Is this easy to do?

Cheetah Designs · 24 Feb 2012 at 11:57

Basically I want to extend my wireless network as there is one room in the house which doesn't get wireless.

I have a virgin superhub and there is an ethernet cable already from the superhub already in place for where I would put the new device.

I don't want to have to add any more wireless settings to my devices that use the internet. Is it possible to buy a router that simply "extends the network" and has the same wireless key and name and the device I want to use simply connects to the closest base station?

If so, what do I need to buy and how much will it cost?

PistolPete · 24 Feb 2012 at 12:03

I'm a little confused.

"there is an ethernet cable already from the superhub already in place for where I would put the new device."

"Is it possible to buy a router that simply "extends the network" and has the same wireless key and name and the device I want to use simply connects to the closest base station?"

If you have an ethernet cable running to where you want the new device to be, you can use a Wireless Access Point, or a router configured as a WAP. If you use a WAP then you will only get wireless connectivity, if you use a router you get to use the other switch ports too.

If you want a device that clients connect to, which in turn that device connects wirelessly to the Superhub, then you need a wireless repeater.

monkeyspank · 24 Feb 2012 at 14:10

if it is just one room, it would be easier and cheaper to use homeplugs IMO

Cheetah Designs · 24 Feb 2012 at 19:40

Superhub router is downstairs at the front of the house. This is where my Virgin internet comes from. There is an ethernet cable running from the Superhub router to a room at the back of the house upstairs. This seems the ideal place to put an access point.

A Wireless access point seems to be what I am after. Can I just get any old router and have it in WAP mode or do I need I need a specific device?

I take it that I just set it up with the same SSID and key settings as the superhub and any device that wants to connect to my network will simply choose whichever one is closest?

monkeyspank · 24 Feb 2012 at 20:22

Oh right. Yes, it's easy enough to do.

http://forums.overclockers.co.uk/showpost.php?p=21325303&postcount=2

No need to use a different SSID. I use different ones so that I can easily see on the client which AP I'm connected to, and choose one if I know that one will be better.

Also bear in mind that wireless channels overlap and 'interfere'. I have one downstairs on ch1 and one upstairs on ch11