How do I extend my network with two routers?

Question

Hey all,
I've been wondering for a while how I could solve the weak signals that I get in the lower level of my house from my standard Verizon FiOs router. I have an Airport Extreme still lying around after it was taken out and replaced by the Verizon guys when they installed FiOs and I thought I might be able to put it to use downstairs. Is there any way I could put my Verizon router (which is directly connected to the fiber optic modem) and my Airport Extreme together to work in an extended network so that I could have strong signals in both levels of my house? Is it even possible? Any helps on this issue would be greatly appreciated.

Answer 1

Dranakin wrote:
I'm a bit confused about the terms 'network throughput'. Is that referring to the speed of the network? Your internet speed is slowed down when connecting to a remote station?
Yes. At least with an 802.11b or g network, the effective network bandwidth is halved with each remote base station in a WDS configuration. In other words, if the maximum theoretical throughput of an 802.11g system is 54 Mbps, adding a remote base station will reduce it to 27 Mbps.
{quote:title=from Wikipedia:}{quote}
Two disadvantages to using WDS are:
• The maximum wireless effective throughput is halved after the first retransmission (hop) that is made. For example, in the case of two routers connected via WDS, and communication is made between a computer that is plugged into router A and a laptop that is connected wirelessly using router B's access point, the throughput is halved, because router B has to retransmit the information during the communication of the two sides. However, in the case of communications between a computer that is plugged into router A and a computer that is plugged into router B, the throughput is not halved since there is no need to retransmit the information.
• Dynamically assigned and rotated encryption keys are usually not supported in a WDS connection. ...
I didn't really believe it until I added a remote base station and checked my network speed with http://www.speakeasy.net/speedtest/, with and without WDS.
As I understand it, 802.11n networks are not be affected in the same manner due to its ability to handle multiple data streams simultaneously.
If you want to extend your network without sacrificing bandwidth, you can certainly connect the base station Ethernet ports. That is not WDS; Apple calls it "extending a network". That's also how they do it in Apple's retail stores (at least when they used b/g AEBSs).
Message was edited by: John Galt