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jmyp's avatar
jmyp
Aspirant
Jul 31, 2020

Using two extenders in my home

I have a Model EX6100v2 and also the Model EX3700. I'm using the 3700 with good results but when I put in the 6100, (an older one previously used), it seems like the new 3700 was not getting a good signal to the base and/or to the devise. I have a ranch home, it is over 60 ft. long with base station on one end and bedrooms at the other end. A screen porch with tv is near the center. Can I use both extenders to go to the base station? One location is working to a tv on the porch but not to the bedrooms. As mentioned above, when I used both extenders, one to connect to the tv on the porch and the other in the hallway to reach the bedrooms, the performance of the one helping the screen porch signal was compromised. Does the above make sense? Thank you, Jim

7 Replies

  • plemans's avatar
    plemans
    Guru - Experienced User
    Jul 31, 2020

    Here's the problem with extenders. 

    They have to recieve and retransmit using the same chip. And they can't do both at once. So it cuts the speed *that they receive* in half. 

    so if you have a 50mbps signal at the router the absolute best the 1st extender will put out is 25mbps. (usually less due to distance/obstructions). Then you add a 2nd extender into that and its cutting what it gets in half. So again if its actually gets the full 25mbps (doubtful again with distance/obstructions), its only putting out 12.5mbps. 

     

    and thats again with optimal conditions. If the 1st extender only actually picks up 30mbps, then its maximum output is 15mbps. and if the 2nd extender only gets 10mbps of that, its only putting out maximum 5mbps. 

    I usually recommend the triband extenders to avoid the speed drop because they reserver one of the 2 5ghz chips just for router---extender communication. This avoids the massive drop in speed. 

     

    Plus each hop adds latency. 

    You also have other factors like2.4ghz is more sensitive to inteference and much slower so its band is going to have less overall bandwidth. 

    Or obstructions in the home. Certain materials drop the signal levels. Or interference from other signals. Or the distance you're running. 

     

    If you're needing more than 1 extender, I usually recommend people move to a triband orbi system. they have a dedicated 5ghz band just for router----satellite-----satellite communication and they have the router controlling the system. 

    • jmyp's avatar
      jmyp
      Aspirant
      Jul 31, 2020

      Thank you so much for the information.    But using that triband system as you suggest sound really complicated.

       

      Can I put together a "Mesh" system?   I'm really a novice and not sure what that is either but it sounds good.    By that I would not use either of the extenders I now have.

       

      Thanks again,

      Jim

      • plemans's avatar
        plemans
        Guru - Experienced User
        Jul 31, 2020

        "putting together" a mesh system is harder than actually just buying one. That's the nice thing about orbi is its simplicity. 

        You can use triband mesh extenders but again, those have issues if you're needing more than 1. 

        Your other option? run ethernet wire to the middle extender and run it in AP mode. That gets full speed to the  middle one and then you connect the distant extender to it. 

        Or move the router to centrally locate it so you can put an extender on each side of it instead of daisy chained. 

        daisy chained: router------>extender------>extender

        star setup (better):  extender<---------router--------->extender