Wifi repeater / range extender recommendation

[biometrics]

What works for you?
What is reliable?
Does it work with any access point or must it have WPS or WDS?
Is it available in SA?
Price and availability?
Importer or reseller?

Seems the D-Link DAP-1360 needs to be avoided.

The TP-Link WA730R is cheap at R299 ex VAT. Anyone using it?

I see there are other brands like TrendNet, Netgear, Apple, Belkin, Amped, Cisco/Linksys, Edimax, ZyXEL etc.

 

[Electron1]

I have used both the TP-Link TL-WA830RE and Netgear WN2000RPT.
Both work well and can be set up using WPS or manually

 

[kilobits]

Hey bio

I have used both of these without much hassle... range is not fantastic, but they seem reliable and stay up without a hitch... well have for the passed 4 months here.

TRENDnet 150Mbps Wireless N Access Point
http://www.kalahari.com/electronics/TRENDnet-150Mbps-Wireless-N-Access-Point/4585/41633061.aspx

The 150Mbps Wireless N Access Point, model TEW-650AP, is designed to create a scalable high speed wireless n network or connect a wired device to an existing wireless network.

Use multiple 150Mbps Wireless N Access Points together to expand your network using Access Point, Wireless Distribution System (WDS), Repeater, and AP Client modes.

Expand a wireless network without new cabling by connecting multiple access points wirelessly with Wireless Distribution Service (WDS) technology. Use AP Client mode to connect devices such as game consoles, computers, and digital video recorders (DVR) to your wireless network. Advanced encryption protects valuable data and WMM® Quality of Service (QoS) technology prioritizes video and audio packets. Create up to four unique wireless networks (SSIDs) with their own respective security and access thresholds. A convenient on/off power switch protects the access point when powering down.

TRENDnet 300Mbps Wireless N Access Point
http://www.kalahari.com/electronics/TRENDnet-300Mbps-Wireless-N-Access-Point/4585/41633067.aspx

The versatile 300Mbps Wireless N Access Point is designed to create a scalable high speed wireless n network or to connect a wired device to an existing wireless network.

Use multiple 300Mbps Wireless N Access Points together to extend your network using Wireless Distribution System (WDS), Wireless Bridge and AP Client Modes.

Expand a wireless network without running additional cabling with Wireless Distribution Service (WDS) technology by connecting multiple access points wirelessly. Use Wireless Bridge Mode to connect devices such as game consoles, printers and digital video recorders (DVR) to your wireless network. Advanced antenna technology (MIMO) increases wireless coverage and WPA / WPA2 encryption protects your wireless network. GREENnet technology reduces energy consumption by up to 50%.

Got them both from Kalahari, and they were no mess no fuss... used the WPS push-button feature to add them both to the routers, then selected the WiFi network with the strongest signal and was good to go.

As for features and whot-not... I cannot say, open box, press button, connect, change admin login, leave and forget... for the past number of months.

 

[biometrics]

The Edimax EW-7228APn gets good reviews on Amazon and is cheap. I think Miro distributes them but their web site is down tonight.

 

[roconnor04]

biometrics is spot on. I use the Edmiax EW-7228APn for a large number of my clients (mostly hotels) and they rarely let me down. very Easy to configure and looks pretty good.

 

[biometrics]

The thing is my D-Link DSL-2740U does not have WPS/WDS so will it work if it does not have it?

 

[biometrics]

biometrics is spot on. I use the Edmiax EW-7228APn for a large number of my clients (mostly hotels) and they rarely let me down. very Easy to configure and looks pretty good.

Who do you get them from and how much are they?

 

[kilobits]

The thing is my D-Link DSL-2740U does not have WPS/WDS so will it work if it does not have it?

Are you sure it does not have a WPS "soft button" in the admin interface to click on ?
I had an older D-Link with no physical WPS button, but could click WPS initiation in the admin console.

 

[biometrics]

Are you sure it does not have a WPS "soft button" in the admin interface to click on ?
I had an older D-Link with no physical WPS button, but could click WPS initiation in the admin console.

Well I'll be ...

"The device can also set-up multiple SSIDs with Wifi Protected Setup (WPS)."

Thanks!

 

[biometrics]

Just went to check, my version of the D-Link 2740U doesn't have WPS, seems there were many iterations of it. Mine is the russian model

I have a Linksys WAG120N that has WPS but it's range is terrible (built in antennas).

Does it matter? I can set it up manually, right?

 

[kilobits]

I do not see why it cannot be done manually.

Is there not an updated firmware with wps for yours ? Maybe with english too ?

Just went to check, my version of the D-Link 2740U doesn't have WPS, seems there were many iterations of it. Mine is the russian model

I have a Linksys WAG120N that has WPS but it's range is terrible (built in antennas).

Does it matter? I can set it up manually, right?

 

[biometrics]

I do not see why it cannot be done manually.

Is there not an updated firmware with wps for yours ? Maybe with english too ?

Tried the official SA/Taiwan firmware today and it won't load. My russian firmware is in English though.

Anyway, I'll do it manually.

Back to the topic though, recommendations please ...

 

[biometrics]

Colleague in our office has the Netgear WN3000RP and he complains that it loses connection every now and again requiring a reboot.

 

[ajules]

Can't give you a recommendation but would avoid the netgear range extender.Cannot remember if I had the WN2000 or WN300 but it lost its connection at least once a day and it was paired with a netgear router.

 

[bekdik]

Wireless can be very iffy, it is sensitive to location including neighbour channel choice.

Have you considered using a powerline adaptor? This can be a much better solution in situations where wireless is unreliable. Netgear have various options including 4 port hub & wireless mix.

 

[biometrics]

Has anyone tried the Edimax EW-7438APn ?

 

[froot]

I have the Netgear 2000 repeater. It works, but in my opinion, compared to just a normal wireless router, it's a piece of crap.
Speeds blow. Sure, range is much better, but the speeds are really really crap. You can't put more than a 4Mb line on it.

 

[biometrics]

Going to give the TP-Link WA730RE a try.

http://www.dbg.co.za/product_info.php?products_id=414

 

[Tim the Techxpert]

Hi There,
Do you have to do it wirelessly or could you connect 2 routers via cable and use the same SSID in both?
There are many threads on this site highlighting that the wireless connection while cable free is not without performance issues such as half duplex and having to use WEP encryption?
Look in the similar threads box at the bottom of the page.

Regards

Tim

 

[biometrics]

Going to give the TP-Link WA730RE a try.

http://www.dbg.co.za/product_info.php?products_id=414

Installed this last night and it's working well so far and it was cheap. I'm picking up the signal in a room where it's already weak and extending it to the rest of the house. My ADSL is 10 Mbps and the furthest point I still get 1 Mbps (as per speedtest.net vs 2 to 6 by the ADSL router) wifi which I'm fine with as it's for my bedroom.

Btw I couldn't run cable.

It's quite a neat solution, uses the same SSID and encryption so devices switch seamlessly when you move from one area to the next.

For R300 I say it's a bargain.