Wireless Access Point

This is probably a basic question, but I have not been able to find an answer for it.

Current situation - Wireless Router on Second Floor with Wireless USB Adapter in Basement. Getting slow speeds.

Thoughts - I am looking at putting a powered Wireless Access Point in the basement to increase the speed of the connection.

Questions -

Do Wireless Access Points communicate wirelessly with Routers?

Will the Access Point being plugged into the wall increase its power, therefore its speed to the router over what I am currently getting?

Will the connection be weaker because I would be adding an additional wireless leg to the connection between the computer and the router?

Any help or thoughts would be appreciated. I am trying to find the best and cheapest option for wireless before I start looking at wither the basement needs to be hardwired into the network.

PS Questions -

Is there a speed/connectivity difference between a USB Wireless Adapter and a PCI Wireless Adapter?

Does the power difference out way the ability to have the USB Wireless Adapter where it gets the best signal verse the PCI Adapter's antenna being on the back of the computer? (in my case on pressed against a wall)

Thank in advance

Do Wireless Access Points communicate wirelessly with Routers?

Yes

Will the Access Point being plugged into the wall increase its power, therefore its speed to the router over what I am currently getting?

Not necessarily. This is device specific and should have no direct relationship with being connect to mains power.

Will the connection be weaker because I would be adding an additional wireless leg to the connection between the computer and the router?

No, well at least it shouldn't.

There are APs out there that support Client AP mode which means that you can connect it to your client and it will act not to dissimilar to any other attached wireless device (UDS device). some devices even come out in a high power version to increase your range. But I question the use of an AP in that mode as there ar plenty of excellent USB device out there that do the same or better. There are also APs out there that support Repeater mode and this is most probably what you are looking for. If you place a repeater somewhere where it gets good signal from the Router and then can send that signal out to the client then that should pretty much solve your problem. A repeater needs no Ethernet connection, just power. Be warned about repeaters, some manufactures won't play nicely with other manufacturers.

I hope these comments help. Some brands probably worth a look would be Seneo, Engenius & Linksys. Sorry I can't be explicit about models but I prefer to leave that to the user to research.

Regards

Fred

hi

i'd like to ask aQ

HOW Do Wireless Access Points communicate wirelessly with Routers?

IN DETALIS PLS.....!!

THANKS

Hi,

I Have Bsnl Connection I Have User Name And Password To For That

I Have An Access Point As Well As Router Provided By The Bsnl Itself

Now I Can Connect My Lap Top To Mt Access Point And Destop Through Lan To The Router Boughth Are The Same Machine But Desktop With Lan And Laptop With Wifi. I Can Access Internet To My Laptop As Well As The Desktop But The Problem Is Here

I Cannot Connect To My Desktop From Lap Top And Vice Versa

Laptop Is Vista Basic And Desktop Is Pirited Xp Cd

How Can I Build A Network To Them