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Forum Discussion
Repeater Extender set up?
Not necessarily a strictly Netgear question, but I could use some good advice and help here... I have very minimal networking knowledge, but would like to add a couple repeater/extenders to my wifi....
what extenders did you buy that you're trying to connect?
I'm not a huge fan of using multiple extenders. In my experience, if you need more than 1 extender to cover your home, its better to move to a triband mesh system like orbi or similar.
Reason why is standard extenders by their very nature, drop speeds 50%. Plus if you're daisy chainging them (connect an extender to an extender) that 2nd device will only be at 25% performance. And thats based on optimal conditions. If they're far away, have obstructions, or even interference, their speeds will be even worse.
Most extenders shoudn't need any messing with dns. its should be simply run them through the setup process they have. And if you connect more than 1, shut off the ones already setup when installing the new one.
Attached a image of the repeater I have been trying to use.
Don't know if it even has an actual brand name.
I see them advertised with MANY.
Not looking to "chain" them.
Was hoping to have a little better coverage in two different directions.
I have added more devices in other areas around my home and yard.
They all connect, but seem to suffer as more phones enter the proximity.
THANKS very much
Can't tell much from the picture but if its only a single band extender, that could be your problem.
2.4ghz is more sensitve to interference plus its significantly slower than 5ghz. the more devices that are using 2.4ghz the more issues you'll have. Its the reason for the addition of the 5ghz band.
It was cheap and I think at least 3 or 4 years old now.
I doubt it has many features.
Originally I got it hoping to get better signal to my home entertainment set up that I have in my shed, it gets internet and apps, but takes a REAL long time to do anything.
Now in my living room I have smart TV, soundbar, multiple laptops, family's phones, and further out security cameras that use the wi fi.
When everything happens at the same time, the TV's apps start buffering and I have gotten a couple messages that the camera looses connection during "busy" times.
With winter weather coming the set up in the shed is going to get put away and not used until next spring so not an immediate concern.
But would like to do something if I could to keep TV and security cameras running better.
When I got the new router a while ago, everything improved greatly from what I was used to.
If there was something that hooked to that router simply and efficiently (without breaking the bank) I would like that.
Is there a netgear product that sounds like it might help?
Or are most something similar to the one that I already have?
THANSK again !!
You're caught in a catch-22.
You want to keep it cheap but you want top of the line performance. They don't go together sadly. Especially when you're streaming, having a bunch of devices, and security cameras.
it all uses bandwidth. And 2.4ghz doesn't have much.
there are cheap dual band extenders but again, the cheap ones aren't going to have great performance and they don't function well when you need multiples of them.
Even the expensive extenders (tribands) tend to start running into issues when your needing more than 1.
Its why we/I recommend mesh setups like orbi when you have a lot of area to cover and a bunch of devices/streaming. It needs stable/high speed connections for it to function properly.
instead of buying a bunch of cheap/poor performing extenders, I'd save up and watch amazon for a renewed RBK43 system. they've been going on sale over the last couple months for pretty cheap (200-250 versus new the system is around 400). they'd work much better and would just work. Plus you'd have seamless roaming between everything. the router and the satellites all use the same ssid and use bandsteering to move devices between 2.4ghz and 5ghz based on bandwidth/distance.
You could put the C6300 into bridge/modem only mode and connect the orbi setup to it.
Or you can try buying a couple dual band extenders and see how it goes. Problem is the cheap ones are still going to be $40-50 a piece. By the time you get 2 cheap dual band extenders you're pushing $100+ for not so great of extenders that you're going to have multiple SSID's (wireless names) without seamless roaming.
Up to you which route you go.