![]() The client appeared to be making Wi-Fi node selection decisions solely based on the received signal strength, which may result in sub-optimal or even very poor network performance. In some locations (represented with green dots in Figure 3), the client chose to connect to the repeater, even though it would have got a better throughput had it connected to the AP. Are there any unexpected surprises to be aware of with multiple Wi-Fi nodes in a home?Ī significant observation from the test results is that the client did not always connect to the Wi-Fi node with the “best” throughput performance. The extender, on the other hand, uses a separate radio and channel to communicate to the client (front-haul) and AP (backhaul). ![]() Primarily, this is because the repeater time-shares the same channel to communicate to the client (front-haul) and AP (backhaul). The extender configuration offered better throughput performance in the extended areas than the repeater. The 2.4Ghz supports better propagation characteristics compared to the 5Ghz band. The better coverage improvements with the extender are due to the fact that the extender is using a 2.4 GHz band for the fronthaul, while Wi-Fi repeater is using the 5 GHz band. In our testing, the extender provided better coverage improvements and throughput than the repeater. Additionally, our findings also demonstrate improvements in client throughput performance not only in the extended coverage areas but also in some of the areas otherwise covered with the AP.īaseline AP vs. Inside the house, we observed a new minimum RSSI of -50 dBm with extenders and -58 dBm with repeaters (17 dB and 11 dB respectively better than with the AP alone). We observed this coverage increase in at least four locations outside the home. As we expected and also demonstrated in Figure 2, the wireless repeaters and extenders did help in extending the wireless coverage. For our comparison we used the following configurations.įigure 1: Repeater and Extender ConfigurationĪ single AP without any repeaters or extenders provided coverage with -67dbm or better RSSI within the test house. A Wi-Fi extender, on the other hand, is a device with two or more radios that dedicate one radio and channel to bridge client traffic to/from an AP, while using another radio and channel to communicate with clients. Since the repeater uses the same channel to relay data between the client and the AP, the data must be on the channel/radio twice. ![]() We define a Wi-Fi repeater as a device that uses a single radio and channel to relay traffic between a client and an AP. Since the industry is all over the place with the definition of Repeaters and Extenders, we came up with our definition. To answer these questions, we ran some tests in a house to measure and compare the relative performance of a couple of off-the-shelf wireless repeaters and extenders. Frequently, we are asked if these devices provide any real benefit. So as you can see, it’s a pretty complicated field to wade into it.Subscribers today often supplement their existing Wi-Fi Access Points (AP) with wireless repeaters and extenders to enhance Wi-Fi coverage within the home network. In fact, hardware like the devolo Magic 2 WiFi next Whole Home Powerline Kit is a hybrid system that uses both Powerline and a Wi-Fi band as a backchannel to create a mesh network. To make things even more confusing, many Wi-Fi repeaters can also function as a Wi-Fi extender if you run a cable to them. ![]() What makes things even more confusing is that companies will often use the three terms interchangeably. What Is a Wi-Fi Booster?įor the most part, a Wi-Fi “booster” is a catch-all term for both an extender and a repeater. Ultimately, backchanneling and the use of multiple bands can mitigate some of the issues that come with using a Wi-Fi Repeater. Thankfully, there are some solutions, and most modern routers tend to use a specific band and frequency for something called “backchanneling.” This backchannel is specifically dedicated to transmitting the internet between router and repeater and often tries not to use the same frequency as your regular Wi-Fi connection.
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