即使是最强大的 WiFi 路由器(powerful WiFi routers)也没有为大型住宅提供服务的传输能力。对于墙壁、金属物体和简单的距离，信号会减弱，直到它开始影响速度和性能。扩展WiFi覆盖范围的一种方法是使用第二个路由器，通常是旧路由器，并将其用作扩展器或中继器。
不幸的是，每个路由器品牌，有时甚至个别型号都是不同的。这使得不可能给出适用于每个路由器的通用分步说明。
此外，您的旧路由器很有可能没有合适的功能，或者无法提供足够的性能来证明节省成本的合理性。如果您的旧路由器无法胜任WiFi扩展器的任务，您将在本文末尾找到一些替代解决方案。
将路由器(Router)用作WiFi扩展器需要什么
在我们了解您可以将第二个路由器用作WiFi扩展器的不同方式之前，我们需要先了解一下您需要哪些物品才能使其正常工作。
显然你需要主路由器。我们假设您已经拥有它，并且它是直接连接到互联网的路由器。
接下来，您需要第二个路由器。该路由器最好使用与您要扩展的路由器相同的WiFi标准。(WiFi)但是，可以追溯到 802.11N 的路由器应该可以正常工作。比这更旧的标准现在太慢了，无法使用。
如果可能的话，您还应该将两个路由器上的固件更新到最新版本，并将辅助路由器重置为出厂默认设置。
使用以太网连接两个路由器
使用第二个路由器扩展WiFi(WiFi)网络的最简单和最有效的方法是在两个设备之间使用以太网电缆。(Ethernet )这将提供可能的最佳性能并且是最容易配置的。这里唯一真正的问题是您必须在两点之间铺设一段以太网电缆。(Ethernet)
幸运的是，以太网(Ethernet)电缆价格便宜，并且使用一些基本工具，您可以将两点整齐地连接起来。一旦完成，从长远来看，你是有好处的，这确实是值得付出少量努力的。在永久安装电缆之前，请测试连接是否正常。
将(Connect one)以太网(Ethernet)电缆的一端连接到主路由器上的任何常规以太网端口。(Ethernet)然后，将以太网(Ethernet)电缆的另一端连接到旧路由器的WAN端口。这是您通常连接互联网电缆的地方。
连接的物理部分已完成。现在必须将旧路由器配置为接入点。请参阅该路由器的手册以确切了解如何执行此操作。它通常被称为“ AP 模式(AP mode)”或类似的东西。
当您的旧路由器进入 AP 模式时，它就不再像路由器一样工作了。相反，它充当网络客户端设备。任何连接到旧路由器的设备都会将其数据高速传递到主路由器。
请记住，旧路由器的IP 地址现在由主路由器分配。因此，如果您想登录旧路由器的 Web 界面，您必须先在主路由器的 Web 界面上查看已连接设备列表，然后在浏览器中输入该地址。
以无线网桥模式(Wireless Bridge Mode)连接您的路由器
如果无法在两个路由器之间 使用以太网电缆，那么您也可以在两个路由器之间使用无线网桥连接。(Ethernet)
但是，首先考虑购买电力线以太网适配器(powerline Ethernet adapter)套件的选项。这会将您家的铜线电源线变成以太网(Ethernet)传输电缆，您可以使用它来连接旧路由器作为接入点。当然，电力线适配器比以太网(Ethernet)贵得多，但仍可能比购买整个路由器或 WiFi 扩展器便宜。
如果无线连接是唯一的转发路径，请查看旧路由器的文档（或翻阅菜单）并寻找无线网桥、扩展器或中继器模式。再一次(Again)，路由器制造商对这个功能的名称玩得又快又松。
两个路由器可以具有相同的功能名称，但实际上只有一个路由器可以作为扩展另一个路由器的一种方式。或者，它们可以为同一个函数有两个不同的名称。唯一可以确定的方法是尝试每个选项或查阅手册以获取有关功能的描述。
正确的选项将包括一个部分，您可以在其中选择主路由器的SSID并输入其密码。(SSID)一些路由器可能会询问主路由器的MAC地址或其他更多技术信息。它各不相同，最重要的是，这种类型的无线扩展功能并不常见。如果老路由器是预算机型，可能根本没有这个能力。
使用自定义固件(Custom Firmware)修改旧路由器(Old Router)
如果您的旧路由器不具备充当WiFi中继器或扩展器的能力，那么您并非完全没有选择余地。有几个品牌的定制第三方路由器固件为路由器添加了制造商未提供的新功能。通常不同型号的路由器具有相同的硬件能力，但受到制造商的人为限制。自定义(Custom)固件将让您完全控制。
两个主要的例子是DD-WRT和Tomato。您可以访问他们的网站并搜索旧路由器的型号。如果已列出，则桥接器或中继器功能可能是包含的功能之一。
(Better Solutions)扩展 Wi-Fi 范围的更好解决方案
您使用旧路由器作为WiFi(WiFi)扩展器的主要原因是为了省钱并避免浪费。但是，如果钱不是问题，那么使用旧路由器作为无线扩展器不一定是最佳解决方案。
使用这种方法的连接性能通常不是很好。它对于浏览网页或检查电子邮件等低带宽应用程序是可以接受的，但不适用于高清视频流或文件传输。如果您想获得最佳体验，最好购买专门的无线中继设备。
如果你真的想要一个尖端的解决方案，最好的选择是无线网状系统(wireless mesh system)。这是一个套件，由几个小型路由器设备组成，这些设备将自身联网并充当一个大型路由器。您还可以通过购买额外的模块轻松扩展网格。
让您的 WiFi 信号更进一步
您可能无需购买额外的硬件即可扩展WiFi网络的覆盖范围。(WiFi)查看增强 WiFi 信号和提高性能的主要方法，(Top Ways to Boost WiFi Signals & Improve Performance)了解一些关于让WiFi信号走得更远的重要提示。它可以像重新定位主路由器或稍微转动天线一样简单。尝试不需要任何费用，为什么不呢？
How to Use a Spare Router as a Wifi Extender
Even the most powerful WiFi routers don’t have the transmission power to serve large residences. With walls, metal objects and simple distance the signal weakens until it begins to affect speed and performance. One way to extend the reach of your WiFi coverage is to take a second router, usually an old one, and use it as an extender or repeater.
Unfortunately, every router brand and sometimes even individual models are different. Which makes it impossible to give universal step-by-step instructions that will work with each router out there.
Also, there’s a fair chance that your older router might not have the right capabilities or won’t offer enough performance here to justify the cost saving. If it turns out your old router isn’t up to the task of acting as a WiFi extender, you’ll find some alternative solutions at the end of this article.
What You Need to Use a Router as a WiFi Extender
Before we look at the different ways you can use a second router as a WiFi extender, we need to go over the items you’ll need in order to make it work.
Obviously you’ll need the primary router. We’ll assume you have this already and that it’s the router that directly connects to the internet.
Next, you’ll need a second router. This router should preferably use the same WiFi standard as the one you’re trying to extend. However, routers going back as far as 802.11N should work well enough. Older standards than this are simply too slow to be useful these days.
If at all possible, you should also update the firmware on both routers to the latest version and reset the secondary router to factory default settings.
Connect Both Routers Using Ethernet
The simplest and most effective way to extend your WiFi network with a second router is to use an Ethernet cable between the two devices. This will offer the best performance possible and is the easiest to configure. The only real problem here is that you have to run a length of Ethernet cable between the two points.
Luckily Ethernet cable is inexpensive and with a few basic tools you can neatly wire the two points up. Once it’s done, you’re good for the long run and it really is worth the minor amount of effort. Before you permanently install the cable, test whether the connection is working.
Connect one end of the Ethernet cable to any of the regular Ethernet ports on the main router. Then, connect the other end of the Ethernet cable to the old router’s WAN port. This is where you would usually have connected your internet cable.
The physical part of the connection is done. The old router now has to be configured as an access point. Refer to that router’s manual to see exactly how to do this. It’s usually called “AP mode” or something similar.
When your old router goes into AP mode, it stops acting like a router. Instead, it acts as a network client device. Any devices that connect to the old router will have its data passed to the primary router at high speed.
Just keep in mind that the IP address of the old router is now assigned by the primary router. So if you want to log into the old router’s web interface, you’ll have to check the connected device list on the primary router’s web interface first and then type that address into your browser.
Connect Your Routers in Wireless Bridge Mode
If using an Ethernet cable between the two routers isn’t possible, then you can also use a wireless bridge connection between the two routers.
However, first consider the option of purchasing a powerline Ethernet adapter kit. This turns your home’s copper power wiring into Ethernet transmission cable and you can use this to connect the old router as an access point. Of course, powerline adapters are much more expensive than Ethernet, but could still be cheaper than buying a whole router or a WiFi extender.
If a wireless connection is the only route forward, then check the documentation for your older router (or rummage around the menus) and look for a wireless bridge, extender or repeater mode. Again, router manufacturers play fast and loose with the names for this feature.
Two routers can have the same name for a feature, but only one actually works as a way to extend another router. Alternatively, they can have two different names for the same function. The only way to be sure is either to try each option or consult the manual for a description of the feature in question.
The correct option will include a section where you can choose the SSID of the primary router and enter its password. Some routers might ask for the MAC address of the primary router or other more technical info. It varies and, most importantly, this type of wireless extension functionality isn’t that common. If the old router is a budget model, it may not have the ability at all.
Modify the Old Router With Custom Firmware
If your old router doesn’t have the ability to act as a WiFi repeater or extender, you aren’t completely out of options. There are several brands of custom third-party router firmware that add new functions to routers not included by the manufacturer. Often different models of routers will have the same hardware capability, but are artificially limited by the manufacturer. Custom firmware will give you full control.
The two main examples are DD-WRT and Tomato. You can visit their sites and search for your old router’s model number. If it’s listed, then the bridge or repeater function may be one of the functions included.
Better Solutions for Extending Your Wi-Fi Range
The main reason you’d use an old router as a WiFi extender is to save money and avoid being wasteful. However, if money isn’t the issue then using an old router as a wireless extender isn’t necessarily the best solution.
The performance of the connection using this method is usually not great. It can be acceptable for low-bandwidth applications such as browsing the web or checking emails, but not for HD video streaming or file transfers. If you want the best experience, it’s best to buy a specialized wireless repeater device.
If you really want a cutting edge solution, the best choice is a wireless mesh system. This is a kit that consists of several small router devices that network themselves together and act as one big router. You can also expand a mesh easily by buying additional modules.
Take Your WiFi Signal Further
You might be able to extend your WiFi network’s reach without buying extra hardware. Check out Top Ways to Boost WiFi Signals & Improve Performance for some great tips on getting your WiFi signal to go a little further. It could be as simple as relocating your primary router or twiddling the antenna around a bit. It doesn’t cost anything to try, so why not?
