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