WAP vs Repeater

[DanF]

Is there any particular AP you would suggest?

EDIT: Can I have the AP with the same SSID and WPA settings as the root router? Will the client pick up the strongest connection?

[Rob]

More info would be helpful. Your map is good but it needs some distances included. How many users are going to be using this? What network speeds are they currently getting? What is their budget, and is this why they don't want a cable run?

[DanF]

I'll be visiting the client to collect more data sometime this week. Haven't used the WiFi analyzer tool while on site, so I can't give this information right now.

The room where the ADSL PPPOE wireless router is placed (Thompson), is around 12m - 15m away from the kitchen. There's a client (PC) connected directly to the Thompson broadband wireless router, and is placed at the same location. There are then 2 (or 3) netbooks involved. One will be used in the kitchen, another will be used in the room that is above the mentioned floor (also coloured in red). The netbook is not able to connect in this particular room, however the client's cell phone is able to connect.

Client wants to have connection in the kitchen and upstairs because her children keep on fighting when doing school work in the same room :P ... so she's planning beforehand.

They can't provide any budget, I will have to just give them the options and then they will choose, that's what they said. The cabling part is most probably because of the drilling and not because of the budget, but I will have to confirm this.

I'm really appreciating your suggestions. Thanks for this.

[Rob]

On a smaller setup with less users, I think a repeater like the model you posted would be quite okay. You've got the right idea though, give them the options with the pros, cons, and costs and let them decide.

[datagnostic]

Originally Posted by DanF

EDIT: Can I have the AP with the same SSID and WPA settings as the root router?

Yes, this will create an Extended Service Set.
Clients will associate with whatever AP gives them the best RSSI (signal strength as received).
Be sure to configure both the router and the new AP on different non-overlapping channels though.

[DanF]

Thanks for the information. I am confident that the extender would work in this case, at least in the current floor, but have you ever used one and repeated the signal onto the above floor? I know it's difficult to guess...

One more question, can an AP connect to the root router via WiFi instead of Ethernet?

[datadatau]

An easy way to do this set up for a residence without a lot of users, use apples airport extreme as the main AP/router and use the airport express or extreme to extend the network. These devices work very well together for a reasonable price.

[Rob]

I have used repeaters to go up floors successfully, but not that particular model though. Certain APs can be used to connect to another router via wifi, but it depends entirely on the model. DDWRT flashed Broadcom routers can be set up to do this.