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Improving wireless coverage
with the help of TOTOLINK EX300
- connect, press and expand
Nowadays we have more and more devices that we want to connect to our LAN to use the Internet (phones, tablets, smartphones, laptops, TVs, etc...)
But it is not a big problem to build a home network equipped with a wireless access point, it is often the case that we have a large area of the house to cover, thick walls, and other WiFi networks operating nearby. This situation significantly limits the range of wireless routers, so not all home devices communicate properly with the wireless router because "blind spots" exist.
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As you can see in the picture, we have a TOTOLINK 300RH router so that it also covers mobile devices located in a small annex near the house. Unfortunately, other devices such as PC1, PC2 and the set-top-box on the upper floors do not have access to the wireless network.
PC1 does not have a WiFi card, so we need to provide it with Internet access via Ethernet. To make this kind of connection we can use a TOTOLINK 150RT router, which will be set in Bridge/Extender mode and thanks to this, not only will it extend the range of our network, but it will also enable us to connect our desktop computer using the Ethernet port.
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This is how we have extended the range of the wireless network, while providing Internet to PC1 via Ethernet 100Mbps.
However, we still haven't delivered the Internet to our STB and PC2, equipped with a USB card TOTOLINK 1000UA AC and located on the top floor of our building. In addition, we would also like to use the Internet on the top floor in very good quality on various mobile devices (phones, tablets, laptops).
The solution to this problem is to extend the wireless network through the use of so-called Wireless Extenders/repeaters/amplifiers. In short, it is a solution that receives the signal of our wireless network, strengthens it and passes it on. This allows us to improve the range of the wireless network in "dead zones".
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On the illustration above you can see that we have met our expectations 100% as we provided access to the wireless network throughout the building and the annex. We have also provided PC1 and PC2 desktop computers and a TV STB with Internet access.
Very often the concept of wireless extenders/amplifiers is confused with PLC adapters (so-called powerliners), which allow the transmission of LAN through electrical wiring - but this is a completely different device and a completely different topic.
Returning to the topic... the process of installing and configuring such a device is not complicated, but often the vastness of configuration options can be somewhat discouraging.
More and more often, equipment manufacturers meet customers' requirements, equipping devices with mechanisms that enable very fast and intuitive extension of network coverage, without the need to know even the basics of networking.
An outstanding example of such a device is TOTOLINK EX300 300Mbps Wireless N Range Extender.
Click to enlarge!
Click to enlarge!
TOTOLINK EX300 extender is a device that is similar in size to an external power supply directly connected to a power outlet. Underneath there is a 100Mbps Ethernet LAN port, but the most interesting functions are hidden on the front - very aesthetically illuminated LEDs, which inform about the Ethernet port activity, power and active WiFi network. There is also a WPS button.
With this solution, users can easily and quickly expand their wireless network by pressing the WPS button on the router and extender. Two antennas provide a high transfer rate and stable signal.
The functionality of the extender is best illustrated by the technical specification:
| Interfaces | 1x 10/100BaseTX (Auto MDI/MDIX) RJ45 port |
|---|---|
| Power supply | AC 100V~240V |
| Buttons | 1x RsT/WPS Button, 1x Power ON/OFF |
| LED indicators | 1x WiFi, 1x Extending, 1x LAN |
| Antennas | 2x 4dBi external antenna |
| Dimensions (WxDxH) | 56 x 93 x 35.8 mm |
| Standards | IEEE 802.11n, IEEE 802.11g, IEEE 802.11b |
|---|---|
| Frequency | 2.4 - 2.4835 GHz |
| Data transmission speed | 802.11n up to 300Mbps, 802.11g up to 54Mbps(dynamic), 802.11b up to 11 Mbps(dynamic) |
| Wireless security measures | 64/128-bit WEP, WPA-PSK, WPA2-PSK (TKIP/AES) |
| Sensitivity | 270M: -61dBm@10% PER, 135M: -65dBm@10% PER, 54M: -68dBm@10% PER, 11M: -85dBm@10% PER, 6M: -88dBm@10% PER, 1M: -90dBm@10% PER |
| The package includes | 1x EX300, 1x Ethernet cable, 1x User manual (PL/ENG) |
|---|---|
| Working ranges | Tempature 0 - 40 degrees Celsius, humidity 10 - 90% noncondensing |
The web interface TOTOLINKA EX300 is very clear and the Korean manufacturer has ensured that the configuration is very intuitive.
TOTOLINK EX300 has three basic operating modes:
1. Extender (AP+Client)
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This mode of operation is the most interesting, because we can use the functionality of the Extender in 100%. We can extend the current network based on the same SSID, we can also extend the current network by adding a MAC to the SSID, or we can extend the network by creating a new SSID.
2. Client
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The device can be set as a typical Client, i.e. we receive the signal via radio, and then we can use the LAN port to deliver the service via cable, e.g. to a TV set top box. It is also noteworthy that we can choose practically any wireless security mode.
3. Access Point (AP)
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The last mode of operation is Access Point. TOTOLINK EX300 is so functional that it can work as a typical AP, i.e. we provide a cable signal from another router and allow customers to use our network wirelessly.
Practical tests
Okay, with theoretical knowledge, we can go to practical tests.
We have at our disposal a wireless network created on TOTOLINK A2004NS with SSID "TOTOLINK 2004NS 2.4G", and as we can see, the signal strength of this network is -76dBm - which is a relatively weak signal.
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This is why we will use TOTOLINK EX300 to improve the coverage of this network as follows:
As we can see, we used the Extender mode (Ap+Client), but with the option "My SSID Defined by user" - thus extending the network TOTOLINK A2004NS 2.4G, by generating a new SSID "BATNA".
Of course, the connection between the two devices was made via the WPS button.
Click to enlarge!
Click to enlarge!
The results of our configuration are very satisfactory - you can immediately see that the signal of our extended network is already -56dBm!
With the help of an extender, we have managed to improve the network coverage by practically 20dBm and thus we have access to the same wireless network, but the wireless signal is incomparably better, and thus we have much more possibilities for data transfer (Upload/Download).
Summary
TOTOLINK EX300 The Wireless N Range Extender is a device that is primarily characterized by its excellent appearance and simplicity of configuration.
Expanding our wireless network using the WPS button takes literally a dozen or so seconds and the user does not even need to have a basic knowledge of how wired and wireless networks work, because he can still easily handle the configuration TOTOLINK EX300.
The device is equipped with two external antennas, which is perfect for establishing a stable connection and extending the range of the wireless network.
In a situation where we have poor wireless coverage and cannot lay cabling, then TOTOLINK EX300 is a great alternative to get much better coverage of our location.
The price also speaks in its favour, because we can buy TOTOLINK EX300 for about 90 PLN gross per item. Of course, with a wholesale order the price is even better.
Author:
Leszek Błaszczyk