It is very common to arrive at a place in our house, or an office in the company, that the Internet signal is not received correctly. This is due to the distance between the router and the device we want to connect .
In order to find a solution to this problem, repeaters are installed to obtain certain advantages. Another solution found for these cases is to install an additional router that works as a repeater, but this must have certain characteristics that we have to take into account at the time of incorporation .
To do this, in this article you will find all the necessary information about the requirements and how to configure a router that acts as a repeater. We will also talk about how to make our WiFi network work as fast as possible.
Index:
What is a repeater and what are the benefits of using it to boost my WiFi signal?
Routers work on two frequencies, each of which has a different range of range . Those with a low frequency, of 2.4 GHz , can reach distances of up to 30 meters in a very efficient way, while those with a slightly higher frequency, those of 5GHz , reach shorter distances.
To solve this problem there are in the technology market the “WiFi repeaters” , which are devices that connect directly to an electrical input and can relay the router signal >.
Another way to increase the signal and power of the wireless network, is to incorporate a mesh to our WiFi through the configuration of an access point that is by a router . But, we will see this issue later.
Next, we detail the benefits that are obtained when we install a WiFi signal repeater:
Greater Internet coverage
Let’s not forget that, in order to measure the mentioned distances, we have to contemplate all the electromagnetic fields that can interfere with the signal . Therefore, our WiFi network does not reach places many times, becoming an unstable and weak signal.
Thanks to the implementation of the repeaters we can solve these problems, since we will be able to go “avoiding all interference” or simply increase the coverage radius.
Relay in frequency 2.4 GHz and 5GHz
Generally there are 2 classes, the work with WiFi N , where the frequency will always be 2.4 GHz and the WiFi AC types , where they work With both frequencies. We will achieve in this way, not having any limitations regarding the speed or choice of frequency channels.
Simple installation
One of the highlights, by which users turn to the acceptance of this technology, is that its installation is very simple and advanced technological knowledge is not required to perform it, we simply have to connect it to an electrical input and it does not require extra cables.
Also, another very simple step is the configuration .
Antennas
While it is true that they do not need these because they bring integrated antennas, we can have the advantage in some models, of pointing them to specific places considerably increasing their work .
Indicator lights
To improve the efficiency of a repeater, we can check with the indicator lights that it receives from the reception signal, in this way we will be able to increase the efficiency of the retransmission and not cause a counterproductive effect to occur .
Can I use any router as a repeater? What requirements must you meet?
In many houses there are routers stored without any use. A very good idea is to use these devices to work as WiFi repeaters and create a mesh network.
But, not just any team can fulfill this function. To do this, we need them to have the following requirements:
- Be prepared to receive the Internet signal and be able to retransmit it.
- Do not generate conflicts with the server router in terms of security. That is, it cannot be attacked by accessing sites that were made through the amplifier.
- It is necessary to take into account its installation cost is minimal, as well as the maintenance cost.
- The router server does not devote too many resources to the attention of the new repeater.
- Think of the total space that is dedicated for its installation, that is to say it is the minimum and as aesthetic as possible.
- That there is a facility for connection, either by Ethernet cable or by WiFi.
- The security protocols are compatible with all of the network especially that may have WPA2.
What are the main problems of WiFi signals that I can solve with a repeater ?
Once we have installed a repeater we will find different benefits, which are mentioned below:
Expand the coverage area
It is, perhaps, the main objective of installing a repeater . With this type of implementation, we can reach places in our home or company where we couldn’t do it in an efficient way before. This will improve our experience as users and the possibility of performing different tasks will be increased, for example, watching videos.
Increase the signal stability
Another logical benefit is that, for those places where the signal was intermittent because of its distance with the router, with the new device this will change definitely , since the signal frequency will be stable and constant .
We improve the connection speed
A much sought-after advantage is to increase the speed of uploading and downloading from the Internet . With this new mesh network system, we can increase several Mpbs , depending on the service contracted with our operator.
Steps to configure a WiFi switch and automatically connect to the best signal
In order to configure a WiFi switch, the steps will be according to the characteristics and brands of the router that we want to use as a repeater. In this case we will take as an example a router brand Tp-Link.
This guide does not vary much according to another brand , the important thing we want to highlight are the general steps that exist.
To configure a WiFi switch we will do these steps:
We return to factory values
The first thing we have to do is put all the router values that we want to configure as the access point in factory settings , for this we will have pressed the “Reset” button for a few seconds .
We connect Ethernet cables
Next, we connect the router that will serve as a repeater to our computer, through a cable that enters an Ethernet port.
Enter the router
We enter the router software with our browser by typing in the address bar “192.168.1.1” .
We will write below the name and password that comes from factory default. If we do not know it, it is usually located with a sticker under the router or we can search it on the internet. For this router model the user is “admin” and the password is “admin” or “1234” .
DHCP configuration
We perform these steps:
- Once we are in the configuration panel we will have to go to “DHCP” and select “DHCP Settings” .
- We deactivate the DHCP option.
- We click on acceptand.
Add the IP to the device
We do this procedure:
- We enter the configuration panel again and choose embodiedworkwork.
- We look for the option “LAN” .
- We add an IP address that does not conflict with the router.
Restart the router
At this time we will have to restart the device and follow this guide:
- We go to the left panel and select responsibleWireless†.
- We choose how often the router works.
- We activate the “Enable SSID Broadcast” and “Enable WDS Bridging” options.
- Select “Survey” to automatically the system fills in all the data on the Mac address, the SSID and the Key Type .
We make the final connection
We will follow these directions:
- We will see a list with all possible WiFi connections near us, we choose to which we want to extend the coverage.
- Select “Connect” .
- Enter the password to access that wireless network.
Tips to configure your WiFi network to fly at the speed of the light
Once we have configured the router with the repeater, many times we don’t get the results we want, so our internet speed is still low.
So that this does not happen and to have a WiFi network with good speed we have to keep in mind the following tips:
- Try, if possible, that the connection between the two routers is made by Ethernet cable, taking care that there are no WAF conflicts.
- Do not move the relay equipment with the router too far. server, so that the signal stability is correct.
- Configure both routers with security that allows unauthorized persons to not be able to enter the wireless network.
- Perform a correct configuration to prevent us from entering the repeater router network, but to take the Internet signal directly from the server.