Use spare router to extend/strenghten wireless signal

TriedandTested · 11 Aug 2008 at 12:58

Is this possible?

I have two Netgear routers from Virgin Media and the signal on the top floor of the house isn't great. Anything I can do with the spare to boost things a little?

FrenchTart · 11 Aug 2008 at 13:04

Is it actually a router? E.g. Not just a cable modem.

Sorry if that seems stupid question - some people make the mistake...

If you've got two routers and one to use one as an extender, easiest thing to do is to disable DHCP on the 2nd router and set it's LAN IP to something suitable for the IP range on your network. Then just run a network cable from one of the LAN ports on the first router, to one of the LAN ports on the 2nd router. You should then be able to connect to the 2nd router's wireless and access the network normally. You can obviously place the 2nd router wherever the cable allows you to do so, which will mean you're in closer proximity to the router and hence have better wireless signal.

TriedandTested · 11 Aug 2008 at 13:06

Yeah, it's definitely a second router. One came in the post and one was left by the engineer. The cable modem is different.

Ideally I wanted to be able to do this without cabling as the house is new/tidy and I would be reluctant to lay cables around the house/drill holes etc.

Can it be done wireless?

FrenchTart · 11 Aug 2008 at 13:23

It's far more difficult and lots of routers don't support connecting from wireless to wireless afaik (I could be wrong on this however).

What might be better is to take steps to improve the wireless signal. Make sure the aerial is perpendicular to the floor (as the signal is strongest at the sides of the aerial) and/or angle it slightly so that the side of the aerial is pointing towards the room you want the wireless signal in. You can also make small reflectors (a 90-degree L-shaped bit of cardboard with tin foil over it 'behind' the aerial will reflect extra signal in the direction it's facing for instance) quite cheaply. Another option would be to improve the aerial in the computer receiving the wireless. Is it a laptop or a static PC? If it's a desktop you can try using a larger aerial and/or making a reflector for it.