How to Extend Your Wireless Network without Replacing It

The top three connection issues and how to fix them

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Aug 12, 2011 11:46 AM

What’s the biggest difference between a wired and a wireless network? A wireless network is only as robust as its signal. In other words, setting up a Wireless-N network doesn’t always mean you’re going to get Wireless-N speeds. Poor signal strength and range, interference from non-network wireless devices, and the way your router broadcasts Wi-Fi signals can cause network slowdowns. If you’re ready to improve your wireless network but you’d rather not start from scratch with a new router, read on. We’ll show you exactly how to deal with the three biggest challenges.

Overcoming poor signal strength and range

Amplifi Wi-Fi Booster

You can easily extend your existing network into hard-to-reach locations by installing an access point, which connects directly to your existing router and improves its wireless signal. Access points like D-Link’s DAP-1525 Amplifi Wi-Fi Booster require no additional setup or passwords to distribute a wireless signal to areas that need it most. What’s more, if you have a router that uses the older Wireless G standard, the Wi-Fi Booster automatically upgrades the signal to Wireless N. The MIMO (Multiple-Input, Multiple-Output) technology built into Wireless-N routers gives you greater speeds and wider ranges than a Wireless-G router can.

Targeting your Wi-Fi signal

Most wireless routers create a signal “bubble” that radiates out from the device’s antennas like a giant donut. The farther away from the router, the worse the signal quality becomes. Special antenna technology can pinpoint this signal like a laser beam in a specific direction to give you increased strength at a longer range, but up to now, this technology has only been available on expensive, professional-grade equipment designed for businesses and large buildings.

But now, you can take advantage of both approaches affordably. D-Link’s SmartBeam technology, built into the Wi-Fi Booster, combines these two transmission types. Six internal antennas automatically track the whereabouts of connected devices and target a wireless signal directly to their locations for increased range and signal strength. It’s the best of both transmission worlds.

Coping with interference

What do baby monitors, cordless phones, and garage door openers have in common? Their wireless transmissions all operate within the 2.4GHz spectrum, which can interfere with your router’s wireless network signal.

Here again, D-Link’s Wi-Fi Booster offers a solution. This amazing device allows you to broadcast a network signal on either the 2.4GHz spectrum (for Wireless-B, -G, and -N devices) or the 5 GHz spectrum (Wireless-N only). This allows high-speed devices that need an uninterrupted connection to connect to the 5GHz signal, which offers better bandwidth and is ideal for streaming high-def video and games.

New Technologies Work for You

For all three issues, D-Link offers a ready fix. Wireless-N is the best technology for obtaining top speeds and good range using your current router. The Amplifi Wi-Fi Booster with SmartBeam technology can help you patch any dead zones you encounter. And dual-band technology frees you from the interference caused by non-network wireless devices. With these solutions, you’ll have the best wireless network on the block.