Need to strengthen wireless signal....

Reality Bites

Reality Bites

Reality Bites

Soldato
Joined
28 Jul 2003
Posts
5,801
Location
South Wales
I've got a virgin media wireless router upstairs but the wireless signal in some rooms downstairs is very poor.

I was thinking of putting a wireless access point downstairs and running a cat6 cable to it....is this the best way of doing it?

Not sure of the hardware I'd need and how it would be setup. Would the new access point be on the same ssid of the existing.router?

Any help appreciated!
 
A wireless access point connected via a Cat5e/Cat6 cable should be fine. There's also the option of using Powerline adapters for the connection, but stick to using a cable if you can.

Use the same SSID and security setting, but a select a different wireless channel.

The choice of access point (or wireless router configured to work as one) will depend on your requirements and budget.

There's also the option of sticking the Virgin router into modem only mode, and connecting a router with decent wireless performance. The Virgin routers are infamous for their wireless, and something better could probably cover the entire building.
 
As mentioned Power line adapters are OK, hunt around and you can get them. For £20-£30. I set up an old router as a repeater but that all depends on if you've got one that's compatible and like poking around in router settings
 
bremen1874 said:
A wireless access point connected via a Cat5e/Cat6 cable should be fine. There's also the option of using Powerline adapters for the connection, but stick to using a cable if you can.

Use the same SSID and security setting, but a select a different wireless channel.

The choice of access point (or wireless router configured to work as one) will depend on your requirements and budget.

There's also the option of sticking the Virgin router into modem only mode, and connecting a router with decent wireless performance. The Virgin routers are infamous for their wireless, and something better could probably cover the entire building.
Click to expand...


I'd been looking at something like this
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=NW-030-TP&groupid=46&catid=1837

Putting the virgin router into router only mode could work actually. I guess if cable wasn't an option, I could get some 200mbps power lines cheap.....I should be able to run a cable tho.
 
Try different channels mine gives a stronger signal when set to 9-13.
Also go into the routers setting, turn on greenfield setting.
and while your in there also change to 300 mbps (router default is 144mbps)


Posted from Overclockers.co.uk App for Android
 
Last edited:
Reality Bites said:
I'd been looking at something like this
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=NW-030-TP&groupid=46&catid=1837
Click to expand...

I've set these unit's up and they work really well.

PoE helps a lot when mounting the AP and only having to worry about where to route the network cable.

Connect the AP to the router so it establishes an IP address from DHCP.

Static that IP address in the AP and disable DHCP (in the AP) so IP Addresses are only assigned by the Router, not the AP.

Match Subnet and Default Gateway to that of the Router.

Job done.

ShakenNstirred said:
Try different channels mine gives a stronger signal when set to 9-13.
Posted from Overclockers.co.uk App for Android
Click to expand...

All depends on how many active SSID's you have near you.

Most Routers have the ability to scan and show which channels to avoid.

Also, a number of mobiles apps are available which scan 802.11 and show the same results.
 
Last edited:
I had planned on disabling the original ssid on the virgin router and creating a new one on the AP. I had assumed it would play havoc if I had both the same?
 
Reality Bites said:
I had planned on disabling the original ssid on the virgin router and creating a new one on the AP. I had assumed it would play havoc if I had both the same?
Click to expand...

Identical SSID's wouldn't be ideal.

Leave the Virgin router as it is so you got WiFi coverage in that area, just name the SSID on the AP something different so in affect, you'll have 2 SSID's on the same network.

Also, have them on difference channels.
 
SC0TTRS said:
Identical SSID's wouldn't be ideal.

Leave the Virgin router as it is so you got WiFi coverage in that area, just name the SSID on the AP something different so in affect, you'll have 2 SSID's on the same network.

Also, have them on difference channels.
Click to expand...

My worry was that the devices get a little messed up and fight over which point to connect to. I was hoping the ap I listed would solve the wireless performance issues downstairs and provide suitable performance upstairs.

I could then get rid of the ssid on the virgin box.
 
It's usual to use different channels, but the same SSID and security settings on all of the access points.

The connecting device will then select whichever access point has the strongest signal at that time.
 
Last edited:
bremen1874 said:
It's usual to use different channels, but the same SSID and security settings on all of the access points.

The connecting device will then select whichever access point has the strongest signal at that time.
Click to expand...

Bremen is right here. If you use two different SSID's then windows will always attempt to connect to the network which highest on windows 'preferred' list, even if that signal is very weak. Same SSID and security, different channels.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom