Set up WiFi router + WiFi repeater with the same SSID

Question

Hello, I'm reaching out for help with configuring my wifi. Here's the current setup: I have a Freebox Revolution with the wifi disabled because it was of poor quality, so I connected a TP Link Archer C6 wifi router directly to it via RJ45, which is my main wifi router. However, my house is quite large and has thick walls, so the wifi doesn't reach the other side of the house. I would like to add the Netgear EX6130 wifi repeater that I also have.  I would like to connect the EX6130 repeater in repeater mode to the wifi of the Archer C6 router. The goal is to have the repeater and the router share the same SSID so that I don't have to switch on my devices. However, the devices do not automatically switch to the "router" based on proximity. Is it possible to configure things in a way that my devices connect to the "closest" router?  Then the second problem is that I have a Chromecast connected to the router, but when I want to cast from another device connected to the repeater, it is not visible. Is there a configuration to make the Chromecast visible to all devices connected to either the router or the repeater?  I'm not sure if I've been clear enough, but thanks in advance for your help.

Julien4403 · Accepted Answer

Ok, I didn't understand about the automatic access point change. For my IP configuration, when I connect to the router, the address is 192.168.0.131/24 and when I'm on the repeater, I have the IP address 192.168.0.16/24.

brupala · Answer

Hi, To my knowledge, a repeater regenerates a Wi-Fi network with a different SSID than the one it is connected to, as many devices switch directly from one Wi-Fi network to another if using automatic connection. In any case, it's even more problematic if the SSID were the same and the client constantly switches from one access point to another. As for the casting, it seems abnormal to me; the repeater is supposed to repeat the same IP network, it should allow broadcasts to pass through. The repeater must be removed if it doesn't do that and replaced with another one. Isn't this EX6130 configured as a router? Is it correctly set up as a repeater?    -- And ... There you go!

Julien4403 · Answer

When I use the same SSID, there is no problem with constantly changing APs because once a device is connected, it does not switch APs unless I disconnect the Wi-Fi from my device.  Then, the EX6130 is properly configured as a repeater. If it is configured in router mode, it must be connected by an Ethernet cable? So if that is the case, the EX6130 being connected to the Wi-Fi network and not by cable means it is indeed in repeater mode.

Julien4403 · Answer

Indeed, I've just seen on the repeater's interface that for each device I have a MAC address and a virtual MAC address. Could the problem come from that?

Julien4403 · Answer

I just read that the repeater creates its own network, so it's impossible for me to communicate with the devices on the router's network. It's a pity that I'm stuck with this repeater.  Thanks anyway for your help.

Julien4403 · Answer

Sure, do you have any specific products in mind within a budget of around €60 to replace only the repeater or potentially the router if the range is significantly better than what I currently have? The goal is to have a single Wi-Fi network with great coverage.

Set up WiFi router + WiFi repeater with the same SSID

6 réponses

Texture issues in enshrouded

Announcement: online source code archive

Samsung tv music on startup

Écrire o barré avec un clavier azerty

Application extension issue on ps4

Orange unlimited numbers

Text messages from 36111

Tomb raider anniversary on wii

Notice shows wr30 m

Search for a song in the series foudre