I have an Arris modem-router combo I use for my Xfinity home WiFi. It's the only one that works with Xfinity that supports VoIP which I have. There are parts of my house that I don't get good WiFi coverage for so I bought a NETGEAR WiFi Ranger Extender. I noticed the range extender requires me to create a secondary WiFi network off it and does not simply extend my existing signal with the same network ID. The documentation for my range extender says in WiFi mode it will generate a another network but I can use a hard wire to make it an Access Point. I would really like to extend/repeater my WiFi signal with the following requirements:
- Does not create a secondary network, so I can roam about the house and my devices will seamlessly be on the same network.
- Does not require a hard wire connection from the extender/repeater to my source modem-router.
How can I accomplish this? Do I need another type of extender? Someone suggested to me that if my modem-router combo supports WDS (wireless distribution system) and the extender does then its simply a configuration issue.
Best Answer
Yes, Apple's AirPort Express can join an arbitrary wireless network and extend it wirelessly with the same network name, and have it all act as a single bridged [W]LAN.
I seem to recall that some older "flat square" 802.11n AirPort Extremes and Time Capsules had a hidden way to do this as well, but that feature didn't make it into the current "tower" shaped 802.11ac models. But the current AirPort Express still does it.