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EJBsf's avatar
EJBsf
Star
Jun 30, 2016
Solved

Wireless repeater function missing - now what do I do?

I just moved to a new place. The front and back of the apt are a fair distance from each other. The N750 router's in the back of the building, wifi is weak in the front. Stringing ethernet cable is not an option so so I planned to use a spare N600 as a repeater in the front

 

If I'm reading forum posts correctly, the repeater function has been discontinued. Is this true? Why? More important, what do I do now to get decent wifi in the front of the house?  

 

Is setting up another cable modem connection a possibility? There is a Comcast cable in the front, can I set it up there? If so, can I use the same name? 

 

Any help on where to go from here is much appreciated.

 

EdB

repeater
Troubleshooting
wifi
  • EJBsf's avatar
    EJBsf
    Jun 30, 2016

    Thanks for the replies. Consensus seems to be the powerline solution. I've ordered a set and will see what happens.

     

    EdB

3 Replies

  • TheEther's avatar
    TheEther
    Guru
    Jun 30, 2016

    The repeater function in Netgear's routers used an older method called WDS (Wireless Distribution System).  WDS was never well defined.  Netgear's implementation was crippled because it did not support wireless security.  I believe it was for these reasons, plus a desire to steer customers to their range extenders, that Netgear removed the repeater function from their routers.

     

    You have a few options to cover the front of the house with Wi-Fi:

    1. Install a Powerline network in lieu of stringing Ethernet.  Then connect the N600 and N750 to it.  Reconfigure the N600 as an Access Point.
    2. Install a MoCA network (uses coax) using adapters like these.  Connect the N600 and N750 to it, like option 1.
    3. Buy a range extender and place in the middle of the house. 
    • michaelkenward's avatar
      michaelkenward
      Guru
      Jun 30, 2016
      TheEther wrote:
      Install a Powerline network in lieu of stringing Ethernet.  Then connect the N600 and N750 to it.  Reconfigure the N600 as an Access Point.

       

       

      That was my choice. Powerline has come a long way in the last few years.

       

      You don't say what you want to do on the "remote" devices. I stream TV over powerline. Few demands are more severe than that.

       

      • EJBsf's avatar
        EJBsf
        Star
        Jun 30, 2016

        Thanks for the replies. Consensus seems to be the powerline solution. I've ordered a set and will see what happens.

         

        EdB