The layout & configuration of my place is a nightmare for WIFI. It's basically a 2 level row house configuration, and getting a signal to the back of the upper level (where the master bedroom is located) is a PITA. The main modem & router is in the front, lower level. That covers the lower floor, and with a cutaway opening at the front of the house b/w the levels, the signal is good in the front living room of the upper level. I've been trying to find better extender options to boost the signal to the back...I also think that a problem getting a signal to the bedroom might be some of the construction materials (newer building...about 6 years old).

Any thoughts or experiences from you techy people on a range of best options?

Alternatively, I've looked into picking up a second modem/router for the bedroom itself (I have Xfinity), but I've read conflicting reports on that approach affecting the overall speed by essentially splitting the internet access coming into the unit...I know that there have been problems like this with AT&T that I've seen first hand, but I'm not clear on the same happening with cable access.

Driving me batty!!



(Cross file this post w/First World Problems )

Wireless Cheapie to experiment with, and see if everything's fine with no degradation.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0077BB3VA/?tag=imwan-20

Wireless expensive with higher power.
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00HQ883QW/?tag=imwan-20

Wired access point, which could be used by running an ethernet cable from your router to this one, and it might function better even as the MAIN one for the whole house. One user said he configured it to be the only one and it does much better than his router.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B004UBU8IE/?tag=imwan-20

I would say the AP in Jay's third link would be the best option. You get signal everywhere from a central point in the house. I have tried wireless extenders before and had little success with them. Admittedly it's been several years, so they might be better now.

Is it possible to move your existing router to a more central location (move cabling)? That would probably be the easiest and definitely cheapest!

Seems like the way to go if any wires are getting run at all -- just extend whatever type of connection is coming into the router (coax, etc.) and move the router.

Thanks...the hardwire options would be difficult, so probably my last option. I'll look into the wireless options and see how it goes, and if I need to I'll go to Plan B.

I know that my customers are having good luck with a netgear wifi extender.

I recently needed to extend my wifi.I was going to do it the cheap way, using wires, drilling, and an old router with firmware to make it act as an access point. On a whim I bought a netgear wifi extender(NETGEAR EX6200) that I noticed was always selling out at nearby stores.It worked like a charm.The selling point was that it has 5 Gigabit Ethernet Ports.