WiFi extender/hotspot/access point? (Page 1/1)
Cliff Pennock DEC 07, 11:48 AM
The problem: I just got a new internet modem and now WiFi speeds have dropped drastically throughout my house.

My house has three floors and the internet modem is on the first floor. I had good WiFi coverage on the first floor, but on the other floors it was crap. I have ethernet connections (Cat 6, 1Gbps) in every room so this is only a problem for wireless devices (think: mobile phones). To solve this problem, I bought a TP-Link Range Extender. I placed it on the second floor and that provided good enough signal for all mobile devices.

Last week, I got a new internet modem to accommodate higher internet speeds (up to 1Gbps). But for some reason, WiFi speeds through the range extender have plummeted. I have no idea why but it is what it is and I suspect it's because the new modem has WiFi 6 (I think).

So I need a new solution to get good WiFi coverage throughout the house. Again, I have 1Gb ethernet connections in every room. Ideally, I want a device that I can connect to the modem through ethernet which will supply good WiFi coverage throughout the house. But (and this is a big but) I don't want it creating a new sub network. I want the wireless devices be on the same subnet as the wired devices. Reason I'm saying this is that most of these WiFi devices that you connect to an ethernet connection, will simply create a new subnet. So your main network is (for instance) 192.168.1.xxx, while the wireless network through the extender is 192.168.0.xxx. Meaning they are separated and you can't share anything between them.

Lastly, I am on a budget. I know that if I am willing to spend a couple of hundred dollars (euros), I can create a WiFi mesh. But that's a bit outside my budget.

So does anyone have any suggestions?
theogre DEC 07, 02:38 PM
New Router/Gateway is likely Wifi6(old name is ax) or 6E

6 uses same 2.4 & 5GHz band, 6E adds 6GHz band. 2.4 is full of crap even M-wave oven uses it. 5GHz has limited channels in many countries because Doppler Radar so you only get ~ 8 channels total for WiFi & others. Almost no device you have is using 6GHz now.

If things run 4/N or 5/AC on either old bands, 6/6E router does Not treat older "version" same way as older router.

There are settings in that will affect speed to others & turning On/Off some 6/AX features may help in the short term.

Many routers have default settings turn Off too that affect WiFi speeds.
Like many default to 20MHz on 2.4GHz to keep neighbors having channels too. (because 40MHz binds 2 channels.)
Default 5GHz is "Up to 286 Mbps" for same reason. Higher bps binds 2 or more 5GHz channels

Plus many routers have auto channels as default & often need to change that for 2.4, 5 or both.
Some routers have "channel mapping" page to see what channels are free, freer then others @ lest. Or run "channel mapping" software on a laptop etc.

Need brand model to see manual.

------------------
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theogre DEC 07, 10:15 PM
& Do you have old routers?
Old Gateways w/ builtin modems won't help.

put old routers in bridge mode stops them being a firewall & pass thru DNS etc on first router.

Plus need WiFi channel set to something other then main router.

5GHz hates walls floors etc. no matter how made. But Does need to set channels & maybe more settings.
2.4GHz doesn't like them but goes thru better unless walls etc have rebar, metal lath for plaster, etc. & w/ multiple access points often require 20MHz single channel for each.

[This message has been edited by theogre (edited 12-08-2023).]

Raydar DEC 08, 08:14 PM
If your new router is interfering with your extended access point, you might go into the new router's settings, and disable what your think might be interfering. Do one band at a time.
Also reset your access point every time you make a change.
theogre DEC 09, 08:31 PM
Many set SSID to same name pw etc...
If True often make harder to find problem(s) even when you only have 1 router.

Many AX/6 & some older routers can "smart WiFi" try to connect X the "best way" it thinks... often doesn't work.
Example: Netgear AX/6 units calls it "Smart connect" WiFi settings.

Big reason is many devices connect to first access point @ whatever band & try to connected until that is totally "dead."
Most even try 2.4GHz first even if can see others are better.

In Windows & some others can set preferred band not "auto" but buried in advance settings in drivers.
Most phones have no choice but connect by different SSID
ray b DEC 23, 10:06 AM
my kid bought a device that looks like a giant spider called a netgear Up

no idea on sub nets but the whole house and a ways down the block has coverage [password]

why not several as in one on each floor units ?
theogre DEC 24, 11:05 AM
"Range Extenders" have problems too & often doesn't get good speed &or lags a lot.

Is similar problems as any wired or repeaters using routers or access points. Plus most "Range Extenders" are simply Repeaters that everything you do, the RE has to do again thru WiFi to the router. Worse when use "Meshing" that have more then 1 repeater to reach the router.

"Experts" at "linux tech tips" & more that pushes High $ equipment can't understand adding more access points of any type often causes more problems not fixing whatever root cause. That's even when 2.4GHz & other Bands don't have other problems from MW ovens etc.

Even mounting a router or how antennas are "aimed" often affects RF Polarity etc & Matters a Huge amount.
Most Routers w/o external antenna(s) are made to sit on something even tho many have wall mounting points because how the internal antennas are design.

Omni directional antennas are often not Spherical shaped RF sent/receive.
Is "easier" to many if they put a Doughnut laying on a router or around an antenna. (Skip wall/floor construction problem for now.)
If whatever device is on or close to same plane as the Doughnut then likely get a good signal.
But put same device over/under the Doughnut then you get a weaker signal if gets a signal @ all.

That just 1 antenna... Many Routers/Gateways have Multiple Antennas that often changes RF pickup Shape even more. Just Rotate a router on whatever surface it sits on can matter. (This is how AM radio & other switch from Omni directional for day hours to Directional operation during Night Hours. @ Night have 2 or more Antennas results in a "Peanut" shaped RF signal pointed in direction that FCC requires.)

Many High $ Routers/Gateways claim can "beam shaped" the signal to your device but often is Hype & doesn't work. They try to use the Multiple Antennas & software to Focus the signal but have to many devices to keep track &or have devices can't use this for many reasons. (This is related to newer Radar w/ Flat Antennas that many don't rotate too.)

[This message has been edited by theogre (edited 12-24-2023).]