Using two wireless routers, one as a relay ?

[thebone]

So I upgraded to Fibre OP but the techs set everything up in the basement as that is where the tvs and offices are.

Now, the ISP supplies wireless doesn't have quite the juice to send a strong enough signal to pick up on my deck upstairs outside for when i want to read on my tablet on the patio.

I do have a Belkin N600 DB so I was wondering if it's possible to set that up was a "relay" of sorts, whereby it picks up the signal and blasts out a signal from itself, so maybe put it in the garage and that is a wireless signal

If this is possible do I have to hook it up to my pc first and "configure it" because its last usage was as my wireless fee at my old condo a few weeks ago before I moved. If there is some config does anyone know what I have to do and once configured, do I just take it upstairs and plug it into an outlet ?

thanks

[JamesK]

Does that Belkin have a repeater mode? If not, then you'll need something else. I have a TP-Link WL-901ND access point, which can be configured as a repeater. There are also portable access points from D-Link and ASUS that can be used as a repeater.

[timlocke]

Or get second hand an old Linksys Wrt54G and install DDWRT on it works well. I have this combo and it is reliable.

[ScaryBob]

Don't know if the Belkin N600 can be configured as a repeater. I don't see it documented in the manual.

Most routers that support DD-WRT should be usable as a repeater. I don't see the N600 on the supported list. The Linksys 610n or e3000 work well plus they support dual band N. The 610n is virtually identical to the e3000 but can be picked up cheaper. The Linksys Wrt54GL is also a good choice. It only supports G but tends to have better range due to the external antennas. Hard wiring the repeater, if possible, or linking dual band wireless routers may provide better results.

[repatch]

Have you done a site survey? Chances are your router is using a channel that the computer on the deck is seeing interference from another AP.

You may be able to change the channel to one a neighbouring IP isn't on and see a vast improvement in coverage, no second AP needed!

TTYL

[timmaywpg]

In regards to the site survey: If you have an android device, you could try the Wolf WiFi Pro Free Demo to perform this task.

[JamesK]

^^^^
WiFi Analyzer is another one for Android or InSSIDer for Windows.

[TorontoColin]

I've done what you want using DD-WRT and both an ASUS WL-520GU and a Cisco Valet M10 (V1). The setup can be a little confusing if you're new to networking, but if you follow guides it's not too complicated.

I haven't seen a lot of consumer routers with this functionality built in.

[JamesK]

^^^^
"Routers" generally don't need that function. However, several access points do have a repeater mode. I have a TP-Link WA-901N access point and ASUS WL-330gE portable access point. Both of these have a repeater function. The ASUS is 802.11g, but the TP-Link, does 802.11n. There is a later ASUS model that supports 802.11n.

[ScaryBob]

Dedicated access points and repeaters tend to be as costly as routers and are much less flexible. I would rather purchase a router that is capable of many tasks than a dedicated repeater that cannot be reused for other tasks. There are quite a few DD-WRT compatible routers available, some of them quite cheap due to being discontinued models.

[JamesK]

^^^^
The WA-901ND can be had for $50. The WL-330gE is currently $45, but I have seen it for $30. Both can be used as repeaters or access points and the WL-330gE is a portable device that you can take with you. It can also be used as a router. In fact, it has 5 modes, access point, repeater, router, WiFi adapter and hot spot sharing. The last mode is unique. You connect through it to a hot spot and can then share the connection with other devices. The WA-901ND also has a few modes, including access point, bridge, repeater and WiFi adapter. It also supports multiple SSIDs and VLANs. Both of these devices have capabilities beyond what you'd normally get with a router and may be the best tool for the job. In fact, in the situation described above, the WA-901ND bridge mode might be useful to extend an Ethernet network upstairs, instead of just repeating the WiFi.

[ScaryBob]

For $45-$50 those devices sound OK. I've seen some that cost more. DD-WRT basically has the same capabilities. A DD-WRT compatible router can run between $30 and $150, depending on the model, features and condition.