De-mystifying your “Why-Fi”
Article III : One Router To Rule Them All !
A common misconception is that when you need more Wi-Fi coverage you simply add more routers. However, as we will discuss, adding more routers clutters up your home network and can cause far more issues than it resolves.
This article is the last of three in a short series on how to optimize your home Wi-Fi experience.
This third and final article will look at these topics:
- Differences between a router, extender, and an access point
- When to use which
A router, extender, and access point walk into a bar
Aren’t all these things basically the same thing? Don’t they all give Wi-Fi? Well, not exactly.
- Router
A router is a device that establishes a network and can be connected to another network (such as the internet). It allows connected devices to ‘talk’ to one another and also go through to reach the internet. A router has two ‘sides’, one connects the router to another network (WAN) and the other allows devices to connect to the router itself (LAN).
WAN
When the WAN connection is made the router takes an IP address from whatever it is plugged into (in your home this is usually the modem provided by your ISP.)
An IP address, simply explained, is a way for devices to find each other on a network (kind of like your home mailing address).
LAN
When devices (phones, tablets, etc.) connect to the router it will, in similar style, give each device attached an IP address. As you can imagine these IP addresses must be different for each device so it has its own ‘place’ in the network.
Example: I put my iPad on Wi-Fi, the router gives it an IP (e.g. 192.168.1.201), when other devices connect the router will not give them the same IP, now any other device trying to ‘talk’ with my iPad on my home network knows it is at 192.168.1.201.
There are a limited number of these IP addresses available, so in home routers often use the same set of addresses (a form of recycling.) This can cause confusion when you chain two of these routers together (namely an IP conflict.)
So, knowing this here are a few points about using a router behind another router:
- If you plug a router into another router and they share the same IP address pool it will shut down the entire network.
- Even if you configure them to use separate IP pools in order for a device on the second network to ‘talk’ to one on the first it has to leave its routers network, find the other router, then locate the desired device.
- If setup improperly the secondary router can try to take control of the entire network, blocking some devices from communicating properly.
- The only time this effect is desirable is when you have a set of devices that need to stay separate from the rest of the devices on your network. Usually only needed in a business environment.
2. Extenders
The more popular way to extend the Wi-Fi reach in your home is … well … extenders! These handy little devices are similar to routers, but do not have any control over the network. They simply ‘catch’ signal from one device and send it to another. I like to think of them like cutoff men in baseball. The ball is hit deep, an outfielder throws the ball to a cutoff man, the cutoff man then throws the ball to home plate.
Extenders are a much better option than a secondary router for the main reason that they do not interfere with the IP network itself. None of the added IP address nightmare or needless additional configuration. So, what’s the catch? Here are a few things:
- Extenders often have a different name/password than the main router. This can cause your device to ‘jump’ back and forth between connecting to the router and extender when both connections seem good, which leads to dropouts.
- Extenders do add some latency. They have to receive from a device, then turn around and re-transmit to the end device (think of the cutoff man example.) Better quality extenders only add marginal latency though.
- If using an extender it should be placed where your main router’s Wi-Fi is still pretty strong, but towards the edge of its reach.
3. Access Points (APs)
An access point differs from an extender in a few ways.
- It is hard wired back to the router
- It takes the same name/password as the main router
When setup properly these devices are basically just additional antennas for your main router spread throughout your home. They have the same Wi-Fi name and password as well and will ‘hand-off’ your device to whichever connection is closest, similar to cell phone towers (just as you can stream music while on a long road trip without interruption.)
Now that we understand a bit about the differences between these three devices, when should we use which? Below are a few suggestions.
The right tool for the right job
- A router should only be placed behind a router for very specific purposes, NOT simply to extend the Wi-Fi range. Common examples would be some security cameras, point of sale systems in businesses, and similar items. Adding an additional router for the typical home is nearly always a bad idea! Look into an access point or extender instead.
- Extenders are a great way to get more coverage in places where you can’t run a hardwired ethernet. If you have devices that are stationary (PC, AppleTV, Roku, smart TV, etc.) then attaching them to an extender is a much better solution than an additional router.
- APs are the best option hands down. Same name and password, hardwired ethernet back end to the router, no network conflicts, seamless handoff when you take your device closer to the router.
Closing this case
Wow, look at all your newfound Wi-Fi knowledge! After reading these articles you understand the basics of how Wi-Fi devices work, how to determine the best placement of your main router, and what options to extend your Wi-Fi reach work best for you. Your training is complete, go forth and impress your friends and family by fixing their Wi-Fi woes as well!
If you enjoyed this article, be sure to checkout the rest of the series:
Article I : A Brief Introduction To Wi-Fi
Article II : Location, Location, Location
Thoughts? Questions? Please start a conversation below!
