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(Continued from page 5) communications network made up of many nodes
(access points), organized in a highly-
Fi extender is a device that may look like a rout- interconnected grouping where all nodes cooper-
er, but is a receiver and transmitter. It receives ate in the collection and distribution of data in the
the Wi-Fi signal and immediately retransmits the network. Each node is a router and an access
signal. The retransmission may then be re- point for your devices. The size of the area to be
ceived by a device that is in a dead spot of the covered will determine how many nodes you
original signal, (but not in a dead spot of the ex- would need to install. (One recommendation I
tended signal). The Wi-Fi extender simply ex- saw was to install a node every 50 to 75 feet, but
tends the area that the Wi-Fi signal may be re- that depends entirely on the shape of the installa-
ceived. When you set up an extender, you do tion area.). From Wikipedia, “Mesh” refers to a
have to make sure that the Wi-Fi extender is not rich interconnection among devices and nodes.
placed in a router dead spot. If the Wi-Fi extend- Wi-Fi mesh networks consist of routers and de-
er can receive the router signal, it will retransmit vices that use the network. The devices are typi-
cally the laptops, tablets, and smartphones you
have in your home. The mesh routers (access
points) send messages to the devices, and other
routers. The routers are placed in an arrange-
ment so that each one can send and receive from
at least one other router. The more routers that
can send and receive messages from many other
routers, the more robust the network will be.
(Though I have seen some indications that there
may be some practical limits as to how many
nodes can be used in a home mesh network.). A
mesh network is usually highly reliable due to its
multiple redundant paths to a device. If one node
it and devices that can receive the extender’s is inoperable, the other nodes can still communi-
signal will be included in the Wi-Fi network as if cate with each other directly or through one or
they got the signal directly from the router. Wi-Fi more of the other nodes. This type of network can
Extenders can be purchased for anywhere from be very dynamic, much like the internet itself.
about $50 to $200, depending on features and (The internet topology and design allow for mes-
capabilities. You may even find one below $50 if sages to be re-directed around nodes that may
you wait for a sale; I found one for $25 and it be inoperable so that a message always arrives
seems to do the job quite well. If you are inter- at its intended destination. Though, this may be
ested in reviewing some possible choices, just hard to believe if you have ever had an unex-
Google “Wi-Fi extender reviews” and you will pected and unexplained temporary problem with
find a good number of reviews based on price, an internet session.).
features, and specifications. So that is the easy From reviews I’ve seen, a mesh network may be
(and less expensive) solution, and probably the a great solution for a large home or a home with
one you will want to try first.
multiple levels. If a mesh network seems to be a
The other solution, the Wi-Fi Mesh Network so- solution for you, do a little research before you
lution, is more involved and usually much more jump in. Google the term “Wi-Fi mesh network”
expensive. A mesh network may be $200 to
$400, or more. Basically, a Mesh Network is a (Continued on page 7)
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