Solved Best Wi-Fi Range Extenders

Winuser · Jan 19, 2023

Stigg said:
One other thing that I did when I set it up, I removed the _EXT that the extender adds to the end of your SSID.
Any time that I've set up wireless access points in the past, I've always used the same SSID and password.
I don't really understand why a Wi-Fi extender would want to change the SSID.
This is the first time that I've used a Wi-Fi extender and maybe having the same SSID is not as important, but to me, having the same SSID will minimise any problems devices have trying to access the Wi-Fi network and moving around the home.

If they have the same name how do you know what device you are connected to? From my experience, all three of the extenders I've used had slower download speeds. The slower download speeds is how I know when my desktops have switched from the router to the extender.

kelper · Jan 19, 2023

Stigg said:
This last step seems to go wrong. Mine's not ticked by default. I've even watched the video, and it seems confusing.
I've got all blue lights.

View attachment 50327

You are supposed to tick that box when you have connected to the extended network! Then click finish.

hdmi · Jan 19, 2023

Stigg said:
Thanks for your input, hdmi.

I'll have to think about that one for awhile. I can't get my head around it right now.
I have wireless access points that connect via Ethernet, but I can't understand what a standalone Wi-Fi extender can offer me in Access Point mode as opposed to just extending the signal as it relies on the host. Ethernet connected access points also rely on the host, but distance is not an issue as it's physically connected.

I'm sure you've explained it very well. I'll just have to read it a few more times, and maybe have a sleep and read it again.

There exist a few drawbacks to choosing to use a wireless range extender so, as a result from this, being able to switch between different modes to conveniently shapeshift the device can potentially give you some advantages, although this still depends on what exactly it is that you want to achieve and also it depends on how your future goals could look like, as goals can also be changed, and can also be changed for a variety of reasons that not everyone can always predict that easily. As for the the price gap between a modern wireless range extender that can be turned into a wireless access point and one that can't be. This price difference is not so typically huge that skimping on this specific part of the equation will make you rich. More to the contrary, it often saves money because else you'd have to buy additional new gear after your goals are changed. One example of such a future change is when you don't want to run a network cable to the other room just yet, but your plan is to stll run the network cable later one day, like, when you have the time it takes to do it properly, etc..

That said, I never really felt the need to use any of this type of stuff, I went from an old Asus RT-N66U "Dark Knight" (that I picked up new like almost a whole dacade ago, and it still works) to an Asus 2 Pack RT-AX92U when the 2 Pack was on offer for a measly 279 Euros (now almost a year and a half ago). With the wired backhaul option enabled, for normal home use in this price bracket this WiFi mesh system from Asus has all it takes for me to just forget about the existence of wireless range extenders. Affordability, stability, range, signal strength, performance, added features. All in just a single cardboard box. I like that.

johnlgalt · Jan 19, 2023

Stigg said:
One other thing that I did when I set it up, I removed the _EXT that the extender adds to the end of your SSID.
Any time that I've set up wireless access points in the past, I've always used the same SSID and password.
I don't really understand why a Wi-Fi extender would want to change the SSID.
This is the first time that I've used a Wi-Fi extender and maybe having the same SSID is not as important, but to me, having the same SSID will minimise any problems devices have trying to access the Wi-Fi network and moving around the home.

This is by design, and the main difference between extenders and Access Points.

An Extender will normally have it's own SSID, which is usually auto-generates from your home network SSID. It's what makes Extenders somewhat of a PITA.

If you enable the Access Point setting, then you should be able to use the same SSID as your home network, and it will act just like the other APs you have around your house - your device is always connected to the same SSID, and it's just the physical device that changes. There's more to it than that, as APs (normally) don't provide their own DHCP server for devices connected to them, relegating that to your main router on your network, too, but the gist is that you should be able to use the same SSID after enabling that setting.

johnlgalt · Jan 19, 2023

hdmi said:
There exist a few drawbacks to choosing to use a wireless range extender so, as a result from this, being able to switch between different modes to conveniently shapeshift the device can potentially give you some advantages, although this still depends on what exactly it is that you want to achieve and also it depends on how your future goals could look like, as goals can also be changed, and can also be changed for a variety of reasons that not everyone can always predict that easily. As for the the price gap between a modern wireless range extender that can be turned into a wireless access point and one that can't be. This price difference is not so typically huge that skimping on this specific part of the equation will make you rich. More to the contrary, it often saves money because else you'd have to buy additional new gear after your goals are changed. One example of such a future change is when you don't want to run a network cable to the other room just yet, but your plan is to stll run the network cable later one day, like, when you have the time it takes to do it properly, etc..

That said, I never really felt the need to use any of this type of stuff, I went from an old Asus RT-N66U "Dark Knight" (that I picked up new like almost a whole dacade ago, and it still works) to an Asus 2 Pack RT-AX92U when the 2 Pack was on offer for a measly 279 Euros (now almost a year and a half ago). With the wired backhaul option enabled, for normal home use in this price bracket this WiFi mesh system from Asus has all it takes for me to just forget about the existence of wireless range extenders. Affordability, stability, range, signal strength, performance, added features. All in just a single cardboard box. I like that.

I did something similar with the Linksys Velop AX 3 pack of mesh, using the wired backhaul to essentially make the two upper floors in my house use the Mesh points as just glorified APs to the main node in the basement. It's definitely given me a much better usage and throughput over all than when I was using a true mesh without backhaul.

Stigg · Jan 19, 2023

johnlgalt said:
This is by design, and the main difference between extenders and Access Points.

And Extender will normally have it's own SSID, which is usually auto-generates from your home network SSID. It's what makes SSIDs a PITA.

If you enable the Access Point setting, then you should be able to use the same SSID as your home network, and it will act just like the other APs you have around your house - your device is always connected to the same SSID, and it's just the physical device that changes. There's more to it than that, as APs (normally) don't provide their own DHCP server for devices connected to them, relegating that to your main router on your network, too, but the gist is that you should be able to use the same SSID after enabling that setting.

It seems to be going well in repeater mode, but I might give it a try switching over to access point mode.
I guess I can switch it back again if it doesn't perform as well.

Stigg · Jan 19, 2023

johnlgalt said:
This is by design, and the main difference between extenders and Access Points.

An Extender will normally have it's own SSID, which is usually auto-generates from your home network SSID. It's what makes Extenders somewhat of a PITA.

If you enable the Access Point setting, then you should be able to use the same SSID as your home network, and it will act just like the other APs you have around your house - your device is always connected to the same SSID, and it's just the physical device that changes. There's more to it than that, as APs (normally) don't provide their own DHCP server for devices connected to them, relegating that to your main router on your network, too, but the gist is that you should be able to use the same SSID after enabling that setting.

I have these NETGEAR WAC104 Wireless Access Points connected to two of my Ethernet ports in my house. They've been running for years.

As well as delivering good reliable Wi-Fi apart from one far away spot, the added benefit is they have 4 Ethernet ports on the back. The one I have at my TV has all ports being used for TV, theatre system, Android box and the wife's karaoke box.

Wireless Access Point - WAC104 | NETGEAR

Looking for a Wireless Access Point? Check out the NETGEAR WAC104, AC1200 Dual Band Wireless Access Point. 2.4GHz and 5GHz WiFi with combined speed of 1.2Gbps. Buy now!

www.netgear.com

Also, over the years I've had numerous difference Wi-Fi network devices, and I've always found external antennas to work better than internal.

hdmi · Jan 20, 2023

johnlgalt said:
I did something similar with the Linksys Velop AX 3 pack of mesh, using the wired backhaul to essentially make the two upper floors in my house use the Mesh points as just glorified APs to the main node in the basement. It's definitely given me a much better usage and throughput over all than when I was using a true mesh without backhaul.

With the Asus 2 Pack RT-AX92U, it also is possible to run the whole mesh system in AP mode (keeping AiMesh 2.0 turned on, but the router part of each node is turned off so they become just a single AP that uses the mesh function to, so to speak, bind the nodes together so they act together as just a single AP─as opposed to each node becoming an individual AP). Alternatively, I can turn off AiMesh 2.0 so they become two separate, identical wireless routers as opposed to being a mesh system, and, next, each one of these two wireless routers also gives the option to turn on/off AP mode─individually for each one of them. The default configuration with this 2 Pack is mesh on, AP mode off.

As for the backhaul, EVERY mesh system typically uses a backhaul, that in fact is what chains the nodes together to make up the mesh system. The only big difference is whether this backhaul is wireless or wired, as choosing the wired backhaul option gives maximum stability and performance. With the Asus 2 Pack RT-AX92U, even if the wireless backhaul option is in use, it is still possible for devices to connect to the AX band. Some reviews and user feedback still suggest the contrary, and they used to be correct, but Asus already fixed the problem in a firmware update almost two years ago. I am most definitely a cable guy, though...

johnlgalt · Jan 20, 2023

hdmi said:
With the Asus 2 Pack RT-AX92U, it also is possible to run the whole mesh system in AP mode (keeping AiMesh 2.0 turned on, but the router part of each node is turned off so they become just a single AP that uses the mesh function to, so to speak, bind the nodes together so they act together as just a single AP─as opposed to each node becoming an individual AP). Alternatively, I can turn off AiMesh 2.0 so they become two separate, identical wireless routers as opposed to being a mesh system, and, next, each one of these two wireless routers also gives the option to turn on/off AP mode─individually for each one of them. The default configuration with this 2 Pack is mesh on, AP mode off.

As for the backhaul, EVERY mesh system typically uses a backhaul, that in fact is what chains the nodes together to make up the mesh system. The only big difference is whether this backhaul is wireless or wired, as choosing the wired backhaul option gives maximum stability and performance. With the Asus 2 Pack RT-AX92U, even if the wireless backhaul option is in use, it is still possible for devices to connect to the AX band. Some reviews and user feedback still suggest the contrary, and they used to be correct, but Asus already fixed the problem in a firmware update almost two years ago. I am most definitely a cable guy, though...

I meant wired backhaul specifically. The basement is the main node, the rest are 'satellites' but running as APs via wired Ethernet down to a switch and then from there to the main node.

Stigg · Jan 20, 2023

Over a day later, and the TP-Link RE650 AC2600 Wi-Fi Range Extender is working much better than I ever expected from such a device.
The distance is good. I've been using Nirsoft WirelessNetView to monitor the signal strength around the house. I haven't tested the Ethernet port. I don't have a need for it.

Although it's designed to be plugged into the wall, I used a lead and put it on a cabinet.

TP-Link RE650 AC2600 Wi-Fi Range Extender On Cabinet 01ss.jpg

I might make or buy a stand for it. Something like this.

hdmi · Jan 20, 2023

Stigg said:
I might make or buy a stand for it. Something like this.

Better to avoid metal, especially if it's closeby. It causes electromagnetic interference so it worsens the signal.

Stigg · Jan 20, 2023

hdmi said:
Better to avoid metal, especially if it's closeby. It causes electromagnetic interference so it worsens the signal.

Good point. Better go plastic.

badrobot · Jan 20, 2023

Never thought about mesh network? Been using it for the past 4 years. Eliminates all the dead spots.

Stigg · Jan 20, 2023

badrobot said:
Never thought about mesh network? Been using it for the past 4 years. Eliminates all the dead spots.

View attachment 50523

I have thought about it. The reason I went with a single solution is because I already have two NETGEAR WAC104 Wireless Access Points connected by Ethernet and only one low signal area. I also make use of the 4 Ethernet ports that the NETGEAR WAC104 Wireless Access Points have. They're more than a wireless access point, they're also a 4 port Ethernet switch.

I would have had to replace two perfectly good working devices.

By the way. Do mesh networks have a host that connects to Ethernet or are they all completely wireless?

hdmi · Jan 20, 2023

johnlgalt said:
I meant wired backhaul specifically. The basement is the main node, the rest are 'satellites' but running as APs via wired Ethernet down to a switch and then from there to the main node.

Do you mean that the mesh functionality on each mesh satellite is disabled? I don't think I understand.

badrobot · Jan 20, 2023

Stigg said:
I have thought about it. The reason I went with a single solution is because I already have two NETGEAR WAC104 Wireless Access Points connected by Ethernet and only one low signal area. I also make use of the 4 Ethernet ports that the NETGEAR WAC104 Wireless Access Points have. They're more than a wireless access point, they're also a 4 port Ethernet switch.

I would have had to replace two perfectly good working devices.

By the way. Do mesh networks have a host that connects to Ethernet or are they all completely wireless?

In my setup, yes, there's one node connected to the main router which then transfers the data to the other nodes.

Stigg · Jan 20, 2023

badrobot said:
In my setup, yes, there's one node connected to the main router which then transfers the data to the other nodes.

I've just been reading the user manual for a NETGEAR Orbi Quad-Band Mesh WiFi 6E System.
From page 15, it shows the different ways that it can be connected.

So, basically, you have a router that connects to the modem, then you have satellites that can either be connected to the router wirelessly or Ethernet wired. Obviously with the wireless connection, the satellites can't be too far from the router. Both the router and satellite have 3 usable Ethernet ports. 4 ports would have been better.

hdmi · Jan 20, 2023

Stigg said:
I have thought about it. The reason I went with a single solution is because I already have two NETGEAR WAC104 Wireless Access Points connected by Ethernet and only one low signal area.

I would have had to replace two perfectly good working devices.

By the way. Do mesh networks have a host that connects to Ethernet or are they all completely wireless?

In my mesh setup the primary node is a wireless router with a WAN port that is wired to my cable modem via Ethernet cable, the secondary node is an identical wireless router with a WAN port that is hooked up to the primary node via D-Link DGS-108 (8-port unmanaged Gigabit Ethernet switch). The latter cable is what causes the mesh system to turn off wireless backhaul and turn on wired backhaul. All remaining Ethernet ports are LAN, and the secondary node's router function is turned off as a result from it having been configured to act as the secondary node in the mesh so, turning off mesh mode is what causes both of these two wireless routers to act as wireless routers. Which they are. This is just one of the key differences between other mesh systems and the one that I have. Because, the vast majority of wireless routers can't act as a mesh, whereas mine are doing it by factory default. Differences between different mesh systems can be fairly big. But if you can't hook up your mesh to a wired LAN, then I think it's a lemon alright... lol

retiredat44 · Jan 21, 2023

you can use tomato too, but it is quite a learning curve. I have an Orbi mesh system. Not extender. But have used extender before.

Stigg · Jan 21, 2023

retiredat44 said:
you can use tomato too, but it is quite a learning curve. I have an Orbi mesh system. Not extender. But have used extender before.

Yeah, the NETGEAR Orbis look good.
I don't know much about the Tomato firmware, and I'm not really interested in messing with stuff like that.

This thread is becoming a real fruitfest.
Someone mentioned a lemon, and you mentioned a tomato.