Repeater Mode

[Doctt]

Dear all,

I read it somewhere that the repeater mode may cut the wifi speed in half. Is it true?

I have 2 AC68. I would like to setup one of the AC68 as a repeater to expand the wifi range. Is the repeater mode the way to go or there is a better way to handle it?

Please note that I cannot wire the AC68s together due to my house's layout.

Thanks in advance!

 

[jegesq]

Repeater mode will not cut the speed in half for devices that are connected to the repeater's LAN ports. You will see a drop though in devices that connect via the repeater's wireless SSID's, with a greater drop on 2.4ghz than on 5ghz.

I am currently using two AC66U's, one as a router and the other as repeater. The repeater is set to use the 5ghz channel from the router which it receives and then rebroadcasts on both the repeater's 2.4 and 5ghz radios, as well distributing via the Gigabit Ethernet LAN ports to devices that I connect via LAN. The two devices sit about 18 feet away from each other, at an angle (since they are on different floors, with the router upstairs and the repeater downstairs). I have an HTPC running Windows 7 that I use VLC to stream high bit-rate ISO videos and bluerays, which is connected directly via one of the LAN ports on the repeater. The connection rate is at 725Mbps (so it's close to the theoretical max). I've measured file transfer speeds, and I can get close to 60MB/s, and with internet download speeds, I'm on a 300/20 plan from TimeWarnerCable, and I can routinely test at 320 down and 21 up every time on this computer. So, it's clear that speed isn't "cut in half" for LAN wired connections and that in this regard, the Repeater is essentially functioning as a wireless bridge for wired clients connected to it.

Speeds are cut, but not by half with wifi, by about 1/3, but of course, this is also affected by distance of the wireless client that is connecting. The highest speeds are still on 5ghz (as well as the highest throughput). Both 2.4 and 5ghz are solid.

Of course, running a cable to the second unit is preferable (i.e., using it as a true Access Point), but the Repeater function is pretty nice on Asus routers. I can recommend it highly.

 

[Doctt]

Thank you very much for your reply. Funny is that I have TWC as well and recently upgraded to 300/20. My 2 AC68 are also around 20ft apart...

Is there a doc showing how to setup a repeater mode? The manual comes with my router does not even show the repeater mode functionality (This functional was probably added later).

Thanks again for your help!

 

[jdebeer]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3AGQlvUQgns

Try this for instructions. Pretty much how it works.

JDB

 

[Doctt]

Thanks.

Should I setup my repeater with the same SSID and same channel? I google it and seems to get different message.

thanks

 

[polish_pat]

You can add a powerline to "bridge" them. I use it in my house and it works great and I get great range and full speed.