I would like to use more WiFi stuff in the new house, but not sure best way to go. Currently and also in new house I will be using ATT Uverse. The main issue in an old house is the walls are lath/plaster and do a great job of blocking signals. I am given to understand that all modems are pretty much the same "power". Is it possible to "boost" that signal? Can I use two modems with the same "password"? I didn't realize that getting old would take so much smarts!
Extending WiFi
- Thread starter cuffs054
- Start date
Help Support :
We have Xfinity and we use an Arris 722g modem for the internet and the VOIP. For the WiFi we use an Apple AirPort Extreme, instead of the all in one Xfinity modem and WiFi router. We did this primarily because we already had the Apple Airport Extreme that we used with ATT DSL. I really like our set up, and I would NEVER go back to ATT!!!!. We had ATT for 43 years and they treated us like dirt for about the last 2 years. Our phone and internet is worlds better with Xfinity. I believe that the Apple Airport Extreme is a more powerful WiFi router than many others, but on this I'm certainly not an expert, that is just what I was told at Best Buy when we bought it. But I can say this much, we live in a 2 story townhouse and the WiFi signal is strong everywhere in the home. And I can even pick it up over 60 ft away in the HOA clubhouse when I conduct HOA meetings, so to me that indicates the signal is pretty powerful. It was a little more complicated to set up initially using the separate modem and router opposed to using the all in one modem/router, but really not that hard, just look up the instructions on the internet. I prefer Apple products for their dependability, online security and longevity, to me in this area the extra $ are worth it, just my $.02 worth. BTW, I back fed the VOIP signal thru the phone jacks and we can use all the phone jacks in our home, just like before. Also easily done and directions can be found online too.
[this post was last edited: 7/18/2015-12:48]
[this post was last edited: 7/18/2015-12:48]
EA, I'm using VOIP with an Ooma, love the service. As for ATT, it seems that they were charging me for 18mb (?) speed for years. Service tech came out and asked why I was paying for 18 when at best my address could only get 14. So as calls to customer service grew more and more ugly I was put through to a "supervisor". After she reviewed the situation she wisely decided to cut a deal. I now pay a very reasonable price for all of the Uverse package with a set price in writing for "life".
Cuffs054 when we had ATT DSL we were supposed to be getting 3 mbps, but speed test never showed more than 2.58. With Xfinity we pay for 50 mbps and speed test consistantly shows 58 to 60 mbps. I'm glad your happy with Uverse, but I wouldn't hold my breath on their promise of no price change. They will always find a way around that. Really, the main reason we left ATT was the constant price increases. Also, the service was terrible, especially the internet. With the package we have now thru Xfinity we pay $80.00 less a month , even after the 1 year promotional offer ended.
Eddie
Eddie
EA, you definetly speek the truth about ATT. That's why I insisted on the deal in a letter. I don't for a minute think it will last forever, I'm sure the up coming move (of less than 1/2 mile) will be cause for some crap, but I'll wait and see.
For a straight forward answer, yes you can extend your Wi-Fi using a D-Link or Linksys (Router) with a 5 Cat Ethernet cable run from your modem to the upper part of your house to the router.
When you set up the router, use the same user name but with a number on the end with the same password to make it easier to remember.
Main Modem: User Name: Dunkin
Password: Donuts
Guest: User Name: Dunkin2
Password: Donuts
Router: User Name: Dunkin3
Password: Donuts
This helps with sharing the modem without over burdening the in and out throughput's!
When configuring the wireless setup though the router, change the wireless setting from (7-2.452GHz) standard to another setting to reduce conflict between Modem and Router.
I have so many things connected to my Network:
3 Directv DVR boxes
2 or 3 laptops (mine, my brothers and nephews)
3 Smart phones
2 Blu-rays DVD Players
Epson Printer
PS3 and PS4
WII
Break up your Network connections to what running on each level on your home for the strongest Wi-Fi signal accordingly.
The first picture is the Modem, the second is my router and the third my network screenshot.
For router security, change the password unless you like sharing with the neighborhood allowing everyone to piggyback and enjoy free wi-fi!
When you set up the router, use the same user name but with a number on the end with the same password to make it easier to remember.
Main Modem: User Name: Dunkin
Password: Donuts
Guest: User Name: Dunkin2
Password: Donuts
Router: User Name: Dunkin3
Password: Donuts
This helps with sharing the modem without over burdening the in and out throughput's!
When configuring the wireless setup though the router, change the wireless setting from (7-2.452GHz) standard to another setting to reduce conflict between Modem and Router.
I have so many things connected to my Network:
3 Directv DVR boxes
2 or 3 laptops (mine, my brothers and nephews)
3 Smart phones
2 Blu-rays DVD Players
Epson Printer
PS3 and PS4
WII
Break up your Network connections to what running on each level on your home for the strongest Wi-Fi signal accordingly.
The first picture is the Modem, the second is my router and the third my network screenshot.
For router security, change the password unless you like sharing with the neighborhood allowing everyone to piggyback and enjoy free wi-fi!
jerrod6
Well-known member
I read some place on the web that for houses with several stories and semi to solid walls placing your router on the highest floor increases range because the wave signals travel out and downward.
I live in an older 3 story house with several solid masonry walls, and have my router in the farthest third floor room near the stair well. In this location it has no trouble spreading the Wifi Signal down thru the third floor to the first, to the basement and even outside in the back of the house.
So perhaps try moving the router to the highest point in your house and see what the results are.
I live in an older 3 story house with several solid masonry walls, and have my router in the farthest third floor room near the stair well. In this location it has no trouble spreading the Wifi Signal down thru the third floor to the first, to the basement and even outside in the back of the house.
So perhaps try moving the router to the highest point in your house and see what the results are.
Clean, thanks for the ideas. I'll pick up a copy of Modems for Dummys tomorrow and try to figure out what you said! Son, you is talking to one dumb ass confuser user!
However I am making progress, I just found out my phone will take a picture. Last week I learned what a Smart TV was. 20th Century here I come.
However I am making progress, I just found out my phone will take a picture. Last week I learned what a Smart TV was. 20th Century here I come.
Jerrod, both of the houses are single story but moving the modem around makes sense. What I need to figure out is where to have ATT put the jack. Did I tell you about the time I tried to rewire the jack to a new location myself? See above.
I'm no fan of AT&T. Their DSL service always sucked and I refused to buy into their Uverse sales pitch, esp. since my location seems to have old wiring in the neighborhood that prevents the highest speeds. So a couple of years ago I went with Comcast, and the speed is far better. I'm not totally thrilled with the cost: currently the lowest price I can arrange with them is $55/mo for internet only, and that will likely go up at the end of this year. Still, it's better than the crap AT&T was feeding me.
AT&T Uverse sucks. Had it for 2 weeks, had them come an get it.
You'll be sorry.
You'll be sorry.
I have ATT uverse, had it for many years. It works fine, I have 20 down and 2 up and it fits my needs well. that said their equipment sucks. I long ago use the gateway as a modem only and use an Asus router for both wireless and wired connections. I need coverage on 3 levels and opted to mount the router in the entryway guest coat closet as it's centrally located. I get good signal in the basement and on the second floor that way.
I have a massive wired system, it was a pain pulling wires all over the house but I much prefer wired to wireless. Got at last count 28 units on my wired network and 5 or 6 on wireless. I used fixed addresses, and assign each room a bank of numbers and set my equipment as such. Only run into a problem with stuff like Roku units and such that want to get an address assigned to it and the wireless chrome units that do the same. My tablets and phone all get assigned address, that may be overkill for 98% of users but it helps me keep track of what is going on and what may potentially be causing problems.
Another suggestion for better reception is to use some software to see what is going on around you and choose a less used channel. Most setups default to channel 6 so that is the one to avoid. I use 11 often when doing setups as it's not that common.
If you need more signal I'd opt for a high end router with external antennas you can direct rather than the cheap all in one units. With the external mount antennas you can replace them with a higher output antenna, but I've never ran into an install that needed that. Often it took a bit of experimenting with antenna positions but generally I can get very good coverage that way. I have a relative with a high end Asus unit that pumps out a signal 1/4 mile away - when I leave their house my phone stays connect to their wifi for quite some distance, I find it annoying when playing Pandora on my phone when I leave, it drops out when my phone switches from wifi to 4G.
I have a massive wired system, it was a pain pulling wires all over the house but I much prefer wired to wireless. Got at last count 28 units on my wired network and 5 or 6 on wireless. I used fixed addresses, and assign each room a bank of numbers and set my equipment as such. Only run into a problem with stuff like Roku units and such that want to get an address assigned to it and the wireless chrome units that do the same. My tablets and phone all get assigned address, that may be overkill for 98% of users but it helps me keep track of what is going on and what may potentially be causing problems.
Another suggestion for better reception is to use some software to see what is going on around you and choose a less used channel. Most setups default to channel 6 so that is the one to avoid. I use 11 often when doing setups as it's not that common.
If you need more signal I'd opt for a high end router with external antennas you can direct rather than the cheap all in one units. With the external mount antennas you can replace them with a higher output antenna, but I've never ran into an install that needed that. Often it took a bit of experimenting with antenna positions but generally I can get very good coverage that way. I have a relative with a high end Asus unit that pumps out a signal 1/4 mile away - when I leave their house my phone stays connect to their wifi for quite some distance, I find it annoying when playing Pandora on my phone when I leave, it drops out when my phone switches from wifi to 4G.
In my last house I had the router in the basement. Signal was low upstairs. In the new house it is set up on the 3rd floor. What a difference it has made. Complete coverage all over. Works great in the garage or outside. I do have the router with external antennas. I do have 2 routers set up near each other. One is for my personal use and the other is for customers and employees.
Jon
Jon
Anyone here using a Wifi repeater or range extender?
