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802.11a/c wirelss extension

Tags:
  • Routers
  • WiFi
  • Ethernet Card
  • Wireless Network
  • Extension
Last response: in Wireless Networking
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September 15, 2014 12:58:03 AM

Hello,

I need range extension for my Asus AC-RT66U router.

I have 3 networks:
1) 802.11n+ac (5GHZ) on channel 44
2) 802.11n (2.4GHz) on channel 1
3) 802.11g (2.4GHz) on channel 6

Ethernet cable from router to client location is possible but the laptop clients need w/less access (802.11n and 802.11ac) and not wired.

I prefer not to add another network because we have just settled a complicated neighborhood channel assignation. Just FYI:
- on the 2.4GHz. band there are 3 or even 4 very strong radios on every control channel.
- on the 5GHz there are few compatible control channels (*) and these too are congested.

Please advise best solution (AP, repeater, extender, bridge) and explain the differences as I'm confused as what each one does.

I'm worried that a solution may require an extra network which would irate the neighborhood. Can I use the same 2.4 and 5GHz control channels or do I have to use different ones? What about interference? I don't want clients to have to manually switch from one network to another... would connecting an Asus EA-N66 by Ethernet cable from the router to client's location work? If so, how do I set up the channels and settings on the EN-N66?

Grateful for any help!

Tommaso
(*)
Laptop clients are a Japanese MAC and a European PC. We live in Japan where 5GHz channels are restricted. The only compatible 5GHz control channels are the following: 36, 40, 44, 48

More about : 802 11a wirelss extension

September 15, 2014 11:11:12 AM

You best option is to hook the 2 devices together via ethernet cable. This means running the second device as a AP but any router can do that. This is the method used in corporate installations. You would if possible want to use different radio channel to avoid interference with your primary radio. When you talk 802.11ac it uses 80mhz of bandwidth which is 4 channels. As you point out in japan there are really only the 4 low ones you can use so there is no way to possibly share the 5g band so you have no choice but to overlap and suffer with it. Even in other countries there are only a total of 9 channels on the 5g so only 2 no interfering 802.11ac groups can be found. The newest 802.11ac routers soon to be released can use 160mhz....ie 8 channels so everyone else will soon be in the same issue as japan.

Your other options are to use repeaters. These receive the signal and then retransmit it out on exactly the same channels. This of course greatly degrades the signal quality because of the signals interfering. Most time you lose 50% or more of the speed. You should not use a wireless repeater unless you have no other options.

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