Son Moved to Apt (For school) Need Wireless Network Help/Advice

BraveSirRobbin

BraveSirRobbin

Moderator
My son moved to an apartment outside of a college campus and his WiFi signal isn't the greatest.  I've read about getting WiFi extenders/boosters, but I was thinking it would be great if I could get a wireless router (like my Asus RT-88u but something a bit less expensive) and have some added security.
 
I know there are a ton of members here with far more network knowledge than I have (which is very minimal) so I'm asking for advice on what to do...WiFi extender or some sort of Wireless Router.
 
Thanks for any help and advice!
 
BSR
 
I’m in the process of enhancing my WiFi infrastructure and experience here.

First question we need answered I think is how is he currently getting his WiFi internet connection? A roommate, school WiFi, his own connection, etc...


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
Just had a similar conversation about a wireless repeater with my sister.  I suggested a wireless access point (WAP) specifically a Ruckus which is what I am using today.
 
As mentioned above how is your son getting internet in his apartment.  Wired or wireless?
 
Optimally you do want a firewall whether it is working wirelessly or wired.  
 
IE:
 
1 - wireless internet ==> combo wireless firewall switch box which would function as a wireless repeater and firewall
2 - wired internet ==> combo wireless firewall switch box which would function as a wireless access point, firewall and switch.
 
TP-Link is a bit less costly than an Asus combo box.  I currently utilize multiple TP-Link managed switches and POE switches.  Years now with no issues.
 
TP-Link AC1750 is around $64 on Amazon.
TP-Link AC1200 is around $29 on Amazon.
 
Thanks Pete. He is getting internet wirelessly (via the apt complex). No hard wired port in the apt.

Also, I would like to get something from Best Buy locally if possible
 
BraveSirRobbin said:
Thanks Pete. He is getting internet wirelessly (via the apt complex). No hard wired port in the apt.

Also, I would like to get something from Best Buy locally if possible
Click to expand...
Sounds like he just needs to move the router around and try different antenna positions, especially if he can see signal strengths on the router admin console webpages. A critically hung aluminum pie plate may do the trick to focus his signal to and from the source signal device.

You will need a router that supports the bridging mode to couple with another router and have to set the SSID at the same name. IIRC you may have to lock the channel down to the same channel as the source router. This can get tricky without the source router co-operation.

Most routers may not do this. You may want to loan your home router out there to try it first. Echoing the same SSID on the same frequency may cause problems.
 
I would look at boosters aimed at the RV market. They work well. The deal is an outside antenna needs to be installed, and then the inside unit has an antenna, and you want to separate the two as much as possible. In an apartment, the outside part is the hardest, but you can get creative.  The best ones are $200 to $500 though.  
 
If he has several roommates, it might be worth it to just buy Internet from the local ISP and split it with the roommates. Another option is a 5G cellular hotspot.  Some smartphones even can be a hotspot, but it depends upon his data usage. If he is streaming all day, it is not going to cut it. 
 
I am thinking a router, configured as an access point only, and then he hardwires his laptop Ethernet, to the router so the router doesn't repeat any RF signals may work. This could be tested with an older/cheaper router you could pick up at a surplus or charity shop. I have seen half a dozen Cisco routers in some that I am fairly sure would do that trick. They run about $5 usually. I used one in my outbuilding shop for years in that mode.

Even two old routers back to back may work well using two different SSIDs and frequencies or channels.
 
This is assuming the router has better reception, with better antennae, than his internal laptop antenna. When disconnected his laptop could still auto-switch over to WiFi and connect direct.
 
A few years ago here built a wireless bridge using two wireless routers with small paper / aluminum directional antennas facing each other.  You would have to know where the physical location of the apartment wireless router was at to do this to get a good signal.  
 
It was just printing the template and gluing aluminum to the paper and folding it.  This is similiar to making an HD antenna that I have mounted in the attic next to an older outdoor aerial that I use today.  It is just a cardboard box with aluminum paper glued to it.
 
It worked for a temporary solution across the court living room to living room window (400 + feet?).
 
Typically the newer routers have bridge mode and you can view diagnostics relating to signal strength.
 
How to make your own WiFi extenders that work.
 
Best buy does have the TP-Link routers as mentioned above except that they are a bit more than Amazon.
 
Thanks...looking over all the replies and seeing what is available at Best Buy today, I think I'm going to go with the Linksys Model RE6500 extender.  The only tricky part is matching the wireless security settings of the apartment's wireless network (the provider).
 
I was going to go with the Netgear EAX20-100NAS unit, but they have caveats of this device not working with various wireless security modes...  The Linksys did not have such limitations (maybe they just forgot to include them in their manual???)!
 
BraveSirRobbin said:
Thanks...looking over all the replies and seeing what is available at Best Buy today, I think I'm going to go with the Linksys Model RE6500 extender.  The only tricky part is matching the wireless security settings of the apartment's wireless network (the provider).
 
I was going to go with the Netgear EAX20-100NAS unit, but they have caveats of this device not working with various wireless security modes...  The Linksys did not have such limitations (maybe they just forgot to include them in their manual???)!
Click to expand...
Perhaps, I was too categorical.
 
The repeater may work depending on its ability to communicate with the original AP.  I.e. it should be able to receive reliably from the AP and the repeater  transmit power should be good enough for the AP to hear from it back.  Maybe you can find a location inside the flat to accomplish that.
 
Not sure if the device is dual or single band(i.e. the original AP, repeater and the repeater clients operate on the same channel). If it is single band, the bandwidth will be cut by half in comparison to connecting to the original AP, although the apparent speed may be better due to fewer retransmissions. Also, the client connected directly to the AP may suffer lower throughput due to increased collision rate caused by the repeater activity.
 
pete_c said:
A few years ago here built a wireless bridge using two wireless routers with small paper / aluminum directional antennas facing each other.  You would have to know where the physical location of the apartment wireless router was at to do this to get a good signal.  
 
It was just printing the template and gluing aluminum to the paper and folding it.  This is similiar to making an HD antenna that I have mounted in the attic next to an older outdoor aerial that I use today.  It is just a cardboard box with aluminum paper glued to it.
 
It worked for a temporary solution across the court living room to living room window (400 + feet?).
 
Typically the newer routers have bridge mode and you can view diagnostics relating to signal strength.
 
How to make your own WiFi extenders that work.
 
Best buy does have the TP-Link routers as mentioned above except that they are a bit more than Amazon.
Click to expand...
Well, my understanding is that there is no access to the AP/original router, just to the wireless signal.  So, options are rather limited.
 
vc1234 said:
Well, my understanding is that there is no access to the AP/original router, just to the wireless signal.  So, options are rather limited.
Click to expand...
I have seen about 6 people return repeater systems back to the store. I also tried this with my routers previously, in another outbuilding. The concept doesn't seem to work well for most people. If the device repeats on a different frequency it will likely work much better but I have never seen a router that can be set up that way yet.
 
Keep the packaging and steam the seal off the box. LOL
 
I haven't read all of the posts here so forgive me if this has already been said.
 
Is there any way he can get to the wifi AP that is transmitting the wifi signal that he is trying to connect to? Is it in the same building or a nearby building? It would be nice if he could connect a more powerful wireless transmitter (router/AP) to it. A used commercial wireless access point from ebay plugged into whatever exists now may have a greater range. Maybe he or a friend has access to it?
 
Mike.
 
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