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The Graveyard - Products No Longer Supported => Routers / COVR => DIR-655 => Topic started by: pleopard777 on June 04, 2010, 12:23:59 PM

Title: DIR-655 / I have 2, can I use one to extend wireless range?
Post by: pleopard777 on June 04, 2010, 12:23:59 PM
My objective : I get 10% signal in my bedroom using WEP2 and I would like to boost this to at least 50%

Facts:
1) I have 2 DIR-655 Wireless N routers, both functional.
2) The first router is on the other side of the house from my room
3) The second router is not in use at all ... I'd like to take advantage of it
4) I have an Ethernet drop in my bedroom that runs under the house to the first router. I have a switch on that drop and use it for my Sony / Netflix box ...

I have been told that the DIR-655 cannot be used as a repeater. Can I not take advantage of the 2nd router to boost my signal in any way?
Title: Re: DIR-655 / I have 2, can I use one to extend wireless range?
Post by: Mackerel on June 04, 2010, 01:04:35 PM
I assume WPA2, but that does not have any influence on signal level..

You could set 2nd 655 to be an Access Point (DHCP off, Wired LAN cable to client-port)...
Title: Re: DIR-655 / I have 2, can I use one to extend wireless range?
Post by: Flagman on October 03, 2010, 05:16:42 PM
This sounds like what I'm trying to do at my place.  I have 2 DIR-655's.  One is my main router I've had for a couple of yrs. now - used for both wired connections to xbox, WDTV, Sony Blu-Ray, and wireless connections to 3 desktops, 1 laptop, 2 ipods, etc.  Most of the house is well covered and signal strength is fine.  But there are a couple of dead zones that I need to do something about, especially since one is in the room where my main computer is located ( I generally get only 2 of 5 bars, and sometimes lose connection).  

I just bought a 2nd DIR-655 and want to use it to provide better wireless signal in the dead zones.  As I understand it, the 655 can't be used as a repeater, but it can be used as a bridge to create a wireless access point (althouhg I guess not "officially" as per Dlink).

If I interpret the description in the previous posts, I gather that I can use the 2nd 655 to create an access point by conecting it to the main 655 by hardwire, and adjusting the settings as described in Mackerel's post here.  
What is not clear is how the hardwiring is to be done - do I connect to LAN port of 655 #1, and to WAN port of 655 #2?


How do I go into the 655 #2 admin. page to turn off DHCP, etc? Can I use same wireless channel for both 655's?  I'm using channel 11 now on 655 #1.
Title: Re: DIR-655 / I have 2, can I use one to extend wireless range?
Post by: Flagman on October 03, 2010, 06:29:02 PM
A bit more info in case this has any bearing:

The 655 #1 is in the basement, the main computer (which is getting low signal) is on the 2nd floor.  I do not have option to run cabling to 2nd floor.  I plan to locate 655 #2 on main floor, since I can run cable from basement to main floor.  The 655 #2 would be almost directly under the room where I have my main computer and need the better signal.

Some other network settings:

- mixed n and g devices
- WPA2 + access control via MAC address for all devices, with all devices using reserved IP addresses
- there are about 6 or 7 other wireless networks in range, signal strength one or 2 bars
- my 655 #1 is a few years old, as stated - HW version A2, FW version 1.02 ( I know, FW is really old, but it works, so I haven't bothered updating, especially with all the problems I see here in the forum with newer firmware)
Title: Re: DIR-655 / I have 2, can I use one to extend wireless range?
Post by: Flagman on October 08, 2010, 09:21:47 AM
Sorry for the bump, but can anyone help?
Title: Re: DIR-655 / I have 2, can I use one to extend wireless range?
Post by: hinten on October 08, 2010, 03:34:18 PM
>Turning a router into an AP. (http://forums.dlink.com/index.php?topic=40856.0)
The nice thing is that not only does the 2nd unit work as a 2nd wireless AP, you can also plug in other devices into the remaining LAN ports. You should not plug in anything into the WAN port.
I got plenty of devices running in this setup, even some older devices that are non-N. Depending on the size of the home an dyour usage scenarios you might find that some devices can't automatically switch between the two (same) SSIDs but, in my case, that's only for my Squeezebox remote. I hear some ****to wireless remotes have the same issue. All laptops seem to work fine roaming between the two.
Title: Re: DIR-655 / I have 2, can I use one to extend wireless range?
Post by: hinten on October 08, 2010, 04:10:49 PM
What's the filter for?
****to, ****to, ****to remote.
Phillips remote?
Title: Re: DIR-655 / I have 2, can I use one to extend wireless range?
Post by: Flagman on October 09, 2010, 04:07:54 PM
Thanks hinten
Title: Re: DIR-655 / I have 2, can I use one to extend wireless range?
Post by: Freebo on January 20, 2011, 09:32:06 AM
Guys, this approach worked flawlessly (contrary to the many other official Dlink-solutions o/w I've tried DAP-1353 twice w/o any luck.)

To finish this great setup I would just like to resolve one final thing, is it's possible to 'visually' join the SSIDs completely as currently I see two SSIDs w/ the same name...  ???

Thanks in advance ;D
Title: Re: DIR-655 / I have 2, can I use one to extend wireless range?
Post by: jtp on February 07, 2011, 07:13:30 PM
"hinten's" procedure worked like a charm. Thank you hinten, I was about to give up until I found your post. I  followed your steps including using the same SSID (router's name) and this worked, however when I moved from close to the first router into the area surrounding the new, second router, my iPhone and notebook computer would not automatically 'switch' wireless router connections. I experimented by giving the new, second wireless a different name, thus allowing me to select the wireless router with the strongest wireless signal as I move around the house. Works fine this way also.

I'm disappointed that D-Link doesn't have an FAQ about this procedure.

Bridge Mode vs Relay vs Acess Point (AP) / Routers vs Dedicated Acess Points (AP) (http://forums.dlink.com/index.php?topic=50738.0)
Turning a router into an AP. (http://forums.dlink.com/index.php?topic=40856.0)