Help with Wireless Network/Bridge

Good for you for enabling your MAC filter. My college neighbors haven't and don't care that I borrow their internet. I have offered to pay and they said that it doesn't matter. My knowledge level on the subject is low but I do know a thing or two about setting up a home network. If you would like to suggest something, that would be excellent but save your judgement and bragging for someone else.

Your original post will invite people to roast you. Next time tell the complete story to avoid the roast.

I will not retract my views about poaching someone's internet connections. It's a bad practice and no one will help others do it in these forums.

-> With that out of the way. Here's what you need.

I helped my neighbor just last week fill in a few weak spots. We installed a REPEATER.

Some routers can function as a repeater, but I don't recall you supplying the make and model numbers of what equipment you have.

As such, I await you to fill in the blanks.

Bob

Roast me? From what I've read that isn't the policy of these forums and "personal attacks" aren't allowed.

If you disagree with what a bunch of college students are doing, then thats fine but thats your opinion to keep to yourself. If you don't want to give any suggestion then just don't post. I'm just a college student who was curious about increasing the signal of my wireless internet connection in my apartment.

I am using my toshiba laptop running XP with a built in wireless network card and I can't tell you the what kind of router is being used because it isn't mine. I appreciate you telling me about the repeater and now I wonder if a repeater must be the same brand as the router? I obviously don't have access to the router but I've established that they know I use their signal.

Sparks will fly. That's not a personal attack.

If you want help, don't write posts that border on theft of services. I'll help you out, but no one will help a thief in these forums.

Back on topic, the repeater doesn't have to be the same make/model, but I like to match when possible.

Bob

The wireless router is a netgear. I'm not sure of the model yet. Once I've got the repeater, then what is the next step?

You place the repeater when you think the best reception is and it relays the signal for it's range (feet or such) again.

The simplest repeaters are laughably simple. I like them. You plug it in the AC socket and press the one button on it...

Bob

Any suggestions on brand/which one to use? The router is netgear but they don't make a repeater from what I've seen. Some of their products may act as repeaters in "repeat mode" but should I find a dedicated wireless repeater of another brand? Also, any good suggestions on where to buy the hardware?

I just read about your installing a "repeater." My router's signal does not reach my son's room on the 3rd floor, so he can't use his wireless laptop; Lynksis suggested I buy a wireless access point(WAP54G) I set it to "wireless repeater mode." I'm hesitant to buy the AP until I know it works. Do you think it'll work? The router is in the basement & the only way we got his desktop to share our internet connection was by hardwiring the desktop to one of the router's ports. I don't really want to run any more wires.

You don't know if a repeater will cure a system till you try one.

Same goes of adding remote WAPs.

The only good news is these things are no longer 500 bucks each.

Bob

Thanks. I'll buy from a place it can be returned to if it doesn't work.
Liz

There is an application out there called netstumbler. Which is a MUST for trouble shooting wireless networks. By installing it on the wireless laptop and wandering around the house you can test the strength of the signal from the AP in the basement and so decide where is best to place the repeater. Though be aware that althouogh 802.11 is a standard several manufacturers and even different models from the same company wont communicate. If all else fails you can use your standard telephone cable that runs thropugh your house as they wont interfere, all you'll need is a splitter for each wall socket taht you need to use.