Wi-fi Extender Question

[donmil723]

My disboard buddies have always provided me with good answers to any questions I might have about Disney and technology so I'm asking you for your help again.

I have a modem/wireless router all-in-one provided by my internet provider, CenturyLink. I get wireless throughout my house and even outside on the patio/pool. However, the signal strength by my pool is pretty weak. With summer coming and wanting to use my iPad by my pool, I was wondering if a wi-fi extender would be what I need to increase the wireless signal strength at my pool. If so, does anyone have any recommendations. I would like it to be easy to set up too!

Thanks again!!!!

 

[k5jm]

I think you are looking for a wireless repeater. The wireless repeater listens to the host Access Point, and then bridges that onto it's own Access Point. Just an FYI, you will cut your wireless bandwidth in half, when you do this.

http://www.amazon.com/J-Tech-Digital-Wireless-Repeater-Expander/dp/tech-data/B006WFV830

 

[mikelan6]

I have to have my modem and router on the west side of the apartment and the signal doesn't reach the east side very well.

I use a Powerline Adapter and have a second wireless router in the east side of the apartment. There is signal loss, but it's not bad.

 

[k5jm]

I have to have my modem and router on the west side of the apartment and the signal doesn't reach the east side very well.

I use a Powerline Adapter and have a second wireless router in the east side of the apartment. There is signal loss, but it's not bad.

I use power line extenders connected to additional access points. This is really the preferred way to extend your wireless if you do not have fiber or copper in your house all ready. You have to remember that both/all of the the extenders have to be on the leg of power from your breaker panel.

 

[WebmasterAlex]

If you are getting a signal but it's just a bit weak I would look at the positioning and the antenna on the main unit. Moving it a few feet or putting a better antenna on can make all the diffrence and it's the simplest and cheapest solution.

 

[jcb]

I have a modem/wireless router all-in-one provided by my internet provider, CenturyLink.

Far be it from me to join in where Mike and Alex have answered but my point is that you are using a modem provided by your ISP. For all I know, your ISP buys top quality products joker but when I replaced the router provided by my ISP, quality, range, connectivity and speed improved dramatically.

 

[donmil723]

I think you are looking for a wireless repeater. The wireless repeater listens to the host Access Point, and then bridges that onto it's own Access Point. Just an FYI, you will cut your wireless bandwidth in half, when you do this.

http://www.amazon.com/J-Tech-Digital-Wireless-Repeater-Expander/dp/tech-data/B006WFV830

Oh no, we live in a rural area and we have a very slow DSL speed anyway.

 

[donmil723]

If you are getting a signal but it's just a bit weak I would look at the positioning and the antenna on the main unit. Moving it a few feet or putting a better antenna on can make all the diffrence and it's the simplest and cheapest solution.

Thanks! I think I'll try this first!

I appreciate all of the replies as I am not very tech savvy!

 

[donmil723]

Far be it from me to join in where Mike and Alex have answered but my point is that you are using a modem provided by your ISP. For all I know, your ISP buys top quality products joker but when I replaced the router provided by my ISP, quality, range, connectivity and speed improved dramatically.

I might try that too! I have the airport express that I used at WDW before they went to wireless. Could I buy a modem and use the airport express? Or would it be better to buy a modem/wireless router combined? If so, do you have any recommendations?

Thanks!

 

[tjevans]

Or would it be better to buy a modem/wireless router combined? If so, do you have any recommendations?

Thanks!

While all-in-one products save space, I try to avoid them. If the modem in your modem/router goes out, you have to buy a new unit. If a modem goes out on a separate modem and router, you just buy a new modem.

 

[k5jm]

Oh no, we live in a rural area and we have a very slow DSL speed anyway.

It will not change the speed of size or your DSL bandwidth. It will cut down the size of your wireless network bandwidth.

(speed is latency and you can not change the speed of light)

 

[dgthree]

I might try that too! I have the airport express that I used at WDW before they went to wireless. Could I buy a modem and use the airport express? Or would it be better to buy a modem/wireless router combined? If so, do you have any recommendations?

Thanks!

I have CenturyLink, too. Fortunately, I've had DSL through them since they were Embarq, and I only have their modem, not the modem/router combo they are shipping now. That said, when my modem failed a few years ago, I tried to use a DSL modem I bought at Staples, and I just couldn't get it to communicate with the Embarq network, even with the help of one of their tech support people. I had to wait for them to ship me a new modem.

Perhaps you could contact them about getting a standalone modem, and going out & buying your own router?

 

[DeltaDiamond001]

Unfortunately, we are CenturyLink customers as well. They were the only company offering phone service and DSL when we built this house, and we've stuck with them ever since.

We have a Westell modem, and a separate, Netgear wireless router. The wireless router was purchased 4 or 5 years ago when wireless-N was introduced, and is now completely shot. I'm actually leaving for Best Buy in a few minutes to pick up a new Cisco router.

Because the modem and main wireless router are located on the north end of the house on the center floor, the signal strength was horrible in the southern parts of the upper and lower floors. We've installed two Netgear wireless-N range extenders and they have completely remedied that issue. They are about $70 each at Best Buy, and can be set up in minutes.

I'd strongly recommend the Netgear range extenders. They are so simple to use, and blend in as they just plug in to a power outlet and don't require additional wires.

Good luck! Let us know what you end up doing!

 

[donmil723]

I have moved my wireless router/modem and it seems to have helped. Do not have full wifi signal strength but am typing this on my iPad while at my pool and listening to Pandora on my iPod. I think I'll try this for a few days to make sure the signal strength is pretty consistent. Otherwise, I'll be heading to the nearest Best Buy!

Thanks again for the help!