On 21 Dec 2005 05:13:47 -0800, "Charles" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote:
>I am trying to expand the range of my wireless
>network (my current Netgear router does not cover all my flat). I would
>be interested in your opinion/experience with each of the following
>solution, or any other solutions you would think about:
Any particular Netgear model? Wireless repeaters, range expanders,
and range extenders tend to only function with a limited number of
supported access points and wireless routers. Maker, model, hardware
version, and firmware version would be helpful.
Also, how big is your flat? Unless you have some walls or floors
between your Netgear wireless something and your wireless client, it
should cover most small flats without difficulty. You may be having a
problem with your wireless client and not with your router. The
maker, model, operating system, and wireless card details would be
helpful.
>- Additional Access point: in this case it requires a cable between the
>router and the new access point, not very convenient
Yeah, but it works the best. You can put it on the same SSID but a
different channel, and get seamless roaming. You don't have to have a
wireless connection back to your Netgear router. There's no
compatiblity issues with the Netgear router. It doesn't cut your
maximum speed in half like all store and forward repeaters. If a
better antenna doesn't do the trick, a 2nd access point is what I
would recommend.
Also, you don't have to use CAT5 wire back to the Netgear. The AC
power line can be used:
http://www.netgear.com/products/details/WGXB102.php
>- Wireless repeater: does not require any additional cable but is it
>really efficient?
Each repeater will cut your MAXIMUM speed in half. For example, if
you get a 54MBit/sec connection, your maximum transfer speed is about
25Mbits/sec. If you have a local server, game machine, or NAS
(network attached storage) server, you should be able to benchmark
your wireless connection and actually get download speeds near
25Mbits/sec.
However, insert a wireless repeater into the puzzle and the
25Mbits/sec goes to 12Mbits/sec or less. That will be a problem if
you transfer data between your own machines on your LAN. It will NOT
be a problem if you only care about connections to the internet, which
will be limited by the speed of the broadband connection, typically
1.5Mbits/sec to 6Mbits/sec.
>- Netgear "Range Max": I read pretty contradictory reviews about this
>technology
One line review: In my never humble opinion, all repeaters, range
extenders, range expanders, range stretchers, WDS bridges, and mesh
networks, are univerally awful, suffer from compatibility issues,
deterioriate thruput, cause interference, do not scale well, and are
only suitable for a small number of situations where there are no
alternatives.
>- A bigger antenna: not sure it really adds anything
A bigger antenna will not do anything. A BETTER antenna will do
wonders. However, I can't suggest anything specific without knowning
what you have to work with and something about the topology and
application. Note that the antenna can be changed at both ends of the
wireless link.
Directional reflector antenna. Cheap, easy, and directs your RF in
the direction you need it most. Try this first.
http://www.freeantennas.com
Your subject line asked for the "best way" to expand your network. I
suggest you first fix what you have. If that's not the problem,
improve on the antennas.
Also, look into a WDS bridge. This might require replacing your
existing Netgear router with one that supports WDS. This allows the
added repeater to also act as a wireless bridge. There's no CAT5 or
AC power line network return to the main router. You can plug PC's
into the WDS bridge or connect to it via wireless and get
connectivity.
--
Jeff Liebermann
(E-Mail Removed)
150 Felker St #D
http://www.LearnByDestroying.com
Santa Cruz CA 95060
http://802.11junk.com
Skype: JeffLiebermann AE6KS 831-336-2558
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