Wireless AC Questions + Access Point

amtbr · Jul 7, 2015

I currently have an ASUS NT66U (Dark Knight) router and I am looking to improve signal strength in my house. I am thinking about buying an AC router and then setting up the NT66U as an access point, preferably on the 5Ghz band. I have a really old DLink wireless g router setup as an access point, but the strength is terrible and I have to reboot it weekly. I don't have many worthwhile AC devices (just two smartphones), so switching to AC is not about speed for me. I understand that AC gives greater signal strength and beamforming.

My questions are:

1) Will wireless-n clients benefit from an AC router's greater signal strength and beamforming.

2) If I have my main router as an AC router, will I be able to use my NT66U as an access point? It seems like I wouldnt since the AP would be replicating the AC router.

Thank you for any insight.

tim · Jul 7, 2015

1) http://www.smallnetbuilder.com/wire...oes-an-ac-router-improve-n-device-performance

2) dunno

netwrks · Jul 7, 2015

amtbr said:
I currently have an ASUS NT66U (Dark Knight) router and I am looking to improve signal strength in my house. I am thinking about buying an AC router and then setting up the NT66U as an access point, preferably on the 5Ghz band. I have a really old DLink wireless g router setup as an access point, but the strength is terrible and I have to reboot it weekly. I don't have many worthwhile AC devices (just two smartphones), so switching to AC is not about speed for me. I understand that AC gives greater signal strength and beamforming.

My questions are:

1) Will wireless-n clients benefit from an AC router's greater signal strength and beamforming.

2) If I have my main router as an AC router, will I be able to use my NT66U as an access point? It seems like I wouldnt since the AP would be replicating the AC router.

Thank you for any insight.

You can use the NT66U as an AP. It is a LAN extension of your network, but it is autonomous to the AC router. If you want you can turn it into an AP and turn off the 2.4ghz radio. Or. not..

amtbr · Jul 7, 2015

tim said:
1) http://www.smallnetbuilder.com/wire...oes-an-ac-router-improve-n-device-performance

2) dunno

Thank you for that link, I looked (obviously not that well) but didn't see it.

netwrks said:
You can use the NT66U as an AP. It is a LAN extension of your network, but it is autonomous to the AC router. If you want you can turn it into an AP and turn off the 2.4ghz radio. Or. not..

So the way I have my current AP setup is that is has the same SSID as my 2.4ghz network. I do this for uniformity in the house, so I dont constantly have to switch networks manually when moving room to room with my laptop. Would I be able to do something similar with a main AC router downstairs then my NT66U upstairs setup as an AP? When my computer switches to the NT66U AP - would I just not get the benefits of AC?

Sorry if I'm not getting it, I'm trying to work through a better networking environment in my house with spending as little as possible. I'm sure two AC routers would be better...

stevech · Jul 7, 2015

Presuming you've entered the SSID and password for the router, as you move among rooms, your client device has the opportunity to automatically discover the AP and switch to it. Or vice-versa with the WiFi router (which has an integral AP).

However, when you move rooms, if the already in use access device has a "good enough" signal, many clients will not automatically switch to a "better" (nearer) one.

That's why some people use a differing SSID for each AP, where the SSID implies its location. Then the user can manually choose if the client device does not automatically do so, and if the weak signal (wrong AP) is causing noticeably slowed speeds.

The router reconfigured as an AP would have the same issue.

netwrks · Jul 7, 2015

You can use 2 AC routers with one as an Access Point, or an AC router and the NT66U as an AP, but, as you know, NT66U won't support .AC. As Steve mentioned, people use different SSID setup's, depending if your client's roam well, or not..

amtbr · Jul 7, 2015

Thank you for the help guys. I'm going to give an AC router a whirl and use the NT66U as an AP and try a room specific SSID.

htismaqe · Jul 8, 2015

amtbr said:
Thank you for the help guys. I'm going to give an AC router a whirl and use the NT66U as an AP and try a room specific SSID.

Re-using the NT66U as an AP is a good choice. It's a decent box and worth keeping. Put the new router in the main area and augment coverage with the NT66U.

I would suggest using the same SSID and see if it works. If it doesn't, you can always fall back to different SSIDs. However, if it works, the convenience benefit you gain is a big one and worth a try, IMO.

Thread starter	Title	Forum	Replies	Date
P	diy antenna for home, wireless help a very newbie, just signed up	General Wireless Discussion	5	Apr 16, 2024
C	Home / small biz wireless network advice	General Wireless Discussion	12	Apr 1, 2024
P	Solved avoid wireless interference between 2 routers	General Wireless Discussion	10	Mar 24, 2024
C	Cisco looking to the future for Wireless.	General Wireless Discussion	2	Mar 23, 2024
S	Solved Wireless Scheduler on TP-Link EAP110	General Wireless Discussion	1	Mar 13, 2024
N	WiFi wireless vs cellular data 4g lte or 5g	General Wireless Discussion	2	Feb 12, 2024
T	Speed and connectivity between wireless antenna and internal router on combination devices	General Wireless Discussion	3	Jan 27, 2024
J	sniffing wireless traffic	General Wireless Discussion	11	Jan 22, 2024
	News Linux Wireless - old/obsolete driver cleanup	General Wireless Discussion	1	Oct 23, 2023
C	Cisco wireless 150ax AP firmware update.	General Wireless Discussion	0	Sep 14, 2023

Search

Search

Wireless AC Questions + Access Point

amtbr

Occasional Visitor

tim

Regular Contributor

netwrks

Senior Member

amtbr

Occasional Visitor

stevech

Part of the Furniture

netwrks

Senior Member

amtbr

Occasional Visitor

htismaqe

Very Senior Member

Similar threads

Similar threads

Latest threads

Sign Up For SNBForums Daily Digest

Members online