A range expander is a device used to strengthen the signal of a wireless router. It is used in areas of a home or office where the signal strength of a wireless router is weak. There are many reasons for weakened signal strength. If a router is placed near electrical devices, or if there are simply many rooms or floors that the signal must pass through. An expander is usually placed in an area of a weak signal, where it locks into the signal and boosts it, providing a great range of wireless capability.
The main benefit of an expander is that it does not need to be plugged into the main wireless router, or connected in any way by network cables. It does require that an electrical socket for it to be plugged into, but this is the only requirement. The nature of expanders make them tightly integrated with routers, therefore always is it good to do research to make sure they are fully compatible with the wireless router being used. It is best to purchase a range expander online, as there will be more choices available to match with a specific router. Buying an expander online can also give you generally a better price for the device versus the overhead costs of stores, especially if more than one device is needed.
“Linksys Range Expander”
- Great for Increasing your Wireless Network Coverage
- Strengthens your WIFi Signal and increases speeds of Wireless Devices
To use a range expander, first purchase one online. Then plug it into the area you wish to use it in. This is the area of the weak signal. The expander will still need enough of the general signal to lock onto and strengthen. If this area’s signal is too weak you may need to move the expander to a location closer to the router. There will be an antenna on the expander. Now you must sync the device with the router. This is usually done with an included CD. Put the CD into a computer that has wireless capability, preferably a laptop. Now follow the onscreen instructions and it will sync the range expander to the router’s wireless network. Make sure you pick your own network and not someone else’s, as this will boost the wrong signal.
More than one expander can be used around a home or office in this same way, and setup should be fairly simple. It is advised to not purchase a bulk of expanders in store as the price overhead will be greater than purchasing online.
By choosing a good quality WIFI Range Expander such as a “Linksys Range Expander” you will increase the coverage of your network. This is great for boosting the signal so that your browser loads faster and you can also possibly use your laptop outdoors as well, perfect for a sunny summer day.