpenWRT work being done for this range extender - may be worthwhile to look into that once it's available.
 
Hi There,
If at all possible go the cable route. IT will always give you a better result than wireless.
That said I liked Jeremys link

Regards

Tim
 
Tim the Techxpert said:
Hi There,
If at all possible go the cable route. IT will always give you a better result than wireless.
That said I liked Jeremys link

Regards

Tim
Click to expand...

+1.

I've got the Netgear Range Extender (aka a repeater) and to be honest, it works, but speed-wise it sucks. It's useful for internet, but at the expense of latency. For network use, ie file copying or streaming, it's horrible.

Luckily the lightning storm today sorted out my entire network so I'm just going to buy a Gigabit Router and an access point, and whack a cable through the ceiling.
 
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