How to boost Wi-Fi using TP-Link TL-WA855RE. Setting up a wi-fi repeater from China Connecting a wifi tp link repeater
A Wi-Fi repeater (or repeater) is a device whose task is to relay the signal from a wireless router or access point. Used to expand coverage wired network. Many modern equipment models can operate in different modes:
- access point (AP=Access Point);
- repeater;
- universal repeater;
- wireless network client;
- bridge with access point function.
Operating modes of wireless equipment
If you want to take advantage of the wireless repeater feature today, you need to look for equipment that is referred to in manufacturers' catalogs as:
- Access point (in English terminology Wireless Access Point) ;
- Wireless repeater or wireless signal booster(in English terminology Range Extender) ;
Attention! Routers (i.e. routers) rarely have wireless repeater functionality these days. Some router models can be used as a repeater by installing an alternative DD-WRT firmware. However, the device may be unstable on alternative firmware.
Let's take a low-cost access point as an example. TP-Link TL-WA701ND. But the instructions are also suitable for other models like TL-WA730RE, TL-WA801ND and similar ones.
The device can operate in several modes:
Access Point Mode
Convert your existing wired network to wireless.
Repeater mode
Expanding the coverage of an existing Wi-Fi network by relaying a wireless signal.
Wireless Client Mode
The device functions as a wireless adapter for connecting wired devices to a wireless network.
Bridge+Access Point mode
Connecting two local networks using a wireless channel.
What is the difference between a repeater and an access point?
A wireless access point connects to the network using a cable and creates a wireless network around itself. And the repeater mode implies both connecting to the network and relaying it exclusively via a radio channel.
Setting up a Wi-Fi repeater
Before setting up the repeater, configure the main router to a specific broadcast channel. If auto channel selection is set on the main router, the repeater will lose connection with it more often:
Different manufacturers have different web interfaces for their equipment, but the essence of setting up a wireless repeater is the same: in the device settings you need to specify the MAC address (BSSID) of the main access point and its security parameters. We will tell you how to set up network relay using the example of the same budget access point TP-Link TL-WA701ND, which can operate in repeater mode.
Before setting up, place the signal repeater in the area of reliable reception of the wireless network whose coverage you are going to expand. Later, when the relay setup is complete, you can experiment by moving the repeater and observing the quality of the relay.
To connect the repeater with the head router or access point, you need to perform the following steps:
1 Connect the repeater using an Ethernet cable (patch cord) to LAN-port of your existing router or access point:
You cannot connect via a wireless network to an unconfigured repeater, because... it itself does not broadcast the wireless network and does not issue an IP address. An exception may be if your repeater defaults to access points and you will configure it from a device equipped with a Wi-Fi module. But we still recommend using a patch cord.
2 Connect to your main router's network from any computer, as you did before.
Go to the properties of the network adapter on your computer and manually assign an IP address from same address range, to which your new wireless repeater (or access point with repeater function) is configured (). Read the instructions for the device and you will find out exactly what its default IP address is. Often the IP address is also indicated on the bottom of the device:
If we talk about TP-Link equipment, then usually their routers have a default IP address of 192.168.0.1, and access points with a repeater function have IP 192.168.0.254.
Let's say the default IP address for the new extender is 192.168.0.254. This means that to configure it you can temporarily assign network adapter computer IP address 192.168.0.20:
3 Go to the repeater web interface ().
By default, TP-Link equipment has the following credentials:
IP address: 192.168.0.254;
Login: admin;
Password admin.
4 Click EXIT to exit the setup wizard.
5 Go to the section Network. The only setting in this section will open LAN.
As we said above, by default the device uses the IP address 192.168.0.254. If you are using a different address range on your network, set a new IP address from the same range. For example, if your router, whose signal you are going to relay, operates in the 192.168.1.1-192.168.1.254 subnet, change the repeater address to 192.168.1.254 or any free one from the 192.168.1.* subnet.
When setting up a repeater, you need to make sure that:
- The IP address of the signal repeater belongs to the same subnet as the IP address of the main router;
- there is no conflict between the addresses of the router, signal repeater and other devices on the network.
If your network uses addresses in the range 192.168.0.1-254 with a mask of 255.255.255.0, do not change the setting LAN on the repeater.
In this case, continue reading this manual with paragraph 8 with the words “Select mode Repeater(Range Extender)«
In our example, we are using the subnet 192.168.95.0.1-192.168.95.254. Therefore, let's change the IP address from 192.168.0.254 on 192.168.95.254.
If you have changed the access point's IP address, click Save
Then click OK in the following window to reboot the device:
Wait for the reboot to complete:
6 Because Now the repeater will fall into the working range of IP addresses of your existing network, return automatic receipt of parameters in properties network card computer:
7 Log in to the repeater web interface using the new IP address:
(if you did not change the IP address, then go to http://192.168.0.254 again)
8 Select a mode Repeater(Range Extender).
Click the button Save:
After changing the operating mode of the device, you must reboot it again. Click OK to reboot the device:
Wait for the device to boot:
9 Go to section Wireless. This will open the setting Wireless Settings.
Repeater mode has two subtypes: WDS Repeater And Universal Repeater. The easiest way is to use the mode Universal repeater. It will work in most cases. Use WDS repeater only if you know for sure that the root access point supports WDS.
After selecting the operating mode, you must specify the details of the main access point whose signal the repeater should relay. In the field Wireless Name of Root AP enter the wireless network name (SSID) of the main access point, and in the field MAC Address of Root AP Enter the MAC address of the main access point.
In the web interface of TP-Link devices there is a button for these purposes Survey.
It serves to search for available wireless networks. By clicking on it, you can select any available wireless network and add it to the repeater with one click on the link Connect. In this case, you do not need to enter either the SSID or the MAC address of the access point (BSSID). These details will be entered automatically.
After pressing the button Survey wait about 10-15 seconds until a window appears with a list of available wireless networks, and then click Connect in the line with your network:
Click Save to save settings:
10 Go to settings Wireless Security.
Select the security mode that is used on the root access point (WPA2-Personal is recommended).
Enter the appropriate security key.
Click Save:
In the pop-up window, click OK:
11 Go to section DHCP. This will open the setting DHCP Settings.
Set the switch DHCP Server to position Disabled and press the button Save:
If you leave the DHCP server enabled, the Internet will not work on devices that will connect to the repeater.
12 Go to section System Tools.
Click the button Reboot:
In the window with a question Are you sure to reboot the Device click the button OK:
Wait for the device to reboot:
13 Disconnect the patch cord from the device’s LAN port.
After rebooting for 1-2 minutes, the device should connect to the root access point (or main router) and start relaying the signal. In this case, the first indicator on the right should light up:
Your devices, such as a smartphone, tablet, laptop, will see the same network as before, only the signal should become several notches stronger. There is no need to do any reconnections on client devices, because the repeater relays a network with the same name and the same security settings.
How to check the repeater operation
Question: Why check? After all, if devices connect to the network, then everything is fine?
Answer: This statement is incorrect. Devices may connect to a more distant access point or router, but the repeater may not function. Therefore, the verification needs to be approached more scrupulously.
Method 1: Try to access the web interface of the access point after disconnecting the patch cord from its LAN port.
Go to page Status. If in the area Wireless you see the SSID of the relayed network and the signal strength of the root access point, and in the area Traffic Statistics— the number of sent and received packets, then the signal repeater functions correctly:
Method 2: Launch the application Wi-Fi Analyzer on Android device ().
You should see two access points with the same SSID running on the same channel:
A Wi-Fi repeater (also called a repeater or repeater) is a wireless device used to extend network coverage. With its help, you can connect to the wireless Internet in places with poor signal reception from the router. In this case, the repeater will receive the router’s signal and relay it to clients on the local network.
Selecting a repeater installation location
The maximum efficiency of using a repeater is achieved when it is installed at the border of stable Wi-Fi reception from the router. When choosing a location, consider the layout of the room in which the repeater will be used. You should also pay attention to the location wireless gadgets, from which the connection and access to the Internet will be made.
When searching for the optimal location to install a repeater, measure the access speed. To do this, you can use online services, for example, Speedtest. For installing repeaters, the same recommendations apply as for others. wireless devices. Do not place the repeater near large electrical appliances that may interfere with network operation. If antennas are present, point them perpendicular to the plane in which radio waves are required to propagate.
Enabling a Wi-Fi Repeater
Most repeaters have a built-in power supply, so they are plugged directly into an outlet. This design allows you to get rid of unnecessary wires, since a cable connection between the power supply and the device is not required. The downside is reduced mobility. Installing the repeater at a significant height is only possible when using an extension cord or moving the socket.
To turn on the device, simply plug it into a power outlet. Almost all repeater models start working immediately after power is supplied. But if your device has a separate power button, press it. The start of work is signaled by LEDs on the housing. The meanings of the various indication modes (continuous light or flickering) can be clarified in the instructions.
Pay attention! Some repeaters are equipped with one or more connectors for connecting network cable. With their help, you can connect to the Internet on computers that are not equipped with a Wi-Fi module.
Connection using WPS
If there is a WPS button on the device, press it to activate the Wi-Fi connection mode without selecting a network and entering a password. After that, press the same button on the router no later than two minutes after turning on Wi-Fi Protected Setup. If the signal is normal and there are no technical difficulties, the repeater will connect to the wireless network and begin to duplicate it.
Some routers do not have such a button. To connect to them via WPS, use the router configuration web interface. You can open it in any browser by typing the router’s IP address in the address bar. As a rule, it is indicated on a separate sticker located on the bottom panel of the device. The same sticker contains login information: the name of the standard account and password.
Advice! Connection is also possible by entering the repeater PIN code in the admin panel of the router. The code can be found on the box or a separate insert.
Training video: Quickly connect a repeater
Setting up a repeater via the web interface
Specify additional options or you can configure the network when using a router without WPS in the repeater’s administrative interface. As with the router’s web interface, login and configuration are performed through a browser. Authorization data is also indicated on the sticker, insert or in the instructions.
A repeater (otherwise called repeater, repeater, amplifier, range extender) is a very convenient device, allowing you to quickly and easily expand the area of your WiFi networks.
We will look at the setup using the example of the TL-WA850RE repeater from TP-LINK. The TL-WA850RE model is stated as a device that supports speeds of up to 300 Megabit/s (that is, up to 80-100 Mbit/s in real conditions, which is quite enough).
The repeater can operate in two modes: “Universal” and “WDS Mode”. The differences between them are in the requirements for the head unit.
In the first case, the router to which the repeater is connected may not support WDS mode. In the second case, the router must support WDS mode, therefore, a specific channel must be assigned to the wireless network (i.e., the channel selection should not be in “auto” mode).
It is important not to confuse a repeater with an access point. WA850RE cannot work as an access point, i.e. it cannot “distribute wifi” when connected to the head unit via wire. On the contrary, he “receives the Internet” via wifi and can transmit it further via wire.
Repeater setup
Plug in your device and connect to it using a wired or wireless network. In the case of a wireless network, you will need to find an unsecured network that the repeater creates. It will have a name (SSID) - “TP-LINK_Extender_” and 6 digits identifying the device. When connected via wire, no additional settings no need to produce.
Then, in your browser's address bar, enter "tplinkextender.net" - this is the address of the extender's web interface. To access, use the standard login and password: admin/admin.
To configure the repeater, most often, it is enough to use the “Quick setup” script
Quick Setup Home Page
Now from the list of available networks you need to select your own (the one created by your router)
Check the box next to your network and click "Next"
Let's move on to setting up your network protection
In the “PSK password of your main router/access point” field, enter the password for your wireless network. Click Next and then Finish.
The setup is complete.
After rebooting, the repeater will begin rebroadcasting the signal from your wireless network. It is advisable to place the device at such a distance from the router that the indication of the strength of the received wifi signal (on the repeater body - blue) is at least 3 divisions, which corresponds to a good signal.
The presence of a wireless WiFi network at home or in the office will not surprise anyone for a long time. However, often, when trying to organize it, a problem arises - the standard coverage radius of the access point is not enough.
The reason for this may be too large a room area, an inconvenient layout or several floors. To strengthen the signal, it is recommended to use a wireless repeater (repeater, repeater, repeater).
Wall Powered Wireless Signal Repeater is a special gadget that plugs into a regular outlet, “connects” to the router “over the air” and amplifies the signal, thereby increasing the WiFi coverage area. You can order it from China, in any online store for $8-10. But no one forbids spending money on other, more expensive imported models. They can be purchased at most digital stores. In terms of functionality, such a repeater is not much different from a Chinese one, but it will cost 1.5-2 times more.
Thanks to the repeater, the coverage area increases significantly. In this case, the network will remain wireless, but the speed of the Internet connection may decrease. If you have already used a wireless network, then you know: the greater the distance from the router (distributing WiFi) to the devices receiving the signal (laptops, mobile devices), the lower the speed.
A repeater doesn’t just increase network coverage, it strengthens the signal. Therefore, the loss of speed is almost unnoticeable (especially if you are using a high-speed connection), but the stability of operation is noticeably improved.
The repeater works simply: it finds all WiFi points available for connection (that is, the repeater must be in the coverage area), connects to the desired one, and then transmits the signal further, beyond the coverage area.
Most repeaters have two operating modes:
- AP Mode - for wired connection ( regular will do router);
- Repeater Mode - for wireless connection (router required);
Thus, the repeater allows you not only to strengthen the WiFi signal, but also to distribute it in general.
Appearance
In appearance, the repeater is a small device. On the top panel there are usually 3-4 indicator lights (which will indicate its readiness for operation and possible failures). On the side you can find an input for a LAN cable and a small “reset” button for resetting to factory settings.
The kit usually comes with instructions for English, adapter for Euro socket and LAN cable.
Connecting to a computer
To set up a repeater correctly, you don’t need to be a computer genius or have any special knowledge. The whole process will take you no more than 10-15 minutes.
- Plug the repeater into an outlet near the computer (if this is the first time you turn it on, the red light - Power Indicator - should light up) and wait a few minutes;
- If you are using a wired connection, then connect the repeater to the router using a LAN cable;
- after that, another light (Wireless Indicator) will light up, which means that the repeater has connected to your network and started distributing WiFi;
- now repeater can be found in the list of available wireless networks (in the tray);
- find a new device in the list, click on it and click “connect” (the name should contain the word repeater if the repeater is connected for the first time and its name has not been changed);
- Windows will issue a system notification stating that “the router is not yet installed” and will offer to configure it;
- It is very important to refuse at this stage and find the line in the message “connect to the network without prior installation and configuration”;
- after clicking on the hyperlink, the computer will automatically connect to the repeater, which means you will lose the Internet.
Web interface
As soon as the computer connects to the repeater (this will be indicated by the corresponding icon in the tray), you need to go to the web interface and configure its parameters. To do this:
- open any browser and write the repeater IP in the address bar. By default it is 192.168.10.1 and press “enter” (information can be found in the instructions and on the manufacturer’s official website). This address should be suitable for a Chinese repeater;
- As soon as the IP is entered, an authorization window will appear in the web interface. Here you need to enter your login and password. Standard data: admin/ admin;
- after that you will be taken to a menu where you can configure the repeater;
- here you need to open the first top block of the “wireless repeater mode” menu;
- A new window will open where you need to select the operating mode of the repeater. If you are using wireless connection, then select “Repeater Mode”, if wired - “AP mode”;
- because We need to strengthen the wifi signal, thereby increasing the network coverage area, then we will select “repeater mode”;
- another window will appear where the device will begin to search for available WiFi connections networks;
- select the one you need and click “apply” to confirm or “refresh” to update the list;
- if your network has a password, you will need to enter it;
- will begin automatic setting network, upon completion of which a message will appear in the “Wireless Repeater Mode” window stating that the operation was successful;
- To close the notification, click "close".
If before this, in the wireless connections menu the signal strength was weak (1-2 bars), then now, by opening the notification window, you will be able to notice that the signal is working at full capacity. After all the machinations done, the repeater can be moved further around the room, thereby increasing the network coverage area.
Troubleshooting
By default, the computer allows you to immediately access the repeater web interface. However, if you had to change the local network settings, you will not be able to do this.
If you cannot access the web interface, although you are sure that the IP address you entered is correct, you will have to configure your computer.
This should only be done in as a last resort(if you cannot log into the web interface right away).
- connect the repeater to the power supply, and then connect it to the computer using a LAN cable;
- open Network and Sharing Center shared access"(via the control panel or tray);
- on the side, find “change adapter settings”;
- A folder will open where you need to click on the “ local network", call context menu, and then click “properties” - configure TCP/IPv4 (it is version 4 of the protocol that needs to be changed, not version 6).
In the window that opens, enter the following information:
- IP: 192.168.1.111;
- Mask (default): 255.255.255.0;
- Gateway: 192.168.10.1.
Save your changes and try logging into the repeater web interface again.
Conclusion
As you can see, the repeater fully justifies the price and performs all the functions declared by the manufacturer, namely, it amplifies the signal.
Yes, if you conduct speed tests, you can notice a slight decrease in speed (compared to working directly). But this is fully explained by the distance and passage of the signal through walls or floors. In addition, it can be used to ensure the stability of the wifi network.
If you configure the repeater correctly, you will be able to use the Internet not only in the furthest rooms of your house, but you will also be surprised by the absence of network errors. Which often arise due to a weak signal.
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Delivery is carried out the next day after placing the order.
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If the product is in stock in St. Petersburg, delivery is carried out the next business day after placing the order.
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Product review
In the next room is Wi-Fi router, but doesn’t reach yours? It's time to forget about dead zones without Internet in your home! Wi-Fi Range Extender makes it easy to increase your range Wi-Fi work, simply by installing this “whistle” in the USB port. It has a flexible connector, which allows you to install it even behind a closet, and the ability to operate on an external battery will allow you to increase the coverage area of your Internet distribution point significantly! The instructions are extremely simple:
1) Turn on Wi-Fi Range Extender in USB port, wait for it to turn on.
2) Go from your phone to search for wireless Wi-Fi networks, find "WiFi+" there
3) Open your browser, enter "192.168.19.252" into the address bar. A menu of available Wi-Fi networks around will open. Select your network, provide a name for the duplicate network, and enter the network password.
4) After clicking the OK button, a reboot will occur. Now from your phone you can find the additional network whose name you specified. Connect to it.
5) Enjoy wider wireless Internet coverage!Equipment
- Package
- Wi-Fi Range Extender
- Instructions
Characteristics
- Reset and reboot button
- USB 2.0 (power)
- Frequency 2.4Ghz
- Work protocol IEEE802.11b/g/n
- Data transfer rateup to 150 Mb/s
- Safety WPA-PSK/WPA2-PSK
- Dimensions 28x7.8x192mm
Compatibility
- Any Wi-Fi network
Video review
