Purchasing a Range Extender
Purchasing a Range Extender
I'm using the Netgear Nighthawk X6 R8000 now since my ASUS RT-AC86U stopped working. I updated it with DDWRT because the default software was slow and unreliable. The main problem is connecting wireless in my garden, so I'm considering a range extender. This one is what I'm evaluating; if you have suggestions for alternatives, let me know. Thanks!
This TP LINK wireless extender functions well, but I favor a basic router instead. Why not opt for an older used model available on eBay? Set up ddwrt or openwrt and enable the wireless bridge feature. A router provides additional capabilities such as its own DHCP server while acting as a repeater.
The Asus RT-AC87u doesn't offer a repeater feature in its settings menu.
I've also been checking this out... https://www.argos.co.uk/product/7148130?...term:cable router:2:25:1 It's the TP Link Archer C50, but I'm not sure if it meets my needs or how reliable it is.
It works with OpenWrt, that's the main thing. https://openwrt.org/toh/tp-link/archer-c50
Can I connect an Ethernet cable from the R8000 to a spot where you can install the AC87U for your garden? Yes, simply set the AC87U as an access point, give it a fixed IP outside the DHCP range provided by the R8000, and plug it directly into the R8000 using its LAN ports. The main costs are the cable and a bit of effort. This setup performs better than using an extender or wireless bridge because you get a full-duplex connection to the main router, offering more reliability and speed.