Q. I have an old linksys router sitting around that I want to use to fix wifi signal issues in my house. I know you can get wired into the 2nd router when you bridge. I am just wondering if this 2nd router will be able to transmit a good wireless signal or is it just used to connect wired devices?
Should I just buy a better router or try and make this work with my old router which is laying around?
Should I just buy a better router or try and make this work with my old router which is laying around?
A. You can use multiple wireless routers provided they are configured correctly.
Wireless signals are affected by many factors including wall density, electrical interference, directional antenna range, etc.
Depending on the size of your house and the factors listed above, you may need one or more wireless access points or wireless range extenders to cover all areas adequately.
Many wireless connections also experience interference from microwave ovens and cordless phones which interfere with the 2.4 GHz band.
Just because a particular wireless router works good at one location does not guarantee that it will have similar performance in a different location due to variance in the factors listed above.
If you are getting a new wireless router try to centrally locate it up high and away from dense walls and electrical and 2.4 GHz wireless interference such as microwave ovens, cordless phones, baby monitors, etc.
That being said,
There are various ways to extend a Internet connection to areas with a weak wireless signal.
Devices such as wireless extenders that can expand your wireless range if need be. http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004YAYM06/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=excharge-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B004YAYM06
The wireless range extender receives weak wireless signals and repeats them to extend the signal range to greater distances. Some models include 4 Ethernet ports in addition to the wireless radio.
You can also use multiple routers provided they are configured correctly.
Unless you have experience in network configuration, it's not a good idea to use additional routers unless you turn off the routing functions and use them as wireless access points. Your wireless signals will interfere with each other if they're operating on the same wireless channel. A router also acts as a DHCP server to assign IP addresses, you only want one DHCP service running.
Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP) is an auto configuration protocol used on IP networks. Computers that are connected to IP networks must be configured before they can communicate with other computers on the network. DHCP allows a computer to be configured automatically, eliminating the need for intervention by a network administrator. It also provides a central database for keeping track of computers that have been connected to the network. This prevents two computers from accidentally being configured with the same IP address. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dynamic_Host_Configuration_Protocol
You'll need to manually configure the second router before placing it into service. The IP address needs changed so it doesn't conflict with the first router, the DHCP functions should also be disabled on the second router.
You'll have to connect a PC or laptop directly to the second router via Ethernet and log into it's interface to change it's IP. You'll want to change this to something that doesn't conflict with the first router but is in the same subnet.
Plug a Ethernet cable from LAN port on the first router into one of the LAN ports on the second router, Don't use the second router's WAN port for anything. Also use non overlapping wireless channels such as 1, 6, 11. You can use the same SSID for everything.
For example if you main router has an IP of 192.168.1.1 and it broadcasts on channel 1.
Set your second router as an access point with an IP of 192.168.1.2 and have it broadcast on channel 6.
Although it is not absolutely necessary, I would also reserve the second router's IP in the first router's configuration or set DHCP to assign a range that doesn't include the second router. For example if your devices had the IPs listed above and you wanted to allocate up to 20 DHCP IP addresses you could set the range from 192.168.1.10 to 192.168.1.30. This way in case the second router were powered off for some reason DHCP would not assign 192.168.1.2 to another device which would cause an IP conflict when the second router was powered back up.
Good Luck...
Wireless signals are affected by many factors including wall density, electrical interference, directional antenna range, etc.
Depending on the size of your house and the factors listed above, you may need one or more wireless access points or wireless range extenders to cover all areas adequately.
Many wireless connections also experience interference from microwave ovens and cordless phones which interfere with the 2.4 GHz band.
Just because a particular wireless router works good at one location does not guarantee that it will have similar performance in a different location due to variance in the factors listed above.
If you are getting a new wireless router try to centrally locate it up high and away from dense walls and electrical and 2.4 GHz wireless interference such as microwave ovens, cordless phones, baby monitors, etc.
That being said,
There are various ways to extend a Internet connection to areas with a weak wireless signal.
Devices such as wireless extenders that can expand your wireless range if need be. http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004YAYM06/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=excharge-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B004YAYM06
The wireless range extender receives weak wireless signals and repeats them to extend the signal range to greater distances. Some models include 4 Ethernet ports in addition to the wireless radio.
You can also use multiple routers provided they are configured correctly.
Unless you have experience in network configuration, it's not a good idea to use additional routers unless you turn off the routing functions and use them as wireless access points. Your wireless signals will interfere with each other if they're operating on the same wireless channel. A router also acts as a DHCP server to assign IP addresses, you only want one DHCP service running.
Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP) is an auto configuration protocol used on IP networks. Computers that are connected to IP networks must be configured before they can communicate with other computers on the network. DHCP allows a computer to be configured automatically, eliminating the need for intervention by a network administrator. It also provides a central database for keeping track of computers that have been connected to the network. This prevents two computers from accidentally being configured with the same IP address. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dynamic_Host_Configuration_Protocol
You'll need to manually configure the second router before placing it into service. The IP address needs changed so it doesn't conflict with the first router, the DHCP functions should also be disabled on the second router.
You'll have to connect a PC or laptop directly to the second router via Ethernet and log into it's interface to change it's IP. You'll want to change this to something that doesn't conflict with the first router but is in the same subnet.
Plug a Ethernet cable from LAN port on the first router into one of the LAN ports on the second router, Don't use the second router's WAN port for anything. Also use non overlapping wireless channels such as 1, 6, 11. You can use the same SSID for everything.
For example if you main router has an IP of 192.168.1.1 and it broadcasts on channel 1.
Set your second router as an access point with an IP of 192.168.1.2 and have it broadcast on channel 6.
Although it is not absolutely necessary, I would also reserve the second router's IP in the first router's configuration or set DHCP to assign a range that doesn't include the second router. For example if your devices had the IPs listed above and you wanted to allocate up to 20 DHCP IP addresses you could set the range from 192.168.1.10 to 192.168.1.30. This way in case the second router were powered off for some reason DHCP would not assign 192.168.1.2 to another device which would cause an IP conflict when the second router was powered back up.
Good Luck...
Why does my computer keep getting disconnected from WiFi?
Q. I recently bought a Sony Vaio. It had Windows 7. It used to disconnect every 30 minutes or so and I'd have to click on Troubleshoot to get it reconnected.
Now I have Windows 8, but it still disconnects itself from the internet except that I no longer have to rely on Troubleshoot and I can get it to reconnect by double tapping on the network.
Any advise would be appreciated.
Now I have Windows 8, but it still disconnects itself from the internet except that I no longer have to rely on Troubleshoot and I can get it to reconnect by double tapping on the network.
Any advise would be appreciated.
A. Does this only happen at home, or anywhere you go? If so, there is a problem with the laptop. Reinstall the drivers for the WiFi adapter. If that doesn't work, take it to a repair shop.
If this only happens in your house, then it is either a problem with your wireless device (router/ap) or the environment. Microwaves, baby monitors, and some cordless phones will interfere with the signal and can cause drops. Is anyone else having this issue? If see if you can take the device to someone else's house. If it works there, but not at your place its an environmental issue. If the issue persists, its probably the router. Try updating the firmware (if available) or replacing the device.
If this only happens in your house, then it is either a problem with your wireless device (router/ap) or the environment. Microwaves, baby monitors, and some cordless phones will interfere with the signal and can cause drops. Is anyone else having this issue? If see if you can take the device to someone else's house. If it works there, but not at your place its an environmental issue. If the issue persists, its probably the router. Try updating the firmware (if available) or replacing the device.
Why does WIFI lose quality and speed the longer you stay on?
Q. Seriously, I'm computer retarded and just wondering why it does that. It goes from 54mb/sec to 10 or less sometimes.
A. If you speed is dropping then it is nothing to do with how long you have been connected it must be down to another problem.
Generic advice for improving wif reception [you give no info on the router or what device you are connecting with]
To start with the basic rule is to position the wifi router as high and as centrally as possible in your house.
1] Try changing the broadcast channel from the wireless setup interface for your router/modem.You can normally access this by typing "http://192.168.0.1/" into your browsers search bar and then look for the wireless settings menu.
You don't say if your router can use the 5GHz frequency or just the 2.4GHz. The best channels in the 2.5GHz spectrum are 1,6, 11, or 13 as they have less overlap with the other channels.
There is a useful article here about how to get the best performance by selecting the best channel.: http://www.howtogeek.com/howto/21132/cha…
If you have an android smarthphone, or a friend does, then install the Wifi Analyzer app free from android market and use it to scan for the best channel and change your routers broadcast channel accordingly. This app will aslo show you all the wifi signals in range that your neighbours are using, so you can select a different channel to them, making a stronger signal for you. https://market.android.com/details?id=co…
2] You can use a tool like Nirsofts totally free WirelessNet View to look at all the local wireless signals that are within range and may be competing with your own router and interfering with reception. from here: http://www.nirsoft.net/utils/wireless_ne…
3] You can buy a Wi-Fi booster like D-Link 645 Smartbeam, here: http://www.amazon.co.uk/D-Link-DIR-645-W…
Devices such as these can actually boost the wifi signal by using multiple beams that bounce of the walls and are intelligently directed toward whatever device [smarhphone, laptop, tablet] you are using on wifi.
4] If your using the 2.4GHz frequency and not the 5GHz then other devices that use this frequency band can alsso interfere with your reception [eg baby monitors and microwave ovens use 2.4GHz]. Try and make sure that none of these devices are situated between your router and your wifi receiver eg laptop, tablet, smarthphone etc
Generic advice for improving wif reception [you give no info on the router or what device you are connecting with]
To start with the basic rule is to position the wifi router as high and as centrally as possible in your house.
1] Try changing the broadcast channel from the wireless setup interface for your router/modem.You can normally access this by typing "http://192.168.0.1/" into your browsers search bar and then look for the wireless settings menu.
You don't say if your router can use the 5GHz frequency or just the 2.4GHz. The best channels in the 2.5GHz spectrum are 1,6, 11, or 13 as they have less overlap with the other channels.
There is a useful article here about how to get the best performance by selecting the best channel.: http://www.howtogeek.com/howto/21132/cha…
If you have an android smarthphone, or a friend does, then install the Wifi Analyzer app free from android market and use it to scan for the best channel and change your routers broadcast channel accordingly. This app will aslo show you all the wifi signals in range that your neighbours are using, so you can select a different channel to them, making a stronger signal for you. https://market.android.com/details?id=co…
2] You can use a tool like Nirsofts totally free WirelessNet View to look at all the local wireless signals that are within range and may be competing with your own router and interfering with reception. from here: http://www.nirsoft.net/utils/wireless_ne…
3] You can buy a Wi-Fi booster like D-Link 645 Smartbeam, here: http://www.amazon.co.uk/D-Link-DIR-645-W…
Devices such as these can actually boost the wifi signal by using multiple beams that bounce of the walls and are intelligently directed toward whatever device [smarhphone, laptop, tablet] you are using on wifi.
4] If your using the 2.4GHz frequency and not the 5GHz then other devices that use this frequency band can alsso interfere with your reception [eg baby monitors and microwave ovens use 2.4GHz]. Try and make sure that none of these devices are situated between your router and your wifi receiver eg laptop, tablet, smarthphone etc
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Title Post: Can I use old router as a bridge to boost wifi signal?
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Author: Unknown
Thanks For Coming To My Blog
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