WIFI adapter for D-link router Di-604 router??

jjj333 · Joined: Mar 25, 2008 Posts: 30

My D-link router Di-604 (H/W Ver: F5) works fine! No Prob with that... Smile

Yet, now I need a WIFI adapter for this router.
- Is there such a thing, instead of chucking my Di-604 router into the Garbo and start anew?

Also, I don't want an USB WIFI router, because then I would need to run 2 PC's at the same time.
What I only want is this:
I have a small netbook with inbuilt WIFI connectivity, which I want to use in other rooms without bothersome cables.

Thanking you in advance for the good advice!

zlim · Joined: Mar 11, 2005 Posts: 2747

Apparently you can buy something called a wireless extender. This will attach to your D-link router and create wirelss.
Here is a thread and a picture of a wireless extender
http://www.dslreports.com/forum/r22307084-Use-wired-DI604-to-make-Wifi

drwho07 · Joined: Nov 29, 2007 Posts: 2240 Location: Central FL, USA

Unbeknown to many users and tech's alike, you can Daisy Chain routers together for more connections and to add wireless to a NON-Wireless router.
But hey....if you're going to buy a wireless router, why not just retire the old D-Link?

I have an Intellinet Wireless N router as my main connection with a Linksys Wireless G plugged into a spare port and to further complicate things I have a Linksys B Wireless router plugged into the Linksys G.
They all work just fine that way.

Did I need to do that? Heck no! I did it just to see if I could. Laughing

But, I didn't have to go out and buy the two Linksys routers. They were both give to me by customers.

Just buy a new Wireless router and be done with it. You'll have higher security and better performance.

Cheers Mate!
The Doctor Cool

jjj333 · Joined: Mar 25, 2008 Posts: 30

Big "THANK YOU" to all you wonderful experts for the good advice!! Smile

In the meantime I have done a bit of Internet "research" on WIFI routers and come to the conclusion that if I want to use WIFI further than in the house I will need to extend the router's RF range.
This reminds me of my 5W Midland walkie talkie.
Most of these WIFI routers output only about 500mW of RF power and that might hardly connect me to the toilet in our garden... Smile

I actually thought of transmitting WIFI to our elderly family members, living about 200m down the street on the same street side, from our house .
I saw some elaborate Yagi antennas packages, costing over $120 + $35 shipping, like this one shown here: (on eBay):

/USB-Wireless-WIFI-Extender-Boost-Antenna-FREE-Internet-/140445864249?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item20b339d139
...claiming to reach miles. I guess it's to boost the week RF signal of these routers.
Wouldn't it be wiser to get more RF power than mounting 18 element- Yagi antennas on roofs. My Midland reaches 36 miles with a stubby antenna!!
What to do? Should I wait for better days to come in which the WIFI routers gain power and their prices turn sane?? This one gets already to 2W (on eBay):
2W-Wireless-WiFi-Router-signal-Booster-Range-Extender-/160467679289?pt=UK_Computing_Networking_SM&hash=item255c9e7839
Q: Offer me 2W RF power enough range?
Here in Chile the telephone net is controlled by "Spanish conquistadores" and VTR (IP) is controlled by "USA cowboys", exploiting poor Chilean citizens!!!
I'm age retired on a modest income and have to watch my expenses.

My idea was to extend my Internet connection via WIFI to our elderly family members (200m down the street) and buy them the (latest ) cheap 7" netbook so that we can communicate with each other via Skype (PC to PC) and offer them Internet browsing, too. Yet, I'm worried that even 1W of RF power won't reach them... and then I'll have spent the money for the cat... Sad

(Besides: I marked the box "Notify me when a reply is posted", but it failed to notify me!!!!! Darn... Crying or Very sad

)

kenmabmcc · Posted: Fri Sep 03, 2010 12:11 am Post subject:

You could make your own
http://www.google.co.nz/search?hl=en&client=firefox-a&rls=org....illa:en

drwho07 · Joined: Nov 29, 2007 Posts: 2240 Location: Central FL, USA

Wireless N is way better than Wireless G.
I'm using N to reach my neighbors about 300' away.
For greater distance there are several antenna alternatives.
I've also looked at a 18" parabolic antenna,,,,,do it yourself.
I found a good write-up on the internet as to how to build one.
It does involve parts not found at the corner store.

Good Luck,
Doc Cool

jjj333 · Joined: Mar 25, 2008 Posts: 30

So, to get a secure WIFI range, of say 300m, I would need to buy a "wireless extender" and connect it to my trusty D-Link (model: DI-604) and then build my own Yagi or other antenna to boost the signal.
Did I miss something?
Best would of course be if that "wireless extender" is a strong one... What should I look for to know it's a strong one? How about these 2W WIFI boosters? Are they any good or do the just amplify the noise?

Slowly, but securely... I'm getting there! Thx to your great experts!!!
"Dios te paga!", they say down here! Smile

zzron357 · Joined: Oct 14, 2004 Posts: 65

Hi jjj333, Be aware, a wireless extender will increase range, with no security.
A wireless router should provide WEP and/or WPA security and a modest
firewall. You might combine the two, with a super home built antenna.
Best wishes to all, zzron357

jjj333 · Joined: Mar 25, 2008 Posts: 30

So, I learned something new: Wireless N router is better than G router and they need to have encryption und FW security. Thx for that! Smile

What I still don't get is:
...how is the wireless N router, the encryption and firewall configured?
If it's done via USB and permanently connected/ wired to USB of one PC, can I run the remote PC on WIFI alone or do I have to run both PC in order to run the PC on WIFI?

drwho07 · Joined: Nov 29, 2007 Posts: 2240 Location: Central FL, USA

On any wireless router, you access it's programming menu from your own, permanently connected, computer (not a wireless PC) and set it up the way you want it. It only does what you tell it to do.
The firewall, you can turn on or off, and the same with the password protection.

I'm running my Intellinet Wireless N router with Firewall ON and PW protection OFF. Wireless N will push a signal quite a bit further than Wireless G and it's more secure since very few people use Wireless N and NO laptops use it unless they use a Wireless N USB device.

I walked a block down my street with my Acer Netbook in my hands and my wireless N USB device connected and activated. I still had two bars of signal strength when I stopped to chat with a neighbor, over 400 feet from my router sitting inside my house.

Using a parabolic antenna, some people have reported making connections to routers over a mile a way.

There is also an antenna made from a "Pringles" can. A friend has one and says it works good.
Just Google "Pringles can wireless antenna" and read to your hearts content.

Have fun!
The Doctor Cool

EDIT: I found this page especially interesting. I may have to do some business here myself.
http://www.wirelessgardenstore.com/SearchResults.asp?Cat=3&Redirected=Y

jjj333 · Joined: Mar 25, 2008 Posts: 30

Thank you drwho07 for the good advice,

jjj333 · Joined: Mar 25, 2008 Posts: 30

I found INTELLINET 524445 WIRELESS N ROUTER on eBay:
eBay Item number: 190413918461[/b] It got one antenna. and they are asking $90 for it (incl. shipping to Chile) You think it's a good deal?

They also offer it's big brother:
INTELLINET 524315 WIRELESS N GIGABIT ROUTER
eBay Item number: 300460216793
This one cost $105 and has 3 antennas!!! Yet, they don't mention the coverage in feet o meter. It's box is also much bigger. It seems to be a a better deal.
But, if there are 3 antennas... which antenna do I have to swap for
"Cantenna" etc... to get 300m of effective WIFI coverage??

drwho07 · Joined: Nov 29, 2007 Posts: 2240 Location: Central FL, USA

On my Intellinet Wireless N router, it has three antennas and you cannot remove them. You would have to use some other router, with a removable antenna.

I think you got something mixed up a post or two back.

To access and program any router that I'm familiar with you must be using a computer that is hard wired to the router, via a LAN cable...not connected wirelessly.

Once the programming is done, the hard wired PC can be shut off or disconnected from the router. It does NOT have to remain connected for the wireless thing to work. OK?
The program remains Inside the Router, not in the computer.

Cool