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[Just Checking]

Even though I put high gain antennas on my routers which extended the range of good signal immensely, I wish to try to get even better signal strength also.   When using manual configuration mode on the router, I have set the WiFi power level to 100% (default level).  Is there a way to increase that level beyond 100% and "overdrive" the signal?  I tried to input a number >100% and that was not accepted.

I know this is possible if I go to dd-wrt, and possibly with open-wrt, which I prefer not to do for various reasons, not the least of which is that I have both a Rev. A1 and a Rev. B1 router (Rev. A1 is not supposed to support dd-wrt).  I also know that increasing the power will make the router run hotter.  I am willing to risk it as I monitor the temperature regularly.

Has anyone ever tried to do this or, have the people who want this just gone to dd-wrt?  From the dd-wrt forum it appears that the DIR-825 router in Rev. B1 is not very user friendly to dd-wrt.  After 3 years the code is still flaky.  I would prefer not to use it, if possible.

[FurryNutz]

instead of attempting to use FW or 3rd party FW. why not just get you a range extender or turn of of your routers in to an AP. Can use the same SSID and PW, just needs to be on a different channel is all. My 601 is running as an AP in the living room. 

[Just Checking]

I have tried range extenders in the past and they degrade bandwidth significantly as well as have latency (at least the WiFi repeaters do that).  Streaming media with WiFi repeaters has always failed miserably for me.  Even trying to Skype was not possible.

I did consider using one of my routers as an AP.  This is still a possibility.  Currently, I have two routers acting as independent entities so I can put some users on one network and others on a different network to allow for higher total WiFi bandwidth. 

I could purchase one of the new ac routers with high 5GHz bandwidth but that has lower signal strength and penetration which is what I am trying to address here.  2.4GHz still has the best penetration and range with low signal attenuation.   Also, many devices (smartphones, tablets, older computers, etc.) only recognize the 2.4GHz band so an ac router would do no good for that either.

I considered using an older D-link g router that I have as an AP and leaving the two DIR-825's that I have in the present configuration.   That is also a possibility that doesn't require any new hardware.  It extends the range for one of my networks but not the other which is acceptable.  I went away from the g router because many of the new devices (smart phones in particular) would not recognize the signal from that router.  I have since found out that smart phones and some tablets often do not work with WPA2-PSK encryption which I put on the older g router.  I just have not gotten around to reconfiguring and trying the g router as an AP with WPA-PSK encryption to see if that works.

My original question is to help me explore the capabilities of these DIR-825 routers and maximize the capabilities of the hardware.  I was just checking to see if anyone else had already done something like this with the D-Link FW to improve my network with the least cost, shortest time, and less hassle.

[FurryNutz]

There will probably be always some forum of latency and proformance issues with WiFi, specially streaming video and voice.

I would highly recommend determining what your high bandwidith usage is and try to limit it to a LAN wired connection if at all possible. Then use APs or repeaters for less critical bandwidth devices such as phones and laptops that only seem to have needs for general internet usage.

For example, I have 2 xboxes, boxee box, DVR, iphones and PCs. I have high bandwidth xboxes directly connected to the router in back. Then off the router I use a external network switch with everything else connected to it, including APs. The boxee box connects directly to the File server thats on the switch, so while gaming is happening, video streaming from the server doesn't interferred with gaming and vs versa. Yet still others can connect and get internet with out any problems. I set up an AP off the switch as well so the main host router can handle WiFi when it needs to however most connections are made on the 2ndary AP in the living room as to not interfere with gaming since thats holds priority in our house. 

Also I use QoS to ensure that if any video streaming or some major internet is needed while gaming, QoS is set up so that gaming isn't bothered and yet still provides enough traffic for those clients who need some.

I think the 825 is set up well and works well. Attempting to make do or work better than it does could lead to problems, introducing noise or interferences or eventually lead to premature HW failure. I think if you reconsidered your current network needs and made appropriate adjustment, you'd come to have a good working system that works well for you.

I have noticed that the range of the newer gen routers are much better than current ones. I do enjoy the DIR-826L and presume that this series of routers has higher out put at the radio. Others have noticed this as well. The radio and antenna configuration is different form the these external router antenna units. Has some pros and cons I think for these newer internal antenna configurations. One thing you might consider if your trying to get better range, try installing higher gain antenna on the routers. Might help some. Also placement is crucial as well.

[Just Checking]

You have some good points.

I could relocate my Wifi routers to a more central position in the home.  If my wired connections were all set up.   They are not at this time.   I do have an unmonitored 24 port gigabit switch as well as CAT5E home run wired to several points in every room.  Eventually, when I complete the remodel, I will be able to connect everything to hard wired gigabit connections - if I want.   Right now, connecting up to hard wiring is not the priority.  By the time I am done, it will be a dinosaur that is useful only to those of us who want the utmost in security.  The world seems to be going to wireless LANS which I implemented only as a stopgap till I got my wired network up.

Since I don't have a wired LAN yet (it's really a SAN) I have to make do with what I have, which is a cable internet connection at one side of the house going to a modem and a couple DIR-825 dual band WiFi routers.   

I live in a multi-family dwelling where other people have WiFi networks.  I noticed that one of the other people has a Linksys router (it's an older single band "g" router) that puts out beau-coup signal.  It puts these DIR-825 routers to shame, even with 8dB High Gain antennas connected (stock antennas are 2 dB).  I thought for awhile that it was just that the "g" routers put out more signal but I tried my older D-link WiFi router with high gain antenna and it was nowhere near what is coming out of that Linksys router.  I have not asked the other person whether they are using dd-wrt or some other open source firmware to drive the output signal of their router so high.  I do know that the router seems to be stable and has high up-time (the signal is there every time I check).   I want to know how to make my routers as stable, and with as high signal output as that linksys router.  I can't say anything about the signal quality of that Linksys router in how it receives signals, only that it puts out a lot of signal strength.  There is only one Linksys router in that place and there are no other AP's or repeaters (I know this because I own the entire building and his unit is too small to warrant a repeater, or AP).

I looked at the standard D-link FW and I already have the power settings at 100%.   With the other difficulties I have encountered running the stock FW and trying to get the USB ports working with an external HDD, it looks like dd-wrt or open-wrt may not be such a hassle after all since they seem to address both these issues (at least on the Rev. B router anyway).  I may have to stick with the stock FW on the Rev. A router.

I have been looking at some of the new "ac" routers and, even if they do put out a stronger signal, there is little increase in the 2.4GHz bandwidth.  It's all in the 5GHz bandwidth which has high signal attenuation and is more ****e to interference.  I like having external antenna which provides me with the ability to alter the configuration the way I like.  If I wanted to put up with a huge powered antenna mounted on my wall, I could probably get all the signal strength I desired, even outside the building, which was the intent of my post on this.   I can't do that with a WiFi router that has internal antennas.

[FurryNutz]

Not sure how much longer or if DLink is going to be mfrg routers with external antenna. I think the latest model is the DIR-835. All newer models are following the DIR-645 router antenna design and case. I'm really impressed with the DIR-826L. Good signal coverage and I believe more powerful then the 825 is.

Hope you will find something that works for you.

Good luck.