Home Networking

[firestar]

Hello,

I have a very basic knowledge on routers and switches and configuration. please suggest the best way to configure my house network which i explained below.

I have two Routers Linsys E1200 and Linksys AC 1200. The internet connection from the provider comes to corner of the house into a closet. Right now i have AC1200 configured as primary and E1200 configured as extender.  Since the primary router is inside a closet i am thiking most of the wifi signal power is lost due to close surface. My entrnder is placed in Loft on 1st floor in open place.  I wanted to switch the primary and extender so that i can have AC1200 in open place. Does this help me to get better wifi signal in the house.

Having E1200 as primary will impact the total bandwidth coming into the house ?

Thank you much for your help and time.
Firestar.

[deanwebb]

What is the speed of the ISP link?
What are the bandwidth throughput capabilities of the Linksys routers?

If the ISP link is, say, 10Mb and the E1200 can handle up to 100Mb, you're good. If the ISP link is gigabit fiber and the E1200 does 100Mb, it will be a bottleneck.

Have you tested the first config, with the AC1200 as the primary and the E1200 as an extender?
What wireless bands do the devices support?

I'm pretty sure I could search for this info with Google, but I'm also in training now, so if you could dig this up, that can speed up the discussion.

I'm also dealing with a similar situation in my home, with the wireless speeds nowhere near what my ISP full capacity speed allows. Part of the speed bottleneck can also be the wireless adapter on the device itself not able to go full-out to the speed of the wireless network, let alone the ISP link.

[firestar]

Thank you for the quick reply.

The ISP link speed is 100 Mbps and E1200 can handle maximum upto 300 Mbps. - I think i am good there.

Right now my home is setup as per the first config  - with the AC1200 as the primary and the E1200 as an extender. Since my ISP to AC1200 link is in a closet - i am thinking all the wifi strength from AC1200 is getting blocked. I Wanted to move it to open place - where my extender is right now and try to see whether I can get high speeds or not.

most of my devices are latest one - like ipad pro phone 7's and dell ultrabook laptops. which my guess is they support the latest wifi tech.

Thanks,
Firestar

[icecream-guy]

do note that the extender cannot be at maximum range of coverage.  will not work well.  extender needs to be about half way between the AP and the edge of coverage.

[firestar]

I am connecting the extender by using a LAN cable. It is half way between AP and edge of coverage.

[deanwebb]

So what kind of speed do you get next to the AC? Near the E?