Add a NetGear N300 Wi-Fi Extender or Buy New Modem/router?

31mop on 08/06/2015 - 07:38

Hey

I currently have a bob-lite with IINET. I get fairly decent range with this modem, however in my bedroom the connection definitely isn't great. It's either slow or the smart TV sometimes doesn't pick up the net signal.

Do you think I would be better off getting a wifi range extender and plugging that in the bedroom ($50 solution) but having another appliance plugged into the wall will mean a minor additional running cost.

Or, am I better upgrading my modem/router with a better range, and probably better at running multiple devices at once as well ($100-$120 solution)?

Cheers!

Internet

Comments

  • scrimshaw on 08/06/2015 - 09:57
    +5

    You should be aware that all wifi range extenders basically cut your wifi speeds in half. Any range extender usually operates as a repeater. Data packets are sent to the range extender, and then to devices connecting to it. Likewise, data transmitted from the machine needs to travel to the range extender first before it reaches your modem — basically, every packet needs to be procesed twice.

    That's why some may prefer using powerline adapters (AV homeplugs), although the caveat is that the adapters have to be plugged on the same power phase or circuit for it to work.

    According to this WP user who pulled Bob apart he said it was possible to fit in a larger antenna, but also found that the Wifi is also fairly poor. So upgrading to a better modem might be a good choice, but take note even the most powerful of wifi routers won't penetrate a large number of thick walls.

  • Ramrunner on 08/06/2015 - 10:15
    +1

    Do NOT use a range extender. One of those devices that should be un-invented!

    1 best solution if you own the house is to run ethernet to the bedroom. No bullshit - just works fastest most reliable way.

    2 is to get a better router (I'm not sure you'll find one in the $100-$120 range though but other OZB will chime in here) If I were you I'd look closer to $250-$300 for the Nighthawk or similar.

    3 is possibly ethernet over power adapters. There's some new 1Gbps ones coming out apparently. From there I'd suggest wiring to the devices.

    4 as #3, but some EoP devices have a built in access point.

    Seriously though #1 kicks butt over anything. Well worth doing.

    • Ramrunner on 08/06/2015 - 10:17
      +2

      Guys, I'm not screaming in my post above I was simply not aware putting a hash in front of a number changed the line to bold!

      • scotty on 08/06/2015 - 13:14

        Putting hash at the beginning of the line making it as a heading.

        • Ramrunner on 08/06/2015 - 16:30

          Handy to know :) Not my original intention, just wanted to show hash-1 hash-2 etc as a list.

          Thanks for letting me know.

          Oh, and can someone upvote my original comment just once? I've been negged for whatever stupid reason for trying to help someone with advice. Crazy. Who wants to comment anything nowadays? If it's for the swear word I apologize to whoever.

    • scrimshaw on 08/06/2015 - 11:00

      Don't waste money getting gigabit or 600 mbit EOP's though.

      A 500M EOP adapter will at best do 10mbps and that's the 'best case scenario', so a 600M adapter or even a 1000M won't actually do much better.

  • 31mop on 08/06/2015 - 11:11

    I do have what appears to be an ethernet port in my wall, but I really don't think it works. I'll give it another crack. Will an ethernet cable from wall to smart tv work well?

    How do I resolve the issue of little to no internet in the bedroom though? If I ethernet cable from socket to TV, it will solve that issue, bt my phone will still be some distance from the modem/router.

    I can't move the router into the bedroom, as then the PC will be too far from the modem. Or do you think if I put modem in the bedroom, and then ethernet from wall into PC?

    • scrimshaw on 08/06/2015 - 11:29

      You need another wifi router in the bedroom.

    • Ramrunner on 08/06/2015 - 11:39

      If there's already an ethernet plug in the wall (You sure it's not telephone? - check how many pins), then your house will likely have a patch panel somewhere and possibly even a switch.

      If it REALLY is ethernet, then you need to make sure that ALL plugs in the wall you wish to use are plugged into a switch at the other end. This includes your router.

      You can either add an Access Point with ethernet ports (or as scrimshaw said another router - but that gets a little more complicated trust me), or, if you've wired everything together properly, it actually DOES NOT MATTER where you have the router. Once something is on a network it should be able to talk to each other whether it's 1 M or 100 M away.

  • 31mop on 08/06/2015 - 11:31

    ahh.. I didn't even know you could have two running at one… :) noob hehe

  • SpaceNinja on 08/06/2015 - 12:16

    Can anyone advice if following is possible if I buy powerline adapters and additional wifi router with an intention to increase signal coverage without loss ?

    Device1(iPad)……….WiFiModemRouter(Main)______________powerline(via adapters)____________WiFiRouter……….Device2(PC)

    Where- ……..: wireless connection and __________: wired connection.

    If yes, will it provide better connection than standard Wifi Extender ? Thank you.

    • Ramrunner on 08/06/2015 - 16:43
      +1

      It depends a little on the wireless inside the iPad. What is the maximum speed on that? (Sorry I'm not up with Apples).

      Generally, unless you're using Gigabit ethernet, you will ALWAYS get speed loss. I can transfer SSD to Dual Link Gigabit NAS at up to 120MBps. (Megabytes not bits). That is pretty much saturating the link.

      I have yet to see EoP or wireless get even anywhere remotely near that.

      BUT

      Maybe the iPad is only capable of 11MBps. Maybe your main use is internet. If you have ADSL1 then the wireless or EoP have ample bandwidth.

      It all depends on your usage. You definitely want at least 12MBps for streaming full HD with AC3/DTS.

      Also, suggest you simply wire between the second router and Device2(PC). Don't go wireless if you don't have to.

      In comparison to WiFi Extender though, as part of your question, all things being equal, yes, this SHOULD be a little faster, but if your home wiring isn't perfect it throws more spanners into the works. No chance of simply wiring ethernet back to Device2(PC)? If so do it.

  • 31mop on 13/06/2015 - 11:58

    If I put another wireless modem/router in the bedroom. Will it simply just work? What if in router one I have changed DNS settings. Do I just change them in the 2nd one?

    • Ramrunner on 13/06/2015 - 13:02

      Provided they are connected, only one of your routers should have dhcp server enabled. Also suggest you check the IP address of the second router to stop it clashing with the first router AND it's on the same subnet.

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