| Although a wireless transmitter is limited in | | | | signals and rebroadcast them. The signal is |
| its range, wireless extension points can be | | | | not degraded in this process, so it can be |
| installed to boost its signal and make the | | | | repeated as many time as required. |
| range of the network much larger. These | | | | |
| wireless extension points are commonly known | | | | Theoretically, wireless repeaters could be |
| as repeaters. | | | | placed in a line for several miles, extending |
| | | | the network out that far, and because these |
| Several companies have started to manufacture | | | | extension points don't need complicated |
| wireless repeaters, despite the fact that | | | | computer technology to operate, they are much |
| these devices are not part of the wireless | | | | cheaper than routers or access points. Some |
| standard. Wireless repeaters are designed to | | | | companies combine repeaters and direction |
| resolve certain problems with wireless | | | | antennas to link to LANs that are several |
| coverage. The further away you are from where | | | | miles apart. This is a cheaper method than |
| the wireless signal originates, the weaker | | | | worrying about connecting over the Internet |
| the signal becomes. Eventually, you can't | | | | or installing their own underground lines. In |
| receive the signal at all, regardless of what | | | | the future, repeater technology could create |
| equipment you have. The problem is sometimes | | | | wireless networks that cover entire cities. |
| addressed by running wires out as far as the | | | | |
| network coverage is desired, and then have it | | | | As a consumer, you are currently limited to |
| 'break out' into wireless every now and then | | | | getting your repeater from large |
| using a wireless access point. This is | | | | manufacturing firms such as Linksys and |
| generally more trouble than it is worth, | | | | D-Link. These companies call their repeaters |
| since the idea behind a wireless network is | | | | by different names, including Linksys' Range |
| to avoid installing wires! Wireless repeaters | | | | Expander and D-Link's Range Extender. There |
| resolve the problem in a much better way. | | | | are several issues to consider when buying a |
| | | | wireless extension point. The most important |
| Wireless repeaters work as a relay, taking | | | | is to make sure that it is compatible with |
| existing wireless signals and making them | | | | the equipment you have. Because there is no |
| stronger. This makes the range of a signal | | | | standard for wireless extension points, |
| bigger each time. If the repeaters are placed | | | | you're better off staying with the same |
| correctly, you can move computers a | | | | company that makes the rest of your equipment |
| considerable distance from the wired portion | | | | or at least investigate whether any new |
| of the network, the router or access point, | | | | equipment will work with your system. You |
| for example, without failure. The single | | | | should also find out whether an extension |
| requirement of this arrangement is that the | | | | point has any Ethernet ports. While it isn't |
| extension points must overlap; a repeater | | | | necessary that this is included, it is useful |
| can't repeat signals that it doesn't receive. | | | | if you want to connect the extension to a |
| Since wireless networking signals are | | | | wired network. This issue arises basically if |
| essentially radio signals, repeaters take all | | | | you want to connect two LANs in a wireless |
| the radio signals they receive on a specific | | | | manner. |
| frequency and use their power to amplify the | | | | |