WiFi repeaters are one of the main alternatives to use along with the PLC when it comes to improving the WiFi signal in your home and making it reach the corners with less coverage. Therefore, if you want to choose a repeater to buy, it is important to understand how they work. In fact, it is a very simple and clear device, so you will immediately see how it works. However, for all those who have doubts, we will try to explain everything in a simple way, first what it is, then how it works and how to make sure you get the most benefit from it.
What is a wifi repeater ?
A WiFi repeater is one of the devices that can be used to extend the coverage of a home network. Although in terms of speed, a wired connection will always be the best option many times.
As for how it works, it's very simple. The WiFi repeater contains two internal antennas. With the first one, it picks up the existing WiFi signal in your home, and then passes it on to the second signal to improve the transmission capacity, so that it has a larger coverage area to reach the corners that the router cannot cover.
Let's take an example, let's say we install the router in the bedroom and there is not enough signal in the living room to connect the device to WiFi. Therefore, what you have to do with this amplifier is to connect it in an intermediate area where the WiFi signal reaches well, and the amplifier can send signal to the living room from that area and cover the area that was not covered before.
On the other hand, PLCs are another alternative to transmitting network and WiFi signals through electrical wiring to extend coverage, while WiFi amplifiers do not need to buy any kind of packaging, because only one device is needed to extend the WiFi network. In addition, it does not depend on the electrical wiring in your home. Of course, the repeater must be connected to the socket to have enough power to operate and perform its tasks.
PLC can be especially useful in large homes where a repeater is not enough or can not have enough range to cover the blind spots of the place.
What to consider when purchasing a repeater ?
If you have already decided to buy a new WiFi repeater, here is a summary of the key points that you have to take into account when choosing one.
- Easy Connection: Setup is simple, you just plug it in and know your network name and password. However, with a protected setup, called WPS for short, it can be even easier to connect this repeater to your router by simply pressing a button on both devices, (on the router it is usually on the back of the device)
- Design : The most common design of power repeaters is a small plastic block that plugs directly into the power outlet. They usually have a pair of LED lights so that we know at a glance that they are on and the signal coverage, as well as the antennas. Other Wi-Fi repeaters , which are generally more complex, have more ports (such as Ethernet), and by having the two 2.4Ghz and 5Ghz band antennas, they have an aesthetic similar to routers.
- Security Standard The Wi-Fi repeater model you purchase should include WPA2-PSK (AES), which is the latest and most secure security standard available today. These standards relate to the encryption method used, which prevents anyone outside your network from accessing it. If you want to avoid intruders, choosing the best encryption system is one of the measures to prevent this.
Differences between 2.4G and 5G WiFi
| DIFFERENCES | 2.4GHZ | 5GHZ |
| CHANNELS | 14 non-overlapping channels | 25 non-overlapping channels |
| INTERFERENCES | More interference | Less interference |
| MAXIMUM SPEED | Slower connection speed | Faster connection speed |
| NETWORK RANGE | Higher range | Lower rank |
| STANDARD | IEEE 802.11b, 802.11g, 802.11n (B, G and N) |
IEEE 802.11a, 802.11n, 802.11ac (A, N, AC) |
As you can see in the graph, the main differences between both types of WiFi are in their channels, the standard, the network range, the speed and the interference. It is also important for you to know that it is possible that some of your older devices only receive the 2.4GHz signal , since it is the one that has been used the longest, while the 5GHz is relatively new, only new devices can receive it, such as smartphones, tablets and the latest generation laptops.
What is an access point and how is it different from a Wi-Fi repeater?
An access point is a device that creates a local wireless network, typically used in an office, business or large retail store.
This access point connects to a router, switch or hub using an Ethernet cable and creates a Wi-Fi signal in that area. For example, if you want to enable Wi-Fi access in your company's offices but you don't have a router that can cover it because it's a very large area, you can install an access point in that place since they are made to cover larger areas, connecting it using a cable that runs through the ceiling to the server.
Why hotspots are a better option for businesses
Although network repeaters are useful for home Wi-Fi networks, they are not powerful enough for modern professional networks. This is because they can only serve a limited number of devices at a time, usually around 20. Although routers increase the coverage of a Wi-Fi router, they do not increase the available bandwidth. Depending on the number of devices connected simultaneously, a Wi-Fi repeater can even reduce the overall performance of the network.
Access points, on the other hand, can handle up to 100+ simultaneous connections. By installing access points throughout the office, for example, network users can move around freely without experiencing network interruptions. As they move around the building, the devices seamlessly switch from one point to the next without any interruptions in the connection. The user is not aware of these jumps.
And finally the advantages of using wireless access points
If both employees and guests connect to the network using their computers, laptops or smartphones, tablets... With a repeater the maximum connection quota is quickly filled, whereas with an access point they offer the freedom to change the number of devices that the network can support, however, this is just one of the advantages as there are several more.
- Professional access points can be installed in any location where you can place an Ethernet cable, the most current ones are compatible with the PoE + function (Power over Ethernet plus) A combo between Ethernet cable and power so it is not necessary to install electrical wiring since it is powered by the Ethernet cable
- Additional features include ALC (Captive Portal and Access Control List) to limit access to desired users without affecting network security and manage user accounts within the Wi-Fi network.
- Some access points include a capping feature, which provides a single window from which the administrator can view, install, configure and protect a Wi-Fi network as a single entity instead of multiple ones, making it easier to manage the installed equipment.
-They are usually placed on flat surfaces such as walls or ceilings to cover larger areas without obstacles.
In summary, if you want to expand your Wi-Fi network at home, the best option for you is a Wi-Fi repeater . If, on the other hand, you want to expand the wireless network in your company or office, the option to choose will be the access point due to the versatility and control it gives us when configuring it, as well as the greater coverage range it gives us to reach larger areas where a repeater could not cover.