[Neurorad]

Anybody have a solution (network extenders) for a large in-home wireless network? Linksys-G extenders get crappy reviews. Wirless-N routers any better?

Moderators, plz don't move to Computing subforum; no traffic there.

Thanks!

[canucklion]

damn, how big is your castle?

[TofuTurkey]

Originally Posted by Neurorad

Anybody have a solution (network extenders) for a large in-home wireless network?

For multi-hop networks, you might try Meraki: http://meraki.com/

They are an MIT startup based in Silicon Valley, I believe the devices support up till 802.11g, and 802.11n is in the works. The product consists of the hardware and online management software, and the setup is easy.

[BMXtreme]

Just get a few repeaters. Or get a router that supports DD-WRT and flash it.

http://www.dd-wrt.com/wiki/index.php...eless_Repeater

http://www.microsoft.com/athome/more...elesstips.mspx

[b335i]

I have set these up in multiple locations with great success. If you set up a point to point wireless it would work great.
http://www.linksys.com/servlet/Satel...=9871939789B01

Otherwise you could go with a SRX wireless N router, in that case you would need to get wireless N adapters for all of your wireless devices.

[AndrewAZ]

Your going to need to run multiple wireless routers. I set up my parents house with 3 of them to cover the entire 8k square feet, a normal large house could probably do fine with 2 but this house is built entirely of steel frame so it messed with the signals.

I used WRT 54G's running DDWRT, plus high gain antennas.

[NaTuReB0Y]

netgear?

[Ru$$ell]

have to agree,the linksys is a bit crappy to set up,but once you get it working,its golden,also,you might wanna get one or two of these depending on the size of your house,its repeaters,that transmit the signal further ,i had to pick one of these up cause where i have the router for the other pc's in my house is pretty far,hope this helps!
http://www.linksys.com/servlet/Satel...VisitorWrapper

[AndrewAZ]

Originally Posted by Ru$$ell

have to agree,the linksys is a bit crappy to set up,but once you get it working,its golden,also,you might wanna get one or two of these depending on the size of your house,its repeaters,that transmit the signal further ,i had to pick one of these up cause where i have the router for the other pc's in my house is pretty far,hope this helps!
http://www.linksys.com/servlet/Satel...VisitorWrapper

Dont waste your money.. Getting them to work is hit an miss.. Its cheaper to buy the WRT 54G and flash it with DDWRT which you can then program to work as a repeater.

[shiggy]

Originally Posted by Neurorad

Anybody have a solution (network extenders) for a large in-home wireless network? Linksys-G extenders get crappy reviews. Wirless-N routers any better?

Moderators, plz don't move to Computing subforum; no traffic there.

Thanks!

i have three floors and run with N routers....works great!!

[ChaneRZ]

N FTW

[bmw318i_95]

hw abt PowerLine networking? I always read it goes thru the electric socket

[wj4]

I also need an advice. The desktop which is connected to the cable box, that double serves as a wifi router is on the first floor. My room is on the 3rd floor and the reception is HORRIBLE.

Luckily the neighbor's network is not locked and I get much better reception from their's, lol. I assume their router is on the 3rd floor so it's closer to my laptop.

[hl0m4n]

i personally have this setup on a two floor house and the results are wonderful. there are a total of 2 desktops that are wired from the router and 2 laptops that roam the house wirelessly along with the ps3 and 360.

the result is fantastic, secure, and amazing. just make sure you set up a wep password for your wireless network. and the new n networks are > g.

the main cable box is on the 2nd floor which is first connected to a booster (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16833164151), to my wired router (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16833124001) which is connected to 2 desktops. the wired router also feeds into a wireless router (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16833314034) which supplies internet to the laptops, ps3, and 360.

the laptops we have also have the additional network card for further speed and conectivity (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16839314007) although the built ins would do just fine.

if you want desktops to be wireless just get the these along with the setup (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16833314032) or (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16833314027)

this wireless router is also great, http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16833314022. if you were going with this setup stick with all belkin products or if your going linksys stick with linksys. each companies products are built to enchance off eachother so.

[sinnet112]

N routers have dramatically better signal strength. My modem is on one end of the house, but I purchased an 80 ft. ethernet cable, looped it outside the house, and put an N router (Airport Extreme) in the middle of the home, and I get a full 5-bar (Mac) signal all over the house. I'm not sure how big your house is, but FWIW my house is 3500 sq. ft.

[TofuTurkey]

Originally Posted by bmw318i_95

hw abt PowerLine networking? I always read it goes thru the electric socket

The main issue I have is that it's a common medium, both within the house but also with the neighbors. Unless there's some filter to block the signals from going out of the house, there is a privacy issue. I'm not too sure about the max capacity but last I heard it's not that high...

[DFW_M]

"n" (@ 2.4G) in theory should have better coverage (different coding scheme, MIMO...) and better throughput (higher rates). The problem at this point is that "n" is not approved standard yeat and not even a draft is finished. It is questionable if the HW will be easily upgradeable and compatible with the final version once approved...

[DFW_M]

Originally Posted by bmw318i_95

hw abt PowerLine networking? I always read it goes thru the electric socket

not too common in the States though...

[AndrewAZ]

Originally Posted by bmw318i_95

hw abt PowerLine networking? I always read it goes thru the electric socket

I use it to link 1 wifi router upstairs to another one on the opposite end of my parents house. Works great, but only provides 9mbps max speed which is plenty for surfing and streaming video but if your moving anything big over the network its very very slow.

Never heard of the privacy issue, since you have 2 boxes that will only work with each other you cant add a 3rd box or it wont work.

[TheLegacy]

repeaters and extended antennas work, put not sure size of your house. What did at my parents awhile back.

My friend's place is pretty big, we have 2 routers.

1 downstairs and we had a cable to a RJ45 wall jack go upstairs from the basement, we than put a router all the way upstairs. Thats another easy solution.

[AndrewAZ]

Originally Posted by dr325i

"n" (@ 2.4G) in theory should have better coverage (different coding scheme, MIMO...) and better throughput (higher rates). The problem at this point is that "n" is not approved standard yeat and not even a draft is finished. It is questionable if the HW will be easily upgradeable and compatible with the final version once approved...

I agree.

"N" really isnt much better than G and I see no improvement in range.

If you really need long range you change your network to B only which has the longest range. G limits the range and adds more speed at close distance. "N" is supposed to combine the aspects of B and G but so far I have not been impressed. Also mixing networks aka setting your router to B and G or N/G will reduce range and speed. So the key to a good wi-fi network is to make sure all your devices are on the same A/B/G/N and turn your router to the corresponding one. Also do a site survey (with any wi-fi sniffing tool) to find out what other wi-fi networks are around, in my town we have full wi-fi coverage on channels 1 and 11 so to ensure no interference you have to pick another channel... This is again why I like DDWRT since it does a great site survey using the routers powerful wi-fi to do it vs a computer, and you have greater flexibility on channels. for example at my parents house you can walk all around the house and never lose wi-fi its set up to hand off to the next wi-fi router and this is accomplished by using certain channels and sids programing.

[ages944]

IMO, the current state of wireless networking functionality could best be described as well, rickety. I have had crap experiences with Linksys, and do not use them (had a WRT54 which did nothing but drop connections 3x/day). I have had next to no issues with Netgear, and that's all I'll use. End of plug

My advice for you would be to stick with the same brand for your entire network, as it should make config easier. Next, you'll need a couple of repeaters strategically placed throughout the house (shoot for max coverage of the house and minimal interference). Go to the vendors site and search for 'repeater'. Also Google wireless networking to find how-to's on how to set the whole thing up.


Setting it up shouldn't be hard per se, but as with most things tech, you'll want to be methodical and thorough.