Adding a wireless access point

[Nice But Dim]

I have a netgear wgr614v7 as my router for virgin mobile cable. The reception is v poor at the back of the house.

Can I use another identical wgr614v7 unit as a wireless access point???

I know these netgear units can be used as access points but am not sure if they can be used as wireless access points

Thanks for your help

[Bikerjon]

A quick google would suggest that the wgr614v7 doesn't support WDS which is what you'd need to extend the network.

If possible it might be better to replace the wgr614v7 with a wireless "N" router as the coverage is better plus it's also faster too!

Edited by Bikerjon on Wednesday 22 December 18:25

[MrAdaam]

Firstly, as above, change the router to wireless N. It's a lot stronger and will give a larger coverage coupled with faster speeds.

You could also look into something that will plug in, accept a cable connection to it from the the router and extend it out another socket closer to where you want to use it from. Can't be more help than that, have some at work though so I'll check in the morning.

[Stu R]

I've done a few setups now where the first router has been put into bridge mode, then a network cable ran from there to a second, fully functional wireless router located in a more convenient place. My current setup is like this too, and there's no noticeable drop in ping, speed etc. Could be worth a try if you can't go for a WDS setup for whatever reason.

[Nice But Dim]

Thanks for the replies

Will look out for a N router. Read some rave reviews on a 70 quid d link 655 but am yet to be convinced that would be any better than a cheap 20 quid dabs n router

[.:ian:.]

If you can get a cable to where you want the signal extended, you can use any other wireless router, change its ip address so it doesnt conflict with the main one, turn off dhcp, nat, upnp, firewall, etc, set up wireless on it exactly the same as the first router, except on a different channel.

Wireless devices will see one ssid, but lock on to the one with the highest signal strength. The main router will do all the dhcp and act as the default gateway.

If you cant get a cable you can link the two with powerline ethernet boxes.

[tim2100]

If they are on the same ring main, get some home plugs. Some of the Develo ones have wireless built in.

[MrAdaam]

tim2100 said:

If they are on the same ring main, get some home plugs. Some of the Develo ones have wireless built in.

We use these at work. They are brilliant working over quite a large area with no problems. Recommend them.