Wireless Repeater / Extender vs. Access Point ?
Access point is a device connected with cable (Cat5) to your main router/modem/internet, and serving clients wirelessly.
Repeater is a wireless network device that repeats wireless signals to extend range without being connected with cable to either your router/modem, or your clients. Many routers/access points can be configured in "repeater" mode.
Extender has the same functionality as a repeater. Extenders are usually devices that only do repeating, and can't be set in any other mode.
The advantage to using a repeater/range extender is there is no need for a cable between the main router/modem and the repeater.
There is a downside to using a repeater vs. using an access point (or setting a device in repeater vs. access point mode), however - it sessentially halves your wireless bandwidth, as it has to use it to communicate with both your main AP and the clients. Although range extenders/repeaters reach areas beyond the range of the central router, they also bounce back all the router's traffic, creating congestion and slowing the network.
Notes:
It may be beneficial to use two access points (set on different, non-overlaping channels, with the sameSSID/security) instead of range extenders/repeaters to extend wireless network coverage if a cable between your main router and the secondary access point is not an issue.
Repeater is a wireless network device that repeats wireless signals to extend range without being connected with cable to either your router/modem, or your clients. Many routers/access points can be configured in "repeater" mode.
Extender has the same functionality as a repeater. Extenders are usually devices that only do repeating, and can't be set in any other mode.
The advantage to using a repeater/range extender is there is no need for a cable between the main router/modem and the repeater.
There is a downside to using a repeater vs. using an access point (or setting a device in repeater vs. access point mode), however - it sessentially halves your wireless bandwidth, as it has to use it to communicate with both your main AP and the clients. Although range extenders/repeaters reach areas beyond the range of the central router, they also bounce back all the router's traffic, creating congestion and slowing the network.
Notes:
It may be beneficial to use two access points (set on different, non-overlaping channels, with the sameSSID/security) instead of range extenders/repeaters to extend wireless network coverage if a cable between your main router and the secondary access point is not an issue.
No comments:
Post a Comment