I'm trying to help a friend that has a D-Link DI-624 (rev C) wireless
router and an old house with metal lathe in the plaster walls. Signal
strength diminishes quickly through the walls.

I noticed D-Link has a DWL-G800AP Wireless Range Extender that claims
to be compatible with the DI-624. However, D-Link has recently
end-of-life'd this product. I didn't notice a replacement or upgraded
version.

Also, comments on these groups talk about problems with and the lack of
effectiveness of the DWL-G800AP.

1) Do wireless extender products in general effectively extend the
wireless network range within a house?

2) Is this particular D-Link product any good?

3) Can you recommend a proven solution?

Thanks in advance.

- Tired Techie -

Been there, done that. Couldnt get anything at all to happen because what
you may not also realise is that the signal going OUT of the NIC bounces
back at it from a few different directions causing a standing wave ratio
imbalance of sorts.

Only thing I could do to get it reliable was to drill through the wall,
place a hub on the side with the computer and connect it to a wireless
router on the other side which worked with network and internet down the
other side of the office. There are probably other answers but this was
needed to be done quickly and was the only quick answer there was.

Show quoteHide quoteRange extenders are meant to send the signal a greater distance and though
that means it has more penetration in your case, it also means that you get
more signal reflection. I have no idea whether, in your case, they would
help, sorry, but it definitely means that your wireless devices burn out
more quickly.

Tired Techie wrote:
Same problem (older house, lathe/plaster, metal beams, and outside brick),
went with netgear powerline networking ($99 for 2 of the 54mbs models..
http://www.netgear.com/Products/PowerlineNetworking.aspx?for=All ) and just
have a second access point at the other part of the house.. Have two more
ap's and more of the powerline things for use in the poolhouse,
garage/workshop (depending on the weather, no fun outside in the winter)..
Just do multiple devices (no dhcp server, same ssid, different channel, and
just plug em in whereever you have electricity and need more signal).. They
also make powerline access points (same page, click on the device to see the
details, haven't tried them tho so I can't say if they are any good or not)

Hi
Wireless Coverage depends heavily on the Specific Environment. In most
cases, there is No Magic Hardware that can solve Distance issues.
Look at these pages they describe most of the options that are within the
means of Entry Level users, and choose the one that fits you environment
best.
Extending the Distance of Entry Level Wireless Network -
http://www.ezlan.net/Distance.html
Wirelessly Bridging Home/SOHO Network - http://www.ezlan.net/bridging.html
Hi Gain Antenna for Entry Level Wireless -
http://www.ezlan.net/antennae.html
The most common solutions used in a Professional Environment involves the
use of multiple units (Access Point) connected with wire to the Network, or
setting a WDS Network. To ensure proper work of WDS the communicating
Wireless units should be of the same manufacturer,
http://www.ezlan.net/Wireless_Modes.html
Jack (MVP-Networking).

Show quoteHide quote

Why not contact dlinnk tech support.
They assist me when I needed to boost my signal.
I would ask them what extender to use with the di 624.
If you need to find a DWL-G800AP, check with www.ebay.com there are four
list currently or check the net.

gene


Show quoteHide quote

I think the Netgear Powerline might be the best solution for me. They
have two models that seems appropriate - the XE103 and XE104. The XE104
has four network ports on the box and the XE103 has only one.

For my needs, the XE103 would do the trick as I'm trying to get the
signal to the other side of the house for a single computer. However,
if I ever need to add another computer, does the XE103 work with a
configuration of three XE103's?

The XE104 man page says they support up to four XE104's and the XE103
is silent on this. I called Netgear and the person on the phone was
useless.

Anyone know for sure?

Thanks.

- Tired Techie -

PS. Thanks to Peter Pan for pointing me in this direction.

Tired Techie wrote:
Show quoteHide quoteCan't say for sure on that one, but I have 4 XE102's (and 2 XE104's)... They
coexist fine... They basically use home networking, and you have to name the
network you want to use (like an ssid, i have one named PP-102 and another
named PP-104).... From the docs (and testing) they can coexist just fine,
however they use different passwords/encoding and trying to mix them (IE the
104 talking to the 102's and reverse), didn't work, so I just have two
different powerline devices hooked to my wap/router and can connect to
either from wherever...

one other device you may want to look at is their wireless access point
http://www.netgear.com/Products/PowerlineNetworking/PowerlineWirelessAccessPoints/WGXB102.aspx
Plug one into the router and wall, then wherever you want to expand wireless
coverage, just plug another in (pretty cool, using one now, does cost about
$50 more tho)

Why set a password for a gateway or wireless AP ??
Should I keep a Gateway without MAC filtering ???
Connecting to two networks at same time.
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