Linksys Wireless G Range Expander

Question

Linksys Wireless G Range Expander

Hello everyone,

We currently have two wireless access points in the house (both 500GB Time Machines). The one upstairs, where I am located, has AT&T as the ISP. I get about 300KB/s download up here, and it is too slow for me. Downstairs, we have Road Runner, which gets about 1.5MB/s.

We used to have a Wireless G router (made by Linksys) and a range expander for it (also, Wireless G). Since the Time Machine is dual-band, I want to know if I can use the range expander to increase the signal strength of the faster network.

-My System Specs-
Acer Aspire 5610
Windows 7 Professional (Final version, RTM)/Ubuntu 9.04 Desktop
1.86 GhZ Intel Centrino Duo CPU
160GB HD (100GB free)

If you can answer this question, go for it! And thanks in advance!

Acer Aspire 5610, Other OS, Windows 7 Professional

Posted on Jul 24, 2009 6:15 PM

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Answer 1

Tesserax

Level 10

158,208 points

Jul 24, 2009 6:28 PM in response to Mitchell Parry

Hello Mitchell Parry. Welcome to the Apple Discussions!

In order to extend the wireless range of your Time Capsule (TC) with a 802.11g device, you would have to configure them both for a Wireless Distribution System (WDS). This will pose at least two problems: 1) Most non-AirPort routers are not WDS-compatible, and 2) For every base station added to the WDS, the overall bandwidth is cut in half.

If you can "live" with the second item, there are a very limited number of non-AirPorts, like the Linksys WRT54G that have been known to work. If this is what you have, I suggest doing a quick Google-search on terms: AirPort Linksys WDS, and you will find at least a dozen articles on those who have been successful doing so ... albeit, I've only come across articles where the AirPort was the older 802.11g AirPort Express.

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Answer 2

Jul 24, 2009 6:39 PM in response to Mitchell Parry

Hello Tesserax, and thanks for the welcome!

The range expander I have is the Linkys WRE54G. And I have two older routers, the one you stated, and a rounded Wireless N Linksys router.

My parents don't want me to switch out any of the Time Machines with one of our older routers, nor am I allowed (I'm too young to move out :D).

Basically, what I'm asking is: "Does the Linksys WRE54G Range Expander work with the Apple Time Machine?" Yes or no?

Thanks for the answer, and thanks in advance to anyone else!

Message was edited by: Mitchell Parry

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Answer 3

Tesserax

Level 10

158,208 points

Jul 24, 2009 7:01 PM in response to Mitchell Parry

Basically, what I'm asking is: "Does the Linksys WRE54G Range Expander work with the Apple Time Machine?" Yes or no?

I would have to say "no." ... but, if someone else in this Discussions area has had luck with doing so, I'm sure they will be happy to chime in.

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Answer 4

Jul 24, 2009 7:46 PM in response to Tesserax

Alright, thank you very much for your input!

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Answer 5

StigB

Level 1

4 points

Jul 26, 2009 11:21 AM in response to Mitchell Parry

If you have the WRE54G version 1 or 2, yes, but only with WEP. If you want to use WPA, or WPA2, you have to have version 3 of the WRE54g and get the new firmware installed from Linksys.

You can find the version number on the back, next to the model type. If it does not have a v2 or v3, it's v1!

Hope that helps

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