Netgear Wi-Fi Extender Setup

If the range of your wireless network does not cover the entire apartment, it’s time to buy a wireless Netgear Wi-Fi Extender. How to use such devices properly to boost your Wi-Fi, we are here to guide you. Wi-Fi is fine, as long as the radio connection is good. Are the devices in the same room – with line of sight to the router – they are usually associated with sufficient quality. But already in the room next door breaks the speed, YouTube and Netflix jerky, until the connection breaks off completely.

More WLAN is the solution. The best way to extend your own network is with a cable to the nearest access point. This is the cheapest and most reliable option, but not everyone can and wants to pull LAN stripping through the apartment. How is it wireless?

There are currently two wireless-based product types for wireless expansion of the WLAN network: WIFI repeaters and WIFI mesh points. The transitions between good wireless repeaters and mesh systems are fluid. The older and better known radio extension stations, the Netgear Wi-Fi range extender, initially did not have much of an effect, and they were difficult to install. Today, most devices are easy to set up due to WPS and really do bring something.

What are Wi-Fi Range Extender and how they are configured?

WLAN repeaters – also known as WIFI Range Extender – record the radio signal of the WLAN router at some distance and send it out again. Remote clients are thus back in the reception area. It is advisable to install the repeater halfway between the router and the terminal. The big price differences are due to the number of radio bands that the device offers: There are single, dual and tri-band repeaters. Rule of thumb: The price increases with the number of radio bands.

Configure Wi-Fi Range Extender manually via the browser

Almost every Wi-Fi range extender offers setup via WPS, which stands for Wi-Fi Protected Setup. To do this, either press a button on the router or repeater in quick succession or enter a uniform PIN. Then the repeater takes over the WLAN settings of the other device. As far as the theory goes – in practice, you always have to rework. Therefore, do the entire configuration by hand. You do that through the browser.

You will need the current IP address of the repeater to access its menu. Refer to the manual to see if the unit is shipped from the factory with a fixed IP address. Make sure your PC has an IP from this section of the network and enter the IP address of the repeater in the browser’s input line. The manual also tells you which credentials are preset in the device.

Select the correct location for optimal reception

As a rule of thumb, AVM recommends installing the repeater halfway between the router and the client. If you want it more accurate, measure the strength of your wireless network. The most advanced Repeater a graphical display for this purpose – set up the device in the zone where it indicates the signal strength with two bars.

Alternatively, take a notebook with a WLAN module and install software. It is best if you also have a rough floor plan of your apartment, such as JPEG image. But it works without: Go through your apartment and mark in the HeatMapper again and again, where you are right now. Finally you get the range of your WLAN and possibly competing wireless networks displayed.

Choose for your Netgear Wi-Fi range extender a position in the edge area where you still have good reception. Ideal is a visual connection between the two devices. Remember that metal reflects the signal and there are no large metal objects such as a refrigerator in the way. On the other hand, you can increase the range by reinforcing the radiation in the desired direction with an oven tray.

Enable the encryption of the range extender to the client

Each current Wi-Fi range extender masters the secure encryption standard WPA2. Keep in mind, however, that an encrypted connection to your router does not mean that the transmission path between the repeater and the client is secure. Depending on the model, you must explicitly enable encryption. It is recommended to use the same password as for the connection to the router.

Most wireless extenders are compatible with most wireless routers worldwide. This means that you can mix devices from different manufacturers almost as you like. Big differences show up in the server software. In addition, the entire technology is considered obsolete, as many manufacturers are currently pushing their WLAN mesh systems into the market.