Extend range???

A little confused as to what I need to extend the range of my BT Home Hub - does it work with an additional wireless access point if so what do I need - is this the same as a repeater?

Thanks,

Mark

http://bbs.adslguide.org.uk/showthreaded.php?Cat=&Board=bt&Number=2834795&page=2&view=expanded&sb=5&o=0

But I wouldn't need to buy that item or it may not be the best item for these circustances?

Hi,

I had the same problem and used the Linksys G range extender to sort it out. Not sure if it will work with the BT router maybe somone else on here will know.

A repeater for a wireless network is known as a wireless access point.

You need an access point that supports WDS (Wireless Disbtribution System). Make sure that it will support the same type of wireless encryption that you have set in the BT Home Hub (eg, WEP, WPA, WPA2). You will need to enter your BT Home Hub's encryption type (WEP, WPA or WPA2), wireless encryption key, and SSID into the access point.

Then you need to go into your BT Home Hub's configuration (located at http://bthomehub.home) and go to the wireless section in Advanced, and find a link called something like Scan for wireless access points. When it finds your access point, tick it, enable WDS on the same page, and your wireless coverage should now be extended.

Many thanks for your detailed reply - Can you recommend a cheap but good access point?

I am not sure I understand - do access points need to be cat5'd to the router or can they pick up the signal wirelessly and send it on from wherever they are?

buffalo http://www.broadbandbuyer.co.uk/Shop/MFR/ShopDetail.asp?ProductID=3848

thanks for that phil!

Same q as in other part of this thread tho really mate does this need to be wired to the current bt homehub or can it connect wirelessly and then resend?

CK

That ones seems OK. It shouldn't need to be wired up. Just plug it into the power socket and login to it and get access into its own configuration pages as the manual describes. You may initially have to connect it by Ethernet to configure it with your Home Hub's wireless settings. Then it should be able to go standalone (without Ethernet) and work as an extender.

Be advised that I've never done this myself physically but I do know the concept of it. The Buffalo one given above seems perfect. It does support WDS and will therefore be compatible with the Home Hub. Any access point you use with the Home Hub must support WDS. Usually manufacturers only allow access points from the same manufacturer. But WDS standardises this to work with other WDS devices.

Just make sure its returnable should something not work. But it looks OK to me.

Edited by nLinked (Wed 10-Jan-07 19:16:04)