Extend your Wi-Fi reach Part:1

With your Broadband becoming faster and cheaper by the day, make use of technology and ease your life.

Get faster, stronger Wi-Fi in easy way.

When you first set up your Wi-Fi network, you probably assumed you'd get a strong signal no matter where you wandered. Now you're having trouble surfing in your hall or bedroom watching TV.

You don't need a smaller house; you just need a wider-ranging network. Here we show you how to upgrade your existing network to extend your wireless signal and perhaps even increase your data-throughput speed.

Upgrade from 802.11b to 802.11g

For this networking upgrade, we used the Buffalo router and repeater kit, plus a few extra Ethernet cables. (you can use n number of them available on GadgetsGuru.com )

Your home Wi-Fi network consisted of a desktop PC, a Wi-Fi-enabled notebook, and an 802.11b wireless router. Though 802.11b is a tried-and-true standard, its throughput maxes out at around 11Mbps. In addition, its range isn't as far as that of newer standards. We consistently had problems picking up a signal in the backyard or even at the other end of the house.

To remedy the situation, we replaced the router with Buffalo Technology's 802.11g WRB2-G54K wireless router. The kit includes a WBR2-G54S router, a WBR2-G54C repeater to increase the router's coverage area, and an extra crossover Ethernet cable to communicate with both devices while you're setting everything up. We were also looking forward to much faster throughput; 802.11g's theoretical max is 54Mbps.

Before you proceed, you'll need to record your old router's Wireless Equivalent Privacy (WEP) encryption settings and have them handy. It's also a good idea to grab a few extra Ethernet cables just in case you need them.