A Wi-Fi repeater is an answer if you want a solid, reliable WiFi signal. With a WiFi repeater, you can ‘effectively double the coverage area of your WiFi network – reaching far corners of your home or office, different floors, or even extend coverage to your yard.’
What is A Wi-Fi Repeater?
WiFi repeaters- also called extenders- are used to extend the coverage area of your WiFi network. The WiFi repeater works when it receives your existing WiFi signal, amplifies it, and then transmits the boosted signal.
There is the widely asked question of if WiFi repeaters, WiFi boosters, and WiFi extenders are the same thing. Since they are all devices to improve WiFi coverage, we can say that they are mostly the same. There is no clear difference between repeaters and extenders, though most, if not all, WiFi extenders do not work in the same way.
If you have trouble getting a WiFi signal, you could try a couple of solutions before you opt for a WiFi extender. One solution is to try to move the location of your WiFi router. Your WiFi router must be in a central position or location.
Alternatively, check your router and check whether it needs to be upgraded. The problem could be just that you possess older versions of your WiFi router. If we have ticked the right box for you, ensure you get a new router.
Even with your WiFi being at the best location and your router up to date, your coverage could still be unreliable. This is where a WiFi extender could be a possible solution.
There are options you could try, like the powerline ethernet kit, for instance, this will allow you to send your internet signal over the electrical circuit, whether in your home or office. The powerline ethernet kit has two adapters. One is plugged into a power socket near your current router. The other one is plugged at the place where you need a signal. To make use of this, connect the first plug to your router with an ethernet cable. Connect the second plug to an ethernet device- a Smart TV, for instance. You can use the second plug to connect to a WiFi router for another WiFi network.
Another fast reason to give is in bandwidth terms. The powerline ethernet kit bypasses the problem of speed loss with extenders that use WiFi. You just have to make use of the existing electrical circuit in your house. Create a link from your WiFi router to your device that is faster than WiFi, and you can set up in minutes.
If a powerline ethernet adapter does not work, consider a WiFi repeater.
WiFi Repeaters possess two wireless routers. One router picks up the existing WiFi network and transfers the signal to the other router. The other router transmits the boosted signal.
If you want to install your WiFi repeater, your repeater should be placed in a location that can receive your existing WiFi network. You can then attach the power supply. Next, log into the WiFi repeater through your computer, input the login details and password of your existing WiFi network. This is to allow the WiFi repeater to connect and extend.
Weatherproof Wi-Fi repeaters
Weatherproof WiFi repeaters ( The Hawking Outdoor Smart WiFi Repeater, for instance) can be placed outside to boost the signal, so you do not have to worry about the weather when you replace your repeater outside.
Your mobile device or laptop can switch between networks automatically, but this happens when you go out of the range of the first network. WiFi repeaters create second networks. So, should the first network become unavailable, your device will connect to the second.
It is possible your device will be able to detect both networks simultaneously. So, to change from the original network to the boosted network, simply disconnect and then reconnect.
The repeated network will be secure as WiFi repeaters provide levels of security similar to the traditional WiFi routers.
WiFi repeaters do have some speed loss, and some are worse than others. Single-band repeaters have to receive and then re-transmit each packet of data using the same radio on the same channel.
Dual-band repeaters connect to the router on one band and then outputs a WiFi signal on the other. A fast processor can help by enabling maximum WiFi at all times.
If the device has dual radios, it can also reduce speed loss. It will simply speak to the main router on lower channels and then rebroadcast on higher channels.
The Hawking Dual Radio Smart Repeater (HW2R1), for instance, makes use of two WiFi radios. One WiFi radio receives the signal, and then, the other WiFi radio will help rebroadcast the boosted signal.
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