1. Connect, and Stay Connected
Learn how to extend your wireless router so you can browse from your favorite spot in the home. Two techniques we share won’t even cost a dime.
Are you having problems connecting, or keeping a connection, with your wireless router? Are you seeing poor signal strength with one or two bars, like you see below? Before you throw the laptop out the window or give up on Wi-Fi altogether and resort to an old-fashioned wire connection, keep on reading. I’ll help you discover seven ways to extend the range of your wireless router. Chances are that at least one of them will work for you.
Soon you’ll be able to browse the net and check Facebook from your favorite spot in the home, without worrying about getting disconnected. If you’re a performance hog, or enjoy streaming shows from Hulu or online gaming, you might also see an improvement when near the edge of your Wi-Fi coverage.
Before you fix the problem, you might want to know why you’re here in the first place. Well, there are numerous causes for poor wireless range. If you’re lucky, it’s simply because you have a large home. Newer wireless N routers can give you up to a few hundred feet of range. However, the reach of the signals vary greatly upon the inter-makeup of the building. Plaster walls, for example, slow the signal down more than plain drywall. So, even if you don’t have your mansion yet, your stock wireless router might not even cover your rental or starter home.
nice...
would love to see ways to increase 3G USB Dongle signal that uses SIM card... or any other signal boosting techniques.
having my USB dongle in a pot is not practical.
Why is it Wireless N has better range? It would seem B would have the best range of the 3 due to its lower frequency.
#3 Failed! 802.11g still have a better range than 802.11n.
In few case 802.11n have better range (It's better for past though some object like walls), but in term of range, n lose all the way.
I can give you example. I buy one of the best n router available the Linksys WRT610. They claim it's 4 times better than 802.11g in term of range.
I test it again my older router Linksys WRT54GX2 (the one have 2 times the 802.11g range)
The fact is my old WRT54GX2 have 2 times a better range than WRT610 with all the correct equipment.
Also, router with internal antenna like WRT610 wasn't good for long range. So if you really want a better range... find one with no internal antenna.
The great "plus" to use a 802.11n is the transfert rate.
Not all routers are created equally. As Miharu noted, Wireless N doesn't always do better than - or even as well as - Wireless G. And both struggle with providing HD-quality video. Ethernet over Coax is one alternative that is supposed to work well, likely better than Ethernet over powerline. But none of these beat a straight CAT6 ethernet connection running at 1 Gbps.
As for drilling holes in closets.... I'm just glad that the author won't ever be trying to extend his wireless coverage in my home. If a basement is unfinished, it may not be difficult at all to fish a wire down a wall to there, and then back up another wall, allowing for wall plate installations at both ends. You can even put these next to phone jacks by replacing a simple single-jack plate with something like a 2-position keystone plate.
Good article but the should also mention using focused antenna hacks like foiled lined cardboard behind your routers antennas to focus the signal. Cheap and easy hack.
Is anyone familiar with any security issues regarding option #2 (Win7 as repeater)? An improperly configured AP of any type can leave your network open for attacks.
Once inside the network, the attacker can either compromise the connected computers or launch an attack from that network.
#1 Fail on "not costing a dime". Usually the router is in a corner because your cable or DSL line ends there. Pulling cable of any kind to a more central location is not free, and usually fairley laborious.
As an early N adopter I can attest to it having similar range to G but one thing that doesn't get mentioned too much is that it's more usable at the edge because of the increased bandwidth (although packetloss can remain an issue). ie 18% 300Mbps = ~54Mbps, 18% 54Mbps = ~9Mbps
It would have been nice to include the other option of networking over coax. It would definitely be faster for someone who has satellite because there will not be any interference over the lines. I use D-Link's coax networking setup, and I have cable with no problems. I mainly use it for my PS3. It is faster than wireless by a long shot. Head over to http://www.mocalliance.org/industr [...] oducts.php for a list of certified moca products.
Cant believe you missed the #1 cause of wireless issues: Wires! All cables that have power running through them give off electromagnetic signals that will interfere with your reception, especially if you are at the edge of your wireless range to begin with. This is especially true for desktops crammed in little cubby holes. Make sure there is ample space (6-12 inches) between the back of your tower and the wall or cabinet. Try to keep the rats nest of cables away from your antenna. Also, metal cabinets, drawers, etc are going to act as shields, so use wood furniture around wireless devices.
Also, putting your antennas parallel to each other (either vertical or horizontal) can create limited range or dead spots. Set your antennas aprox 90 degrees from each other for best performance. Lastly, don't put your wireless router in a little closet somewhere. Hide it on top of a bookshelf or something. I understand not wanting to look at the thing, but enclosing it will change performance.
Lastly, wireless devices affect each other. The more wireless devices you have the less performance you will get. All stationary devices (the network printer, TV, media PC, PS3, Wii, xbox, blue ray player, desktop PCs etc) should all be wired if possible. They will get better performance this way, and your wireless devices (laptops and network capable cell phones) will have free air to work with.
ChromeTusk, regarding the security of using Win 7 as repeater: It automatically enables WPA2 (AES) encryption for the wireless signal, so it doesn't open the network up.
It's the CHANNELS!!!!!!!!!
Channels 1,6, and 11 are the only channels that don't overlap....you need to scan the area and find out what channels your neighbors are using.....then set the appropriate channel.....this is how i increased my range....if your neighbor has strong wireless and so do you but you are both on channel 1 then where the signals cross there is a complete dead spot.....switching to another channel like 6 or 11 will completely solve your problem....
channels can be VERY difficult if you live in apartments.....
what a completely useless article. There are SO many ways to boost your signal that actually are free. Has the author ever actually used a wireless device? Suggesting to poor folks that they use powerline ethernet? Seriously, I'm a bit drunk so I'm not being complete but this article sucks balls.
No pringles can even/????
I'd say the priority for the list should be:
1. Try to move the router (Free)
2. Create the virtual access point with Win 7 (Free)
3. Try changing the antenna (Cheaper than a router/ap/extender)
4. Install another router/access point (There are dirt-cheap routers/ap's)
5. Use Powerline units (They'd have more bandwidth than repeaters)
6. Use repeater (Only if powerline units are expensive/unavailable in your area)
7. Upgrade to wireless-N (This could mean a network overhaul for some people as sometimes with an N router and G client, you'd have the same range).
Number 8, the humble Cantenna
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cantenna
Number 8, the humble Cantennahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cantenna
You left out the CHANNELS!
I'd say the priority for the list should be:1. Try to move the router (Free)2. Create the virtual access point with Win 7 (Free)3. Try changing the antenna (Cheaper than a router/ap/extender)4. Install another router/access point (There are dirt-cheap routers/ap's)5. Use Powerline units (They'd have more bandwidth than repeaters)6. Use repeater (Only if powerline units are expensive/unavailable in your area)7. Upgrade to wireless-N (This could mean a network overhaul for some people as sometimes with an N router and G client, you'd have the same range).
You left out the CHANNELS!
You left out the CHANNELS!
Really, you could have simply done this:-
Number 9 - The channels
You already mentioned it once, I was mearly adding to the list, and as I have now numbered your suggestion, so now have you. Thanks guy. any other range and/or reception suggestions?
I swear by the netgear wndr3700, best router I've tried so far. had both the linksys 610 and 3000. No comparison.
The linksys had better speed with short range connections but the netgears range (and stability) puts linksys to shame. No dead spots in my house anymore, I have the htpc dedicated to the 5ghz band, can stream 1080p from the server without issue, the rest of my pcs are connected via 2.4ghz