[SOLVED] wifi extender with network ports

[velocci]

Hi all, i'm looking at this netgear EX7700 wifi extender that has 2 network ports. would I be able to plug this netgear extender to one of my network ports leading to my router and have all devices connected to this extender communicate with the main wifi router through the wired connection rather than wifi? I hope i'm explaining this properly.

 

[kanewolf]

Hi all, i'm looking at this netgear EX7700 wifi extender that has 2 network ports. would I be able to plug this netgear extender to one of my network ports leading to my router and have all devices connected to this extender communicate with the main wifi router through the wired connection rather than wifi? I hope i'm explaining this properly.

Yes. See page 15 in the user's manual -- https://www.downloads.netgear.com/files/GDC/EX7700/EX7700_UM_EN.pdf

 

[velocci]

yes you're right cool. but this wouldn't make the connection any faster right? it would be limited to the speed of the device's wifi capabilities. but the wired connection between extender and router would be more stable. Am I right on this?

 

[kanewolf]

yes you're right cool. but this wouldn't make the connection any faster right? it would be limited to the speed of the device's wifi capabilities. but the wired connection between extender and router would be more stable. Am I right on this?

You would be using it as an access point. It is kind of expensive to run as an access point. You could get one of these -- https://www.bestbuy.ca/en-ca/product/ubiquiti-unifi-uap-ac-lite-ieee-802-11ac-867-mbit-s/11532011 and save $60

 

[velocci]

what is that thing? what's the diff? and I was also looking at the nighthawk X4S which is the same as the EX7700 without the 2 network ports.

 

[kanewolf]

what is that thing? what's the diff? and I was also looking at the nighthawk X4S which is the same as the EX7700 without the 2 network ports.

That is an access point. It is one ethernet in, and WIFI for clients. It looks like a smoke detector. Ubiquiti brand is the semi-pro version of network equipment. It is used by many businesses.

 

[velocci]

so what is the difference between an access point and extender? basically I have my modem and router in the basement and when my wife goes outside with her ipad, the connection is flaky. she wants me to fix that. so I figured I needed an extender. should I be getting an access point?

 

[kanewolf]

so what is the difference between an access point and extender? basically I have my modem and router in the basement and when my wife goes outside with her ipad, the connection is flaky. she wants me to fix that. so I figured I needed an extender. should I be getting an access point?

The difference is the way it is tied to the main network. An extender has a WIFI connection to the primary network. An access point uses a wired connection back to the primary network.

 

[velocci]

ok so both do the same thing. the question is, do I want a wired connection or wireless connection between the extender/AP and the main router. is that all it boils down to?

 

[kanewolf]

ok so both do the same thing. the question is, do I want a wired connection or wireless connection between the extender/AP and the main router. is that all it boils down to?

That is the primary discriminator. An access point (any brand) uses a wired connection, and an extender uses a wireless connection.
Wireless extenders have poor performance compared to access points. Having to simultaneously do to wireless connections (each of which is 1/2 duplex) cuts performance in half. Wired connections to the primary network don't have the performance problems.