Finally, I got two repeaters (they are also Wi-Fi network amplifiers, or repeaters) and I was able to check how they would work on the same Wi-Fi network. Is it possible to connect several repeaters to one router and thereby increase the range of the wireless network. I checked everything, and now I will share this information. What interested me most was how the amplifier would work if they were connected in series. That is, so that the second takes a signal from the first, and not from the router.
What is a repeater, I already wrote, you can read if not in the subject. I think this is the best, easiest and most optimal way to strengthen the Wi-Fi signal and increase the range. Especially if there is no way to lay a network cable. In a large house, apartment, office, not always even the most powerful router can provide the necessary coverage. In distant rooms, as a rule, Wi-Fi no longer catches, or it catches very badly. And one, or even several amplifiers can solve this problem. True, in offices, I still advise you to lay a cable and install access points.
Consider two schemes for connecting Wi-Fi amplifiers:
- Scheme # 1. When all repeaters are connected to the router (I have not figured out what to call this scheme). This is a simple circuit that is most commonly used. The whole point is that the amplifiers are in the coverage area of the Wi-Fi network and are connected to the router itself. As if increasing the coverage area around the router.
I have connected two repeaters and everything works fine. - Scheme # 2.Consistently. When the first repeater is connected to the router and the second repeater is connected to the first. Along the chain.
I checked it, so everything works too. But there are some nuances.
I have connected two repeaters and everything works fine.
I checked it, so everything works too. But there are some nuances.I tested everything on an ASUS RT-N18U router and two TP-Link amplifiers: TP-Link AC750 RE210 and RE305.
Let's take a closer look at each diagram.
Scheme number 1: connecting several Wi-Fi amplifiers to the router
Everything is very simple here. There is nothing special to tell. We just plug the amplifiers into the outlet in those places where there is an even less stable Wi-Fi network signal and set them up. I configured using the WPS button.
I did not even enter the repeater settings. Just press the WPS button on the router and on the amplifier (can be signed as RE). See the example for configuring TP-Link AC750 RE210. A connection will be established and the extender will begin to strengthen the wireless network. You will understand this by the network level on your devices. Well, the corresponding indicator will be on. If you cannot configure using the button, then you can go to the settings and set up a connection to the router. If you have amplifiers from TP-Link, then you can go to the settings at tplinkrepeater.net or tplinkextender.net.
Using this scheme, we connect the required number of amplifiers. The main thing is that everyone connects directly to the router.
Scheme number 2: serial connection of repeaters
While setting up this circuit, I ran into some minor difficulties. Let me explain now. Initially, I thought that you can connect both repeaters to the router, and then just turn them on in the necessary places. But what I got: the first repeater, which was installed closer to the router, connected to it without problems. And the second one, which was already installed in the non-range of the router's Wi-Fi network (but in the range of the first amplifier), did not want to connect. For some reason, the Internet did not work.
The fact is that the Wi-Fi network seems to be one, and the devices see one network, but if you configure one amplifier and go to the settings of the second, then it will already see two Wi-Fi networks with the same name, but with different MAC- addresses.
It turns out that the second (third, fourth) repeater in this chain must be connected strictly to the previous amplifierrather than the router.
As I did: set up the first amplifier in the usual way. Further, the second one was turned on in the place where there was a good signal from the first (and not a very strong signal from the router, you may not have it at all). Then I went to the settings of the second reporter and started the settings. He saw two Wi-Fi networks with the same name. I chose the network with the MAC address of the first repeater.
The MAC address of the router or repeater can be viewed on a sticker on the device itself. Or just be guided by the signal level.
Like this:
It turns out that the second will be connected to the first, the third to the second, etc. That's all the settings.
Conclusions
Two or more signal amplifiers can be used in one Wi-Fi network. But you need to be careful when setting up, depending on the connection diagram.
And probably the main question that interests many: "is such a network stable, and does the speed over Wi-Fi drop dramatically?" I honestly can't answer. When set up, everything worked fine for me. There is no need to use several repeaters for a long time, since the router provides normal coverage, which is enough. We also failed to check the speed, since it is not high for me from the provider. If the speed was 100 Mbit / s, then it would be possible to measure it near the router itself, and near the second amplifier.
Write in the comments how you use repeaters. How many of them do you have, how they set up and whether the speed is cut. Well, ask questions. Good luck!
