Connect devices via a series of repeaters for extended coverage.
Connect devices via a series of repeaters for extended coverage.
Hey there! I'm trying to figure out how to boost my WiFi signal in a particular direction without using Ethernet cables. You mentioned that repeaters usually halve your speed, but do you have a formula to estimate the speeds at each repeater? I also heard that real-world performance often drops around 40% compared to advertised numbers. Lastly, how crucial is it to choose the fastest repeaters to prevent speed loss? For your setup—basic DSL at 62 Mbps and a router with 450 Mbps—I'm curious about the expected speeds at each repeater and whether faster ones help avoid that speed reduction. Thanks in advance! Luke
Is it inside or outside? If it's outside, an outdoor directional access point would give better results, maybe even indoors. If everything is indoors, powerline isn't really feasible. It seems like a poor choice—adding repeaters doesn't just cut speed in half, they all broadcast on the same channel and radio reflections can cause near-zero connectivity by the third repeater. Backhauling on another channel might help, but it requires a huge amount of spectrum and tricky equipment.
I believe two-thirds perform well in a suitable setting. Not exactly, because most repeaters operate with just one radio, limiting them to one device at a time—either the router or the client. This limitation can halve your bandwidth. Advanced repeaters or mesh networks often provide a dedicated radio for communication between devices and the main router, which helps restore bandwidth. For instance, Google’s mesh system uses a specific 5 GHz channel for nodes to talk to each other. The challenge here is ensuring all nodes operate within that frequency range. It functions effectively. My sister uses this setup and it works just like your example. The node farthest from her primary router (connected to the modem) is linking a garage security light to their network, receiving full HD video from the camera. What Alex Atkin UK mentioned about power line adapters might be worth considering as an alternative. If you have coaxial cable throughout the house, Moca adapters can perform better. I’m aware some adapters include built-in WiFi, giving you both wired and wireless options. The main drawback of power lines is their performance depends on wiring age and distance between devices. Moca’s problem lies in higher costs and more complex installation, though it can coexist with cable providers’ signals on the same line. With DSL, this might not be a concern.
Powerline isn't an option since the wiring between apartments has unique circuits. A mesh network is desired, but extending the repeater range still requires connecting to another repeater because direct links aren't feasible. The main issue remains the daisy chaining, which limits performance regardless of repeater specs.
It doesn't matter, but remember that adding one repeater cuts your bandwidth in half. Using two more will make the third repeater's connection less than functional. Be careful—any connected devices may face problems and slower speeds.