WiFi Range Extender

Principle of operation of a repeater (wireless network amplifier)

Contrary to appearances, WiFi repeaters are not designed to simply amplify the signal from one network by sending it - unaltered - to another part of the area to be covered. The amplification technology is more complex and actually requires the creation of a second network that is, as it were, a copy of the previous one. In this case, all data transmitted over the amplified (extended by us) network is made available in a new network with a different SSID name, and usually also with a new access password. The result is two WiFi networks where all transmitted data is identical - such a solution is however necessary to avoid interference and interference problems. For this reason, it is always necessary to configure the repeater, usually done through a special web interface, available from a web browser or a dedicated mobile application provided by the manufacturer.

Basic information on parameters of wireless network repeaters

The most important issue related to the selection of an appropriate WiFi repeater is the band in which the device operates. The vast majority of devices available on the market, including all older generation devices equipped with WiFi connectivity, operate in 2.4 GHz band, hence the amplifiers available on the market must support this standard. However, the growing popularity of devices operating in Dual Band mode, i.e. supporting both 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz, means that most manufacturers already offer devices that can operate in both lower and higher carrier frequencies. What is more, the transmission speed obtained in 5 GHz band is higher. For example, in the excellent and very popular AC750 RE200 model from TP-Link, the maximum speed of transmission in 2.4 GHz band is 300 Mbps, in 5 GHz band - 433 Mbps. The networks are configured separately in the interface managing the repeater, so the user can easily and conveniently expand the network in both bands. The repeater has been additionally equipped with Ethernet port with RJ-45 socket, with speed up to 100 Mbps. An important parameter of WiFi repeaters is also the kind of wireless network standards they support - in the example mentioned above we are dealing with IEEE 802.11 b/g/n/ac protocols.

Other models of WiFi repeaters available in Botland store

In our store you will also find TL-WA850RE device, similar in design to AC750 RE200, for which the manufacturer provides TP-LINK Tether mobile application that allows easy and intuitive configuration - even easier thanks to the WPS button on the housing. On the front panel of the amplifier there are 5 LEDs indicating both the operation mode and the range of the primary network. Tether supports IEEE 802.11 g/b standards, can also function as a separate router, and is equipped with Ethernet connector. It operates in the 2.4 GHz band and provides transmission power of up to 20 dBm. It supports WEP 64 / 128 / 152-bit, WPA - PSK, WPA2 - PSK. Similarly to the previously described TP-LINK repeater, this model has the form of a plug-in device, i.e. it is activated by plugging directly into 230V socket.

Another interesting solution is WiFi adapter TL-WN822N from TP-Link. These devices, equipped with two external antennas that allow to significantly increase range of the network, operate in 2.4 GHz band and are powered via miniUSB 2.0 port. Our offer has also been enriched with esthetic and compact WiFi repeater with router function, Netis E1+, also made in a socket form. It supports 2.4 GHz band and AES encryption. Another model we recommend is the Xiaomi Mi WiFi Repeater 2 R02 EU. It has two microstrip antennas (made in the form of printed circuit board tracks), with high efficiency, and is powered via USB connector with 5V voltage. Despite its compact size, it allows to connect up to 16 devices within a single subnetwork. Configuration of the model is easy, and thanks to possibility of 180 degree rotation, installation is much more convenient.