Routers can only do so much. Even if you have the fastest and most expensive router at home, there are situations wherein you will need to increase your local network’s coverage such as:
- To accommodate more devices to connect to the network
- To extend the wireless network range
Below are the types of devices that can help you do this including their corresponding Linksys product models.
Switch
Access point
Range extender
Wireless bridge
Another router (cascading)
Switch
A switch is a device that enables you to connect computers and other devices to a computer network through the use of an Ethernet cable. The switch is NOT capable of sharing Internet connection across the network. However, it allows more wired devices to be connected to the local network.
QUICK TIP: You may share Internet connection by connecting a switch to a router.
The Linksys SE4008 WRT 8-Port Gigabit Ethernet Switch is one of the Linksys switches. It has eight Gigabit Ethernet auto-sensing ports and is designed for easy plug and play connection.
Access point
A wireless access point (WAP) is a device that adds wireless capability to your existing wired network. This is very helpful especially if you already have an existing local network that doesn’t have wireless capability or running in Wireless-B or Wireless-G speeds.
By using a WAP, you can grow your network by adding computers, printers and other wireless devices without stringing cables. It can even upgrade the older wireless networks to Wireless-N performance for your optimum Wi-Fi experience.
The WAP610N is a Wireless-N Access Point with Dual Band based on IEEE 802.11n and optimized for video transmission. This Wireless-N access point can operate in either 2.4 GHz or 5 GHz radio bands and it is backward-compatible with widely deployed 802.11a/b/g infrastructure.
The WAP300N is a Wireless-N Access Point with Selectable Dual Band. It can operate in either 2.4 GHz or 5 GHz radio bands and it is backward-compatible with widely deployed 802.11a/b/g infrastructure. It has four operation modes which makes it a highly flexible product.
Range extender
A wireless range extender repeats and extends the wireless signal coming from your access point or wireless router. It increases the distance over which a wireless signal can spread and thus, enhancing overall network signal quality.
The range extender can connect wirelessly to a router or an access point. However, it should be configured to have the same wireless settings with the source of your wireless connection for it to work.
The Linksys RE6500 is a range extender from Linksys with 802.11ac technology. It lets you repeat the wireless signal of any access point or router to provide Internet connectivity in hard to reach areas through a wireless connection on either the 2.4 GHz or 5 GHz frequency band.
Wireless bridge
A wireless bridge is a device that allows any wired device to be part of the wireless network. It converts wired Ethernet devices such as HDTVs, Blu-ray players, DVRs, game consoles and etc. for use on a local wireless network.
The Linksys WUMC710 is a single band Wireless-AC Wi-Fi 5GHz Universal Media Connector Bridge with 4-Port Switch capable of connecting Ethernet devices to a wireless network. This media connector has Wireless-AC technology which is compatible with Wireless-N (5 GHz) and wireless-A routers or access points.
Another router (cascading)
Adding additional router to your existing local network is also another way of extending connectivity. Cascading is a term used in connecting a router to another router. This is usually done because you want to improve the performance of the network without removing your older router and to connect more devices both wired and wireless. To get the latest networking products from the Linksys Store, click here.
