Extending wifi at home - help required

foundationsmcr

Hi people, can anyone help me? I'm looking to extend my wifi range at home. I currently have two netgear wifi routers (the ones given free with Sky Broadband) and a pair of Ethernet Homeplugs (not wifi enabled).
It’s not practical to hardwire Cat5 cable from one router to the other due to the distance/layout of my home. I’ve tested the Homeplugs on the following route (ADSL > Wifi Router 1 LAN1 > Homeplug 1 > Homeplug 2 > Laptop LAN1) and the signal is fine. My aim is to either extend my current wifi signal OR create a new wifi signal (I’ve heard that extending the range can halve the bandwith?)

I’m hoping I can run the following set up (ADSL > Wifi Router 1 LAN1 > Homeplug 1 > Homeplug 2 > Wifi Router 2 Lan1 > Laptop/iPad etc)

Is this possible and what do I need to do to achieve it? Or is there a better way?

Thanks in advance.

CoolHotCold

Idealy if your WiFi router 2 supports it is to stick it in Access Point mode.

Currently you have two routers doing the job of one, as in both handle the DCHP in asssigning subnets and IP's and keeping track of MAC addresses.


If It's a netgear supplied by Sky it may be have some locked in settings, but changing the Router Mode to Access Point and setting it up to use the same SSID and password (and encryption) as the existing one will work fine, or setup a new wireless name and password will work just as well but will require you to connect to two wireless networks per device instead of just one. (only have to do this once per device).

What is the WiFi Router 2's model number? and is it a Modem router or just a router?

foundationsmcr

Thanks very much for the assistance, some of this is familiar language but I’ll be honest, I only have limited experience in accessing the router settings so you may need to walk me through this. I’ve read about changing the settings to effectively “slave” the 2nd router so I don’t end up with conflicting wifi signals. Would your recommendations impact on bandwidth at all?

I’m likely to hardwire the 2nd router/AP to my Sky+ box in the bedroom to access the Anytime+ options. The wireless signal is for things like the iPad/iPhone and Sonos system (eventually, if the wife allows).

I’m in work at the moment so I don’t have access to the router details, I will PM you once I have them if that’s ok?

Much appreciated for the help.

Toxteth_OGrady

Do you only need router 2 to be wifi enabled?

You could turn off wifi in router 1 and the DHCP server in router 2.

foundationsmcr

Toxteth_OGrady wrote: »

Do you only need router 2 to be wifi enabled?

You could turn off wifi in router 1 and the DHCP server in router 2.

Sorry, I don't follow you? I need Router 1 to broadcast wifi as it's in the lounge near to where the laptop is usually operated.

Toxteth_OGrady

Are you saying you want both routers to provide a wifi signal?

foundationsmcr

Sorry, yes, so my whole house has wifi coverage (it's big and has solid granite walls).

stef73

I tried with 2 sky routers and failed and in the end ran a cat5 cable and a desktop switch. Could you use your homeplugs and a wireless nano router http://www.amazon.co.uk/Link-TL-WR702N-150Mbps-Wireless-Router/dp/B006PYGWG6/ref=sr_1_14?s=computers&ie=UTF8&qid=1357662619&sr=1-14 dont know why i couldnt get 2 sky router to work.

Toxteth_OGrady

http://www.hanselman.com/blog/ConfiguringTwoWirelessRoutersWithOneSSIDNetworkNameAtHomeForFreeRoaming.aspx

foundationsmcr

Toxteth_OGrady wrote: »

http://www.hanselman.com/blog/ConfiguringTwoWirelessRoutersWithOneSSIDNetworkNameAtHomeForFreeRoaming.aspx

I'm not sure how this would work as I don't have a bridge, or do I?!

I'm lost!

Toxteth_OGrady

Ignore the hub, just connect the 2 routers together with the home plugs.