Adding a second AP at home... 1

[CableMonkey]

I currently have one Linksys/switch/AP that interfaces with my DSL modem at home.

I would like to add second AP on the other side of the house, because the signal is very weak. Basically, I need to boost the signal of the existing AP, without physically connecting the second AP to the network.

Is it as simple as installing a basic AP and configuring it with an IP address from the network on the first AP.?

 

[bcastner]

You have to look carefully as most APs do not support repeater mode. And the ones that do often have preconditions as to the AP it will repeat.

Since you have a Linksys AP already, consider the 2.6 WAP11, as the newest firmware supports repeater mode to another WAP11.

 

[wybnormal]

I have yet to see a house that "needs" two APs.. unless it's all rebar and concrete block wall.. tho' the old lathe and plaster can wreak havoc on the signals. I would explore the placement of the existing AP and use antennas to direct the signal. There are some easy mods using screen and foam blocks to add a parabolic dish reflector to an existing antenna which is give you a much more focused signal. Why boradcast to your neighbors house? My 340 will carry a signal all the way out to the street with the factory stubby antennas. Speaking of, there are better antennas available for some of the APs like the LInksys.. about 3db gain. It looks like an extended "rubber ducky" antenna. Thats a cheap and easy fix since you just plug it in.

MikeS


Find me at

http://www.packetattack.com

"Take advantage of the enemy's unreadiness, make your way by unexpected routes, and attack unguarded spots."
Sun Tzu

 

[CableMonkey]

Thanks for your responses.

I guess I can place the AP in a more central location within my house, which would probably solve my problem. The reason I haven’t done this yet is because I have a PC and two laptops and the PC is plugged directly into the AP. If I moved the AP I would need to get a wireless antenna for my PC.

I am not too worried about broadcasting to my neighbors because I make sure and utilize every security option, including MAC filtering. They would have to be pretty good to hack in. I would be surprised if they even owned a computer.

So I guess it comes down to what is cheaper: an antenna for my PC or a wireless repeater.

 

[CableMonkey]

BTW – I already went to Radio Shack and purchased antennas ($30) that are designed to extend the range of Linksys APs. It said on the package that it doubles the signal output. They look just like the regular Linksys antennas, but maybe 3” longer. I found that it made a very minor difference, it was hardly noticeable. I would say it improved the signal by about 5%.

 

[bcastner]

wybornormal has been fortunate, as I have been, to use a single antenna. My house is a four story colonial over 100years old, all brick and wood. I shoot over 100' verticly through the house with a Linksys WAP11, and currently a Linksys WRT54G without issue.

But multipath in differnt house layouts and construction types is a problem; as it is in most office buildings. Using multiple APs is a fact of life.

I wanted to follow up on the parabolic reflector suggestion he made, as I have made it several times in the Linksys Forum and here. Michael Erskine has a neat little trick for Linksys and other wireless APs and router combos that does help. The issue of not sending signal to your neighbors is both one of security and reflecting the signal back to where you want it to increase the gain and range of your coverage area with wireless.

See here for a discussion of Michael Erskine's little hack, which I have used on several Linksys products in the 2.4Ghz band:

http://www.freeantennas.com/projects/template/index.html

The template I have used, with shirt coardboard, aluminum foil and a glue stick is the EZ-12:

http://www.freeantennas.com/

My first effort was was mediocre, as I think however I printed out the template was wrong, and the construction details unfamiliar. I made 4 since, and have it down to roughly 35 minutes. Using NetStumbler I usually get at least a 10 db gain in the directions I am favoring.