 Re: Extend wifi range
Eric wrote:
> "fw2007" <fw2007.2u7aie@no-mx.wirelessforums.org> wrote in message
> news:fw2007.2u7aie@no-mx.wirelessforums.org...
>> Hi;
>> I have a wireless network at home, and am having trouble connecting on
>> one system:
>>
>> Router: D-Link DI-720U (single radio) is downstairs next to the cable
>> modem
>>
>> Computer 1: Wireless PCI card in desktop: D-Link DWL-G520 with remote
>> omni antenna.
>> This pc cannot connect reliably to the router
>>
>> Computer 2: Dell notebook with D-Link DWL-G650 pc card: This computer
>> connects reliably to the router from the exact same location as
>> computer 1.
>>
>> Computer 3: Desktop with D-Link DWL-G520 pci card. Connects reliably.
>>
>> Computer 1 and 2 are at the greatest distance from the router.
>>
>> I need to extend the range of the wifi in my home. I believe there are
>> a number of repeaters on the market, but I am wondering if there is any
>> way I can use another D-Link router to act as a repeater, or at least a
>> better antenna.
>> This second router is a D-Link DI-624. It has only one radio, so it
>> probably cannot be used as a repeater. I am thinking that if I could
>> somehow configure this router same as the one downstairs, and connect
>> the desktop computer to one of it's LAN ports, I might be able to use
>> it as just the wireless link. It may have a better radio than does the
>> pci card.
>>
>> Sounds too wacky to work though. I think I really need either a
>> wireless repeater, or a much better antenna!
>>
>> FW
>
> Hi,
>
> If I read your post right, you say that you have a spare DI-624 wireless
> router?
>
> If so, then might as well use it upstairs.
>
> Yep, you can use your DI-624 wireless router as just a wireless access point
> (WAP). Wireless routers are basically wired routers that happen to also
> have a built-in WAP. To use it as just a WAP, you bypass the router by
> connecting your upstream to one of it's LAN ports and disabling the DHCP
> server.
>
> The DI-624 isn't capable of repeating. Even if it were, I wouldn't advise
> to use it in a "repeater mode". "Repeating" cuts your bandwidth in half.
> If your traffic is mainly just internet (and you don't have a T2+), then
> half the pipe is probably still going to efficient (you'll get more latency
> though), but if you do a lot of LAN (computer-to-computer file transfers),
> it is going to be ugly.
>
> It is better to get the upstream data into one of the LAN ports, somehow.
>
> You can either:
>
> - Most obvious, run cable to it going from one of the LAN ports on the
> router downstairs to one of the LAN ports on the DI-624. Not the most
> convienent approach.
>
> - Do what I'm doing with one of my additional WAP's: use a
> wireless-ethernet bridge to connect the two. The bridge is basically just a
> cable replacement for doing the same thing as above. The bridge would act
> as a wireless client connected to the downstairs router and would be
> connected to one of the DI-624's LAN ports. This essentially gives you a
> "repeater", but without cutting the pipe in half.
>
> - There are ethernet animals out there that make use out of your house
> electrical wiring. One gets plugs in an outlet next to the downstairs
> router, while another gets plugged next to the DI-624. Both have ethernet
> ports. I've never used any of these, so don't know about their bandwidth
> limits. May be worth checking out though.
>
> Once you get upstream data going into one the DI-624's LAN ports, if you
> want to be able to roam around with a laptop or other device, set the
> DI-624's SSID and channel to the same as the one downstairs. I use mainly
> D-Link stuff and I'm able to roam around with laptop and PDA's fine. They
> automatically re-connect, seamlessly, to whichever WAP is stronger...
>
>
>
>
If you have a removable external antenna, why not get a better antenna.
I am not to sure just what the DI-720U has for an antenna(s) but I would
guess maybe a 2db gain. Perhaps getting and using an antenna with say 5
or 7db gain will do the trick.
 | 
Linear Mode
