Is it possible to use one wireless router to boost the signal of another?

Question

I have a Netgear wireless router downstairs and I wanna know If I can hook the D link router to my computer using the signal from the netgear to get on the internet. Or can I plug the D link some were in the hall and have it boost the netgear signal through the D link to make it stronger.

Answer 1

Depending on the model of the D-Link router, yes it is possible. You want to investigate whether that D-Link router support acting as a bridge or not.

Answer 2

While I am not 100% sure this is possible, I do know that there is an option in my router, which is Belkin, to setup my router to act only as an access point. This shuts down the ports used to hardwire network nodes into the network.

I am unsure if this will enable it to act as a range extender. This is due to when I first was hooking up my Belkin router and had troubles. The level 3 technician said it seemed I wasn't receiving the advertised range and sent me, for free, a $100.00 Belkin Range Extender. It was a very small black box without any ports, just an uplink to connect from my routers uplink port. Once I plugged the power on it extended my range.

I wonder if using another router wouldn't work as an extender because it would have been less expensive for the technician to send me a free router, than the extender.

This is why I think it would be a good idea if you called one of the manufacturers technical department and ask if this would work as you hope. If not, then find a range extender and use it.

Now, my problem occured about two years ago, and prices have dropped. So, an extender shouldn't cost as much as the one Belkin sent me. Plus, it depends on the type you are using, wether it is an 802.11n, or g, or B. As you are aware the 802.11n is the most expensive now, so that would make any extender you purchased more too, than if you are using 802.11g, etc.

I would guess that using two routers with one set to "access point only", should work. Just make sure all of your nodes are using the same workgroup name, and if you are using security, (if not, you should) put in the password. Please double check with the manufacturer to be absolutely sure, unless you get specific instructions from somebody here. Sometimes people like to act as though they know much more than they really do, and so you would be taking a chance just following whatever somebody says here without first checking. Especially because this is hardware and it could conceivably get wrecked if not used correctly.

Thinking about this I would be concerned about security even if it were possible to use two routers. With the range extender I didn't have to concern myself with it being an access point and thus being a point of entry into my network. It was added to the network as only a range extender, in and of itself it wasn't a security risk. I would be concerned about the setup of the passwords. Would you have to use the same encryption password, or two different ones?

I would also have to find out if this would actually create two networks which isn't a huge problem but would require bridging the two together.

Definantly call technical assistance and find out if this is possible and if so how to do it properly.

Good luck and I will read the responses here to see if this IS a real possibility. Pretty cool if does because then older hardware or second hand, etc, could have a new purpose.

Answer 3

relies upon on the firmware of the router. in many circumstances, that's extremely a risk to apply them as get admission to factors, yet generally in simple terms with nicer linksys/belkin routers. there's a reason get admission to factors fee extra money. As for repeaters . . . they by no potential artwork nicely. so a techniques as my journey is going, the apple airport device is the only one that does that nicely.

Answer 4

What you need is either a high gain (7db or 9db) antenna or a range expander. What you suggest is not a workable solution.

Answer 5

well neither of those will work! but D-link made a booster that you can buy at target with. that will boost your singal to reach upstairs! hope it works!