WiFi range extension - two routers vs Range Extender

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Pengorn

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I need to extend the WiFi coverage in my house, and considered getting a D-Link Wireless Range Extender, and run an ethernet cord through the ceiling from my current WiFi router to where I would place the Range Extender.

I have capped internet allowing 10 concurrent connections, so the other option is, as I currently have a spare WiFi router/modem, to just connect the second router to the telephone line and create a second WiFi network.

Any problems, benefits or advice on this scheme?
 
Pengorn said:
I have capped internet allowing 10 concurrent connections, so the other option is, as I currently have a spare WiFi router/modem, to just connect the second router to the telephone line and create a second WiFi network.
Click to expand...

That won't work. You cannot connect two routers to the same phone line.
 
ponder said:
That won't work. You cannot connect two routers to the same phone line.
Click to expand...

Can only sync 1 router on the line

Best bet would be to run the Ethernet... But instead of buying the extender you can connect the spare wifi router
Setup DHCP on main router, turn dhcp off on spare router
So you will have 2 access points

eg Home-Upstairs and Home-downstairs
 
I have 3 wireless access points dotted around the house.
Each have the exact same SSID and encryption setup.
On 2.4Ghz they are channel 1, 6 and 11. Cannot remember the channels for 5Ghz out my head, but also separate.
Gigabit ethernet through the house hooks them all up.

Works well.
 
Shaunsta said:
Can only sync 1 router on the line

Best bet would be to run the Ethernet... But instead of buying the extender you can connect the spare wifi router
Setup DHCP on main router, turn dhcp off on spare router
So you will have 2 access points

eg Home-Upstairs and Home-downstairs
Click to expand...

^^^
I did this as well a couple of years ago and it worked well for me.
 
Either a wireless extender or a grid antenna. To get a wireless extender to work well, you have to ascertain where you get a reasonable signal from the original router. Apps on iPad or Android phone will do this for you.

When the signal drops to about 60%, this the spot to mount the extender.
 
Sigh! No one searches anymore.

OP, search the forum for Ubiquiti (too lazy right now to link to the thread/s) - if you're willing to spend 1000 rand or so, you will be sorted.

Since running the Ubiquiti, my WiFi is rock solid.
 
Why not use a 2nd wireless AP set to extend but linked to the main router via Powerline-Ethernet technology assuming power breakage system does not split into different circuits which dont allow transmission across. Think you will get better speed and latency than trying to daisy change hop multiple wireless ap's repeating..
 
AfricanTech said:
Sigh! No one searches anymore.

OP, search the forum for Ubiquiti (too lazy right now to link to the thread/s) - if you're willing to spend 1000 rand or so, you will be sorted.

Since running the Ubiquiti, my WiFi is rock solid.
Click to expand...
This!

Ubiquiti is the answer, I've found the wifi extenders of other brands to be quite pathetic. Get a ubiquiti and crank up the decibles to the max setting, those things are crazy strong.
 
Shaunsta said:
Can only sync 1 router on the line

Best bet would be to run the Ethernet... But instead of buying the extender you can connect the spare wifi router
Setup DHCP on main router, turn dhcp off on spare router
So you will have 2 access points

eg Home-Upstairs and Home-downstairs
Click to expand...

I'd do it this way.
 
Chevron said:
I'd do it this way.
Click to expand...

Except roaming is a pain in the @ss. I used to do it this way with 3 AP's dotted around the house. It worked, but was irritating to switch AP's when the device felt like holding onto the weaker signal after moving somewhere else in the house.

I now have the exact SSID on each AP with the exact same security setup. Roaming is invisible and I maintain a full signal strength almost everywhere.

Just make sure of channel separation. The AP closest to neighbours is channel 11 as channel 1 is the common channel used by the neighbours. The other two are 1 and 6 with 1 being the farthest from the neighbours.
 
Mike Smit said:
Except roaming is a pain in the @ss. I used to do it this way with 3 AP's dotted around the house. It worked, but was irritating to switch AP's when the device felt like holding onto the weaker signal after moving somewhere else in the house.

I now have the exact SSID on each AP with the exact same security setup. Roaming is invisible and I maintain a full signal strength almost everywhere.

Just make sure of channel separation. The AP closest to neighbours is channel 11 as channel 1 is the common channel used by the neighbours. The other two are 1 and 6 with 1 being the farthest from the neighbours.
Click to expand...

Only saw now ShaunSA said he wanted to do different AP names. I'd do it your way so everything is seamless.
 
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