WiFi Extension Help Needed

#1
kiddiedoc

kiddiedoc

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#1
I am needing to boost or extend my home WiFi signal from my TDS router (centrally-located) to an upstairs playroom and basement/pool patio.

My son researched and ordered us two tp-link mesh range extenders. I have been able to configure them with WPS, but I'm confused as to how they work exactly. It appears they have created two new IDs: *****_EXT and *****_5GEXT.

Will I have to manually switch to the extender IDs when upstairs or outside? Is there a better option for boosting signal? Also, our TDS cable boxes are all wireless. Is there a way to have some of them use the extender IDs?

Thanks for any help offered.
 
#3
#3
I have Google WiFi in my home. Very easy set up and great range. Not sure about your other questions though.
 
#4
#4
@kiddiedoc Looks like it's created an extension for both your 2G and 5G Wifi, you should be able to connect to either one and just see which one works better. 5G is typically better the closer your device is to the router, so in this case I would assume that device would be the extender and not your device (laptop, phone, etc.). You connect to one of the new extensions it created just like your were connecting to any wifi and I think you almost always use your regular WiFi password. So on your device: Settings->Wifi->Connect to ****_EXT->Your home WiFi password
 
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#6
#6
I used to have a tp-link extender but when I upgraded my internet service they gave me an Eero mesh kit. It works fantastic and does a good job of balancing/assigning devices to the optimum connection
 
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#9
#9
kiddiedoc said:
I am needing to boost or extend my home WiFi signal from my TDS router (centrally-located) to an upstairs playroom and basement/pool patio.

My son researched and ordered us two tp-link mesh range extenders. I have been able to configure them with WPS, but I'm confused as to how they work exactly. It appears they have created two new IDs: *****_EXT and *****_5GEXT.

Will I have to manually switch to the extender IDs when upstairs or outside? Is there a better option for boosting signal? Also, our TDS cable boxes are all wireless. Is there a way to have some of them use the extender IDs?

Thanks for any help offered.
Click to expand...
Your phone/tablet should switch to the stronger signal. Mine does after walking from one side of the house to the other.
 
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#10
#10
For anyone else that doesn't necessarily need wireless extension but does need Internet for a stationary device I've had a lot of good experience with powerline ethernet adapters.
 
#11
#11
kiddiedoc said:
I am needing to boost or extend my home WiFi signal from my TDS router (centrally-located) to an upstairs playroom and basement/pool patio.

My son researched and ordered us two tp-link mesh range extenders. I have been able to configure them with WPS, but I'm confused as to how they work exactly. It appears they have created two new IDs: *****_EXT and *****_5GEXT.

Will I have to manually switch to the extender IDs when upstairs or outside? Is there a better option for boosting signal? Also, our TDS cable boxes are all wireless. Is there a way to have some of them use the extender IDs?

Thanks for any help offered.
Click to expand...
without running cabling, ie wireless access point that mesh system is prob way to go. Looks like folks already covered it well. Have a family member on TDS who asked me exact same question about moving equipment, just had them unplug the gaming system and move closer to the demarc.

TDS must have some traffic issues. Get a lot of reports of spiking, downtime.

If ATT Fiber is available or even Spectrum. You may want to look at switching? I know Wow is around as well as Xfinity. There's an up and cominh company, Ben Loman out of MT also.
 
#13
#13
golfballs said:
I have an old home w plaster walls that kill WiFi signals. I bought the top end router that supposedly had the best range but it still didn’t work well. Now since getting the eero it’s just an expensive bridge to my wired devices
Click to expand...
Are you on Charter Spectrum, by any chance? We’re in a 97-year-old house with metal lath/ plaster and horsehair walls, and WiFi dies on the front and back porches, unless you sit near a window in line with the router. I’d rather not have a plug-in extender, although we do have outdoor outlets.

I ask because I have no idea what if any affect the provider has on optimum setups.

Is your whole system eero, or just the extenders?
 
#14
#14
VolNExile said:
Are you on Charter Spectrum, by any chance? We’re in a 97-year-old house with metal lath/ plaster and horsehair walls, and WiFi dies on the front and back porches, unless you sit near a window in line with the router. I’d rather not have a plug-in extender, although we do have outdoor outlets.

I ask because I have no idea what if any affect the provider has on optimum setups.

Is your whole system eero, or just the extenders?
Click to expand...
No not charter. I have WOW. Yes whole system is Eero
 
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#18
#18
kiddiedoc said:
Can you give me detailed instruction on how to do that?

We have TDS fiber.
Click to expand...

No dead spots for me at the current home, so the only upgrade I’ve done is to the next gen WiFi 6 router. I’m guessing the hardest part is just deciding where to place the nodes.

Best mesh routers in 2020: Asus, Orbi, Eero, Google Nest and more

If you already have a nest doorbell and cams, they might be the best option. Buy once, cry once and choose a mesh system that also has WiFi 6 in my opinion, though.
 
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#19
#19
VolNExile said:
Are you on Charter Spectrum, by any chance? We’re in a 97-year-old house with metal lath/ plaster and horsehair walls, and WiFi dies on the front and back porches, unless you sit near a window in line with the router. I’d rather not have a plug-in extender, although we do have outdoor outlets.

I ask because I have no idea what if any affect the provider has on optimum setups.

Is your whole system eero, or just the extenders?
Click to expand...
Charter isnt fiber to the home yet. Its a best effort hybrid fiber coax. Depending on proximity to Amp or Node and traffic/length if drop from tap to house is all that matters.

A great deal is made about fiber to home in resi settings. How many people need a true stable 200 meg symm connection?

Spectrum now has Gig or 600 meg down capability. More than sufficient. What is beyond the demarc?

If having intermitten issues...Sounds like you may need to make a call in to have them 'fix them', or have them send you the latest iteration of hardware.

I think about any new Mesh Router system over $100 bucks would be better than their cheap router.

I believe Wow is just an overbuilder or competitor in Knox. Ive not heard great things. Nor have I heard great about TDS.

Att fiber is another story. Caveat IF it is indeed Att fiber. I know for sure Cleveland has it, and Nash. Lots of DSL companies will pass fiber to the curb off as fiber. when it is still DSL +.
 
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#20
#20
jackcrevol said:
Charter isnt fiber to the home yet. Its a best effort hybrid fiber coax. Depending on proximity to Amp or Node and traffic/length if drop from tap to house is all that matters.

A great deal is made about fiber to home in resi settings. How many people need a true stable 200 meg symm connection?

Spectrum now has Gig or 600 meg down capability. More than sufficient. What is beyond the demarc?

If having intermitten issues...Sounds like you may need to make a call in to have them 'fix them', or have them send you the latest iteration of hardware.

I think about any new Mesh Router system over $100 bucks would be better than their cheap router.

I believe Wow is just an overbuilder or competitor in Knox. Ive not heard great things. Nor have I heard great about TDS.

Att fiber is another story.
Click to expand...
Thanks! I think I understood about a quarter of this. 🤪

We don’t have problems with intermittent after they replaced the squirrel-chewed outdoor cable. Only issues are with one-too-many plaster walls.

I forget the results of the latest upload/download test, but they were fine for us.

Agree about the dorky loaner router. I will look into an all-out mesh router system.

We’re in Asheville, not Knoxville, but I assume that Charter is Charter. I’m reasonably happy with them.
 
#21
#21
VolNExile said:
Thanks! I think I understood about a quarter of this. 🤪

We don’t have problems with intermittent after they replaced the squirrel-chewed outdoor cable. Only issues are with one-too-many plaster walls.

I forget the results of the latest upload/download test, but they were fine for us.

Agree about the dorky loaner router. I will look into an all-out mesh router system.

We’re in Asheville, not Knoxville, but I assume that Charter is Charter. I’m reasonably happy with them.
Click to expand...
Having lived in Asheville, and having Charter previous to Xfinity-now-with-Brightridge fiber. I can attest that is an older plant for them. Perhaps theyve upgraded? I believe only competitors are French Broad, Spirit, and Windstream?

Having a good router is uber important. I thinj youre making a wise investment.
 
#22
#22
jackcrevol said:
Having lived in Asheville, and having Charter previous to Xfinity-now-with-Brightridge fiber. I can attest that is an older plant for them. Perhaps theyve upgraded? I believe only competitors are French Broad, Spirit, and Windstream?

Having a good router is uber important. I thinj youre making a wise investment.
Click to expand...
It’s now Charter vs ATT, plus some minor players.

ATT customer service is still (eternally) abysmal, and it will be a long, long time before I give them any money again.
 
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#23
#23
VolNExile said:
It’s now Charter vs ATT, plus some minor players.

ATT customer service is still (eternally) abysmal, and it will be a long, long time before I give them any money again.
Click to expand...
You see why these companies are struggling to hold onto customers?

TVA is really pushing rural broadband buildout. Good for compeition.
 
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#24
#24
I have bought a few extenders and this is by far the best one. It doesn't make you switch to _ext channels. It's seamless. It's also theoretically faster than ethernet.

Worth every penny

 
#25
#25
n_huffhines said:
I have bought a few extenders and this is by far the best one. It doesn't make you switch to _ext channels. It's seamless. It's also theoretically faster than ethernet.

Worth every penny

Click to expand...
WiFi is never faster than hardwired
 
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