NETGEAR is aware of a growing number of phone and online scams. To learn how to stay safe click here.
Forum Discussion
hierog
May 01, 2019Aspirant
range extender of access point?
I currently have a Nighthawk X6 AC3200 Tri Band WiFi Router and have been having a helluva time getting wifi signal on the other end of my house. Today, I bought the Nighthawk X6S AC3000 Tri Band WiF...
additude
May 01, 2019Virtuoso
An access point typically has a hardwire ethernet cable between it and the "Server/Router" which makes it a more stable setup than a "Wireless Range Extender" which may need to be manuvered closer to a device or the device closer to it and the range extender is more susceptable to interferances like walls, appliances, windows, etc.
The extender would be easier to setup than an access point.
To setup the extender, locate it close to your router so that it receives a good signal, set it up and configure it, then move it to it's new remote location and test for connectivity. If you have poor connectivity, locate it in a different location until you have a good connection. This may mean that you might need to locate it closer to your router not just a different location at the same distance away.
There are good Netgear YouTube videos depicting this process.
schumaku
May 01, 2019Guru - Experienced User
additude wrote:
The extender would be easier to setup than an access point.
Really? A standards compliant network cable and you have a reliable connection from the router to the place where the access point has ot be installed - very diferent from the hit-and-miss with these wireless backhaul experimenting, where the results often show that distance is to big, the building construction is to prohibitive to 5 GHz, the connecitons become unreliable, never had thrse problems with wired access point installations. Granted - installing a cable does take more time and effort. However, it's worth every Cent, every minute fo installation work.
- additudeMay 02, 2019Virtuoso
Anyone can drape a cable over stuff, hide the cable behind desks, chairs, furniture, tack it to the wall running down a hallway and knotch it thru door closings and maybe even just drill holes thru walls and push the cable thru them....
But if you wanted at least the minimal semi-professional installation then it's going to take more work than just having cable all over the place. Especially depending on installation requirements which the OP did not specify.
At least to have it neat in appearance may require fishing walls or running cable in the attic....
But who knows...?? Surely you do of course.
Why don't you just stick to answering the OP's questions with your own ideas instead of plucking feathers out of other peoples ideas...
- schumakuMay 02, 2019Guru - Experienced User
additude wrote:
Especially depending on installation requirements which the OP did not specify.
Exactly, that's the point - we both know nothing about the requirements and the OP environment.
This wasn't intended as feather picking. Sorry please if you got it like that, this was not my intention. Just brought up the - in my opinion - much better, more reliable, long term solution .... the undoubted best way to do it. But hey, everybody on it's own. Believe me, I have two extenders in operation here at home, one towards the garage, one to the garden house - mostly to remain up2date on this consumer technology.
- additudeMay 02, 2019Virtuoso
OK, I can deal with that but for me personally, no matter what the installation, if I weigh the difference between configuring a WiFi device as opposed to running cable... which would mean in this situation, running a length of cable equal to or greater than the distance that an extender would/could cover....
I'll choose typing settings on a keyboard every time....