Wireless N Router as Repeater

Hey guys. I am getting a little bit frustrated where I'm at. I can't seem to get a good connection from the router and cable modem upstairs. I'm stuck on 2 bars, and my PS3 can seem to never get a connection (really, it hasn't since I brought it up here for college). I am considering buying a router for use as a repeater/extender so that the signal is much stronger.

So, are there any great Wireless N routers out there that I can turn into a repeater/extender for the Internet downstairs? I am not looking to spend that much money since I am a college student on a small budget, but I want something I can be satisfied at least for the next year or so that can take care of all of these hassles for me. If you guys could provide me some help, I'd really appreciate it. I want a strong Internet connection again!

 

I used a wrt54g with a custom firmware as a repeater and that worked great; they cost between $30 and $50; that is the cheap solution. If you don't think you will be able to bear the risk of bricking your router you can just get a regular signal booster but those cost $70+

 

Which router do you have upstairs?

 

I have a Wireless N router upstairs that has been giving us some troubles -- it doesn't seem to be sending a strong signal, and we think it's because the router is just not that great. I have a Wireless N card in my laptop, so I want to take advantage of that.

 

Let me be more specific - what model router do you have upstairs?

 

It's a Linksys Wireless N router that was pretty much the cheapest at Target.

 

What model?

 

You're being a little rude for someone trying to help. The door to where the router is located is locked upstairs since the person living there left for the weekend and hasn't come back just yet. If I am correct, it's a Linksys WRT110.

 

I'm not accustomed to asking three times for the same information. Had you given all of the necessary information in the first post, we'd be further along in this process. Since I'm not a mind reader, I didn't know where the router was located, and that is was behind a locked door.

Perhaps someone else will be able to use the information you've given and help. I won't be bothering you any more.

Good luck.

 

He was not being rude...there's a reason why he was asking you for the Model and not just the Brand of the Router; but you wouldn't know that. You're seeking help right? Then try to be as helpful as you can so that you may get help!

Anyhow, I suggest getting THIS Router and flash it w/ THIS Firmware (click on V24--> Broadcom--> Linksys; then select the version number of the Router; whether WRT150Nv1 or WRT150Nv1.1; When you get the Router look underneath it for the version #) and download the v24 mini generic version and flash the Router w/ it and lastly set it up in Repeater Bridge Mode.

 

Thanks makaveli! I appreciate the help. I'll definitely take it into consideration. Any reason I should go for the Linksys WRT150N over the WRT160N?

 

Yes, check THIS out....the WRT160N v2 Router doesn't seem to be supported by DD-WRT Firmware. (Look under the "Notes for Running DD-WRT" Column) So unless you know for sure you will get v1 then yea...u get the gist!

 

Do you think I should buy the router, or just get that new Intel Wifi 5300 card (or 5350) and think that may solve the problem as well? Or would that void my warranty? Thanks for the help once again. Even if I've build several of my own computers, I'm pretty clueless when it comes to networking.

 

I would buy the Router and be sure that I will be getting a better signal. Getting the Intel WiFi 5300 adapter wouldn't guarantee a good connection downstairs.

 

Okay, due to money issues, I'm only now just about to buy the router. Do you guys still think I should go with the LinksysWRT150n, or go with the extra $10-$15 and buy the Linksys WRT300n? Or even go WRT310n just to get the Gigabit function? I'm certainly sticking to DD-WRT, though. Thanks!

 

If it was up to me I would either stick w/ the 150n or get the 310n which has the Gigabit functionality. But bare in mind that this Gigabit functionality might not be anything that you would benefit from because (from my understanding) it's basically used w/ transferring large files on a Local Area Network. And not necessarily an improvement w/ Internet Bandwidth speed. More of an advantage internally on a LAN than Externally on the Internet.

And the 300n seems like it involves a bit more tedious work to be flashed (and there are two versions of that model)...compared to the 150n so if it was up to me I would stick w/ the 150n. (there is detailed info. in my post #10 on locating the proper firmwares for the 150n)

Edit: But once you are confident that you can flash w/e Router you choose properly it's really up to u IMO on which Router u choose. I don't think there is anything major distinguishing them from each other...I would personally prefer to have a Broadcom NIC in my Router though...

 

Thanks again, makaveli! You're very helpful.

 

Alright, so I have been using this router for a few months. The problem I have discovered is that, not only is it quite difficult to even manage to get a connection without the router continually saying "Local only", but even if I do connect and my connection strength is 100%, when I go to play games like Counter-Strike Source, my ping is still over 300. Not only that, but my PS3 still won't connect to the Internet like it should if this is acting as a repeater. Do you guys have any idea why this is not working? I would REALLY appreciate the help!

 

So you set up the new Router in Repeater Bridge mode and ur having problems? If this is the case most likely it's a configuration setting issue. Make sure you follow the Repeater Bridge setup instructions to a T.

{A question I should have asked before was is the Router upstairs a Wireless N or G Router? If the one upstairs is G and you got an N then that alone may cause issues.} { Edit: I just read your post 4 and I see it is also an N Router..but you mentioned it was giving problems, maybe that one might need replacing} Ask the owner to try updating the firmware to see if that helps.

You can also try switching between WEP/WPA and even taking it off all together...but the most important thing is to make sure you follow the instructions carefully and setup both Router's with identical settings per the RBridge instructions. So you will need to know exactly how the upstairs Router is configured. Such as the SSID it's using, the speed it's transmitting data at, the security type used etc. And remember you'll be getting all IP settings from the Main Router upstairs and not the Repeater.

I have a similar setup at home..only thing is the Main Router is in the living room while my Repeater is in my bedroom. (Intead of a upstairs/downstairs setup) And I too have a PS3 connected to the Repeater via an ethernet cable in my bedroom and the Internet works fine.

Is the name of the Repeater's SSID the same as the Main Router's? If it is give it another SSID. If it isn't give it the same.