Wireless Network

The1nonly1

The1nonly1

The1nonly1

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Hi guys, need some help with what type of device I will need. I'm looking to extend the range of my wireless signal as my BT HH5 router is downstairs. Currently, I have a cable running from downstairs to upstairs which plugs into another BT HH5 to get a better signal. The only problem with this is that I have to create a separate SSID which is not ideal when moving laptops and mobile devices around the house.

I need a device that can extend the SSID from my main router so that it's one network. Also, the device needs to have LAN ports so that I can plug my PC into it. Any ideas?
 
Ditch the HH5 and buy an Openreach HG612.

You would have plenty of options then. One possibility is 2 Ubiquiti AmpliFi HD routers, this would give you seamless roaming and an additional 4 network ports to use upstairs. (The routers can be linked via the WAN port on the second device).
 
Nice kit the Amplifis.

The good news is you have run a wire from downstairs to upstairs. This is crucial to get the best performance without compromise.

If you want to save a few quid I'd do the following. Get a Ubiquiti AC Lite Access Point. Replace your HH upstairs with this and turn off wifi on your HH downstairs. You may magically find the Access Point gives you House wide coverage.

If the downstairs wifi suffers as a result then you can get a second UAP and rig it up downstairs and both access points can have the same SSID and your devices will roam seamlessly between the two. Depending on whether you need 1 or 2 it'll be half or a quarter the price of an Amplifi solution. Nothing wrong with Amplifi but it better solves the problem of not being able to run a cable between two locations and you don't have that problem so don't pay the extra for it would be my approach.
 
I could be totally wrong here but if you can put your HomeHub into bridge mode then you'll be use the same SSID to extend your wireless network. As as I say, I'm not 100% on this though.
 
Ubiquiti looks like a good option and will do what I need. I'll look into these thanks.

Unfortunately, only the Business HH5 supports bridge mode. Might try get one from BT first before spending money more money
 
The1nonly1 said:
Ubiquiti looks like a good option and will do what I need. I'll look into these thanks.
Unfortunately, only the Business HH5 supports bridge mode. Might try get one from BT first before spending money more money
Click to expand...

I wouldn't recommend the Business HH5, they crash regularly. I have loads at work and I'm constantly having to reboot them.

Much better off getting a HG612 from eBay or a Draytek 130 modem.
 
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HG612 or ECI modem (preference depends on what cab you have), add a router of your choice and Unifi AP's, one gives me much better coverage inside and out than anything BT have ever supplied me with, the HH5/6 are not great.
 
The only issue I see with Unifi AP is that they don't have the extra Lan ports. Ideally, I want something with at least 4 ports on it that can also extend WiFi range. Is there anything for around £60 that I can buy that has everything I need?
 
Buy a wireless router and configure it as an access point?

How exotic does the wireless need to be? £60 isn't much of a budget if you're wanting Wireless-AC.
 
Doesn't have to be anything fancy. I only want it to broadcast the same SSID as my main router so that devices will keep connected regardless of where they are in the house rather than having two separate SSID's. I have this currently and they show up as 2 when searching for connections. Ideally I want only one.

would this do what I want? https://www.overclockers.co.uk/asus...gigabit-router-90ig0241-bfa000-nw-103-as.html

Sorry, networking is not my strong point.
 
Get a cheap switch, plug that into the cable up stairs then plug an AP into it too, then you have ports free for cabled devices plus wifi coverage.
 
The1nonly1 said:
Doesn't have to be anything fancy. I only want it to broadcast the same SSID as my main router so that devices will keep connected regardless of where they are in the house rather than having two separate SSID's. I have this currently and they show up as 2 when searching for connections. Ideally I want only one.

would this do what I want? https://www.overclockers.co.uk/asus...gigabit-router-90ig0241-bfa000-nw-103-as.html

Sorry, networking is not my strong point.
Click to expand...

If you want a single SSID connect to the second device and change its SSID (encryption, security key, etc.) to match the first. You can do this (99% sure) with your existing HH5+HH5 setup.

No personal experience with that Asus router, but the answer would be a slightly guarded yes.
 
bremen1874 said:
If you want a single SSID connect to the second device and change its SSID (encryption, security key, etc.) to match the first. You can do this (99% sure) with your existing HH5+HH5 setup.

No personal experience with that Asus router, but the answer would be a slightly guarded yes.
Click to expand...

I have tried with the HH5's I have but there is no option to set one as an access point that uses the same SSID (encryption, security key, etc.). They each have their own and while I can set them to match each other, it creates multiple SSID's which are on the same network but act separate. The Business Hub 5 can do this but it was mentioned further up that they are no good.

I only want one SSID being broadcast but from multiple access points.
 
I'll try this but would they still technically by 2 SSID's? Ideally, I would like the devices to get the signal from the strongest access point whether that be the main router or the access point.
 
Yes, there'll still be two SSIDs. Any device should initially connect to the strongest signal. How well a device will roam between the two if you wander around the house will depend on the device.
 
As it involves no extra cost, I will probably stick with the setup I have then for now. For what I need, it will work and I can always look at getting something better in the future.
 
There're some interesting mesh systems hitting the market at the moment.

Once they've beaten out the bugs and the pricing drops they look like they'll be a good option. I'd wait for version 2 to be released.
 
If you have Apple devices they hang on to the connected SSID / AP for as long as possible, even if there is another known network in range with stronger signal, its quite annoying :D

You can get round this by tuning the radio power so the overlap of areas is reduced to aid the handover.
 
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