The best solution to extend the wifi to remove dead spots

[samhain]

I have the asus AC66u 1750 wireless AC router connected to my sky router. The sky boys don't like you using any other router to connect to their service so I have kept it in the chain but have switched off the wifi radio on the sky router and am only using the dual band wifi on the asus.

I have the HTC One phone which has an ac receiver in it so I can utilise the benefits of the new ac standard.

However, like most 5Ghz frequencies the actual coverage in my 'modest' house is limited and in the kitchen at the back of the house I can hardly get any signal at all until I move closer to the router.

So...I want to address the dead spot but leave the router where it is in the bedroom upstairs. I use powerline adapters in the house for PS3 and Xbox connectivity but I would like to know what I should purchase to extend my wifi in my house.

Do I buy another 66u or the new 68u and sit it in the kitchen and connect the LAN port to a powerline plug on the wall and configure the router as a bridge or access point (if so which one)? I don't want my wireless devices coming off and on to different or multiple wireless networks so I just want a single wireless network throughout the house (with 2 or more routers) where devices simply connect to the one SSID no matter where you walk to in the house.

Help, this is not an area I am comfortable with.


Thanks

Stu

 

[bremen1874]

Adding wired access points won't give you seamless roaming.

Unfortunately most client devices hang onto the first signal they connect to even when there's a stronger signal available. They won't go looking for anything better until they actually completely loose the original connection.

What benefit do you actually get from using ac wireless on your phone? If you've got decent 2.4GHz coverage I'd just stick the phone on that and save the money.

 

[AStaley]

I would look at moving the router to a more central location, preferably on the ground floor. Any specific reason you don't want to move it?

 

[samhain]

No reason as such I just by habit stick it next to the PC. In order to get the wireless around the house can I move the router and just connect it via an ethernet to a powerline and that will still work?

 

[AStaley]

Where does you ADSL/Fibre come in to the premises, I assume on the ground floor? I would put the router there and then as you say use the powerline adapters to get the connection to your PC over Ethernet.

Depending on your current setup you may get some additional latency when gaming, you will need to test it and see. I have my router on the ground floor and then run an Ethernet cable up the stairs to my PC. I get nearly full signal to all parts of the house. PS3 is connected via wireless as well and plays online with no lag.

If it doesn't work you can always revert your setup back.