Can I use the router supplied with FTTP as a wireless repeater?

[DanH84uk]

Hi,

I've recently had EE FTTP installed in a 3-floor house. When it was installed, I decided to get the ONT installed on the first floor, towards the centre of the property. I also purchased an Asus RT AX88u to serve as my main router.

Everything is fine currently, with the house essentially completely covered, getting a minimum of 500Mb via wifi pretty much anywhere within the property. Still, there is a range limit on the 5ghz network where it drops out partway up the garden. I've heard the EE supplied router is a perfectly good bit of kit, so I thought it would be worth seeing if I could use it as a wireless extender?

I'd be siting it downstairs in the living room, so there isn't an option to connect it to the main router via LAN.

I've seen other threads where people have connected 2 smart hubs, but I just wanted to know if this will be possible with the EE/Asus combination?

If it isn't possible, my other option would be to get another Asus router and create an AI-mesh, but I'd rather save my pennies if possible!

Thank you.

[XRaySpeX]

You could connect the 2 routers by Powerlines.

[mikeliuk]

Hi @DanH84uk ,

The options available for your EE router will depend on the functionality which it has available.

The ASUS RT-AX88U which you have understandably chosen as your main router is feature rich and can form a wireless bridge if you were to use the EE router as your main router. When using the Wireless Distribution System (WDS) feature, you should be careful not to lose access to the ASUS router. The HYBRID mode is likely to be the best choice to maintain access to the ASUS.

I know it's not the option you were hoping for as you were hoping to use the less capable device as the secondary device, whereas it is often the more capable device which is more feature rich. (A good example is wasting a DrayTek Vigor in bridge mode just to get a good signal outside of the data hall.)

A powerline adapter is also a good choice and choosing one of those endpoints to have built-in WiFi functionality will reduce the footprint required (I use Devolo Magic-2 to give me a WiFi endpoint on a different floor, other brands are available).

4.1.3 Bridge

Bridge or WDS (Wireless Distribution System) allows your ASUS wireless router to connect to another wireless access point exclusively, preventing other wireless devices or stations to (sic) access your ASUS wireless router. It can also be considered as a wireless repeater where your ASUS wireless router communicates with another access point and other wireless devices.

The below manual will be for a particular hardware revision so the functionality of your router revision may differ.

https://dlcdnets.asus.com/pub/ASUS/wireless/RT-AX88U/E15856_RT-AX88U_UM_v4_WEB.pdf