Solved Does anyone here use the ATT Wi-Fi Extender?.......


rdburke

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Hoping that someone here uses the ATT Wi-Fi Extender. Just got one and it did not come with any documentation. I posted on their forum asking if it can be hardwired if I am too far from the Gateway but I have gotten no response. I am trying to reach my outside security cameras on the opposite side of the hose from my main gateway and the extender keeps telling me to move it closer which can't be done. If anyone is using one of these I really would like to chat......
 
Windows Build/Version
22H2 Build 22621.607

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Is it this one? If so, it says its two Ethernet ports can be used as the back haul to compatible routers.

 

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Is it this one? If so, it says its two Ethernet ports can be used as the back haul to compatible routers.


If @rdburke cannot extend ethernet cable far enough, then home plugs are a good solution provided all electrics are on same ring mains loop (rarely an issue in a house).
 

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It is my understanding that if a device used to amplify network coverage is NOT connected to the gateway with an ethernet cable, it acts as a repeater rather than an extender. A repeater essentially halves your wireless bandwidth which slows your network. Since WiFi repeaters are wireless, your WiFi signal will also be weakened by thick walls, microwaves, metal objects, and electronic devices that are in between your router and WiFi repeater. So, WiFi repeaters are not great for boosting your WiFi signal over long distances or in large homes or offices.

For a device to act as a WiFi extender, it must be connected to your gateway with an ethernet cable. It does not reduce your bandwidth or get weaker from distance,thick walls or radio waves like a WiFi repeater does.
 

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It is my understanding that if a device used to amplify network coverage is NOT connected to the gateway with an ethernet cable, it acts as a repeater rather than an extender. A repeater essentially halves your wireless bandwidth which slows your network. Since WiFi repeaters are wireless, your WiFi signal will also be weakened by thick walls, microwaves, metal objects, and electronic devices that are in between your router and WiFi repeater. So, WiFi repeaters are not great for boosting your WiFi signal over long distances or in large homes or offices.

For a device to act as a WiFi extender, it must be connected to your gateway with an ethernet cable. It does not reduce your bandwidth or get weaker from distance,thick walls or radio waves like a WiFi repeater does.
Yep - roughly speaking, the optimum position of an extender is midway between router and final point of use.

However, if final user only needs a small amount of bandwidth (security cameras do not need large bandwidth), then OP may be able to move extender a bit nearer main router.

I have never had a particularly happy experience with wifi extenders.
 

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    Yep, Laptop has one.
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    900 mbs (ethernet), wifi 6 typical 350-450 mb/s both up and down
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    Defender
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    TPM 2.0, 2xUSB4 thunderbolt, 1xUsb3 (usb a), 1xUsb-c, hdmi out, 3.5 mm audio out/in combo, ASUS backlit trackpad (inc. switchable number pad)

    Macrium Reflect Home V8
    Office 365 Family (6 users each 1TB onedrive space)
    Hyper-V (a vm runs almost as fast as my older laptop)
have never had a particularly happy experience with wifi extenders
Nor me. I found the best solution to be using a second router as access point. I like to run my main computers wired so I ran a cable into my office which is at the other end of the house from my gateway. With an access point there, I can have my wired devices as well as better wireless without losing half my bandwidth.
 

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    i9-10900 10 core 20 threads
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    DELL 0J37VM
    Memory
    32 gb
    Graphics Card(s)
    none-Intel UHD Graphics 630
    Sound Card
    Integrated Realtek
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Benq 27
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440
    Hard Drives
    2x1tb Solidigm m.2 nvme /External drives 512gb Samsung m.2 sata+2tb Kingston m2.nvme
    PSU
    500w
    Case
    MT
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    Defender+MWB Premium
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    1TB Crucial nvme
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    Logitech wired
    Mouse
    Logitech wireless
    Internet Speed
    still too embarrassed to tell
    Browser
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    Antivirus
    Defender
    Other Info
    System 3 is non compliant Dell 9020 i7-4770/24gb ram Win11 PRO 26200.8457
Nor me. I found the best solution to be using a second router as access point. I like to run my main computers wired so I ran a cable into my office which is at the other end of the house from my gateway. With an access point there, I can have my wired devices as well as better wireless without losing half my bandwidth.
That's basically how I do it - if you do not have a spare router, you can buy one dirt cheap on ebay. I also buy flat ethernet cables that go nicely under doors, carpets, skirting board etc.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro + Win11 Canary VM.
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    ASUS Zenbook 14
    CPU
    I9 13th gen i9-13900H 2.60 GHZ
    Motherboard
    Yep, Laptop has one.
    Memory
    16 GB soldered
    Graphics Card(s)
    Integrated Intel Iris XE
    Sound Card
    Realtek built in
    Monitor(s) Displays
    laptop OLED screen
    Screen Resolution
    2880x1800 touchscreen
    Hard Drives
    1 TB NVME SSD (only weakness is only one slot)
    PSU
    Internal + 65W thunderbolt USB4 charger
    Case
    Yep, got one
    Cooling
    Stella Artois (UK pint cans - 568 ml) - extra cost.
    Keyboard
    Built in UK keybd
    Mouse
    Bluetooth , wireless dongled, wired
    Internet Speed
    900 mbs (ethernet), wifi 6 typical 350-450 mb/s both up and down
    Browser
    Edge
    Antivirus
    Defender
    Other Info
    TPM 2.0, 2xUSB4 thunderbolt, 1xUsb3 (usb a), 1xUsb-c, hdmi out, 3.5 mm audio out/in combo, ASUS backlit trackpad (inc. switchable number pad)

    Macrium Reflect Home V8
    Office 365 Family (6 users each 1TB onedrive space)
    Hyper-V (a vm runs almost as fast as my older laptop)
Thank you all for the info, sounds like I will be purchasing a second router.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro 23H2 (Build 22631.3810)
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    ASUS Case
    CPU
    AMD FX 8350 8 Core Processor, 4400 Mhz (Overclocked)
    Motherboard
    M5A78L-M/USB3
    Memory
    24.0 GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    AMD Radeon HD 7570 2GB
    Sound Card
    AMD High Definition Audio Device
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Acer 27" SA240Y LED
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080 Resolution
    Hard Drives
    Samsung SSD 860 EVO 500GB ATA Device
    WD My Book 25EE 4TB USB
    Toshiba External 3.0 TB USB
    PSU
    Corsair RM750x
    Case
    Custom Spider 6000S
    Cooling
    Modded
    Keyboard
    Logitech K360
    Mouse
    Logitech M325
    Internet Speed
    AT&T 1GB Fiber
    Browser
    Google Chrome
    Antivirus
    MS Windows Security
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