Reply to: WiFi Extender

[d000hg]

I am looking at buying a powerline wifi extender, but I'm wondering if it will be compatible with the older powerline adapters I already have. The older ones are only used to create a wired connection in another room, but I need another adapter that will act amplify the wireless signal based entirely on the powerline, and not on a LAN connection and not by leveraging the wifi signal (which is too weak in that part of my house).

Has anyone here bought a powerline wireless extender (like the one below) and had it work OK with an existing older powerline set (different make/models)?

TP-LINK TL-WPA281 300Mbps AV200 Wireless N Powerline Extender: Amazon.co.uk: Computers & Accessories

I think they tell you on their website.

[unixman]

I did the same with my old BT hub after an upgrade. I do have problems with it disconnecting as I walk between areas of the house though. If I am playing a game and wander across the house it will disconnect and re-connect which narks me but not really by enough to do anything about it.

The Hub 1.0 is a/b wireless only, later models are n class. So I have one AP better than the other, but you can't really notice.

Funny how small modern houses are good at blocking signals, despite the wafer thin walls.

[northernladuk]

I had an old BT Home Hub 1.0 gathering dust in the loft. They can be reconfigured to provide a second wireless AP on your home network. So now we have the Home Hub 3 covering upstairs and the older Hub covering downstairs. Phones and slabs connect to whichever wireless signal is strongest.

I did the same with my old BT hub after an upgrade. I do have problems with it disconnecting as I walk between areas of the house though. If I am playing a game and wander across the house it will disconnect and re-connect which narks me but not really by enough to do anything about it.

[unixman]

Did you connect the Hub via powerline+LAN cable, or just through a spare phone socket?

I connected the old Hub 1.0 through a lan cable to the Hub 3. No powerlines, just concealed cable. The Hub 3 runs the network. The Hub 1 is just used as an extra AP.

[ChimpMaster]

I had an old BT Home Hub 1.0 gathering dust in the loft. They can be reconfigured to provide a second wireless AP on your home network. So now we have the Home Hub 3 covering upstairs and the older Hub covering downstairs. Phones and slabs connect to whichever wireless signal is strongest.

Did you connect the Hub via powerline+LAN cable, or just through a spare phone socket?

[unixman]

I had an old BT Home Hub 1.0 gathering dust in the loft. They can be reconfigured to provide a second wireless AP on your home network. So now we have the Home Hub 3 covering upstairs and the older Hub covering downstairs. Phones and slabs connect to whichever wireless signal is strongest.

[Platypus]

353 review on Amazon will prob give you better feedback than on here

[ChimpMaster]

I am looking at buying a powerline wifi extender, but I'm wondering if it will be compatible with the older powerline adapters I already have. The older ones are only used to create a wired connection in another room, but I need another adapter that will act amplify the wireless signal based entirely on the powerline, and not on a LAN connection and not by leveraging the wifi signal (which is too weak in that part of my house).

Has anyone here bought a powerline wireless extender (like the one below) and had it work OK with an existing older powerline set (different make/models)?

TP-LINK TL-WPA281 300Mbps AV200 Wireless N Powerline Extender: Amazon.co.uk: Computers & Accessories

[The Spartan]

No offence but it was pretty easy to install and it also gives you the option to configure it using a web browser, easily one of the best things I spent £20 on.

[I just need to test it]

I first tried with a TP-Link wifi extender but the instructions were insanely difficult to understand. I finally googled and discovered I wasn't the only one struggling to install it.

At my wits' end I bought a Netgear plug-in extender (dearer than the prices shown on this thread) and it's been ace.

[SueEllen]

Ohh sports gear next week. And there is a store nearer me than I thought.

[Platypus]

I even can select which WiFi network to connect to on my iPad, to control whether US or UK netflix is accessed.

ok, now that IS cool !

[Brian Potter]

I went for HomePlug (mains networking) in the end

After peeing about with WiFi extenders, I did the same too! Opted for some TP-link "Up to 500mbit" powerlines which operate at around 280mbit...good enough for the Xbox and Windows Media Centre (Center).

[d000hg]

I went for HomePlug (mains networking) in the end - several of their plugs broadcast WiFi networks as well as having ethernet so they meet all needs in our house.

I even can select which WiFi network to connect to on my iPad, to control whether US or UK netflix is accessed.

[doodab]

I bought a Billion one as it matches my router. No complaints so far.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Billion-BiPa...+WiFi+extender

I have to say it's miles better than the powerline things I was using previously and they gave up after a couple of months as well. Apparently quite a common problem with them.