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I need to expand my wireless network and am wondering exactly how far a repeater extends the signal. I need to determine how many to buy.

2006-06-19 09:00:26 · 4 answers · asked by Gir B 2 in Computers & Internet Computer Networking

4 answers

The distance a repeater will extend your network depends on a few things, such as the gain (in dBi) of the antennas and obstructions the signal needs to pass through like walls, and sources of interference like other wireless networks or 2.4GHz cordless phones. A standard "rubber ducky" antenna like the ones you'll find on most Linksys, Dlink, Netgear routers are typically about 2dBi. Some sell high gain antennas with perhaps 5 or 5.5dBi. Don't worry about what a dBi is, just know that every increase of 3 dBi means twice the gain. But twice the gain does not necessarily mean twice the distance... generally speaking you need an additional 6 dBi of gain to double your distance. That is generally true for outdoors. If indoors, you need more like an additional 9 dBi to double the distance. Use these rules of thumb and reasonable distances (say less than 100 feet indoors and less than 200 feet outdoors) when setting up a repeater.

So if that answers the question, now let me advise you AGAINST using a repeater or range extender. An important note is to be careful about performance expectations when adding repeaters to your wireless LAN. You mentioned you're trying to decide how many to buy... You probably should not add more than one. The problem is that every repeater you add cuts the performance by roughly 50%. Add 2 or 3 and the performance will fall flat on its face. If possible, do what I did, extend Cat5 wiring as far as possible and install a 2nd wireless router or access point that has a wired connection. But if you do it that way, make sure you use 2 different channels, pick from 1,6 and 11. For a friend's setup I ended up with 2 access points about 60 feet apart at opposite ends of the house on channels 1 and 11, using standard antennas and we had an excellent signal all around his property, and a good signal strength/quality out by his pool deck 150 feet away from either AP. Note roaming is generally automatic as well if you do it that way.

Anyway, instead of adding a repeater and cutting your performance in half, you might be better off leaving a single AP but with the highest gain antennas you can use. Or alternatively, run wires and add a second, wired AP on a different channel.

2006-06-19 13:41:20 · answer #1 · answered by networkmaster 5 · 2 0

There a lot of variables here. One is the protocol. 802.11b and 802.11g (make sure the repeater you get is using the same protocol as your router) have about 150 feet indoors, or 300 outdoors... But there are so many things that can affect that, from how much interference is in your area (from wireless phones, other routers, any other wireless devices in your neighborhood) to what your house is made of (the signal goes through wood a lot easier than concrete and steel). Your safest bet is to assume that the repeater will cover... probably about 75% of the area the router currently is. Remember the repeater needs to have a signal to repeat, so you can't stick it all the way on the edge of the router's signal and expect it to work well, so give yourself some breathing room, there.

2006-06-19 09:17:11 · answer #2 · answered by The Resurrectionist 6 · 0 0

hi wendy to improvw your wireless network plz follow htese steps: Position your wireless router (or wireless access point) in a central location Move the router off the floor and away from walls and metal objects (such as metal file cabinets). Add a wireless repeater. Wireless repeaters extend your wireless network range without requiring you to add any wiring. Just place the wireless repeater halfway between your wireless access point and your computer, and you'll get an instant boost to your wireless signal strength. Check out the wireless repeaters from ViewSonic, D-Link, Linksys, and Buffalo Technology. Replace your computer's wireless network adapter Pick equipment from a single vendor. Upgrade 802.11b devices to 802.11g.

2016-03-26 21:52:08 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0 0

well it depends on the dbi lvl etc..
and how far u want to reach since there is prrofession wifi stuff u can get since u r only allowed a certain amount of dbi.
i use this Hawking Hi-Gain15dBiCornerAntenna
and i can get a range of about 200 metres from the router.
but depends on the routers location and walls etc.

2006-06-19 09:12:41 · answer #4 · answered by Paultech 7 · 0 0

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