Wifi Booster Question

Mar 2, 2018
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I was wondering which Wi-Fi range extender doesn't need an Ethernet hookup. Also, say if where I plugged the extender in at, and that particular spot had weak service, would the range extender make it stronger?
 
Solution
Most range extenders don't require Ethernet backhaul, since "wifi over WiFi" is their main usage case. And you wouldn't need a range extender to increase the receiver gain (in dBi) at that weak spot. You could just use a wifi client (like an Alfa adapter) with a high gain antenna, say 9-12 dBi, and that should increase the RSSI (signal strength) by 9-12 dBm at that weak spot.

A range extender does have some receiver gain from its onboard antennas, but that's not primarily what it's meant for. It's meant to repeat a signal farther - maybe double the distance - but at the expense of throughput (Mbps). Unless the extender uses different wifi channels for fronthaul to the client and backhaul to the router, you'd get half the Mbps or less...

vmfantom

Notable
Nov 28, 2017
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860
Most range extenders don't require Ethernet backhaul, since "wifi over WiFi" is their main usage case. And you wouldn't need a range extender to increase the receiver gain (in dBi) at that weak spot. You could just use a wifi client (like an Alfa adapter) with a high gain antenna, say 9-12 dBi, and that should increase the RSSI (signal strength) by 9-12 dBm at that weak spot.

A range extender does have some receiver gain from its onboard antennas, but that's not primarily what it's meant for. It's meant to repeat a signal farther - maybe double the distance - but at the expense of throughput (Mbps). Unless the extender uses different wifi channels for fronthaul to the client and backhaul to the router, you'd get half the Mbps or less.

Also, note that a booster/amplifier (see link below) is different from a range extender/repeater. A booster increases the transmit power of the source router, while an extender just repeats that router's signal by duplicating its traffic on a separate network segment.

https://www.coaxifi.com/product-page/sunhans-2w-2-4-5-ghz-wi-fi-amplifier-woca-bundle
 
Solution