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[georgechr]

Hey guys,

Would love some help with this if you can. I need to expand my wireless signal in some way in my house. Below is the situation:

Ground floor:
My router (D-LINK DIR-655) is in the living room under my TV in a cabinet with the lid closed (i would like to keep it that way, because the DIR-655 has the brightest led lights ever). My ground floor coverage is decent except in my back yard where i only get 1 bar or lose signal (we are talking about 10-15m distance). I am using mixed G & N mode with auto 20/40 MHz. In the past i had full bars in my back yard using a Linksys WRT54GL (Wireless-G) with DD-WRT firmware.

I have the following devices connected on my router: ISP MODEM / DREAMBOX / HTPC / DNS-325 / TV

1st Floor:
Here is basically where my problem is. I don't have any wireless coverage here, sometimes one bar but keeps dropping. This is where i would like to expand my wireless coverage in the whole floor.

2nd Floor:
Here is my attic which i don't basically need any wireless. My main concern is in the 1st floor.

Do you have any suggestions on how to succeed in this? Any solutions/thoughts/suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance.

[FurryNutz]

It's always preferred to centralize the Wifi router in relation to your house and layout so the coverage is equal and placement should be on the floor with the most usage and traffic connections and where the WiFi is needed. If your placement of the outer is one sided or placed at one end of the house or top or bottom, then you'll probably need some form of range extender coverage.

Do you have your Linksys WRT by chance, you could connect it up and use it as a AP. You'd have to run a extra wired for it however it would work well. Could even use the same SSID on G mode, just make sure the channels are different between the 655 and the Linksys.

Other options would be to get Dlink DAPs models and use them for more coverage.

What modes are you using? Best range for WiFi is Single mode G, then Mixed G and N. The more modes you use the less range router can broadcast. Just the way it's designed.

BTW, hows that dreambox workin? 

[georgechr]

Thanks for the response!

I know that now, after i built the house ehehe. I didn't hassle with the networking then and i am regretting it now.

Do you have your Linksys WRT by chance, you could connect it up and use it as a AP. You'd have to run a extra wired for it however it would work well. Could even use the same SSID on G mode, just make sure the channels are different between the 655 and the Linksys.

How would i go about doing something like that? and could you clarify it a bit more for me to understand? Do you mean something like connecting the router on my 1st floor? but how since all my ethernet cables are under my TV. Where do i plug it? i only have phone sockets on the walls.

Other options would be to get Dlink DAPs models and use them for more coverage.

How will these work and how much do they cost? i heard a friend so something about antennas to extend the signal but haven't got a clue.

What modes are you using? Best range for WiFi is Single mode G, then Mixed G and N. The more modes you use the less range router can broadcast. Just the way it's designed.

I am using mixed G and N and also auto 20/40mhz. I am gonna switch to G and try. i just though N was better than G.

BTW, hows that dreambox workin?

hehhe the dreambox is working perfectly. Had some problems of stability with it, but after a lot of hours of researching and testing, it seems that the specific model i had, had trouble maintaining an IP with DHCP, so i disabled the DHCP on the dreambox and set a manual IP, ad it works flawlessly now.

[FurryNutz]

Thanks for the response!

I know that now, after i built the house ehehe. I didn't hassle with the networking then and i am regretting it now.

How would i go about doing something like that? and could you clarify it a bit more for me to understand? Do you mean something like connecting the router on my 1st floor? but how since all my ethernet cables are under my TV. Where do i plug it? i only have phone sockets on the walls.
You can turn the Linksys in to an AP:
http://forums.dlink.com/index.php?topic=40856.0
Ya, you'll need to run a wire to the 655 router, if you have room on the back. If not, get you a external network Gb switch.

How will these work and how much do they cost? i heard a friend so something about antennas to extend the signal but haven't got a clue.
http://amplifi.dlink.com/Amplifi_Wifi_Booster
http://www.dlink.com/products/?pid=DAP-1522
Will give you an idea of cost.
There are some 110 power range extenders too that connect via 110 and have modules.
http://amplifi.dlink.com/Amplifi_PowerLine

I am using mixed G and N and also auto 20/40mhz. I am gonna switch to G and try. i just though N was better than G. N is faster however the range isn't as good, You can try single mode N however you'll need to support G devices, maybe with your Linksys?

hehhe the dreambox is working perfectly. Had some problems of stability with it, but after a lot of hours of researching and testing, it seems that the specific model i had, had trouble maintaining an IP with DHCP, so i disabled the DHCP on the dreambox and set a manual IP, ad it works flawlessly now. Say Hi to JavaLawyer.  

[georgechr]

Hey FN, thanks for your prompt replies.

I have no idea how to turn my Linksys into an AP (what is an AP?) if this is the action i need to take. 

I have a long horizontal cabinet under my TV, that inside has my router, and have all of my devices connected there on it. I cannot use any wiring for expanding coverage on 1st floor because it will be visible as it will have to cross my living room, stairs etc. (if you want pictures i can send)

I am confused with the booster,switch and powerline. Booster or switch will connect where? i have no ethernet cables on my first floor. I only have power sockets and phone sockets. 

The only one i was able to understand, (i think hopefully correctly) is the powerline. Please let me know if i am right. You get 2 of these powerline adapters. I connect the first adapter to a plug in my cabinet under my TV and then use an ethernet cable to connect it to my router. I connect the second adapter in a plug on my first floor without any wiring or ethernet cables, and i have internet in that room/floor? Is one adapter in one room sufficient to cover the whole floor or do i have to use 1 adapter per room to get full 1st floor coverage?

The cost is a bit high $100 each that i checked on the d-link site for the 500AV. 

Furrynutz i would like if possible to bear with my lack of knowledge and help me through this cause i really need to finish this network. 

[FurryNutz]

check the DGL 4500 forum for the sticky Turning a router into an AP(access point)

[georgechr]

i read a bit more about the powerline adapters and watched demos, and it seems this is not what i want since it requires to connect an ethernet cable to the device to work. So its not wireless.

so i am left with booster and AP. have no idea what they are i will study further and let you know.

[FurryNutz]

Ok,. keep us posted, here to help. 

[georgechr]

Hey FurryNutz

Need your input/help again

Well i managed to set up my Linksys WRT54GL to an Access Point in my Attic, and now i have Wireless coverage throughout the 3 floors of my house. And the best thing i didn't have to pay a cent I am using different channels and everything works perfectly. I am just turning wireless off when not using the top floors since i have a newborn and all that radiation cant be good

I am having some issues and would like your take on it.

Regurarly i am getting the DIR-655 Oops page when trying to load a webpage. Not always but at least 5-6 times a time. Why is it that i get this error?

Also i would like to know where i can find some optimal settings for the DIR-655? Since there are many options it would be nice to find a tutorial/reference in order to check if there is something wrong with my settings.

Is it best to reserve an IP for a specific device? does that play any part in that error page? I tried reserving the IP for each device, but i still get the error.

I am using Autoscan for channels, although i have used Channel 1 (My linksys is channel 11 but its almost always turned off when i am having the issues), Mixed G and N, and Auto 20/40. WPA2 Personal and AES

I havent manipulated any other default settings except the ones for NETWORK and WIRELESS.

Let me know what you think

Thanks in advance

[FurryNutz]

Yes it's preferred to reserve ALL devices IP addresses ON the router, this help ensure each device gets its own IP address each time they are turned on, the IP addersses don't conflict, you know what IP addresses are going to which device all the time and helps in troubleshooting.

Some things to try:
Turn off ALL QoS (DIR only) GameFuel (DGL only and if ON.) options. Advanced/QoS or Gamefuel. If your not gaming, use devices online all at the same time or streaming a lot of video, these can be disabled however also can be set up to manage devices too. You can review the Gaming and QoS sticky for XBL for examples.

Turn off Advanced DNS Services if you have this option under Setup/Internet/Manual.
Turn on DNS Relay under Setup/Networking.
Setup DHCP reserved IP addresses for all devices ON the router. Setup/Networking
Ensure devices are set to auto obtain an IP address.
Set Firewall settings to Endpoint Independent for TCP and UDP under Advanced/Firewall.
Enable uPnP and Multi-cast Streaming under Advanced/Networking.

I would recommend that since you have multiple wifi hosts in your house, I would set them to manual channels from auto scan. That way they are held to one channel and theres not need for auto scan. I have 4 including my host router and each and set to a different channel.

Turn off Short GI or Extra Wireless Protection or WLAN Partition if you have it. Under Advanced/Advanced Wireless.