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Buying a Range Extender

Jimkirk363
By Jimkirk363
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My trusting old ASUS RT-AC86U died a few days ago and i have been forced to fall back on my Netgear Nighthawk X6 R8000.

 

I flashed it with DDWRT as the stock firmware was awful and slow and all is well, the only issue is i cannot get wireless in my garden so i decided on getting a range extender.

 

This is the current one im looking at, if anyone else can recommend a different one please do........

 

Thanks

https://www.amazon.co.uk/RE300-Extender-Repeater-Internal-Intelligent/dp/B07RB743K8/ref=sr_1_16?dchild=1&keywords=Range+extenders&qid=1600053940&sr=8-16

 

MSI MAG X670E TOMAHAWK WIFI Motherboard, AMD Ryzen 9 7900X3D Desk-top Processor (12-core/24-thread, 140MB cache, up to 5.6 GHz max boost), CORSAIR VENGEANCE DDR5 RAM 32GB (2x16GB) 6000MHz CL30 AMD EXPO iCUE Compatible Computer Memory, Samsung 990 PRO NVMe M.2 SSD, 2 TB, PCIe 4.0, 7,450 MB/s read, 6,900 MB/s write, Internal SSD, 2 x Seagate BarraCuda 4 TB Internal Hard Drive HDD – 3.5 Inch SATA 6 Gb/s 5400 RPM 256 MB Cache for Computer Desktop PC Laptop (ST4000DM004), MSI MPG A1000G PCIE5 Power Supply Unit, UK Plug - 1000W, 80 Plus Gold Certified, Fully Modular ATX 3.0, PCIe 5.0 GPU, XILENCE XC982 LQ240PRO AIO COOLER, XFX Speedster MERC 310 AMD Radeon RX 7900 XT 20GB 1 x AOC CU34G2XE & 1 x Samsung U32J59XUQ 3840 x 2160 4K, 1 x Samsung Evo 970 Evo Plus NVME PCI-E 1TB, 1 x Samsung Evo 850 250GB, 1 X Sandisk Ultra II SSD 240GB + 2 X 4TB Seagate Barracuda SATA III,  MZHOU 7 Ports PCIe USB 3.0 Card,  2 x UGREEN Hard Drive Enclosure 3.5 inch External SATA Disk Caddy Reader USB 3.0 2.5 3.5 HDD SSD 16TB UASP Case Dock Station With 12V 2A Power Adapter For Windows with 6TB Seagate Barracuda SATA III, Fractal Design Pop XL Case + 4 Fractal Design 140mm Case Fans, Logitech MX Vertical & MX Ergo Trackball Mouse using same USB unifying device, Microsoft Ergonomic Keyboard, Windows 11 Pro x64 Retail, 6TB Seagate USB 3.0 Backup Plus Hub, Blue Yeti Microphone, Logitech C922 Pro HD,  Logitech C920 Pro HD, Bit Defender Total Security 2021.

 

Second PC (Cyclops) - MSI 990FXA Gaming, AMD FX 8370 4Ghz, Corsair 16GB Vengeance Red 9-9-9-24 1600Mhz, Arctic Cooling Freezer 13, Asus Strix 1050TI 4GB, 1 X Acer 27" Full HD Monitor, 1 X Sandisk Ultra II SSD 240GB, 1 x Samsung Evo 850 250GB, 2 X Seagate Barracuda 2TB, 1 X WD Black 2TB, 1 x ASUS 16x DVDRW, X-Case Eagle III Case, 3 X Corsair AF 120 Case Fans, EVGA 850 G2 80+ Gold + PSU, Logitech MX Master Mouse, Corsair K30 Keyboard, Logitech C920 Webcam, R0DE NT1-A Microphone, Scarlet 212 Audio Interface (Revision 2), Windows 10 Pro X64 Retail, Bit Defender Total Security 2021, 2TB Seagate Expansion USB Hard Drive.

 

Third PC (Old Trustie) - Acer Aspire M3400, OEM Mainboard, AMD FX Athlon II X3 425 2.7Ghz, 16GB Corsair Value 1600Mhz Ram, OEM CPU Cooler, AMD R7 260 2GB GPU, 1 X Acer 27" Full HD Monitor, 1 X Sandisk Ultra II SSD 240GB, 2TB Samsung SATA III, 1 X OEM 16X DVDRW, 1 X Acer OEM Case, 1 X Corsair AF120 Case Can, Corsair CX500 Bronze+ CPU, Logitech MX Master Mouse, Corsair K30 Keyboard, Windows 10 Home X64 OEM, Logitech C920 Webcam, Bit Defender Total Security 2021.

 

Printers Include - Canon MG5750, Canon, IP8750,  Canon Pixma Mega tank G5050 & 2 X Samsung Xpress C410W.

 

1 X Zexrow Xbox360 Wired Game Controller.

 

TP Link Archer AX6000 Cable Router Wifi6 with a Virgin Media Hub 4.0 in Modem only mode running 1GB Fibre internet.

 

Samsung Galaxy S21+ 256GB Mobile Phone.

 

Internet Speed.....

https://www.speedtest.net/result/9935039193

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That TP LINK wireless extender can work, but i prefer having a low end router instead.

Why not getting a used older router, there are many in ebay.

Install ddwrt / openwrt and activate wireless bridge.

With a router you can get more features like having it's own DHCP server while working as a repeater.

Ryzen 5700g @ 4.4ghz all cores | Asrock B550M Steel Legend | 3060 | 2x 16gb Micron E 2666 @ 4200mhz cl16 | 500gb WD SN750 | 12 TB HDD | Deepcool Gammax 400 w/ 2 delta 4000rpm push pull | Antec Neo Eco Zen 500w

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I have an old Asus RT-AC87u but it doesnt have a repeater option in the settings.

MSI MAG X670E TOMAHAWK WIFI Motherboard, AMD Ryzen 9 7900X3D Desk-top Processor (12-core/24-thread, 140MB cache, up to 5.6 GHz max boost), CORSAIR VENGEANCE DDR5 RAM 32GB (2x16GB) 6000MHz CL30 AMD EXPO iCUE Compatible Computer Memory, Samsung 990 PRO NVMe M.2 SSD, 2 TB, PCIe 4.0, 7,450 MB/s read, 6,900 MB/s write, Internal SSD, 2 x Seagate BarraCuda 4 TB Internal Hard Drive HDD – 3.5 Inch SATA 6 Gb/s 5400 RPM 256 MB Cache for Computer Desktop PC Laptop (ST4000DM004), MSI MPG A1000G PCIE5 Power Supply Unit, UK Plug - 1000W, 80 Plus Gold Certified, Fully Modular ATX 3.0, PCIe 5.0 GPU, XILENCE XC982 LQ240PRO AIO COOLER, XFX Speedster MERC 310 AMD Radeon RX 7900 XT 20GB 1 x AOC CU34G2XE & 1 x Samsung U32J59XUQ 3840 x 2160 4K, 1 x Samsung Evo 970 Evo Plus NVME PCI-E 1TB, 1 x Samsung Evo 850 250GB, 1 X Sandisk Ultra II SSD 240GB + 2 X 4TB Seagate Barracuda SATA III,  MZHOU 7 Ports PCIe USB 3.0 Card,  2 x UGREEN Hard Drive Enclosure 3.5 inch External SATA Disk Caddy Reader USB 3.0 2.5 3.5 HDD SSD 16TB UASP Case Dock Station With 12V 2A Power Adapter For Windows with 6TB Seagate Barracuda SATA III, Fractal Design Pop XL Case + 4 Fractal Design 140mm Case Fans, Logitech MX Vertical & MX Ergo Trackball Mouse using same USB unifying device, Microsoft Ergonomic Keyboard, Windows 11 Pro x64 Retail, 6TB Seagate USB 3.0 Backup Plus Hub, Blue Yeti Microphone, Logitech C922 Pro HD,  Logitech C920 Pro HD, Bit Defender Total Security 2021.

 

Second PC (Cyclops) - MSI 990FXA Gaming, AMD FX 8370 4Ghz, Corsair 16GB Vengeance Red 9-9-9-24 1600Mhz, Arctic Cooling Freezer 13, Asus Strix 1050TI 4GB, 1 X Acer 27" Full HD Monitor, 1 X Sandisk Ultra II SSD 240GB, 1 x Samsung Evo 850 250GB, 2 X Seagate Barracuda 2TB, 1 X WD Black 2TB, 1 x ASUS 16x DVDRW, X-Case Eagle III Case, 3 X Corsair AF 120 Case Fans, EVGA 850 G2 80+ Gold + PSU, Logitech MX Master Mouse, Corsair K30 Keyboard, Logitech C920 Webcam, R0DE NT1-A Microphone, Scarlet 212 Audio Interface (Revision 2), Windows 10 Pro X64 Retail, Bit Defender Total Security 2021, 2TB Seagate Expansion USB Hard Drive.

 

Third PC (Old Trustie) - Acer Aspire M3400, OEM Mainboard, AMD FX Athlon II X3 425 2.7Ghz, 16GB Corsair Value 1600Mhz Ram, OEM CPU Cooler, AMD R7 260 2GB GPU, 1 X Acer 27" Full HD Monitor, 1 X Sandisk Ultra II SSD 240GB, 2TB Samsung SATA III, 1 X OEM 16X DVDRW, 1 X Acer OEM Case, 1 X Corsair AF120 Case Can, Corsair CX500 Bronze+ CPU, Logitech MX Master Mouse, Corsair K30 Keyboard, Windows 10 Home X64 OEM, Logitech C920 Webcam, Bit Defender Total Security 2021.

 

Printers Include - Canon MG5750, Canon, IP8750,  Canon Pixma Mega tank G5050 & 2 X Samsung Xpress C410W.

 

1 X Zexrow Xbox360 Wired Game Controller.

 

TP Link Archer AX6000 Cable Router Wifi6 with a Virgin Media Hub 4.0 in Modem only mode running 1GB Fibre internet.

 

Samsung Galaxy S21+ 256GB Mobile Phone.

 

Internet Speed.....

https://www.speedtest.net/result/9935039193

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@SupaKomputaIve also been looking at this........

 

https://www.argos.co.uk/product/7148130?clickSR=slp:term:cable router:2:25:1

 

Its the TP Link Archer C50, i don't know if its capable of what i need or how good it is though.

MSI MAG X670E TOMAHAWK WIFI Motherboard, AMD Ryzen 9 7900X3D Desk-top Processor (12-core/24-thread, 140MB cache, up to 5.6 GHz max boost), CORSAIR VENGEANCE DDR5 RAM 32GB (2x16GB) 6000MHz CL30 AMD EXPO iCUE Compatible Computer Memory, Samsung 990 PRO NVMe M.2 SSD, 2 TB, PCIe 4.0, 7,450 MB/s read, 6,900 MB/s write, Internal SSD, 2 x Seagate BarraCuda 4 TB Internal Hard Drive HDD – 3.5 Inch SATA 6 Gb/s 5400 RPM 256 MB Cache for Computer Desktop PC Laptop (ST4000DM004), MSI MPG A1000G PCIE5 Power Supply Unit, UK Plug - 1000W, 80 Plus Gold Certified, Fully Modular ATX 3.0, PCIe 5.0 GPU, XILENCE XC982 LQ240PRO AIO COOLER, XFX Speedster MERC 310 AMD Radeon RX 7900 XT 20GB 1 x AOC CU34G2XE & 1 x Samsung U32J59XUQ 3840 x 2160 4K, 1 x Samsung Evo 970 Evo Plus NVME PCI-E 1TB, 1 x Samsung Evo 850 250GB, 1 X Sandisk Ultra II SSD 240GB + 2 X 4TB Seagate Barracuda SATA III,  MZHOU 7 Ports PCIe USB 3.0 Card,  2 x UGREEN Hard Drive Enclosure 3.5 inch External SATA Disk Caddy Reader USB 3.0 2.5 3.5 HDD SSD 16TB UASP Case Dock Station With 12V 2A Power Adapter For Windows with 6TB Seagate Barracuda SATA III, Fractal Design Pop XL Case + 4 Fractal Design 140mm Case Fans, Logitech MX Vertical & MX Ergo Trackball Mouse using same USB unifying device, Microsoft Ergonomic Keyboard, Windows 11 Pro x64 Retail, 6TB Seagate USB 3.0 Backup Plus Hub, Blue Yeti Microphone, Logitech C922 Pro HD,  Logitech C920 Pro HD, Bit Defender Total Security 2021.

 

Second PC (Cyclops) - MSI 990FXA Gaming, AMD FX 8370 4Ghz, Corsair 16GB Vengeance Red 9-9-9-24 1600Mhz, Arctic Cooling Freezer 13, Asus Strix 1050TI 4GB, 1 X Acer 27" Full HD Monitor, 1 X Sandisk Ultra II SSD 240GB, 1 x Samsung Evo 850 250GB, 2 X Seagate Barracuda 2TB, 1 X WD Black 2TB, 1 x ASUS 16x DVDRW, X-Case Eagle III Case, 3 X Corsair AF 120 Case Fans, EVGA 850 G2 80+ Gold + PSU, Logitech MX Master Mouse, Corsair K30 Keyboard, Logitech C920 Webcam, R0DE NT1-A Microphone, Scarlet 212 Audio Interface (Revision 2), Windows 10 Pro X64 Retail, Bit Defender Total Security 2021, 2TB Seagate Expansion USB Hard Drive.

 

Third PC (Old Trustie) - Acer Aspire M3400, OEM Mainboard, AMD FX Athlon II X3 425 2.7Ghz, 16GB Corsair Value 1600Mhz Ram, OEM CPU Cooler, AMD R7 260 2GB GPU, 1 X Acer 27" Full HD Monitor, 1 X Sandisk Ultra II SSD 240GB, 2TB Samsung SATA III, 1 X OEM 16X DVDRW, 1 X Acer OEM Case, 1 X Corsair AF120 Case Can, Corsair CX500 Bronze+ CPU, Logitech MX Master Mouse, Corsair K30 Keyboard, Windows 10 Home X64 OEM, Logitech C920 Webcam, Bit Defender Total Security 2021.

 

Printers Include - Canon MG5750, Canon, IP8750,  Canon Pixma Mega tank G5050 & 2 X Samsung Xpress C410W.

 

1 X Zexrow Xbox360 Wired Game Controller.

 

TP Link Archer AX6000 Cable Router Wifi6 with a Virgin Media Hub 4.0 in Modem only mode running 1GB Fibre internet.

 

Samsung Galaxy S21+ 256GB Mobile Phone.

 

Internet Speed.....

https://www.speedtest.net/result/9935039193

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14 minutes ago, Jimkirk363 said:

I have an old Asus RT-AC87u but it doesnt have a repeater option in the settings.

 

Ryzen 5700g @ 4.4ghz all cores | Asrock B550M Steel Legend | 3060 | 2x 16gb Micron E 2666 @ 4200mhz cl16 | 500gb WD SN750 | 12 TB HDD | Deepcool Gammax 400 w/ 2 delta 4000rpm push pull | Antec Neo Eco Zen 500w

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7 minutes ago, Jimkirk363 said:

@SupaKomputaIve also been looking at this........

 

https://www.argos.co.uk/product/7148130?clickSR=slp:term:cable router:2:25:1

 

Its the TP Link Archer C50, i don't know if its capable of what i need or how good it is though.

It supports Openwrt, that's all i care.

https://openwrt.org/toh/tp-link/archer-c50

Ryzen 5700g @ 4.4ghz all cores | Asrock B550M Steel Legend | 3060 | 2x 16gb Micron E 2666 @ 4200mhz cl16 | 500gb WD SN750 | 12 TB HDD | Deepcool Gammax 400 w/ 2 delta 4000rpm push pull | Antec Neo Eco Zen 500w

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@Grumpy Old Mani tried and tried to get the router up and running as an extender but to no avail.

MSI MAG X670E TOMAHAWK WIFI Motherboard, AMD Ryzen 9 7900X3D Desk-top Processor (12-core/24-thread, 140MB cache, up to 5.6 GHz max boost), CORSAIR VENGEANCE DDR5 RAM 32GB (2x16GB) 6000MHz CL30 AMD EXPO iCUE Compatible Computer Memory, Samsung 990 PRO NVMe M.2 SSD, 2 TB, PCIe 4.0, 7,450 MB/s read, 6,900 MB/s write, Internal SSD, 2 x Seagate BarraCuda 4 TB Internal Hard Drive HDD – 3.5 Inch SATA 6 Gb/s 5400 RPM 256 MB Cache for Computer Desktop PC Laptop (ST4000DM004), MSI MPG A1000G PCIE5 Power Supply Unit, UK Plug - 1000W, 80 Plus Gold Certified, Fully Modular ATX 3.0, PCIe 5.0 GPU, XILENCE XC982 LQ240PRO AIO COOLER, XFX Speedster MERC 310 AMD Radeon RX 7900 XT 20GB 1 x AOC CU34G2XE & 1 x Samsung U32J59XUQ 3840 x 2160 4K, 1 x Samsung Evo 970 Evo Plus NVME PCI-E 1TB, 1 x Samsung Evo 850 250GB, 1 X Sandisk Ultra II SSD 240GB + 2 X 4TB Seagate Barracuda SATA III,  MZHOU 7 Ports PCIe USB 3.0 Card,  2 x UGREEN Hard Drive Enclosure 3.5 inch External SATA Disk Caddy Reader USB 3.0 2.5 3.5 HDD SSD 16TB UASP Case Dock Station With 12V 2A Power Adapter For Windows with 6TB Seagate Barracuda SATA III, Fractal Design Pop XL Case + 4 Fractal Design 140mm Case Fans, Logitech MX Vertical & MX Ergo Trackball Mouse using same USB unifying device, Microsoft Ergonomic Keyboard, Windows 11 Pro x64 Retail, 6TB Seagate USB 3.0 Backup Plus Hub, Blue Yeti Microphone, Logitech C922 Pro HD,  Logitech C920 Pro HD, Bit Defender Total Security 2021.

 

Second PC (Cyclops) - MSI 990FXA Gaming, AMD FX 8370 4Ghz, Corsair 16GB Vengeance Red 9-9-9-24 1600Mhz, Arctic Cooling Freezer 13, Asus Strix 1050TI 4GB, 1 X Acer 27" Full HD Monitor, 1 X Sandisk Ultra II SSD 240GB, 1 x Samsung Evo 850 250GB, 2 X Seagate Barracuda 2TB, 1 X WD Black 2TB, 1 x ASUS 16x DVDRW, X-Case Eagle III Case, 3 X Corsair AF 120 Case Fans, EVGA 850 G2 80+ Gold + PSU, Logitech MX Master Mouse, Corsair K30 Keyboard, Logitech C920 Webcam, R0DE NT1-A Microphone, Scarlet 212 Audio Interface (Revision 2), Windows 10 Pro X64 Retail, Bit Defender Total Security 2021, 2TB Seagate Expansion USB Hard Drive.

 

Third PC (Old Trustie) - Acer Aspire M3400, OEM Mainboard, AMD FX Athlon II X3 425 2.7Ghz, 16GB Corsair Value 1600Mhz Ram, OEM CPU Cooler, AMD R7 260 2GB GPU, 1 X Acer 27" Full HD Monitor, 1 X Sandisk Ultra II SSD 240GB, 2TB Samsung SATA III, 1 X OEM 16X DVDRW, 1 X Acer OEM Case, 1 X Corsair AF120 Case Can, Corsair CX500 Bronze+ CPU, Logitech MX Master Mouse, Corsair K30 Keyboard, Windows 10 Home X64 OEM, Logitech C920 Webcam, Bit Defender Total Security 2021.

 

Printers Include - Canon MG5750, Canon, IP8750,  Canon Pixma Mega tank G5050 & 2 X Samsung Xpress C410W.

 

1 X Zexrow Xbox360 Wired Game Controller.

 

TP Link Archer AX6000 Cable Router Wifi6 with a Virgin Media Hub 4.0 in Modem only mode running 1GB Fibre internet.

 

Samsung Galaxy S21+ 256GB Mobile Phone.

 

Internet Speed.....

https://www.speedtest.net/result/9935039193

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On 9/14/2020 at 10:17 PM, Jimkirk363 said:

@Grumpy Old Mani tried and tried to get the router up and running as an extender but to no avail.

Do you have the ability to run an ethernet cable from the R8000 to a location where you can mount the AC87U for your garden? If so, all you’d need to do is configure the AC87U to access point mode, assign it a static IP outside of the DHCP pool being given by the R8000 and directly wire it to the R8000 (LAN port to LAN port). The only expense being the ethernet cable and some time/labour.

 

This configuration works better than extender or wireless bridge mode because you have a full duplex uplink to the primary router that is going to be more reliable and faster.

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