topic Re: BT Business Hub Extending Wireless Range in Archive

BT Business Hub Extending Wireless Range

ianj — Wed, 13 Apr 2011 07:02:51 GMT

Hi All I am looking to extend our wireless network (via BT2700HGV) into other areas of our building where we currently have limited wired ports. Can I use any access point equipment such as Tenda or Edimax to do this, I have read on other forums some access points do not work with the BT Business Hub. I also have a spare BHT2700HGV hub if this is of any use as a range extender. Thanks Ian

Re: BT Business Hub Extending Wireless Range

MHC — Thu, 14 Apr 2011 11:45:37 GMT

Simplest and quickest way is to use the spare 2700. Do not try to get them to talk to each other wirelessly - it will not work but use them in a wired config.

Connect to the the Spare2700 with your PC and access the menus.

Assuming it is a V6 go to:

http://192.168.0.1/xslt?PAGE=C_2_3

Untick the DHCP server Enabled box and then put a fixed address into the Router Address box - should be within your subnet range, but outside the DHCP range set by the primary Router 192.168.0.161 would be reasonable.

SAVE the configuration

on a V4 it is at http://192.168.0.1/xslt?PAGE=C06&THISPAGE=C01&NEXTPAGE=C06

Now you have fixed the IP address of the spare2700, disconnect the PC and connect an Ethernet cable from the Primary Router to port 1 of the spare2700.

Reconnect your PC to the normal network and in a browser access the spare2700 - 192.169.0.161

You can then set up the wireless side. Once you are happy, take the spare2700 to where it is required and connect to one of the wired outlets you have there. The 2700 will then provide wireless coverage in that area AND an additional 3 wired ports if required (IP addresses are xxx.xx.xx.141, 162, 163, 164 - 141 is V4 and the others V6)

Does it make sense?

I have a network where there is a Primary 2700 working as Modem/router/WAP and 4 further 2700s connected to the network to provide coverage in a large/difficult area.

Any questions - send me a PM

Re: BT Business Hub Extending Wireless Range

JohnE — Thu, 14 Apr 2011 14:30:26 GMT

Excellent Posting, MHC, I'll pin this as a solution.

Re: BT Business Hub Extending Wireless Range

Biggless — Wed, 27 Apr 2011 22:15:01 GMT

My BT set up is with a static IP address, does this change any of the necessary steps ?

Re: BT Business Hub Extending Wireless Range

MHC — Thu, 28 Apr 2011 09:39:11 GMT

No, I don't believe it does. You are only changing the second device which does not care what teh external IP address is - it sends all information to the gateway IP address which is within your local 192.168.xxx.xxx block and that then interfaces to the outside world.

Re: BT Business Hub Extending Wireless Range

langhamvillage — Sun, 08 May 2011 16:17:32 GMT

So if I don't have a 2nd device to use, what are my options?

Re: BT Business Hub Extending Wireless Range

JohnE — Mon, 09 May 2011 10:51:06 GMT

If you wish to reliably extend wireless range, there really isn't an option beyond adding "Relay" wireless access points. Another common solution is to use "Powerline" networking, please see this explanation:

How Power-line Networking Works

Which can also be used in conjunction with additional wireless access points. Here are some examples:

BT Shop: Wireless Access Points

Re: BT Business Hub Extending Wireless Range

langhamvillage — Thu, 12 May 2011 15:56:46 GMT

Many thanks.

Re: BT Business Hub Extending Wireless Range

Crescent126 — Wed, 25 May 2011 15:28:25 GMT

when you say set up the wireless side, do you mean set it the same as the primary hub. ie the same channel and ssid etc ?

Re: BT Business Hub Extending Wireless Range

MHC — Wed, 25 May 2011 15:55:13 GMT

You can choose to use the same SSID, encryption code &c but choose a different channel (in most cases).

I have set up some with the same SSID and code and others with different one. Sometime having several the same can cause problems especially on the PC and you may need to choose different SSIDs - can use MyNet1, MyNet2, MyNet3 &c.

If they are a significant distance apart, with no or very little overlap the same channel can be used along with the same SSIDs but if there is significant overlap then different channels can improve throughput.

Ultimately, it can be try it and see.

Re: BT Business Hub Extending Wireless Range

lolmarlor — Mon, 30 May 2011 14:45:27 GMT

Hi,

I'm trying to do the same as Ian.

I've followed all the instructions to the point (disabling DCHP, setting different IP etc ) where i can see both Wireless Routers on the network but when I connect to the 2nd (given IP 192.168.1.199) via any wireless device it cannot access the internet. Similarly if i login to it via an Ethernet connection it shows no broadband connection.

Devices accessing via the original router work fine.

Does it sound like I've missed something simple ?

Regards

Laurence

Re: BT Business Hub Extending Wireless Range

HelLewis — Mon, 20 Jun 2011 09:23:06 GMT

Would this solution also work for extending my wireless range to my new garden office? Current router signal is insufficient to reach the end of the garden so have used devolo units to extend connection through electricity network. I can connect via cable to the internet in the office but I'd like to have a wireless connection down there so multiple pcs can work through wireless rather than cables.

Hoping some of this makes sense!

PS: is there a V7 version of this solution now?!

Re: BT Business Hub Extending Wireless Range

MHC — Mon, 20 Jun 2011 10:01:07 GMT

Yes it should - the Devolos are just extending the Ethernet connection.

You mention V7 ...

The latest firmware is V6.1.1.48

The 2701 is 6.3.x.x

Re: BT Business Hub Extending Wireless Range

JohnE — Mon, 20 Jun 2011 11:30:29 GMT

This is an interesting and, it seems, a fruitful discussion. At the risk of annoying everyone here, has anyone really considered the merits of Ethernet?

It's really not all that an arduous DIY task to install a "permanent" cable run, much the same way as installing a telephone extension. Ethernet (cabled) connections are far more reliable and faster than wireless. The hardware is cheap and easily installed, you can run ethernet cables as long as 300ft before having to worry about signal degredation. It also gives you options to add Wireless Access Points, network routers as you require.

Re: BT Business Hub Extending Wireless Range

rwg104 — Fri, 05 Aug 2011 16:17:16 GMT

Hello we are trying to do the same as this, however the spare router was used for a different connection and for some reason the seetings won't change properly.

When I untick the box to change it from a router to a bridge I am told that the settings I have chosen are not compatible (pppoe, pppoa etc). I have tried changing these first but to no avail. The wireless AP is intermittent too, somtimes you can connect, others it takes a long time and looses signal before connecting to the network.

Any Ideas or should we just go and get a new wireless ap?

Thanks,

Rob

Re: BT Business Hub Extending Wireless Range

MHC — Sun, 07 Aug 2011 22:30:01 GMT

Do a full factory reset to start ... and then go through the process again.

Re: BT Business Hub Extending Wireless Range

devondavid — Sun, 14 Aug 2011 15:40:56 GMT

Would like some additional help with this topic. I have a spare 2700 (about four years old) which I would like to use as a range extender. However, I can't find a way of accessing the (spare) hub to change the settings. I connected the (old) hub to a spare PC with no other connections with an Ethernet cable and tried various different IP addresses and also the http://home address, but no luck. Ethernet cable is OK, and green ethernet lights on both PC and hub are on.

How can I find the IP address of the (old) hub to get at the menu please ? Also tried to get to it using the set-up disc, but that won't let me complete the process as it (obviously) can't find a broadband connection.

Cheers,

David.

Re: BT Business Hub Extending Wireless Range

MHC — Sun, 14 Aug 2011 23:01:29 GMT

Reboot the old router ...

Power off the PC, connect the ethernet cable and reboot the PC.

When it is fully rebooted, open a Command Prompt (DOS Window) - use teh {Windows}key & R together.

Type: ipconfig /all - that will give you teh IP adddress allocated to te PC and te Default Gateway - which is the Hub address.

At 4 years old you may have an older V4 device - it is similar but te exact location in te menu is diferent.

Re: BT Business Hub Extending Wireless Range

devondavid — Wed, 24 Aug 2011 14:08:51 GMT

Many thanks MHC. May need a bit more help with the next bit, but will see how it goes.

Cheers,

David.

Re: BT Business Hub Extending Wireless Range

tbfnet — Fri, 28 Oct 2011 12:48:29 GMT

Thanks for the post, I noticed a mod talking about using powerline, what are the options for using power line to create a repeater linked to main hub.
I should add that the power line would be using 1 phase of a three phase power cable, the reason is that the repeater is for a new shed that has been built for the smokers in the car park but this is nearly 200 meters from the main office and they want to use the wifi. Thought of using the power line for this as the three phase feeds the lights to the shed and the main fuses are right next to our office.
Would it work?

Also if someone has already explained this I apologize.