Wifi extender/booster - what is the difference?
Joined: Mar 2002
Aviation Qualifications: ATPL
Posts: 9,216
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From: Seat 1A
I use a powerline system (TPLink) where you plug in a little box to the mains, connect the box to the main router, then plug the other little box into a mains socket at the other end of the house, then I hang a cheap wifi access point off it's ethernet socket. Works well. Basically, ethernet going via the mains power circuit from the main router to the wifi access point.
Similar to these:
https://www.ple.com.au/Products/6288...rline-1000-Kit
and this on the end:
https://www.ple.com.au/Products/6353...N-Access-Point
Note: they're Aussie dollars. Halve them for pounds.
Similar to these:
https://www.ple.com.au/Products/6288...rline-1000-Kit
and this on the end:
https://www.ple.com.au/Products/6353...N-Access-Point
Note: they're Aussie dollars. Halve them for pounds.
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 1,761
Likes: 6
From: Lemonia. Best Greek in the world
I am with Capn Bloggs on this.
I have used my mains electricity for this sort of set up from when it first became available in the UK, thanks to a techie friend in the Elec industry.
Technically, he assures me, I could receive my whole Internet connection over our electricity supply..........but it is location dependent.........it was "politics" that stopped that.
TP link gadgets from router to any old nearby plug, and then TP near wherever I need ethernet style speeds.
The only place spared this is the man cave. I have not informed SWMBO of this omission.
I have used my mains electricity for this sort of set up from when it first became available in the UK, thanks to a techie friend in the Elec industry.
Technically, he assures me, I could receive my whole Internet connection over our electricity supply..........but it is location dependent.........it was "politics" that stopped that.
TP link gadgets from router to any old nearby plug, and then TP near wherever I need ethernet style speeds.
The only place spared this is the man cave. I have not informed SWMBO of this omission.
Joined: Dec 2018
Posts: 88
Likes: 4
From: France
All good
Agree with CB and AO as above.
I've been using 2 TP-Link Wi-Fi extenders over the mains circuit for a few years and move them around as necessary, up to 50 metres away on an extension lead.
I used to have the occasional problem when having visitors and several devices attached to the network. I found myself dumped of the network and needed to re-connect which was a minor inconvenience.
However, even this was solved when my son configured the extenders to bear the same name as the router so you can move seamlessly from one to the other without changing the settings on your device.
I've been using 2 TP-Link Wi-Fi extenders over the mains circuit for a few years and move them around as necessary, up to 50 metres away on an extension lead.
I used to have the occasional problem when having visitors and several devices attached to the network. I found myself dumped of the network and needed to re-connect which was a minor inconvenience.
However, even this was solved when my son configured the extenders to bear the same name as the router so you can move seamlessly from one to the other without changing the settings on your device.
Hippopotomonstrosesquipidelian title
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 1,825
Likes: 1
From: is everything
I would have the same SSID throughout, use mesh routers such as the successor to the Deco M9+, and be prepared to use a Powerlink-type connection as the backhaul between devices. However, with beam-forming and 802.11ax, you might just be able get a wireless backhaul connection at that distance. With the added bonus, you get Bluetooth and Zigbee support everywhere. We use a mix of Deco kit and, together with the management tools, have been very happy.
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 136
Likes: 0
From: Cheltenham, UK
As PDR1 says, if you use the same SSID and password on different models of kit, the device will not handover between AP's very well. If using managed kit such as UniFi then this is all handled for you.
Joined: Feb 2002
Aviation Qualifications: AME
Posts: 4,179
Likes: 1,111
From: UK
Thankyou everyone for the (very) informed replies. Much of which went above my head but hey ho I'll muddle through.
I think a booster/extender is the best bet for me as then it will cover the entire garden. Its mostly for streaming music while I'm hiding...sorry, working in my man cave.
I think a booster/extender is the best bet for me as then it will cover the entire garden. Its mostly for streaming music while I'm hiding...sorry, working in my man cave.
Joined: Feb 2016
Posts: 1,418
Likes: 38
From: Southport
Another advantage of the multiple router solution is you can have the kids attach to one and you&spouse attach to the other, with different rules (time/filtering etc) on each. Plus it gives you more WiFi bandwidth for you all to play with than just having one router/access point. (A wireless extender doesn't give any more absolute bandwidth, just a boosted signal which may help get the signal further).
We have the standard Sky (black) router on a high shelf under the stairs, linked to an EE one on the back bedroom window sill by Ethernet cable. The kids can only connect to the EE one, which has firewall rules that cut everything off 11pm - 6am. We can connect to both, so have 24/7 access in the house and day access in the garden. Both are 802.11n so plenty bandwidth for all. Works really well. Not hard to set up all details via Google.
We have the standard Sky (black) router on a high shelf under the stairs, linked to an EE one on the back bedroom window sill by Ethernet cable. The kids can only connect to the EE one, which has firewall rules that cut everything off 11pm - 6am. We can connect to both, so have 24/7 access in the house and day access in the garden. Both are 802.11n so plenty bandwidth for all. Works really well. Not hard to set up all details via Google.
Joined: Feb 2002
Aviation Qualifications: AME
Posts: 4,179
Likes: 1,111
From: UK
Thanks again for the replies.
After chatting to a mate who's probably forgotten more about this sort of thing than I'll ever know I went for a Ubiquity outdoor AP.
https://smile.amazon.co.uk/gp/produc...?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Works very well, I just needed to route an ethernet cable from the router/PoE adapter in the living room through the garage to an external wall and round to the back of the house. Oh its a bugger to set up as the controller is through the internet, not direct to the unit itself.
After chatting to a mate who's probably forgotten more about this sort of thing than I'll ever know I went for a Ubiquity outdoor AP.
https://smile.amazon.co.uk/gp/produc...?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Works very well, I just needed to route an ethernet cable from the router/PoE adapter in the living room through the garage to an external wall and round to the back of the house. Oh its a bugger to set up as the controller is through the internet, not direct to the unit itself.
