Recommended wifi extenders

[ComputerRepairTech]

Since I primarily do online computer repair and have never needed to extend my own wifi network i'd like recommendations for a friend.

They want to extend the wifi to reach the other side of the house. They say they don't want to move the modem/router. What would be a brand/model of an extender thats on the lower budget side but still reliable?

Thanks.

 

[HCHTech]

I've never had good luck with extenders. I prefer using powerline networking adapters to setup a 2nd router/WAP. PLN kits have come down quite a bit in price over the last year, so this is a much more affordable option than it used to be.

Since the handoff on consumer routers is rarely smooth, I prefer using different network names for each router and teaching the users how to pick the one with the best signal. FWIW.

 

[TriadPCSolutions]

Myself I just have a tendency to use DDWRT compatible routers, fairly inexpensive gets the job done in my experience. Gives the new extension it's own unique SSID etc...

 

[Knightsman]

We always use ubiquiti products now. You would be able to use a picoatation to do what you want.

 

[phaZed]

We always use ubiquiti products now. You would be able to use a picoatation to do what you want.

This. Tried a few Ubiquti devices and was really impressed with the hardwares capability.. I now have a unifi unit and 2 nanostation at the office and have setup a few SMBs with unifi as well. Pretty sweet gear at amazing prices.

 

[drjones]

I've also never heard good things about extenders. I have heard they cut your bandwidth significantly.

I'm sorry it's not cheap, but for several really large homes where it's been needed, I've installed a pair of Apple AirPort Extremes - they have a really great extend function that does NOT seem to cut bandwidth and works very well.

They're $200 each though...

If it's a standard sized home - 2-3K sq. feet, they could probably upgrade to a newer, better router & cover the whole place. I'm a fan of the Netgear for *small* businesses that balk at the cost of a sonicwall (yes, I know the security....but...) and homes. The new R6300 is sweet & pretty darn powerful. Should do better than whatever they've got now.

 

[PSG-Samuel]

I've also never heard good things about extenders. I have heard they cut your bandwidth significantly.

I'm sorry it's not cheap, but for several really large homes where it's been needed, I've installed a pair of Apple AirPort Extremes - they have a really great extend function that does NOT seem to cut bandwidth and works very well.

They're $200 each though...

If it's a standard sized home - 2-3K sq. feet, they could probably upgrade to a newer, better router & cover the whole place. I'm a fan of the Netgear for *small* businesses that balk at the cost of a sonicwall (yes, I know the security....but...) and homes. The new R6300 is sweet & pretty darn powerful. Should do better than whatever they've got now.

Using an apple time machine and airport express as extender and it works rathe well.

-sam

 

[altrenda]

I'm sorry it's not cheap, but for several really large homes where it's been needed, I've installed a pair of Apple AirPort Extremes - they have a really great extend function that does NOT seem to cut bandwidth and works very well.

If you're going the Apple route, why not the Extreme for the primary and Airport Expresses for the extenders? That's what they are designed for and they do a great job. Also they are around $100 less.

 

[drjones]

If you're going the Apple route, why not the Extreme for the primary and Airport Expresses for the extenders? That's what they are designed for and they do a great job. Also they are around $100 less.

No idea....I guess I didn't really think of it.

 

[altrenda]

No idea....I guess I didn't really think of it.

That's the beauty of TN, none of us can know everything.

 

[Paul Rodgers]

Since the handoff on consumer routers is rarely smooth, I prefer using different network names for each router and teaching the users how to pick the one with the best signal. FWIW.

What are you using for firmware? I've always had good luck with dd-wrt and roaming between APs.

 

[drjones]

That's the beauty of TN, none of us can know everything.

Very true. I think I may also have gotten the idea that the Express didn't offer the range/power of the Extreme - any truth to that? Can you or anyone else verify that the power & coverage is identical?

If not, I'd rather spend the extra $100 of my clients money to get them the better product...

 

[HCHTech]

What are you using for firmware? I've always had good luck with dd-wrt and roaming between APs.

I've used dd-wrt on my own routers, but I'm not about to start loading it on my customers' routers. I'm 95% residential and they get factory firmware for whichever router I'm selling them - which, unsurprisingly, usually doesn't do handoff well.

Granted, I haven't done extensive testing, but I've had enough callbacks due to this issue that I changed my modus operandi. Not a single callback since I started doing different SSIDs on the 2nd WAP.

 

[YeOldeStonecat]

What are you using for firmware? I've always had good luck with dd-wrt and roaming between APs.

How are you quantifying that "roaming"? Via just a web based session? Or seeing that it disconnects..and reconnects?

Or are you using a locally hosted application on the network with a client on the laptop..and you can roam across the office and latch onto the nearest AP...without the applications farting up some errors due to a TCP timeout.

Perhaps I'm behind with DD's latest features, but last I recall, it did not support seamless roaming.

 

[johnrobert]

I have a client that cant connect his Windows 7 laptop with Apple AirPort Extreme all the Apple devices no problem
Is there a trick for Windows computers

 

[knc]

Use open-mesh.com.. access points about $80.00 a piece and place multiples throughout the location. They repeat off of each other (If need be) so the remote units can be wireless.

Disable the router wifi and you are DONE! Very nice plus they offer cloud management for free.