In my apartment on our family's various smartphones very often get just 1 bar or inconstent WiFi ... because my router is stuck at the opposite end of my rectangular apartment vs the bedrooms.
So I'm thinking of calling up Telus to see what they offer with this new "WiFi Extender" doohickie.
Before calling them, I decided to first search from within the Telus website for the word "Extender" and found 1 article and 2 forum posts:
The article makes suggestions of stuff that might interfere with strong WiFi...
http://mobility.telus.com/en/AB/TELUS-Smart-Hub/troubleshooting-000944.shtml#main_section_2
The 2 forum discussions have some folks saying Thumbs Down @ these kind of power-plugin extenders... Any idea why?
http://forum.telus.com/t5/Mobility-Services/Telus-hub-in-basement-and-wifi-is-too-weak-on-2nd-floor/td-p/15523
http://forum.telus.com/t5/Internet-TV-Home-Phone/Router-Antenna/td-p/28999
So I also decided to check MemEx -- if this helps noticeably it seems to be a not-bad value; anyone have opinions re. "DAP-1320 N300 Wireless Range Extender" or similar?
http://www.memoryexpress.com/Products/MX42865 (or similar)
I would consider using your own router with Telus in gateway mode. You would then get your wireless coverage you need plus all the options it provides in features.
Quote from: Melbosa on February 24, 2014, 03:15:16 PM
I would consider using your own router with Telus in gateway mode. You would then get your wireless coverage you need plus all the options it provides in features.
That sounds overly technical and complex to me.
In my old age I'm actually wanting techie things dumbed-down in my non-work life, heck in 3 years I never rooted my Samsung Galaxy S 1... Is there some way of using "gateway mode" in the router that Telus provides? And what features/capabilities does Gateway Mode give me that would result in wider coverage, compared to the normal settings?
I probably don't have as much interference as you but I get a strong signal all throughout my property, I don't know how much bigger your apartment is? Are you on wireless N or G (or both?)
Have you tried selecting different channels on your existing wireless to see if there's a channel that works better than the others?
If Telus is going to give you a cheap signal booster then go for it, otherwise I would go with something with more juice I guess. The one thing that sucks about living in a human hive is that there's a lot of signal competing for the same space.
Quote from: Mr. Analog on February 24, 2014, 03:21:29 PM
Have you tried selecting different channels on your existing wireless to see if there's a channel that works better than the others?
...
there's a lot of signal competing for the same space.
Yes to part one, because of part two -- BIG TIME.
On my Galaxy S 3 there is a "radar mode" that visibly shows the various WiFi competing for my local space around my apartment, checked that yesterday and HOLY CRAP there's a ton!
Most seem to be on Channel 11 (lol @ lazy people!) and a few weeks ago I had switched to Channel 2 and am presently the only one using that (a few are on Channel 1 or 3).
But I guess I should at least try some of the suggestions @ http://mobility.telus.com/en/AB/TELUS-Smart-Hub/troubleshooting-000944.shtml#main_section_2
and then I plan on perusing the FS category page @ http://www.futureshop.ca/en-CA/category/range-extenders-powerline/29588.aspx -- but especially reading their "extender guide (http://www.futureshop.ca/en-CA/research/powerline-and-range-extender-buying-guide/rc9813.aspx)".
I've used DLink Wireless extenders before, as well as Linux ones. I can tell you they are flaky at best. I would suggest a new Modem from Telus if you are not on the latest one (which if renting you should be able to get for the same rental price), or your own router.
Turning the Telus Modem into a Gateway device (supported by Telus and the make that change) means all the modem does is provide you an IP and you are left up to doing the Edge Device stuff yourself (your own router). While more technical from a complexity standpoint I find the reliability and horsepower to be better this way, and your router features and security is not dependent on your ISP (so you setup your wireless security and port rules once, etc). This way you can change providers by what ever deal fits your needs and not have to change your setup of all your devices when you do.
Asus N65U is a great router with long and powerful wireless strength and easy web interface to do what you want to do: http://www.memoryexpress.com/Products/MX40619. Simple and yet powerful in design. I highly recommend it, and even more so the N66U: http://www.memoryexpress.com/Products/MX37448 - but that is more money and probably not really needed for the extra bang for buck in your case.
If you live in an apartment 1 router should cover the thing with ease. Get the WiFi junk disabled in the Telus device, get them to set it as a bridge and run your own router.
http://www.smallnetbuilder.com/ for a list of routers
I would suggest the RT-N66U over the N65U but the N65U isn't bad
RT-N66U
http://www.smallnetbuilder.com/wireless/wireless-reviews/31687-asus-rt-n66u-dark-knight-dual-band-wireless-n900-gigabit-router-reviewed
Yeah, that's what I was thinking Lazy, my parents run their wi-fi right off the Telus model and it's fairly low power, I'm surprised they get the signal coverage they do really. To be fair, there isn't a whole lot of competition in their area and they're an end unit.
It may just be better to get a router than can put out a stronger signal than get another low power relay... time to buy faraday cage wallpaper (http://arstechnica.com/information-technology/2012/05/anti-wifi-wallpaper-lets-cellular-and-radio-through/) haha
Just a warning but I think if you have Optik TV as well, they wont bridge their modem for you as they require it to bond the two 25mbps dsl connections together, and handle the QoS for the tv.
I went way overboard with my setup, I have fancy netgear switches, a Soekris 6501-50 network appliance running debian and shorewall, and a Unify AP Pro wifi ap. I have less than no problems with my setup. The AP Pro has a range of like 400 feet, and I can get signal down the block. Interference really hasn't been an issue since I got it. Used to be I'd need to tweak the heck out of my old linksys routers (TWO!) to get signal to both ends of the house mostly reliably. with this one, I have it dead center and it reaches far further than just my house :D But hey, its the price you pay for reliability and for lack of headaches in the long run.
Quote from: Tom on February 24, 2014, 03:59:04 PM
I went way overboard with my setup, I have fancy netgear switches, a Soekris 6501-50 network appliance running debian and shorewall, and a Unify AP Pro wifi ap. I have less than no problems with my setup. The AP Pro has a range of like 400 feet, and I can get signal down the block. Interference really hasn't been an issue since I got it. Used to be I'd need to tweak the heck out of my old linksys routers (TWO!) to get signal to both ends of the house mostly reliably. with this one, I have it dead center and it reaches far further than just my house :D But hey, its the price you pay for reliability and for lack of headaches in the long run.
Oh yeah you did :P :D
Quote from: Melbosa on February 24, 2014, 04:03:26 PM
Quote from: Tom on February 24, 2014, 03:59:04 PM
I went way overboard with my setup, I have fancy netgear switches, a Soekris 6501-50 network appliance running debian and shorewall, and a Unify AP Pro wifi ap. I have less than no problems with my setup. The AP Pro has a range of like 400 feet, and I can get signal down the block. Interference really hasn't been an issue since I got it. Used to be I'd need to tweak the heck out of my old linksys routers (TWO!) to get signal to both ends of the house mostly reliably. with this one, I have it dead center and it reaches far further than just my house :D But hey, its the price you pay for reliability and for lack of headaches in the long run.
Oh yeah you did :P :D
Yup. But I'm incredibly happy with it. But I know for a fact that you guys probably wouldn't invest as much as I did... I have a thing for fancy tech toys that I actually find useful.
Nice to have some decent income hey?
I wonder if Tom's trailer glows at night? hahaha :)
Quote from: Melbosa on February 24, 2014, 04:14:57 PM
Nice to have some decent income hey?
You ain't kidding.
Quote from: Mr. Analog on February 24, 2014, 04:18:47 PM
I wonder if Tom's trailer glows at night? hahaha :)
In that I leave a light on, sure ;)
The AP also has a glowing ring on it, if that counts.
If bridging isn't an option, turning the WiFi off on the Telus device and setting your new router in AP mode would still solve the wireless problem.
What he said.
What they said...
I should also say that I DO use a WiFi extender, but I also have 3 floors to cover... WiFi extenders also half the bandwidth for the device using the extender so they are good to get coverage for you iPad across the house to surf but BAD if you want to extend gaming or high quality streaming. SmallNetbuilder has reviews for them as well, but for the money you are STILL better getting a more powerful router/AP if you are in an apartment.
May also be an option to get a separate router and connect it with ethernet, or those powerline networking dongles. Some are pretty decent, a few hundred mbps.
If your routers have dual radios, you can use one of them to dedicate to a "backbone".
Stay away from powerline Ethernet, especially in an apartment / townhouse. Tried it myself even after others suggested they where bad. It was worse.
Hm, I suppose there can be issues with shared lines. I know a guy who set one up in his basement suite, and he says it works ok. But ymmv. It has improved in recent years, but meh.
There is also ethernet over coax.. also may have a shared line issue?
I tried a well rated 500mbit unit two outlets apart. Connection was listed as 180mbit and latency was double digit.
Moved the second unit upstairs and got the same reported speed but latancy went double to triple digit and started having packet loss.
Youch. That's pretty bad. Those outlets may not have been on the same circuit, maybe. But yeah, probably not a good idea to use them in an apartment.
Also if you don't follow the directions to randomize the network encryption you auto bridge to your network to anyone adjacent house that didn't read the directions.
Darren, did you ever get this sorted out?
I never went "Full Tom" with this issue, instead I got extra telephone cord and moved my router to the living room wall closest to the rest of the apartment, and most of the time even the farthest room is getting 40%-65% signal strength. And that's with 1 or 2 Netflix or streaming sites going at the same time.
In the future might move into a townhouse and that would reduce the length the wifi signal has to go (even if adding vertical, potentially).
Plus in my *current* apartment building there's still like 15 other wifi routers broadcasting -- that certainly can't help, even if I make sure to regularly check that I am using a channel as far away from everyone else as possible (this month I'm using Channel 9, there's like seven of them all using Channel 1 lol ... but as quoted below I gotta keep an eye on "current trends"!)
Quote from: Darren Dirt on February 24, 2014, 03:25:15 PM
Quote from: Mr. Analog on February 24, 2014, 03:21:29 PM
Have you tried selecting different channels on your existing wireless to see if there's a channel that works better than the others?
On my Galaxy S 3 there is a "radar mode" that visibly shows the various WiFi competing for my local space around my apartment, checked that yesterday and HOLY CRAP there's a ton!
Most seem to be on Channel 11 (lol @ lazy people!) and a few weeks ago I had switched to Channel 2 and am presently the only one using that (a few are on Channel 1 or 3).
I have a spare extender if you want it. Bought one for my mom on the weekend and she couldn't figure it out and just had Telus come over and install one
Haha. "Full Tom". indeed. The extension cable was a decent enough solution. But if you want better reception (any drops or random slowdowns?) Putting the main router on one end, and an extender half way or on the other end would probably help.
DARREN do you need a Wi-Fi extender? I have an extra D-Link, it plugs into a wall socket, works good
Can't hurt to try it. Let's get together this week maybe (not today though).
Quote from: Darren Dirt on August 26, 2014, 09:43:14 AM
Can't hurt to try it. Let's get together this week maybe (not today though).
Obie Kabie
Hey Darren, check this out: http://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2014/08/mapping-wi-fi-dead-zones-with-physics-and-gifs/
You can map out the signal in your appt, then you'll know what you need and where! Then do mine! kthx.
Quote from: Mr. Analog on August 26, 2014, 11:26:55 AM
Quote from: Darren Dirt on August 26, 2014, 09:43:14 AM
Can't hurt to try it. Let's get together this week maybe (not today though).
Obie Kabie
Workso Terrifico! Thanko*!
Now half the apartment is using (name)-EXT, much needed cuz we have 3 Rokus 1 SmartTV 2 laptops and 5 cell phones yeehaw...
* (Operaman, bye bye!)
Perfecto glad I could help
IIRC you can just have both networks with the same name, and devices will switch to whatever signal is the best for that side of the apartment.
Quote from: Tom on September 14, 2014, 04:54:40 PM
IIRC you can just have both networks with the same name, and devices will switch to whatever signal is the best for that side of the apartment.
In theory devices should switch to the one with the best signal.
In reality devices often bind to the first one in their list or will hang on to the first one they find until forced off. This is common in consumer devices.
This is why the separate -ext SSID method is better for small home networks. 1 you can see what you are connected to on all devices, 2 if you have static devices like media streamers you can force them to use one or the other.
Enterprise mesh networks are another story.
Some home routers have a feature that let's you set a minimum connection strength. This allows the ap to force disconnect weak clients and encourage them to look for the extender.
True enough. My 5G network has a separate name just so I can force devices onto 5g. Otherwise none of my devices will choose 5g over 2.4 due to the 5g signal appearing to be significantly weaker (which I still find quite odd).
In your place that really should not be a problem
Quote from: Lazybones on September 14, 2014, 06:37:24 PM
In your place that really should not be a problem
Especially since I have my wifi api mounted on the ceiling in the hall. its a straight shot, no walls direct to my laptop. But the 2.4G ssid shows 100% strength, and the 5G shows 64%. Similar things are seen with my phones as well. maybe the linux signal measurment stuff is just weird. i dunno.