Extend Wireless Network Range with Two Routers?

Question

I'm trying to extend the range of my wireless network so that I can access it everywhere in my house. I've tried placing the router in different parts of the house to find what offers the best coverage for the whole house, and didn't find a great location that would allow a stable connection everywhere in the house (and the backyard and patio). I've also tried boosting the antenna power to 80mW in 3rd party firmwares, and tried other antennas (but still not stable since the notebooks have limited antennas).

I have two routers, both Linksys WRT54G's. One is a V2 running the latest Tomato firmware (to bypass throttling with Teksavvy MLPPP), and the other is a V5 running DD-WRT micro (only 3rd party firmware that it can run).

I'm looking to see if I can use WDS or repeater mode to extend my wireless range (both in opposite corners of the house probably). I'd like a solution where the transition between AP's is seamless. The routers are connected via Ethernet already with different static IP's, with DHCP enabled for the Tomato router.

I've attempted to use WDS so far (I'm guessing this solution is optimal if there is no wired link between routers, but I have one), and have followed these instructions:

http://www.dd-wrt.com/wiki/index.php...router_network

With those instructions, I'm not able to connect to the DD-WRT router when in it's coverage range.

Anybody have a good solution I can try with my existing hardware?

Answer 1

You're on the right trail!

I've never had a DD-WRT compatible router so I've never tried that...that should work though.  Remember, a repeater will cut the throughbyt by half (it has to recieve and then resend every packet) but if you're just doing internet you won't notice this - file-sharing is a different story.

Put your wireless router as high up as you can and as far from electrical and metal things as you can, that'll give you the best coverage.  Try to put it in the middle of where you expect to be (usually the middle of the house).  If you have 2.4GHz cordless phones you may want to replace them with 5.8GHz, 900MHz, or the new DECT6.0 phones that won't cause interference.  Also, wireless video senders, or wireless cameras that run on 2.4GHz should be set to the farthest channel from your router (e.g. set video sender to 1 or A and put the router on channel 11).  Channels 1, 6, and 11 are preferable because they don't "overlap" with each other.

If you really need more range after positioning your router as best you can, some companies sell "WiFi Repeaters" that re-transmit the information stronger to boost the signal.  If you can run wires, get an "Access Point" or a router that can be configured as an access point (a second router would cause problems) and set it to the same SSID (name) and Encryption key (security) - then computers will pick whichever is strongest.

I suppose you could always try making one of these, it will decrease the range on one side but increase range wherever it's pointed.  I was able to get from 40-60% up to 85-95% in my basement.  For free (well ok, a sheet of cooking foil, some glue, and cardstock or photopaper), it's worth a try...

http://www.freeantennas.com/projects/tem...

Even if it doesn't help, it sure looks cool :)

Answer 2

Going wireless from point to point is ok, but when you have to go from point a (router), to point b (second router or range extender), to point c, that can give you some latency.  If you do not mind that slower connection, then by all means do it.  If you want a fast connection, I suggest you check this out:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dqLblMpcl...

http://netgear.com/Products/PowerlineNet...