Need someone to turn router into a repeater

[TripleDigitRide]

I'm looking for someone with the knowledge, ability and willingness to turn a router into a repeater. 

 

My bonus room is upstairs, and is lacking adequate signal strength from my Linksys EA6500. 

 

I have an old NETGEAR WGR614v9, if someone can confirm it will even make a suitable host. If I need to pick up a better router to act as a repeater, I can do that.

 

I have no idea what, if any, factors I need to consider when going this route, so any helpful input would be greatly appreciated. 

 

I am willing to pay for your time and services. 

 

I live in Springfield, and work in Nashville/Airport area.

[Oh Shoot]

That Netgear model seems to be repeater capable.

 

Quick search shows how to do it, sources from Netgear and Netgear forums themselves:

 

https://www.google.com/search?q=NETGEAR+WGR614v9+as+repeater&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8&aq=t&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-a

 

Looks like you can do it without even replacing firmware with the DD-WRT open source option.

 

hth,

 

- OS

Edited November 3, 2013 by Oh Shoot

[TripleDigitRide]

Does it matter that the NETGEAR only delivers up to 54 Mbps? Or the fact that it's b/g, not n or ac?

[2.ooohhh]

It depends on what you want to do at the other end of the covered area, check and occasional email or surf forums it'll likely be fine; stream high quality HD video. . .not so much.

[Guest Brutnus]

More or less are you trying to extend your wireless? May want to look at Wireless Accesspoint.

[itchytriggerfinger]

Yeah, a few of these may be the ticket.  I'm running an old linksys with dd-wrt but it was a bit of a PITA to setup.  The D-Link wasn't out when I did my bridge with dd-wrt or I would have just bought them.

 

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16833127256

 

[TripleDigitRide]

More or less are you trying to extend your wireless? May want to look at Wireless Accesspoint.

Yes. I just need the signal strength boosted enough to make it up the stairs. 

[TripleDigitRide]

Yeah, a few of these may be the ticket.  I'm running an old linksys with dd-wrt but it was a bit of a PITA to setup.  The D-Link wasn't out when I did my bridge with dd-wrt or I would have just bought them.

 

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16833127256

 

Does this require a process to set up, or plug and play?

[itchytriggerfinger]

From what I've read they are pretty plug and play.  You have to open their web interface and find the "other" access point and connect.  Be sure to setup a good password and hardware filter your access points if you're in a neighborhood.  I typically turn off discovery and name them something obscure.

[TripleDigitRide]

Is there an advantage to going with one of those vs a simple WiFi booster, assuming all I need is to boost the signal up the stairs?

[Murgatroy]

Flashing to a DD-WRT is pretty easy once you find a walkthrough. Took me about an hour to flash one and put it in the back of the house.

 

There was a website that walked me through it literally step by step. I will look for it and see if I can find it.

[Oh Shoot]

Flashing to a DD-WRT is pretty easy once you find a walkthrough. Took me about an hour to flash one and put it in the back of the house.

 

There was a website that walked me through it literally step by step. I will look for it and see if I can find it.

 

I saw several for doing LinkSys ones, but didn't know if all brands were same. Plus seems his Netgear will do that without it.

 

- OS

[vontar]

Do a google search for dd-wrt.

 

I have setup several Linksys routers with it. 

 

I like the WRT54G-TM models.

 

I haven't done any of the newer N routers.

 

The TM model had more memory then the standard routers and I really liked them.

[Guest Keal G Seo]

Best range extension over a home is using electrical adapters (aka power line network adapter). Plug modem into adapter, plug into wall, plug router into the second adapter and plug into wall. Or run the router through the power lines and use it like an ethernet cord extension. Speeds up to 500Mbs.

[Dolomite_supafly]

Have you checked the signal strength of your rounter now?

 

I recently turned mine down because of attempted connections by random people driving by my house. Prior to this my setup worked great but once I turned the signal strength down to 200Mw, from 400Mw, I started having problems even though my card is only 15 feet away. I turned it back up and all is fine again. When the signal is turned all the way up to full strength I can get a signal on my cell phone from over 300 feet away.

[TripleDigitRide]

Have you checked the signal strength of your rounter now?

I recently turned mine down because of attempted connections by random people driving by my house. Prior to this my setup worked great but once I turned the signal strength down to 200Mw, from 400Mw, I started having problems even though my card is only 15 feet away. I turned it back up and all is fine again. When the signal is turned all the way up to full strength I can get a signal on my cell phone from over 300 feet away.

How do you do that?

[enfield]

How do you do that?

 

That would be dependent on the firmware in your router.  Yours may or may not allow you to adjust power.  It should be under 'Administration' or 'Management' or some-such.

[Jonnin]

You should be able to run a cable the length of an "ordinary" sized home easily without any significant loss.  If not, there is a problem in the system somewhere.

 

A basic switch (again, wired, dunno if there even IS a wireless switch), value of about $20 (less used off amazon or something) will repeat a signal effectively as well.  Routers CAN do it, but most routers cost much more than a switch.  

 

I avoid wireless.  Its a pain to keep it secure, its intermittent in both quality and speed,  the hardware costs more, and the only redeeming quality is being able to use a laptop or maybe a phone/tablet/printer/etc.   Its getting better, but its still not *there* yet for me.  Probably could get it to the same level as my cable, yes, but not for the same price tag...