Choosing a Quality Range Expander



April 26th, 2010

While Wireless-G has a range of 125 feet (38 meters) indoors, you may run into problems trying to set up the network to reach across your entire home or small office. Despite this rather large range, you may still encounter issues when it comes to walls, interference, or simply sluggishness. These problems generally arise due to the location of your computers in proximity to your wireless router. However, by adding a wireless range expander, you’ll be able to increase the range (and how far away from the main router) you can travel. This can also be dependent on the type of device you are using to pick up the signals. Using a newer computer/laptop that has more advanced signal |WIFI detection can really help to speed the process.

You may be asking yourself why you need one of these devices, when you could simply move the main router to a location closer to your laptop or desktop computer. Well, the answer to that question is: in some cases, it isn’t that easy. In some homes, it is difficult to add Ethernet cable to each room, and in other cases, it is impossible. Let’s say that you are having an event outdoors with a number of people who need to connect to your network. In an event like this, simply incorporate the wireless range expander into your existing network, and you’ll add quite a number of feet to your network.

The device has been designed to “bounce” the signals out to remote wireless devices, reaching those hard-to-reach areas where you may encounter issues with spotty coverage and where cabling is impractical.

If you have a small business and operate off a wireless network, purchasing a wireless range expander may ensure that all your employees enjoy the full benefits of the network you are paying for, while still being able to access important network files. You’ll end up saving money in the long-term, as these expanders cut down on wiring costs and eliminate the need to completely redesign your wireless (or wired) network.

Take a look at some of the devices available, whether from Cicsco-Linksys or another manufacturer, as you’ll find one that meets your needs. There are many different companies to choose from, this is why it is important to take your time selecting one. Each has a set of benefits and disadvantages, so be sure that the expander you choose is compatible with your existing devices. Plus, be sure that they will take advantage of the technology you’ve been paying for in your computer equipment.