Home Network Community > Range Extenders > RE315 - Extender vs Access Point modes
< Range Extenders

RE315 - Extender vs Access Point modes

This thread has been locked for further replies. You can start a new thread to share your ideas or ask questions.

RE315 - Extender vs Access Point modes

This thread has been locked for further replies. You can start a new thread to share your ideas or ask questions.
RE315 - Extender vs Access Point modes
RE315 - Extender vs Access Point modes
2024-06-24 13:45:41
Tags: #Access Point Mode #Installation #Extender Mode
Model: RE315  
Hardware Version:
Firmware Version:

Just bought this to provide WiFi coverage at the back of my house & garden.

 

The existing PlusNet (ISP) router is used for wired AND wireless LANs, with some extra switches located around the house (near TV for streaming & gaming devices. near home server, etc).

 

I have a 15m ethernet cable that can run to the far internal wall with an available power socket.

 

It seems that ONLY Access Point mode enables the device to connect to the existing wired LAN. If I put it in Repeater mode, it connects via the existing WLAN / WiFi (and created a new WiFi with "_EXT" appended. I expect that using a wired connection is always more reliable and better throughput, and that this would be best configuration for this device and my use-case(?).

 

But in Access Point mode, it has now created 2 new WiFi networks:

 - TP-Link_Extender

 - TP-Link_Extender_5GHz

 

So in either case, there are new networks created.

 

In Access Point mode, the above networks are much faster outdoors than the original AP WiFi network, so it is working. Because the device picks up it's IP Addressing from my primary ISP router, it can route traffic as expected.

 

In Access Point mode, it does not seem to handle swapping between the AP's very well. Does this swapping networks work better in Extender mode?

  0      
 
  0      
 
#1
Options
3 Reply
Re:RE315 - Extender vs Access Point modes
2024-06-25 06:24:05

  @executivemix 

Hi

 

In both range extender and access point modes, RE315 has two SSIDs by default:
TP-Link_Extender
TP-Link_Extender_5GHz.

 

It is advised that you attempt to manually change RE315's SSID in access point mode so that it matches the PlusNet (ISP) router's SSID and password. This will shorten the device's time roaming and switching between different APs.
 

Check Out the Latest Posts: Introducing AI QoS: Elevate Your Gaming Experience on the Archer GE800 Gaming Router! Connect TP-Link Archer BE550 to Germany's DS-Lite (Dual Stack Lite) Internet via WAN Archer GE550 - BE9300 Tri-Band Wi-Fi 7 Gaming Router Archer BE550 New Firmware Added Support for EasyMesh in AP Mode, DoH&DoT, ECO Mode, and More
  0  
  0  
#2
Options
Re:RE315 - Extender vs Access Point modes
2024-06-25 08:15:21

Thanks  @Joseph-TP 

 

In Extender mode, I used the WPS method (pressing the button on PlusNet router, then this device), which meant that it auto-named the new SSID the same as the other and appended "_EXT". And the device is currently in this mode again, as I "reset" it.

 

In AP mode, do I manually need to edit these SSID names? In which case, I would have 3? Because I have my original PlusNet, and there is 1 each for 2.4GHz and 5GHz signals..?

 

The same name & passwords is only for "simpler" switching between networks? How is this controlled? Will it select the strongest on all occasions, or only try to switch if the connected SSID strength drops below a certain level?

 

The brief testing I was doing, I bumped it onto the AP router when outside. When I came back indoors, it remained on it and I again manually bumped back across. I have a small house, so its more for outside usage.

 

Performance wise, should I expect the same client speeds & latency in AP mode as with the PlusNet router, as they are both use wired ethernet?

 

 

 

  0  
  0  
#3
Options
Re:RE315 - Extender vs Access Point modes
2024-06-26 11:33:29

  @executivemix 

Hi

 

Generally speaking, if the router has two different Wi-Fi names, the extender will also extend two EXT Wi-Fi in AP mode. You could refer to the following link to manually change the extender's SSID:
Via Tether APP, please refer to https://www.tp-link.com/support/faq/2540/.
Via Web Management page, please refer to https://www.tp-link.com/support/faq/1402/.

 

Whether to roam or not depends on the client itself as it has its own roaming threshold as well, which is decided by its manufacturer. Two network SSIDs will speed up the roaming of the device as will the password.

 

Since AP mode is a wired connection between the extender and the router, the performance is more stable than the extender mode. However, due to different environments, we cannot guarantee that the actual speed of the extender is the same as that of the router. You could test it yourself.

Check Out the Latest Posts: Introducing AI QoS: Elevate Your Gaming Experience on the Archer GE800 Gaming Router! Connect TP-Link Archer BE550 to Germany's DS-Lite (Dual Stack Lite) Internet via WAN Archer GE550 - BE9300 Tri-Band Wi-Fi 7 Gaming Router Archer BE550 New Firmware Added Support for EasyMesh in AP Mode, DoH&DoT, ECO Mode, and More
  0  
  0  
#4
Options

Information

Helpful: 0

Views: 4437

Replies: 3

Tags

Access Point Mode Installation
Extender Mode
About Us
Press
Copyright © TP-Link Systems Inc. All rights reserved.