Rannge Booster vs Access Point?

Question

Wich one is better, and Why?

Wich should I buy and Why?

Answer 1

Depends for the purpose, but another access point will extend the range further. Here are some tips to increase the range of your Wi-Fi

* reposition your router (or access point) to avoid obstructions and radio interference. Both reduce the range of WiFi network equipment. Common sources of interference in residences include brick or plaster walls, microwave ovens, and cordless phones. Additionally, consider changing the WiFi channel number on your equipment to avoid interference.

* upgrade the antenna on your router (or access point). WiFi antennas on most wireless base stations can be removed and replaced with more powerful ones.

* add another access point (or router). Large residences typically require no more than two APs, whereas businesses may employ dozens of APs. In a home, this option requires connecting your primary wireless router (access point) to the second one with Ethernet cable; home wireless routers and/or APs don't normally communicate with each other directly.

* add a bi-directional WiFi signal amplifier to wireless devices as needed. A WiFi signal amplifier (sometimes called "signal booster") attaches to a router, access point or Wi-Fi client at the place where the antenna connects. Bi-directional antennas amplify the wireless signal in both transmit and receive directions. These should be used as WiFi transmissions are two-way radio communications.

* add a WiFi repeater. A wireless repeater is a stand-alone unit positioned within range of a wireless router (access point). Repeaters (sometimes called "range expanders") serve as a two-way relay station for WiFi signals. Clients too far away from the original router / AP can instead associate with the WLAN through the repeater.

Answer 2

The term range booster generally refers to a range extender, it does not boost signal. The setup for this is to position it half the distance between your first wireless router or access point. Setting the MAC address filter ensures it only talks to your own router, It picks up signal from either side and relays it to the other. An access point can be used to connect a hard-wired router or switch to wireless PCs. This needs a cable from the switch, positioning it as centrally as possible in your house or office. In a large area the setup might be a wireless router/access point as far from one end of the area as can be reached by a PC at that end of the building. A cable from this to another access point just on the edge of range from the first will give you double the coverage. Another will treble it, and so on. A range extender would need to be somewhat closer to the first (router) wireless unit, as it needs to be close enough for reliable radio communication. The longest range would use access points, the least clumsy from a wiring point of view would be a range extender, which only needs power. Some access points are also configurable as range extenders, Belkin's most readily available is a combined access point range extender, and defaults to range extending.

Answer 3

Range extender sounds more reasonable for you. Access points require physical wiring through your (house?) walls and ceilings. A range extender or a repeater is just picking up the wireless signal from your router and throwing a new one off again to be able to extend it. Access points are better but they do require I.T. knowledge to set up and they can get quite expensive too. An extender can just be setup really quick out of the box. -I'd say a range extender for you.