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    Getting a connection to the basement.

    Discussion in 'Networking and Wireless' started by hypdotspec, Jun 8, 2009.

  1. hypdotspec

    hypdotspec Notebook Evangelist

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    My laptop works great in the basement with a Linksys WRT54G (w/ DD-WRT) upstairs.

    I'm looking to boost the signal so that the wireless card on my desktop will work.

    Is it possible to purchase another router (i can get one for cheap), put DD-WRT on it, configure it as a repeater and then hook up my desktop straight to the repeating router?

    I hope SOMEONE understands what I'm doing.
     
    hypdotspec, Jun 8, 2009
    #1
  2. blue68f100

    blue68f100 Notebook Virtuoso

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    DD-WRT supports it. I have not done it. Just remember when you go through a repeater you just cut your band width to 1/2.

    Try high gain antennas first, if the work performance will be better.
     
    blue68f100, Jun 8, 2009
    #2
  3. makaveli72

    makaveli72 Eat.My.Shorts

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    Yes you can!

    I have this exact scenario in my home network. I use the WRT54G2 as the Main Router and a WRT54G as a Repeater Bridge, WDS Linked to be precise, as I find it more stable than the regular RBridge.

    Click for Guide!
    You know i've heard this from on this forum but I never actually experienced this halved bandwidth issue with my set up. :confused:
     
    makaveli72, Jun 8, 2009
    #3
  4. hypdotspec

    hypdotspec Notebook Evangelist

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    oh thank you for the guide!

    i think i'm going to try this out tomorrow.
     
    hypdotspec, Jun 8, 2009
    #4
  5. makaveli72

    makaveli72 Eat.My.Shorts

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    I stand corrected. After doing some tests...such as giving the Repeater a different SSID than the Main Router and doing some speedtest I could clearly see the bandwidth being cut down. Even a little less than half...I connected to the Main Router and my speeds went back up through the roof. :eek:

    So yea I guess it is true...you could understand why one wouldn't really know/see the difference when both Router and Repeater has the same SSID and are working hand in hand. When they are seperated though the speed difference is evident.
     
    makaveli72, Jun 12, 2009
    #5
  6. flipfire

    flipfire Moderately Boss

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    I got the hi gain antennas on my WRT54G, they dont really do much. You should look at Hawking wifi boosters if you want your signal amplified without a new router.
     
    flipfire, Jun 12, 2009
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  7. makaveli72

    makaveli72 Eat.My.Shorts

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    To add to my findings from post #5; If I give the Repeater a different SSID name than the Main Router and turn off SSID Broadcasting on it and connected to it the speed appears to be solid and very high as if it were connected to the Main Router. So now i'm confused. :confused:
     
    makaveli72, Jun 14, 2009
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  8. newsposter

    newsposter Notebook Virtuoso

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    Make sure that the 802.11xxx devices in your house are all broadasting on different channels. Try to avoid conflicts with the neighbors. There are any number of free utilities out there that will take a census of APs and routers so that you can find some under or (ideally) unused channels close by.

    Yes, 802.11xxx has provisions to share bandwidth on channels. But why start off with a handicap?
     
    newsposter, Jun 14, 2009
    #8