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Forum Discussion
How simple is the installation of a Netgear range extender?
I have no experience with range extenders but am considering buying a AX3000 Dual-band WiFi 6 Mesh Extender to solve the following problem:
I've just moved into a 3 bedroom townhouse and have installed Telstra/NBN internet connection which provides 500+bps near it's downstairs location ( where my wife's office is located ) but much less and intermittent upstairs where my office is located. If I bought the extender and plugged it in to a mains socket in the upstairs hallway with clear view to the modem and my office will it work without any changes to any settings? Will my MAC, iPhone and printer see the 5G router name with out any changes?
4 Replies
Probably. Might be worth a few minutes to read through the User Guide:
https://www.downloads.netgear.com/files/GDC/EAX17/EAX17_EAX16_UM_EN.pdf
WiFi extenders were the way many people extended WiFi coverage in their homes. The main frustration is that the primary WiFi router and the WiFi Extender are actually two distinct systems. Mobile devices often do not roam seamlessly between the primary router and the extender. This causes frustration because performance on the mobile device will diminish and the user will finally remember, "s**t. I moved too far from that WiFi. Need to turn WiFi off and back on again so my phone/tablet/laptop will connect to the WiFi I am closer to right now. The Mac and printer, of course, are not mobile and thus will be perfectly happy. This frustration is why mesh WiFi systems were invented in about 2015-2016.
It might be that Telstra provides a mesh extension to their WiFi unit (monthly fee, of course).
Otherwise, a WiFi extender (from anyone) is a possible solution.
The Netgear extenders are supposed to be mesh extenders and it's up to the client to choose when to roam. This roaming issue with clients issue exists in the mesh systems too.
it's up to the client to choose when to roam.
Yes. Although the mesh can provide hints/suggestions to switch, it is up to the client to follow through.
And a traditional extender has the same constaints - the main difference is that with two SSIDs it is easier to see the wifi that the client is connected to - and you can choose the network manually.
You might just try centrally locating the router so it provides better coverage.
If that is practical, then worth trying first.
If not, an extender will solve the problem. The one you are thinking about should work fine, but the only way to tell is to get one and try it. There is a new Wifi 7 extender from Netgear, which is the same price in the US - if that is also the case in Australia, I'd get the newer one.
It is a mesh extender so they do work pretty well in that sense. But most routers should cover a smaller 3 bedroom if properly located. You might just try centrally locating the router so it provides better coverage. They broadcast omnidirectional (spherical) so try to make sure the router is in the middle.
What actual speeds do you get in your office?
When you say intermittent, is your office connected to the 2.4ghz or 5ghz? I've found in most apartment/townhomes/condo's that 2.4ghz is pretty much useless other than slow IoT devices.
