Powerline Adapters to Extend WiFi with Second Access Point

Domingo on 10/04/2017 - 10:35

I recently got ADSL2+ installed an use an Archer D7 as the Modem/Router. The WiFi from the Archer is good, but unfortunately the room where the phone socket comes in is an extension and is separated from the rest of the house by two brick walls (one wall of the room, another wall of the front entry area).

I have a R7000 that I could use as either a wired in WiFi access point via powerline adapters, or as a WiFi repeater if DD-WRT allows. The other option would be to get a powerline adapter that terminates into an AC WiFi access point - if such a device even exists? My preferred option is via powerline, as then I'll use the R7000's other LAN ports to plug in my Steamlink, Apple TV, PS3 etc.

Basically looking for advice:
If I go for the powerline option, which set of adapters are decent (and not too expensive)?
Does a powerline device with a built in AC WiFi access point exist?
Are WiFi repeaters as bad as I have been made to believe?

Computing

Comments

  • Xyzzy on 10/04/2017 - 11:02
    +1

    Powerline with WiFi access does exist. I think you want one of these:

    https://www.kogan.com/au/buy/tp-link-300mbps-av500-wifi-powe…

    Works fine for me, providing wifi access in my garage.

  • Hazzard on 15/04/2017 - 14:54
    +1

    I would personally go with r7000 as a second access point. I had a similar issue. Phone line comes into room upstairs in the house. The TV and Xbox downstairs were getting poor WiFi signal due to signal congestion from the WiFi of my neighbours and were therefore getting frequent dropouts. 5Ghz wifi band isn't affected as much by congestion but has a very limited range and doesn't like passing through walls.

    So I have a modem router placed upstairs in the room with the phone line. A second modem router placed downstairs under the tv connected to the modem router upstairs via a single ethernet cable. The ethernet cable was installed by the previous owner when the house was being built to connect his TV to his modem router upstairs. Although my tv and xbox have a wifi access point nearby from the second router placed under them, the tv and xbox are connected to the second router via ethernet as wired is just more reliable than wireless. Both modem routers have the same Wifi SSID and same password so the phones and tablets automatically connect seamlessly to the router providing the strongest signal.

    You could connect both your routers via simple power line adapters and these would be much cheaper (probably under $50) than those with built in Wifi.

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