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The "Wi-Fi Signal Booster" mode of operation on your TP-Link router. Setting up TP-Link as a repeater
In the comments to the article on setting up wireless bridge (WDS) on TP-Link routers, I was told that in the settings of some new routers (e.g. TL-WR841N V14) you can select the mode of the router. And there is a working mode "Wi-Fi Signal Amplifier", or just "Signal Amplifier". To be honest – I didn't know. I haven't had to configure any new models of TP-Link devices lately. And as far as I understand, the ability to select the mode of operation is not available on all new routers, or new hardware versions of older devices. But the news is very good, because until this time it was not possible to configure a TP-Link router in repeater mode so that it would amplify the Wi-Fi network. To be exact, there was such a possibility – it was a wireless bridge mode, but with the settings there everything is much more complicated. And in the process of configuration, users encountered a lot of different problems.
A few words about what Wi-Fi signal booster mode is and why it is needed on the router. And then let's move directly to the configuration. There are such separate devices as repeaters. Their main task is to amplify the signal of the existing Wi-Fi network. Extend the range of the Wi-Fi network. Almost all routers can operate in repeater mode. That is, to perform the function of a wireless signal booster. TP-Link routers can do this as well. Only in most competitors' devices these settings are easier and clearer. You need to select the appropriate operation mode (which is called "Wi-Fi Amplifier" or "Repeater") and go through a quick setup. And on TP-Link routers I had to configure the wireless bridge mode (WDS).
Basically, if you understand it, it is almost the same thing. But since our task is to amplify the signal of a certain Wi-Fi network, once configured there should be one network (with one name and password). If necessary, you can change the network name on the second router. So, when there is an opportunity to configure the router exactly in the amplifier mode, the router automatically copies the settings of the main Wi-Fi network. And after configuration, we get a signal booster. The network is the same, just amplified with the second router. And in the case of WDS, you have to first configure the connection to the main router, then manually disable, or set certain settings of the DHCP-server, change the settings of the wireless network.Conclusions: Setting up a TP-Link router in Wi-Fi signal booster mode (through selecting this mode in the settings) is much easier than doing it through WDS. I don't know, maybe there are some other tricks, maybe it works stable. But I believe that this mode of operation should be in the settings of every modern router. I hope that in the near future such settings will appear on all TP-Link routers. Perhaps even in the new versions of the firmware (if it can be implemented by the software).
Setting up a TP-Link router as a repeater (to boost the Wi-Fi network signal)
At the moment I do not have the opportunity to test all of this in real conditions. As soon as I will have a router with settings that will be able to select this working mode and test everything – I will do it. And if necessary I will add the article. For this article I used TL-WR841N router web-interface simulator with hardware version v14. I found the same settings on TL-WR940N v6, TL-WR840N v6.
Since this feature is currently (at the time of writing) available only on some routers, it is likely that you will have to configure the WDS mode to use your TP-Link router as an amplifier. I gave you the link to the detailed instruction above.
First, we will need to go into the router's settings. You can use my instructions: how to enter the TP-Link router settings.
If your router has the ability to change the operating mode, there should be a tab "Operation Mode" (Operation Mode). Open it and put the switch next to the mode "Wi-Fi signal booster" mode and press the button "Save.. If the message "The new operating mode will be used only after restarting the router. Do you want to change the operating mode?" click "Yes.".
After changing the operating mode, there will be significantly fewer settings in the web interface. Unnecessary settings will be hidden. This is good, because they are easier to understand and there is nothing unnecessary. Also in the properties of the wireless mode will be indicated the mode we have chosen.
How the amplifier works
The Wa850re can be called a "universal soldier". If necessary it can act not only as a repeater, but also as an access point (the mode is chosen in the settings).
A small plus of the model can be called the presence of one RJ-45 connector. Apart from its direct functions the Wa850re is also able to provide internet to a device connected via cable. But only one.
Despite the fact that repeater is a built-in function of many routers the average user doesn't know how it works and sometimes doesn't even know it exists.
The scheme of operation is simple: Tp-Link Tl Wa850re is an intermediate link between the source and the consumer. If the user's gadget communicates normally with the source, it receives its signal.
But since signal strength drops as distance increases, the source will not be able to deliver a strong, good signal at a great distance from the router.
In this case, the gadget will use the Wa850re (or any other repeater) that still senses a good signal from the source.
The point of a repeater is simple: if the signal strength is good, you don't need a repeater. If the signal drops, we connect the device.
For a better understanding you can imagine a big concert hall. So that you can hear in the gallery as well as in the parterre, signal amplifier is used.
Getting the Amplifier Right
Your Wa850re needs to be properly installed to allow it to perform its intended function.
We'll talk about setting it up below, but here we'd like to point out that putting it on the table next to the router is not the best solution. Since the Wa850re is a repeater, it should be used where the router fails. For example, in the back room. Here we should also note such a design feature of the repeater. It is a small box with a width of 65 mm, height of 110 mm, in shape and appearance resembling a power supply. And according to the designers' idea, it is just like a power supply, it is inserted into a socket. No additional cables.
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