Cheapest Router to use in AP mode

prime

Skilled
Hi guys,

I have a situation like this:


There is room in far end of my home with a working CAT6 RJ45 line (fire TV stick connected). I need a router that can take that RJ45 as input and create it's own wifi network so that wifi devices (laptop in other corner of this room) can connect to internet without any problem. My broadband is 1Gbps but even 20-30 Mbps speed is sufficient for this laptop.

I am open to buy it from TE used market.

Imagine I threw 2 basic Airtel beetle modems/routers (probably capable of serving my purpose) last month thinking who will buy these in this Fibre era and also it was not worth the efforts listing/selling them for a couple of hundred rupees.

Please suggest.
 
I am using two routers to extend wifi coverage, better router as main internet router and a cheaper router acting as a dumb switch with own wifi.

Here is what I did.
1. Find the dhcp range of your main router, should be something like 192.168.1.1-254

2. Find your alt router mac address and assign a static ip to that mac address in main router. (In the dhcp range)

3. Plug a pc directly to second router and login into it. Find a setting which changes it operation mode(tplink has two options, router mode and access point mode, need access point mode). Maybe reset the router and might show up in initial setup steps.

If these settings not available, do these settings on the alt router.
Internet settings- delete all details for pppoe/l2tp etc (clear every setting related to Wan)
Lan settings- give your router the static ip assigned in main router(ex if your main router is 192.168.1.1, give alt router 192.168.1.2)
Dhcp settings- disable dhcp completely in alt router(if not done, will cause routing issues and double nat etc)
Save and restart

4. At this point, your alt router is basically a dumb switch with wifi. Connect cable from LAN port from main router to LAN port of alt router(not WAN, won't work)

5. It should now show in connected devices list in main router settings.

6. Log into alt router with it's assigned ip(should be accessible from devices connected to both routers)

7. Change wifi settings for alt router as usual. Keep it different from main router to avoid weird pairing issues.
 
Thanks.

Can you suggest a cost effective router for this please?
Get the cheapest gigabit router. Something like a6/c6(i genuinely don't know the difference between these) from tp link. D link, net gear should also have options in same price range. Just make sure the Wan and Lan ports are gigabit.
 
Any Gigabit router will suffice for your requirements. I will recommend you D-Link DIR 1260 (2K) / TP-Link C6 (2.5K) / Tenda AC10 (2K) or whatever you can get for cheaper.
 
Any Gigabit router will suffice for your requirements. I will recommend you D-Link DIR 1260 (2K) / TP-Link C6 (2.5K) / Tenda AC10 (2K) or whatever you can get for cheaper.
Thanks.

Just curious or lack of knowledge, but why do I need Gigabit router for this? This laptop has has 2.4 Ghz Wifi (not 5 Ghz) and it is serving the purpose (online classes) when kept in a room not too far from my main router. Will 10/100 Mbps router -->> 2.4 Ghz Wifi not give sufficient speed for this requirement?
 
Thanks.

Just curious or lack of knowledge, but why do I need Gigabit router for this? This laptop has has 2.4 Ghz Wifi (not 5 Ghz) and it is serving the purpose (online classes) when kept in a room not too far from my main router. Will 10/100 Mbps router -->> 2.4 Ghz Wifi not give sufficient speed for this requirement?
It should give you sufficient speeds. But why when you can use full potential of your 1000 Mb/s connection? I think the cost difference between 100 Mb/s and 1000 Mb/s router is like 1K rupees. Who knows if you crave to run more devices or need more speed in that particular room? Gigabit router will be better from futureproofing perspective as well.

Off-topic: How much you are paying for that gigabit connection?
 
As you have a physical line, just get any cheapest router(below 1k), I suggest Tenda f3 if available ~1k. Connect rj45 cable and enable access point mode. Firestick can connect wirelessly, speeds via wifi will be ~35-55 mbps.

If you want to connect it as universal repeater without the rj45, speeds will be 13-16mbps.
 
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