How to Extend Wi-Fi to Other Parts of The House

geoffs87 on 19/11/2017 - 10:43

I've just moved into my new townhouse, telephone port (and soon to be connected NBN ports) are all downstairs. I have a TP-Link Archer D7 router, and it reaches MOST of the house, but not the beds (reaches the tv's in the bedrooms, just not the beds!).

Unfortunately i can't relocate the router, and i have powerline adapters, but its phones/laptops i want to use in the bedrooms, not fixed devices.

I've looked into the TP-Link RE450 range extender, but am wondering what people in these circumstances have done, i'm sure im not the only one!

Anyone got any tips, or thoughts on the RE450?

Thanks!

Internet

Comments

  • Davo1111 on 19/11/2017 - 10:55

    is the speed on the powerline adapter good? I would assume it's closer to the bedroom.

    Just plug a cable from the powerline adapter to a different wireless router

    • Hazzard on 19/11/2017 - 11:41

      Exactly how I have my two storey townhouse. Well, except that my modem router and router are connected via Ethernet and not powerline. Powerline should work just as well.

      Setup up both of them with the same SSID and password so the phones and laptops automatically switch depending on whichever router gives the strongest signal.

      • Diji1 on 19/11/2017 - 13:17

        via Ethernet and not powerline. Powerline should work just as well.

        Well it doesn't. It may or it may not.

        • Hazzard on 19/11/2017 - 16:20

          Yes I know. Powerline's efficiency is reliant on the internal wiring of the house.

          and i have powerline adapters, but its phones/laptops i want to use in the bedrooms, not fixed devices.

          From that I assumed he has been using power line for fixed devices (in short power line works for him) and is looking for a solution for wireless devices.

  • chumlee on 19/11/2017 - 10:59
    -4

    Unless you are streaming kama sutra videos there's no need for internet in bed is there??

  • smuggler on 19/11/2017 - 11:16

    Repeater.

    Just use 1 for upstairs.

  • scrimshaw on 19/11/2017 - 11:52
    +1

    Ubiquiti Unifi Access point or some cheap Xiaomi mi Repeater 2

  • Rumbaar on 19/11/2017 - 11:54
    +3

    Netgear Orbi, is the best long term solution for your current hardware. Other than replacing the TP-Link Router you have with a better option.

    • geoffs87 on 20/11/2017 - 22:08

      Problem is they are soooooo expensive!!!

      • Rumbaar on 21/11/2017 - 09:08

        But, I hate to admit, are one of the best implementation of the Mesh infrastructure currently in Australia. With it's dedicated backbone channel, it'll perform better than most current mesh infrastructures.

  • alvian on 19/11/2017 - 13:52
    +1

    The cheap and orthodox solution is to turn an old router into an access point and connect to the main router via Ethernet.

    Alternatives are:

    • Install a proper access point and connect via Ethernet. Expensive.
    • Wi-Fi mesh system. Wireless, expensive.
    • Plug old router or new access point into an Ethernet over Powerline adapter. May not work well depending on the condition and layout of your circuit.
    • Wi-Fi repeater/extender. Wireless, cuts speed in half for a repeater that uses a single band.
    • A more powerful router. May not work well.
    • geoffs87 on 21/11/2017 - 07:39

      Thanks for your detailed reply. Will investigate.

      • alvian on 23/11/2017 - 06:08

        Just thought of another alternative: Replace the stock antennae on the Archer D7 with ones with higher dBi rating. One Whirlpool user provided this link http://tinyurl.com/nnwaqyn which led to an expired eBay listing, but you can view similar products from eBay's suggestion.

      • AlienC on 26/11/2017 - 20:18

        This is your best option beside installing a wireless wifi repeater halfway between your current modem router and current dead spots.

        Run some ethernet cable purchased from ozbargain deals or ebay or gumtree it and run them from the back of the modem to another cheap router (just tape it to the sides of the walls to avoid tripping and tape down the cables that pass common walkways).

        Name the new cheap router the same name / ssid and password as the original modem router and tada you now have an easy roaming WiFi access for all your guests and devices.

        If your router supports it put it in bridge mode.

        I used an overkill Netgear Nighthawk X6 R8000 purchased from gumtree for about $180-190 because I really wanted to be sure and my roommate games heavily a lot so he uses a dedicated Ethernet port and also certain future proofing but honestly any cheap TP Link Archer D9 or other super budget cheap router will work.

        Haven't really experimented with anything else but so far this system works for me just fine.

        Let me know if you have anymore questions.

  • tabz on 19/11/2017 - 23:03

    Use your existing powerline adapters and get a wireless access point (not a repeater). Set SSID and password to be the same as your existing wireless network.

    This is what I bought for my parents who had the same issue as you and works well for them.

    https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/TP-Link-TL-WA901ND-V4-450Mbps-Wi…

    Might be cheaper elsewhere, but this is currently 20% off with the PING20 ebay code.

    • geoffs87 on 20/11/2017 - 19:10

      nice thanks, will look into it.

      Cheers!

  • dammit on 20/11/2017 - 08:30

    Xiaomi Mi wifi repeater, very cheap and does the job well. Maybe not powerful enough for your range needed though.

  • jhmtaylor on 20/11/2017 - 08:59

    You should not that if you install a repeater, it will double the amount of traffic over your WiFi network. If all you are doing is browsing and checking email, it will probably be OK.
    I would not recommend an extender/repeater if you have multiple users on-line at the same time, stream video or backup to the cloud.

    • geoffs87 on 20/11/2017 - 19:09

      hmmm, ok - im watching alot of , lets call it 'netflix' in my room. So maybe the repeater isnt the go then. How do these unifi things compare?

  • JLHC on 20/11/2017 - 13:03

    A repeater may reduce your WiFi speed into half.

    You may want to consider using a mesh WiFi router like Google WiFi, Netgear Orbi, Linksys Velop, Asus Lyra, etc.

  • HeWhoKnows on 20/11/2017 - 14:44

    I have found Powerline adapters rather unreliable. You need a wifi extender

  • razorack999 on 20/11/2017 - 14:56
    +1

    Ubiquiti unifi- magnificent pieces of equipment.

    • geoffs87 on 20/11/2017 - 19:07

      Yeah ok, how does this work, should i powerline adapter to a powerpoint upstairs and wire the unifi to the powerline?

      Does it have the same SSID, so my device will just connect to the best access point?

      How is this better than a repeater like the TP link one mentioned above?

  • nicqel on 21/11/2017 - 09:11

    Throughput with powerline adapters really depend on whether you have split-phase power, line noise, a microwave oven turned on, etc. Throughput with meshed range extenders (or a second router set to repeater mode) would be <50% what a router alone would deliver. Throughput on Ethernet wired access points like UniFi would be generally high, but having multiple APs would create hidden node interference where their coverage areas intersect.

    Something worth considering are WiFi over coax kits (coaxifi.com). They take vacant cable outlets and turn them into distributed antennas for your router, all on the same SSID and with no delay for handoff between APs (since the router is the sole AP). These are much cheaper than meshes or wired APs.

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