How to Configure a Linksys Wireless Repeater
By Ruri Ranbe
A repeater, also called a range extender, or just an extender, strengths the wireless signal transmitted from a router. Linksys wireless repeaters don't need to be connected to the Linksys router via an Ethernet cable; so long as the device is within range of the router's signal, it will broadcast the signal to a broader area, enabling more devices to detect and connect to the network. To configure a Linksys wireless repeater, you must know a number of details about your wireless network.
Step 1
Connect to the wireless network. Enter the URL "192.168.1.1" -- without quotes -- into the address bar of a Web browser. Press "Enter," type "admin" into the Password field, and click "OK."
Step 2
Click "Wireless," and then "Basic Settings." Write down the name of the network (sometimes referred to as the service set identifier). Also write down the channel on which the wireless router is operating, and its network mode.
Step 3
Click "Wireless Security" and then write down the security mode, encryption method, and pre-shared key.
Step 4
Connect a computer to the Linksys repeater via an Ethernet cable. Click "Start | Control Panel | Network and Internet | Network and Sharing Center."
Step 5
Choose "Change Adapter Settings" from the menu on the left and then double-click "Local Area Connection."
Step 6
Double-click "Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4)." Select "Use the Following IP Address."
Step 7
Enter "255.255.255.0" into Subnet Mask and "192.168.1.240" into Default Gateway.
Step 8
Enter "192.168.1." into IP Address. Replace "" with any number from 2 through 239. Click "OK."
Step 9
Navigate to the default gateway from a Web browser. Enter "admin" into Password and then click "OK."
Step 10
Go to "Setup," and then "Basic Setup." Configure the Mode, SSID, and Channel fields so that the values match those of the network.
Step 11
Enter "255.255.255.0" into Subnet Mask and "192.168.1.1" into Default Gateway. Click "Save Settings."
Step 12
Click "Edit Security Settings." Choose "WPA Pre-Shared Key" or "WEP" from the Security Mode drop-down menu.
Step 13
Select the encryption method and enter the network key into the appropriate field, matching the values to those of the wireless router.
Step 14
Click "Save Settings" to finish setting up the Linksys wireless repeater.
References
Tips
- Some repeaters might use a different default gateway; review the documentation included with the device for more assistance, if necessary.
- Repeaters do not support WPA2, only WPA and WEP.
- The default gateway and subnet mask of your network may vary depending on your router configuration. If the default gateway is different from above, modify the IP address for the wireless repeater so that the first three octets (e.g. 192.168.1) match the default gateway.
Writer Bio
Ruri Ranbe has been working as a writer since 2008. She received an A.A. in English literature from Valencia College and is completing a B.S. in computer science at the University of Central Florida. Ranbe also has more than six years of professional information-technology experience, specializing in computer architecture, operating systems, networking, server administration, virtualization and Web design.