Extending The Range Of Wireless Networks
Author: Chris Snow

Although a wireless transmitter is limited in its range,
wireless extension points can be installed to boost its signal
and make the range of the network much larger. These wireless
extension points are commonly known as repeaters.

Several companies have started to manufacture wireless
repeaters, despite the fact that these devices are not part of
the wireless standard. Wireless repeaters are designed to
resolve certain problems with wireless coverage. The further
away you are from where the wireless signal originates, the
weaker the signal becomes. Eventually, you can't receive the
signal at all, regardless of what equipment you have. The
problem is sometimes addressed by running wires out as far as
the network coverage is desired, and then have it 'break out'
into wireless every now and then using a wireless access point.
This is generally more trouble that it is worth, since the idea
behind a wireless network is to avoid installing wires!
Wireless repeaters resolve the problem in a much better way.

Wireless repeaters work as a relay, taking existing wireless
signals and making them stronger. This makes the range of a
signal bigger each time. If the repeaters are placed correctly,
you can move computers a considerable distance from the wired
portion of the network, the router or access point, for
example, without failure. The single requirement of this
arrangement is that the extension points must overlap; a
repeater can't repeat signals that it doesn't receive. Since
wireless networking signals are essentially radio signals,
repeaters take all the radio signals they receive on a specific
frequency and use their power to amplify the signals and
rebroadcast them. The signal is not degraded in this process,
so it can be repeated as many time as required.

Theoretically, wireless repeaters could be placed in a line for
several miles, extending the network out that far, and because
these extension points don't need complicated computer
technology to operate, they are much cheaper than routers or
access points. Some companies combine repeaters and direction
antennas to link to LANs that are several miles apart. This is
a cheaper method than worrying about connecting over the
Internet or installing their own underground lines. In the
future, repeater technology could create wireless networks that
cover entire cities.

As a consumer, you are currently limited to getting your
repeater from large manufacturing firms such as Linksys and
D-Link. These companies call their repeaters by different
names, including Linksys' Range Expander and D-Link's Range
Extender. There are several issues to consider when buying a
wireless extension point. The most important is to make sure
that it is compatible with the equipment you have. Because
there is no standard for wireless extension points, you're
better off staying with the same company that makes the rest of
your equipment or at least investigate whether any new equipment
will work with your system. You should also find out whether an
extension point has any Ethernet ports. While it isn't
necessary that this is included, it is useful if you want to
connect the extension to a wired network. This issue arises
basically if you want to connect two LANs in a wireless manner.


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