This thread has been locked for further replies. You can start a new thread to share your ideas or ask questions.Can I use my Archer A6 wireless router as a wifi extender?
This thread has been locked for further replies. You can start a new thread to share your ideas or ask questions.
Hello, my ISP just replaced my Archer A6 router with a new router optimized for fiber. I have a Ring doorbell down by our front gate but it's out of range for the wifi. My question: Can I use my old tp-link Archer A6 router as a wifi extender? And if so, how can I set it to do that?
Thanks!
Yes, you will be able to by setting up WDS which pretty much turns a wireless band into a extender. This is definately not a user friendly setup, and is not the best solution, but since you do not want to just shelve the router it's worth trying to put it in some use.
Before you start there are a couple of things you need to do or know.
1. You need to know the IP address of your network because you will need to asign an IP to your A6.
2. Wire a computer into the A6 with a Ethernet cable, trying to use Wi-Fi will cause headaches due to the constant dropping of connections configuring it.
Just as an example, we will say our network IP address starts with 192.168.68. in this case I will configure the LAN IP address of the A6 as 192.168.68.250 (Advanced > Network > LAN)
Next you are going to go to Advanced > System Tools > System Parameters, enable the wireless band you want to extend. You can only extend one so in this example we will choose the 2.4GHz.
Check the box that says "Enable WDS Bridging", where you will then select the "Survey" button.
This box will show you all the avialble wireless networks around, find your main wireless network that is coming from your router.
You will be taken back to the screen where you will see the network selected, what you need to do now is to put in the wireless password you would use to connect to that network you selected, then select "Save"
.
The last thing to do is to disable the DHCP server on the router by going to Advanced > Network > DHHCP Server, uncheck "Enable DHCP Server", and select "Save".
Now when you connect to the 2.4GHz network of the Archer A6 you will have internet. This will not give internet to the 5GHz band. If you still do not have internet when connected to the 2.4GHz band, turn off the router, and turn it back on.
If you feel you messed up during the setup, just factory the default the router by holding the reset for 10 seconds, and start again.
As a last resort if nothing works, you can opt for a range extender such as a RE220 which can extend both bands, and has a setup nothing like the one mentioned above.
Yes, you will be able to by setting up WDS which pretty much turns a wireless band into a extender. This is definately not a user friendly setup, and is not the best solution, but since you do not want to just shelve the router it's worth trying to put it in some use.
Before you start there are a couple of things you need to do or know.
1. You need to know the IP address of your network because you will need to asign an IP to your A6.
2. Wire a computer into the A6 with a Ethernet cable, trying to use Wi-Fi will cause headaches due to the constant dropping of connections configuring it.
Just as an example, we will say our network IP address starts with 192.168.68. in this case I will configure the LAN IP address of the A6 as 192.168.68.250 (Advanced > Network > LAN)
Next you are going to go to Advanced > System Tools > System Parameters, enable the wireless band you want to extend. You can only extend one so in this example we will choose the 2.4GHz.
Check the box that says "Enable WDS Bridging", where you will then select the "Survey" button.
This box will show you all the avialble wireless networks around, find your main wireless network that is coming from your router.
You will be taken back to the screen where you will see the network selected, what you need to do now is to put in the wireless password you would use to connect to that network you selected, then select "Save"
.
The last thing to do is to disable the DHCP server on the router by going to Advanced > Network > DHHCP Server, uncheck "Enable DHCP Server", and select "Save".
Now when you connect to the 2.4GHz network of the Archer A6 you will have internet. This will not give internet to the 5GHz band. If you still do not have internet when connected to the 2.4GHz band, turn off the router, and turn it back on.
If you feel you messed up during the setup, just factory the default the router by holding the reset for 10 seconds, and start again.
As a last resort if nothing works, you can opt for a range extender such as a RE220 which can extend both bands, and has a setup nothing like the one mentioned above.
