Topic: router, wifi, wireless access points, repeater configuration

Objectives:
 Define router, wifi, wireless access points, repeater configuration

DISCUSSION:
 In computer networking, a wireless access point (WAP), or more generally
just access point (AP), is a networking hardware device that allows
other Wi-Fi devices to connect to a wired network. The AP usually connects
to a router (via a wired network) as a standalone device, but it can also be
an integral component of the router itself. An AP is differentiated from
a hotspot, which is the physical location where Wi-Fi access to a WLAN is
available.

 Wi-Fi is a family of wireless networking technologies, based on the IEEE

802.11 family of standards, which are commonly used for local area
networking of devices and Internet access. Wi-Fi is a trademark of the non-
profit Wi-Fi Alliance, which restricts the use of the term Wi-Fi Certified to
products that successfully complete interoperability certification
testing.[2][3][4] As of 2010, the Wi-Fi Alliance consisted of more than 375
companies from around the world. As of 2009, Wi-Fi-integrated
circuit chips shipped approximately 580 million units yearly.[6] Devices that
can use Wi-Fi technologies include desktops and
laptops, smartphones and tablets, smart TVs, printers, digital audio
players, digital cameras, cars and drones.
 Wi-Fi uses multiple parts of the IEEE 802 protocol family and is designed to
seamlessly interwork with its wired sibling Ethernet. Compatible devices
can network through a wireless access point to each other as well as to
wired devices and the Internet. The different versions of Wi-Fi are specified
by various IEEE 802.11 protocol standards, with the different radio
technologies determining radio bands, and the maximum ranges, and
speeds that may be achieved. Wi-Fi most commonly uses the 2.4 gigahertz
(120 mm) UHF and 5 gigahertz (60 mm) SHF ISM radio bands; these bands
are subdivided into multiple channels. Channels can be shared between
 networks but only one transmitter can locally transmit on a channel at any
moment in time.
 Wi-Fi's wavebands have relatively high absorption and work best for line-
of-sight use. Many common obstructions such as walls, pillars, home
appliances etc. may greatly reduce range, but this also helps minimize
interference between different networks in crowded environments. An
access point (or hotspot) often has a range of about 20 metres (66 feet)
indoors while some modern access points claim up to a 150-metre (490-
foot) range outdoors. Hotspot coverage can be as small as a single room
with walls that block radio waves, or as large as many square kilometres
using many overlapping access points with roaming permitted between
them. Over time the speed and spectral efficiency of Wi-Fi has increased.
As of 2019, at close range, some versions of Wi-Fi running on suitable
hardware, can achieve speeds of over 1 Gbit/s (gigabit per second).
 Wi-Fi is potentially more vulnerable to attack than wired networks because
anyone within range of a network with a wireless network interface
controller can attempt access. Therefore, to connect to a Wi-Fi network, a
user typically needs the network name (the SSID) and a password. The
password is used to encrypt Wi-Fi packets so as to block eavesdroppers.
Wi-Fi Protected Access (WPA) is a family of technologies created to protect
information moving across Wi-Fi networks and includes solutions for
personal and enterprise networks. As the security landscape has changed
over time security features of WPA have included stronger protections and
new security practices.
 A router is a networking device that forwards data
packets between computer networks. Routers perform the traffic directing
functions on the Internet. Data sent through the internet, such as a web
page or email, is in the form of data packets. A packet is
typically forwarded from one router to another router through the
networks that constitute an internetwork (e.g. the Internet) until it reaches
its destination node.
 A router is connected to two or more data lines from different IP networks.
When a data packet comes in on one of the lines, the router reads
the network address information in the packet header to determine the
ultimate destination. Then, using information in its routing table or routing
policy, it directs the packet to the next network on its journey.
  The most familiar type of IP routers are home and small office routers that
simply forward IP packets between the home computers and the Internet.
An example of a router would be the owner's cable or DSL router, which
connects to the Internet through an Internet service provider (ISP). More
sophisticated routers, such as enterprise routers, connect large business or
ISP networks up to the powerful core routers that forward data at high
speed along the optical fiber lines of the Internet backbone.
 A wireless repeater (also called wireless range extender) is a device that
takes an existing signal from a wireless router or wireless access point and
rebroadcasts it to create a second network. When two or more hosts have
to be connected with one another over the IEEE 802.11 protocol and the
distance is too long for a direct connection to be established, a wireless
repeater is used to bridge the gap. It can be a specialized
standalone computer networking device. Also, some wireless network
interface controllers (WNIC)s optionally support operating in such a mode.
Those outside of the primary network will be able to connect through the
new "repeated" network. However, as far as the original router or access
point is concerned, only the repeater MAC is connected, making it
necessary to enable safety features on the wireless repeater. Wireless
repeaters are commonly used to improve signal range and strength within
homes and small offices.
EVALUATION:
 Write the steps in configuring router?
ANSWER:

1. Choose a placement that is free of the same sorts of obstructions that can interfere with
your router's signal. Thick concrete walls pose more of a problem than wood or glass,
for example.

2. Plug the repeater into a working AC power outlet in your chosen location within range of
your existing Wi-Fi coverage.

3. Using a nearby computer or laptop, connect the repeater. Do this by connecting an

Ethernet cable directly from the repeater to your PC, a method that is often
 recommended by the manufacturer, or by connecting to the repeater's wireless network,
often called something like Wi-Fi Repeater or containing the brand name of the product's
manufacturer.
4. When they are connected, open your computer's local area network properties. On
Windows, select Start > Control Panel > View Network Status and Tasks > Manage
Network Connections. Then, right-click Local Area Network and choose Properties,
followed by Internet Protocol Version 4 and Properties again.
5. Check the repeater's instructions to be sure, but the default IP address you need to
enter in the respective blank field is usually 192.168.10.1. Here, you'll also enter
common number strings for the subnet mask (255.255.255.0) and default gateway
(192.168.10.1).
6. Open a web browser and type http://192.168.10.1 in the address bar. If asked to enter a
DNS server address, leave the field blank. If asked for a username and password, try
entering admin in both fields or admin in the username field and password in the
password field. This brings you to the Setup Wizard.
7. Choose Wireless Repeater Mode and click Repeater – One Key Setting. When it
appears, select the Wireless Network Selection button and click Refresh List.
8. Choose your main router's wireless network to connect the repeater to the router and
click Next.
9. Enter your Wi-Fi network's password in the Pre-Shared Key field when prompted if the
network is secured. Now click Apply and Reboot and OK.
REFERENCES:
https://www.techwalla.com/articles/how-to-setup-a-wi-fi-repeater
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wireless_access_point
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wireless_repeater
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wi-Fi
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Router_(computing)