Extending Wireless Network?

Trojan Horse · 8 Dec 2013 at 16:57

I connect to the internet on my PC using a homeplug and therefore it is a wired connection, I would like to know what I should buy to make my computer a 'wireless' station.

I have an extra pair of homeplugs somewhere however the connection is for my phones, ipads, and other wireless devices and I don't want to purchase another router to extend the connection.

As far as I'm aware I've got an extra pci x1 slot on my Gigabyte Z87 UD3H mobo.

Would a TL-WDN4800 from TP Link suffice to bridge the gap? I get a one bar connection in my room from my Sky router however it drops all the time and is very slow when it works. Don't blame the router though, it goes very far in terms of wireless access but my house is a bit too big for the signal to accomdate everywhere.

What is the wireless range for the TP Link TL-WDN4800? I have a large house with very thick real walls (not those plasterboard walls) and the doors are also pretty thick (closing the door lowers signal quality).

My internet speed is crap (3mb) but might be upgrading to fibre soon, also would like to know about streaming to devices as I've never really asked about it.

kefan77 · 8 Dec 2013 at 17:02

I'd get a decent router (read Asus RT-N66) first and see what it does.

all the ISP's routers are a joke and N4800 is just an adapter.

Trojan Horse · 8 Dec 2013 at 17:15

If it's just an adapter does it feed from the wired connection?

Seeing as it's only to bridge a small gap in dead spots I don't want to spend over £30 to bridge about 2 rooms worth of wifi.

Kcomp · 8 Dec 2013 at 18:58

Perhaps you could try replacing the powerline adapter your pc plugs into with something like the TP-Link TL-WPA281. This would extend your wireless coverage but still allow your pc to have an ethernet connection. It's slightly more than your £30 budget though.

Trojan Horse · 9 Dec 2013 at 17:56

any other suggestions?

a1ex2001 · 10 Dec 2013 at 15:39

you should just be able to put any old wireless card in you PC and do internet sharing from there but it will mean your PC being on when ever you want to use your Phone or iPad. Personally I'd go the homeplug extender route as suggested above.

Trojan Horse · 10 Dec 2013 at 18:03

alright thanks alex, my pc is always on anyway.

i just want to know once i purchase the wifi card does it connect to the router or just use the internet from my ethernet (plugged into pc)?

a1ex2001 · 11 Dec 2013 at 12:40

should use the ethernet

Trojan Horse · 13 Dec 2013 at 16:51

god damn it.

the n900 arrived today and I set it up easily except it can only connect to the WIFI using wifi, it can't connect to the wifi and stream wifi as a hotspot from the ethernet connection.

Could anyone explain how this is achieved? Would it have anything to do with ICS or network bridges?

Trojan Horse · 13 Dec 2013 at 23:43

anyone?

bremen1874 · 14 Dec 2013 at 00:30

Try Googling 'windows 7 hotspot' or something similar. You should find some detailed guides that'll lead you through it.

Trojan Horse · 15 Dec 2013 at 02:32

yeah but they just use the wifi card to connect to wifi and not to powerline connection

!bluetonic! · 15 Dec 2013 at 08:27

With the DD-WRT firmware you'd set up a virtual lan.

I've got this working by connecting my phone as a WIFI hotspot to the router and then the virtual LAN outputs this to the ethernet ports.

Trojan Horse · 15 Dec 2013 at 13:07

No I want my phone to connect to my wifi card so it stops dead spots!!!!

bremen1874 · 15 Dec 2013 at 14:32

bremen1874 said:
Try Googling 'windows 7 hotspot' or something similar. You should find some detailed guides that'll lead you through it.

Trojan Horse said:
yeah but they just use the wifi card to connect to wifi and not to powerline connection

When I Google it six of the first seven matches cover exactly what you want. For example result five Turn your PC into a Wi-Fi hotspot - PC Advisor.

For the cost of a TL-WDN4800 you could have bought a cheap and cheerful wireless router and configured it as an access point.