Two Different Wireless Routers Connecting?

[nuyork]

Hi all,

I've for 2 wireless routers, a Vodafone B970b 3G router & a NetGear DG384G ADSL router.

Is there anyway to connect to them to each other wirelessly without a network cable?

At the moment I've got a long network cable running all the way on my floor, so I will get myself a basic USB wireless adapter for the desktop.

But upstairs the wireless signal is very low and I'd like to put the B970b upstairs to extend the wireless range.

I've tried playing around with the B970b settings and setting it up as a wireless bridge, putting in the MAC addresses and all that. But I can't seem to get it to work. I'm not sure if it's possible at all being different make routers?

I know a friend who asked about doing the same thing with two B970b routers, and he also cannot get it to extend his wireless range to another section of the house.

I've googled a bit, but most links point me to setting up the two routers with a network cable running between them.

Thanks.

 

[luketang56]

Hi there,

i think it should be able to work, im really not sure how to get it going wit those two routers but I used the whole Wireless Distribution System setting in my billion router to extend it to my Linksys router and it works perfectly. I remember i had to do a few changes on the linksys router to get this to work so u'll have to just keep playing around till you get there.

 

[Pada]

WDS (Wireless Distribution System) is pretty much your only option if you want to extend the wireless range without connecting the routers with a LAN cable, or using better external antennas.

AFAIK: if both routers doesn't support it, your only option would be to use a cable...

My guess would be that none of those 2 routers supports WDS, unless your flash the Netgear with 3rd-party firmware?

 

[nuyork]

Thanks for the information guys.

Yeah, I don't see any option for WDS on the Vodafone B970 router at all. Only Wireless Bridging.

On the NetGear, I've flashed it with alternate firmware and I see the option for WDS. But as you say if both routers don't support WDS, then it won't work.

Oh well, will have to start looking around for a new router. Not sure if I should just get a Wireless-N AP and carry on using the NetGear as a ADSL router. Or completely just upgrade to a Wireless-N ADSL Router and keep the NetGear as a backup spare ADSL router in case of lightening. Will shop around for prices, etc.

 

[who.is.michael]

The throughput will be poor, as wireless signals travels in a horizontal line; Therefore placement, orientation of the routers will be critical and both would require a high gain antenna.

See:http://www.netgear.com/home/products/powerline-and-coax/simplesharing/XAVB101.aspx - it might be a solution, but rarely effective if their is noise on your electrical circuit.

Best solution - wire it!

http://www.microsoft.com/athome/setup/wirelesstips.aspx

http://kb.netgear.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/1114/~/improving-wireless-range:-overview