Best & easiest way to extend a wifi network?

[hopeful_builder]

Hello,

hoping someone can help me.

I have a friend who's wifi signal is weak. He has a long house and at one end the signal is constantly dropping. This also means connecting the wifi printer is hopeless to.

Is there such a thing as a simple wifi extender?
if so are they easy to setup (i have very limited experience of networks)?
are they reliable?

Thank in advance.

 

[MillsyOC]

Wifi extenders are not the best as they try to rebroadcast an already-weak Wifi signal in most cases.

Not the cheapest option, but the best IMO would be a 2nd router/access point at the opposite side of the house, connected to the first via Powerline Adapters.

Powerline adapters plug into wall sockets and give you a wired connection via the electrical wiring in the house. Speed varies depending on wiring and the kits themselves, but they're almost always a safer bet than WiFi when it comes to throughput/speed.

 

[hopeful_builder]

Wifi extenders are not the best as they try to rebroadcast an already-weak Wifi signal in most cases.

Not the cheapest option, but the best IMO would be a 2nd router/access point at the opposite side of the house, connected to the first via Powerline Adapters.

Powerline adapters plug into wall sockets and give you a wired connection via the electrical wiring in the house. Speed varies depending on wiring and the kits themselves, but they're almost always a safer bet than WiFi when it comes to throughput/speed.

ah i see, I didn't look at it like that.

Are powerline adapters easy to set up? I haven't used them before.

as would a second router be easy enough to do?

Thanks for your help

 

[bertles86]

A Wireless Access Point is the most stable method.

It is relatively straightforward to configure/install:

Run Cat5e pre-terminated patch lead from one port on the router to the port on the access point.
Configure the new access point as per instructions in the box, essentially copying the data in each field of the Wireless Setup in your router (SSID/security type/password) changing only the Wireless Channel, (set the router to CH1, access point to CH11 for example).

Take a look at a DrayTek AP700 and Cable Monkey sell good quality patch leads.

 

[passey89]

ah i see, I didn't look at it like that.

Are powerline adapters easy to set up? I haven't used them before.

as would a second router be easy enough to do?

Thanks for your help

you just plug them in and that's it.

With the router you just set it up as an access point only.

 

[Tomsk]

ah i see, I didn't look at it like that.

Are powerline adapters easy to set up? I haven't used them before.

as would a second router be easy enough to do?

Thanks for your help

You can get homeplugs with built in wifi so there's no need for a second router.

 

[R.O.S.S.I]

A Wireless Access Point is the most stable method.

It is relatively straightforward to configure/install:

Run Cat5e pre-terminated patch lead from one port on the router to the port on the access point.
Configure the new access point as per instructions in the box, essentially copying the data in each field of the Wireless Setup in your router (SSID/security type/password) changing only the Wireless Channel, (set the router to CH1, access point to CH11 for example).

Take a look at a DrayTek AP700 and Cable Monkey sell good quality patch leads.

Think we're looking at getting one for work as its a long building and some devices struggle with WIFI.

Can I literally just plug one of the AP700's into a network wall port on the other side of the building that is patched back into the switch back in the server room (which the original router is connected to) and then configure it to be an access point and Bob's your uncle?

 

[zakblood]

yes

 

[bertles86]

Think we're looking at getting one for work as its a long building and some devices struggle with WIFI.

Can I literally just plug one of the AP700's into a network wall port on the other side of the building that is patched back into the switch back in the server room (which the original router is connected to) and then configure it to be an access point and Bob's your uncle?

Exactly, it takes 5 minutes.

 

[Mr Goat]

I used a Huawei Wi-Fi Repeater and it worked well, plugged it in about 2/3 of the way between the main router and where I wanted a signal. Less than £30 online too.