Boosting dorm wireless range tips

Hey, I'm going to be honest and say that I'm a newb to wireless networking, but I just arrived at my tech school in the Air Force, and am trying to get it set up. Basicly, how it works is there's 3 wings to my dorm building. Only about the first 2 rooms in each wing can get interent access well. The rest of them get maybe one bar, and can maybe connect 1/20 times for less than 5 minuites ( which is my case, with just a very stock, plain dell wireless network card with no antennae ). What i'm wondering, is if you think this signal is boostable. It's from a internet provider's network hub, so i'm not even sure if i'll be able to set it up without their information or whatever. Anyways, any information would be helpful, and an estimate on what model i may need ( the access point is ~200 feet away or so ).

I agree with saber_tooth. The ideal solution to your problem is to have your dorm's wireless system set up properly, and that would require adding WAPs (wireless access points), which would need to be wired to the central wireless router. However, if the wireless system belongs to the school, or to the ISP, you may have trouble getting their cooperation to do this.
Another option is to try to improve your reception and transmission. You could use a wireless g bridge (WET54G) and put a high gain antena (HGA7S) on it. This would give you a wired port that you could connect to the ethernet card in your computer. And if you add a switch, you could share the wireless connection with your roommate. But I am uncertain if this setup could really do 200 feet.
The ideal type of antena for this problem is a directional antena. Diriectional antenas focus your transmissions and reception in one direction, thereby optimizing the distance you can achieve with a given amount of transmitting power. I tried to locate one that was compatible with the WET54G, but I could not find one.
I would also suggest that you talk with your friends at the dorm. My guess is that somebody else who lives there has already solved this problem.
Please tell us the make and model of the wireless router that the dorm is using.
Message Edited by toomanydonuts on 04-21-200712:55 AM

Similar Messages

Extend Time Capsule Wireless Range

I am having trouble with my Time Capsule's wireless range. I am not a networking expert by any means. I own an old building that is 4 stories connected by stairs with thick walls. All the rooms ethernet cables converge in a cubby on the 3rd floor. I placed my Time Capsule in the cubby, but I couldn't receive a wireless signal from the 1st floor. This is ironic because I have an old Netgear G router that sends signals throughout all 4 floors. So I bought an Airport Express to extend my network wirelessly, but the signal has been unstable perhaps because the Time Capsule's wireless signal is too weak. So I want to connect the Airport Express on the 1st floor using the Ethernet link from the 3rd floor Time Capsule which is my main router. From my research, I discovered about WDS networks, which I believe you have to use in order to create a network with multiple Apple base stations linked through ethernet.
I called Applecare who told me:
-To connect from Time Capsule to Airport Express using Ethernet, must use WDS network. Setup Airport Express as Relay, NOT Remote.
-Relay- Direct ethernet connection from Time Capsule to Airport Express, then wireless connection from Airport Express to Macbook.
-Remote- Wireless signal from Time Capsule to Airport Express, then direct Ethernet connection from Airport Express to Macbook
I have several questions for you wise people out there:
1. To extend the Time Capsule wireless network using the Airport Express, but connected directly via ethernet, do I need to setup a WDS network?
2. I prefer to just use the simple Apple settings "extend network wirelessly". Will this setting only boost a wireless signal received from the Time Capsule? Can it not extend a wireless signal sent directly from Ethernet?
3. I'm considering getting a Quickertek Triband antenna to place outside the cubby. Anyone have any experience with Airport external antennas?:
http://www.quickertek.com/products/timecapsuletriband.php
Any information would be much appreciated! These networking issues have been giving me months of headache.
Thank you!
Alexander
Specs:
Apple Time Capsule 1TB
Airport Express N version
Connected with 2.4ghz. band to N capable Macs.

Extending your network with an AirPort Express (AX) won't boost the TimeCapsule's (TC's) range per se. It will expand the network's range by adding another transceiver.
If you'd prefer to avoid using Ethernet to connect the TC and AX, you might get a better signal on the first floor if the AX was on the second floor, i.e, roughly halfway between the TC and the 1st-floor computer. [Extending the range of an 802.11n network|http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?path=AirPortUtility/5.1/en/ap21 24.html] describes how to configure them.
If an Ethernet linkup is no problem, though, that should work even better. In this case, it's best to use different (by 3 or more) channels on the 2 stations to reduce the chance that they'll interfere with each other.
Either way, it's best to use the same network name, network password, and encryption on both stations so you can roam freely through the building without needing to switch manually between them.
[Designing AirPort Networks 10.5-Windows manual|http://manuals.info.apple.com/enUS/Designing_AirPort_Networks10.5-Windows.pdf] is another good resource you may find helpful.

Boosting the wireless signal

Hello,
Can anyone tell me if I can use the LINKSYS by Cisco Wireless-G Range Expander Model No. WRE54G on my M1424WR Verizon Router to boost the wireless signal in my laptop. I do have wireless signal, however since the router is not very close to the spot in which I usually use my laptop the signal sometime gets weak. For this reason I searched the web and came up with this device for signal boosting, my question is if this device will work with my Verizon router or make it worst.
Thank you.
Tatty
Solved!
Go to Solution.

OK, I am sorry that I did not get back to you sooner.
I have tried every idea you suggested, but not to my satisfaction. I called Verizon and they changed the channel to channel 11 and it not help. I bought the devices you recommended but neither one of them were good. I then bumped in to an AMPED HIGH POWER WIRELESS-300N SMART REPEATER. I just got it this afternoon, and I just finished to set it up, and guess what, it is working great.
I figured I should share this with all of you, and I thank everyone that put his input.
Taty

POOR wireless range

I have a white 13" macbook which i bought about 6 months ago. We have the new BT home hub wireless router (the black V.2 model). I can get the network no problem in the adjacent rooms but as soon as i go upstairs i get nothing. Can anyone explain why my range is so poor??

Hi sutton185,
Welcome to the forum.
There are a lot of variables that can affect the "performance" of the range of your wireless router. Location of the router, interference from other electronic equipment (telephone, TV, radio etc) and walls are just some that immediately spring to mind.
In these situations, one of the first things I would do is change the wireless channel and/or the location of the router. If the symptoms still remain, you may need an additional wireless router (like Apple's Airport Express) which will be configured in WDS mode and act in extending the wireless range.
To change the wireless channel you'll need to log in to your router. With the BTHomehub simply fire up a web browser and enter 192.168.1.1 in the URL field. Click on Advanced... in the left list and Advanced... again. The default username is admin and the password is admin again. Then select Wireless from the Advanced submenu on the left and on the right, at the top, you'll see the following menu items: Settings, Encryption, MAC Address Control, Repeater. Ensure that Setting is selected and from the drop down menu in the Channel field select a different channel and click Apply. You may have to experiment with different channels; try Channel 11 first and work from there.
Kryten

Given wireless range of Time Capsule is 150', will this work? Put DSL modem on phone line in garage, connect ethernet to small office bldg (125') and connect separate ethernet to main house (200'). Time capsule on each end (or Airport Express)? Thx

Given Time Capsule wireless range is 150', will this solution work? In detached garage, connect DSL modem to phone line, then connect ethernet cable to DSL modem and run 125' to small office bldg. Connect separate ethernet cable to DSL modem and run 200' to main house. Put time capsule or Airport Express in each bldg resulting in separate wireless networks in each? Thanks.

This will work very well. You can run a CAT5e (or CAT6) Ethernet cable up to 330 feet...or 100 meters...with virtually no signal loss.
CAT6 costs a bit more, but will handle next generation Ethernet speeds, so if you have a choice, suggest that you opt for CAT6 cabling.

How to shorten wireless range

I have a linksys BEFW11S4 ver.4 i want to shorten the wireless range. Anyway to do that?

You could try removing the two antennae (spelled with 'ae' intentionally) depending on how short you want / need the range to be and see if
a) it works that way
and
b) the range is not too short that way.

Can I run a cat5 cable to a 4 port hub from a cisco router then connect one of the hub's output ports to an airport express to 'extend' my wireless range?

Can I run a cat5 cable to a 4 port hub from a cisco router then connect one of the hub's output ports to an airport express to 'extend' my wireless range?
Flow would be
Cable modem---->cisco e2000 wifi router (This is broadcasting wifi but not strong enough)---->4 port hub ---->airport express (to extend the wifi in another part of house)
thanks!

Yes, you can do this as you stated. In essence you will want to configure both routers for roaming network. Please check out the following Apple Support article that describes this type of network. Although this article uses two or more AirPorts, it can be done with just about any manufacturer's router.

WUMC710 could play as wireless range extender & Bridge role at same time?

If using bridge WUMC710, could it play the role as a wireless range extender for my wireless devices and at same time also as bridge to connect wired devices such as internet ready TV with router?

Hi,
The WUMC710 is only designed as a wireless bridge. There's no option to set it up as a repeater - bridge. Even DD-WRT don't have it on their compatible hardware list - only WAP54G. You might be interested on this DD-WRT Wiki article: Linking Routers: Repeater Bridge.
Check this table for comparison with current Linksys wireless bridges:
- Article ID 26631: WUMC710, WES610N and WET610N product comparison
If everyone needs to believe in something, I believe I'll have another beer..

Ipad 2 Wireless Range Sucketh?

Ok, I love my new Ipad 2, but someone please tell me the itty bitty wireless range is not a hardware issue? I can only use the Ipad in the same room with my router or I lose all bars until the connectivity disappears and Ipad cant even find the network. I dont really need an Ipad in the same room as my laptop. I bought the device because it is small and portable.
Any clues on how to improve the range?
Realy disappointed in my $700 toy.
iOS 5.0.1 on a fresh Ipad 2.

the range on my iPad isn't as good as my Touch, but it should be better than that. You don't have it in any sort of case that would block/impeed the antenna? as I understand it, the antenna is behind the Apple logo on the back.

871w wireless range

have a 871w in small business aplication. What is the best way to increase wireless range for laptops used with-in the office?

thanks for getting back to me. The offices are in a converted barn around a court yard, 25m square, so the area is quite obstructive. There is also a further workshop where I use my laptop whilst working on the bikes (I'm a motogp chassis consultant). Across the courtyard opposite the main office is signal is ok'ish, but can drop off at times. Keeping blinds etc open helps, but in our current winter isn't always an option! So, was just after something that would increase the strength of the current signal. I've seen the optional antennae for the rear of the unit, or the remote antennae to put around the offices, but don't want to waste time & money on getting something which isn't going to help.
Regards,
Mark

Airport Express to extend wireless range?

Just received an Airport Express for Christmas and wanted to use it to extend my wireless range. I have an Asante FR1004AL wireless router connected via ethernet to DSL modem and a Titanium Powerbook using OS 10.3.9 and an original Airport card. I am interested in finding out how to make the AX extend the wireless connection, when I plug it n all I get is a flashing amber light and can't access the Asante via Airport Assistant to make any adjustments. I am wondering if anyone can tell me if the AX will recognize the Asante router since I can't make it work. If the Asante is compatible, I guess I need some instructions about how to get the AX to work with this setup. I have no experience with wireless setups, very much a novice in this area.

The only way you can extend the wireless range is to run an Ethernet cable to the Airport Express and set what's called "active roaming" (see Apple's Knowledge Base; search for "active roaming").
In order to extend the range strictly wirelessly, you need a base station that supports the flavor of Wireless Distribution System (WDS) that Apple uses in their base stations. As far as I know, only Apple Airport Extreme/Express base stations, LinkSys WRT54G, certain Buffalo Technology models, and one Belkin model support a compatible WDS protocol.

Increasing wireless range by upgrading airport card?

I have had my powerbook G4 1.5 GHz for a little over 3 years and its been great for me except for its wireless range is somewhat lacking. When i have little or very limited connectivity people next to me with the new mac books have full reception. Now i know that their computers have new hardware and possibly better antennas but i was wondering if there was any way to increase the range of my powerbook by upgrading some of the internal hardware. I have seen other posts and people have shown products that are external but i feel that would be a last resort since they have a better chance of being broken. Is there any way to increase the reception by installing a new airport card or better antenna?

Hi, El M. Since the day it was new, my son's Aluminum Powerbook with Airport Extreme card has had less than 1/3 the range of my Titanium Powerbook with original Airport card — and the Tibook's range isn't great. If you really want better range, a third-party CardBus wireless adapter is the way to go. Some can use optional auxiliary antennas to extend their range even more, but the card alone will give you a dramatic improvement.

Just installed a new time capsule and i want to use my airport express to extend my wireless range....time capsule working with existing devices at this time...but i am not able to get airport utility to recognize the airport express.....????

just installed a new time capsule and i want to use my airport express to extend my wireless range....time capsule working with existing devices at this time...but i am not able to get airport utility to recognize the airport express.....????

Temporarily connecting your AirPort Express to one of the Time Capsule's Etherent LAN <-> ports...as LaPastenagure suggests....is always a good way to setup and configure other network devices.
If you want to configure the Express using wireless, remember that the Express broadcasts a default wireless signal with a name like Apple Network xxxxxx. You must log on to this network first....no password is required....then open AirPort Utility to "see" the AirPort Express.

Express or Extreme better wireless range extender?

I own the latest Airport Extreme as my base station. I also own a prior, 5th generation Extreme 802.11n, and a prior generation Airport Express 802.11n (the one that plugs directly into the wall). Two questions:
-- Which of these two would be a more effective wireless range extender for my base station?
-- Would there be any disadvantage (eg diluting the signal) to using them both, in different locations in my house?
Thanks.

-- Which of these two would be a more effective wireless range extender for my base station?
The AirPort Extreme has a better antenna arrangement, so it would normally work better.
-- Would there be any disadvantage (eg diluting the signal) to using them both, in different locations in my house?
The network slows down a bit with each wireless device, but the effect of having greater wireless coverage will probably disguise that.
Most users would rather have better wireless range, even if they must give up a bit of speed.

Extend wireless range with Airport?

I want to extend the range of my ATT 2wire wireless. It looks like Airport Express only works with an already in place Airport network. Would Airport extreme work? What other options are available?

Unfortunately, none of the AirPorts can be used to extend the wireless range of the 2Wire gateway ... at least not by a wireless connection between the two. If having a wired connection is not desireable or even feasible, then you have a few other options: 1) Check to see if 2Wire offers a wireless range extender, or 2) Employ two AirPorts: one connected directly to the existing 2Wire by Ethernet, and the second configured to extend the wireless range of the first.

Boosting dorm wireless range tips

Similar Messages

Maybe you are looking for