User profile for user: Cobraboy
Cobraboy Author
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Use Airport to Boost my 2Wire System?

I need some help as I have spent hours trying to understand if I can boost the wireless signal on my 2Wire 2701 router with AT&T.

I bought a Cisco/Linksys WRE54G range expander and was unsuccessful getting that to boost the signal.
I would love to find a way to use Airport or Airport Extreme to provide good reception all over my home.

Would appreciate any help on trying to figure this out.

Macbook Pro, Mac OS X (10.6.1)

Posted on Oct 17, 2010 6:07 PM

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8 replies
User profile for user: Tesserax
Tesserax
User level: Level 10
158,658 points

Oct 17, 2010 6:39 PM in response to Cobraboy

I would love to find a way to use Airport or Airport Extreme to provide good reception all over my home.


You won't be able to extend the wireless range of your 2Wire router with the AirPorts, at least not wirelessly ... but you could do so in at least two other ways: 1) Connect the two routers by Ethernet. You can then configure them both for a "roaming" network. With this type of network, you could literally roam with a laptop between routers and still be on the same wireless network, and 2) If an Ethernet connection is not practical or desirable, you could employ Powerline adapters. These adapters take advantage of your home's electrical circuit to create a pseudo Ethernet one. You would place an adapter at each location where you want a router to be connected.
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User profile for user: Tesserax
Tesserax
User level: Level 10
158,658 points

Oct 18, 2010 8:47 AM in response to Cobraboy

I can run an Ethernet cable to my first floor and hook up another router the way you suggest.


Note: If you go this route, you are not limited by router manufacturer. Also, if your intent is only to provide wireless, then a simple Wireless Access Point (WAP), should suffice as you will not need the full-features of a router.

You can place WAPs anywhere you need a wireless signal. They just need to be connected back to the main router by Ethernet.
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User profile for user: Cobraboy
Cobraboy Author
User level: Level 1
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Oct 18, 2010 10:39 AM in response to Tesserax

I appreciate the additional suggestion. What I find interesting is I spent hours looking on the net and other forums for various manufacturers and found conflicting information.

But, within a short time on the Apple forums, I got good advice that cleared up my questions.

Appreciate the help. Have ethernet cable on order and bought an Airport Extreme to place downstairs as it may be overkill now, but should come in handy in the future.
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User profile for user: Cobraboy
Cobraboy Author
User level: Level 1
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Oct 20, 2010 3:47 PM in response to Tesserax

Well, got my Airport Extreme today and was so excited.

Followed some instructions for setting up my 2Wire modem I found on a Cisco site. Promptly trashed my internet connection.
So, restored everything on the 2Wire and then configured the Airport adding it as another node on my wireless network.

I feel really stupid, but I have a green light on the Airport and it says it was configured properly. But, how can I tell if it is really working to boost my signal?

Sort of embarrassed to ask this, but I really want to expand my wireless capability on the lower floors of my home.
BTW - I used an Ethernet cable from the @wire to the WAN port on the Airport.

Appreciate any help.
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Use Airport to Boost my 2Wire System?

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