Hello! Let's talk about repeaters in this article. I will try to tell in simple language what kind of devices they are, what repeaters are for and how to make a repeater from a regular Wi-Fi router with your own hands.
To begin with, a Wi-Fi repeater is a separate device. They are also called repeaters, or repeaters. This article will focus specifically on Wi-Fi repeaters. As I already wrote, these are separate devices that have one task - to amplify the signal of an existing Wi-Fi network.
Many manufacturers who produce routers also produce repeaters. For example, such popular companies as: Asus, Tp-Link, Linksys, Netis, etc. You can find repeaters in almost any computer hardware store, or in an online store. As I wrote above, they can be called differently: repeaters, repeaters, or repeaters. They also look different. They are usually very compact. But, there are also similar to Wi-Fi routers. Here, for example, a compact Tp-Link repeater:
But the TP-LINK TL-WA830RE repeater looks like a regular router:
In fact, there are a lot of repeaters on the market. They are all different, both externally and in their functionality. And of course the price. I think that there will be no problems with the choice.
I recommend looking at the page with information about the TP-LINK TL-WA850RE repeater, and the instructions for setting up the TL-WA850RE. You can see what kind of device it is, how it is configured and works.
The most interesting thing is that for some reason these devices always remain in the shadows. Yes, they are certainly not as popular and in demand as Wi-Fi routers, but in many cases, they are simply not replaceable. Here are how many situations there are when, after installing a router, Wi-Fi is not available throughout the house or office. Well, the usual situation, and very common. It is in such cases that repeaters are simply irreplaceable. And instead of spending a relatively small sum on a repeater, users start to think up something: pull the router and all cables closer to the center of the house, buy more powerful antennas, make some homemade amplifiers for Wi-Fi (which are not useful , or very little), etc.
But there are repeaters: they bought them, plugged them into the outlet in the room where the Wi-Fi network is still there, but the signal is no longer very strong, and that's it, the problems are solved.
What if I have a dual-band router (two Wi-Fi networks 2.4GHz and 5GHz)? It's very simple, if you have a dual-band router, then you need an appropriate repeater that can simultaneously amplify a Wi-Fi network in two bands. I wrote about such a model in the article: "Configuring TP-Link AC750 RE210. Strengthening the Wi-Fi signal at 2.4GHz and 5GHz."
We have already figured out what a Wi-Fi signal repeater is. There are two more questions left to deal with:
- How do Wi-Fi repeaters work?
- And what does a router mean in Wi-Fi repeater mode?
Wi-Fi repeater: how does it work?
I'll make a small schematic here, let's first see it:
I'm not a strong artist, but the scheme seems to be clear. We have a main Wi-Fi router that distributes the Internet over Wi-Fi. Everything is set up and works great. But, here Wi-Fi catches not all over the house. For example, there is still Wi-Fi in the hallway, but in the kitchen the signal is already very bad, or the devices do not catch the Wi-Fi network at all. We take a repeater and turn it on in the hallway.
What it does: it receives the Wi-Fi signal from the main router, and passes it on. It turns out that in the kitchen we already have a very good home network signal. It repeats the wireless network (that's why it's called a repeater). The repeater simply acts as an amplifier. Its main task is to accept a certain Wi-Fi network, and transfer it further.
A few important points to consider when using a repeater:
- If you use a repeater, then the Wi-Fi network will remain exactly one (and this is good). To be clear: your main router is distributing a network called "My_WIFI" (which does not catch all over the house). We install a repeater, configure it (as a rule, all settings come down to pressing the WPS buttons on both devices at the same time), it copies information about your network, and creates exactly the same network. With the same name and password.
- Your devices will automatically, unnoticed by you, connect to the network, the signal from which is stronger. For example, the main router is in the bedroom and the repeater is in the hallway. This means that if you are in the bedroom, you will be connected to a Wi-Fi router. And if you go to the hallway, then your phone will automatically connect to the repeater. You won't notice it.
- All devices: phones, computers, laptops, tablets, TVs, etc. that will be connected to the main router or repeater will be on the same network. This means that we can configure a local network in which all devices will participate. Or, for example, set up a DLNA server and watch movies from your computer on your TV. In this case, the computer can be connected to the router, and the TV to the repeater.
With this sort of sorted out. Move on.
Router in repeater mode
A regular Wi-Fi router can act as a repeater. True, not all models are able to do this, and not all manufacturers have this mode made well. If you have an extra router that is idle, then perhaps it can work in repeater (amplifier) mode without any problems, and increase the range of your Wi-Fi network. All you need to do is configure the router to work in the desired mode.
I have already tested the operation of the "Amplifier" mode on routers from two manufacturers: Asus and ZyXel... More specifically, on the models: Asus RT-N12 + and ZyXEL Keenetic Start. You can see the instructions for setting up the repeater mode on ZyXEL, and using an Asus router as a repeater. Both devices are very simple and straightforward to configure. They work stably, checked.
Update! Prepared instructions for configuring a Netis router in repeater mode.
But, this option is not available on all routers. As far as I understand, on popular TP-Link routers, there is no repeater mode as such. There is only a bridge mode (WDS), this is a completely different mode of operation (and the purpose is different). Only TP-Link access points can act as a repeater. I also haven't figured out the D-Link routers yet, there probably is also no mode that would allow the router to simply strengthen the Wi-Fi network (I checked the DIR-615 / A, I don't know how it is with other models).
The Wi-Fi Signal Repeater is a really useful device
Well, you see, it's a useful thing. But, for some reason, faced with the problem of a weak Wi-Fi network signal in their home, not many people solve the problem by buying and installing a repeater. But then they just ask a huge number of questions like: "I can't catch Wi-Fi in the bedroom, what should I do?", "Very weak Wi-Fi signal, help", "What settings should I change in the router, so that the Wi-Fi signal is stronger? " etc.
As a rule, if the signal is bad, then this cannot be corrected in any way by setting the router itself. You just have a large area of the house that the router cannot physically cover with a signal. And also there are different walls, and interference. In such cases, installing a repeater solves all problems.
As for a conventional router that can act as a repeater, I recommend setting up such a scheme only if you already have a router. If you are going to buy, then it is better to immediately buy a real repeater. A device designed specifically to expand the Wi-Fi network.
