When we want to extend a wireless network beyond the range of current wireless network, we should use another device called Wireless Range Expander. Range Expander extends the WiFi network range as its name mentions and to increase the range and accessibility of a WiFi network from an access point or wireless router we need to add Range Expander (WiFi Repeater). Wireless Repeater/Expander is working by receiving signals from Access Point (Wireless Router) and repeat the same signal.
Linksys is one of the reputed Range Extender manufacturers. Two well-known models WRE54G and RE1000 are from Linksys family. This tutorial is an update of one of my old guide to install and configure Linksys WRE54G on a network.
Now in this new update, we have included steps to setup Linksys Wireless N Range Extender/Bridge RE1000.
Steps to configure Linksys Wireless G Range Expander to boost a WiFi network are:
Reasons to Assign Static IP On Computer While Configuring Range Expander
Since the completion of my previous tutorial, I received many queries asking the need of assigning a static IP address on the computer before configuring Range Expander. The reason is very simple Range Expander does not have a DHCP server.
It cannot provide an IP address to the computer. To log in to the web-based setup page of the device we need to assign a static IP address to the computer in the same IP address range.
While configuring a router, we do not face this issue. To learn more about it follow the link below.
How to Setup Linksys Router
Steps to Reset Linksys Wireless Range Expander
In case if you want to reset Linksys Range expander, you can follow the steps mentioned in the link below.
How to Reset Linksys Range Expander
Linksys is one of the reputed Range Extender manufacturers. Two well-known models WRE54G and RE1000 are from Linksys family. This tutorial is an update of one of my old guide to install and configure Linksys WRE54G on a network.
Now in this new update, we have included steps to setup Linksys Wireless N Range Extender/Bridge RE1000.
Setup Linksys Wireless N Range Extender RE1000 Manually
Manual configuration of Linksys Wireless N Range Expander RE1000 is:- Assign a Static IP Address on your computer
- Right Click on Network Adapter on the system tray (right-hand bottom of the screen)
- Click on Open Network and Sharing center
- Click on Change Adapter settings
- Right Click on the LAN Adapter and click properties
- Select Internet Protocol Version 4 (IPv4) and click properties
- Select Use the following IP address and enter the following values
IP Address 192.168.1.5
Subnet Mask 255.255.255.0
Default Gateway 192.168.1.1
Now click OK
- Right Click on Network Adapter on the system tray (right-hand bottom of the screen)
- Connect Computer to RE1000 using an Ethernet cable
- Type 192.168.1.240 on the browser address bar and press enter. Leave the Username field blank, and type “admin” in the Password field, then click OK.
- Enter the SSID and wireless channel of the parent network.
If the parent network has WiFi encryption enabled, you have to enter the same details here.
- Configure WEP on RE1000
To configure WEP on Linksys Range Expander RE1000, click "Edit security settings" and select security mode WEP and enter the same settings on the parent Wireless router.
Click on Save settings. - Setup WPA on RE1000 Range Expander
To setup WPA encryption on Linksys Wireless N Range Extender RE1000, select the security mode WPA Pre-Shared Key and enter the same details on the parent router.
Click on save settings. - Power off RE1000 for one minute after configuration. After 60 seconds power on the device.
Steps to Configure WRE54G to Boost WiFi
Steps to configure Linksys Wireless G Range Expander to boost a WiFi network are:
- Assign Static IP Address on your computer as shown in the steps above
- Connect Range Expander to your computer using Ethernet cable.
- On the Address bar of your browser type 192.168.1.240
The default IP address of Linksys Wireless Range expander is 192.168.1.240. After this, press enter.
- Log on to the setup page of WRE54G
The default username:
Default Password: admin
There is no default username for WRE54G and log on to the Range Expander setup page.
- Configure Wireless on WRE54G:
Click on Basis setup under setup page and type the SSID (Wireless network name) of the network you want to repeat using WRE54G.
- Enable Wireless Encryption on Range Expander:
Select encryption and enter the security key as configured in the parent wireless network.
If the Wireless network is security enabled we need to set the same settings on our Range Expander. After entering the details click on save settings button. - Power off WRE54G for one minute after configuration. After 60 seconds power on
Reasons to Assign Static IP On Computer While Configuring Range Expander
Since the completion of my previous tutorial, I received many queries asking the need of assigning a static IP address on the computer before configuring Range Expander. The reason is very simple Range Expander does not have a DHCP server.
It cannot provide an IP address to the computer. To log in to the web-based setup page of the device we need to assign a static IP address to the computer in the same IP address range.
While configuring a router, we do not face this issue. To learn more about it follow the link below.
How to Setup Linksys Router
Steps to Reset Linksys Wireless Range Expander
In case if you want to reset Linksys Range expander, you can follow the steps mentioned in the link below.
How to Reset Linksys Range Expander
nice article, very informative and helpful...
ReplyDeleteI must be missing something, but in step 1 you say to connect it using an ethernet cable, but the WRE54G doesn't have an ethernet port on the device. At least mine doesn't.
ReplyDeleteHi John,
ReplyDeleteIt seems you have WRE54Gv1 (Wireless Range Expander ). This version of linksys range expander does not have any ethernet port. So the only option to configure it is by the auto config button.
Setup Linksys Range Expander v1 (WRE54G v1) using auto config button
1. You should disable security in Wireless router / Access point
2. Place your range expander (WRE54G) near your router
3. Press auto config button for one min (till the status led color changes)
4. Login to to Range expander (you may shut down your router first)
5. Enable wireless security in Linksys range expander
6. Enable security in Wireless router
Good post
ReplyDeletewas unclear about ssid should be a new one or the same.
What about wpa tkip and wpa2 tkip ???
It is the same SSID
ReplyDeletewpa is a wireless encryption
Thanks Alot....
ReplyDeleteThanks Ibrahim for your comment.
ReplyDeleteHi,
ReplyDeleteCan I use Linksys Range expander with Belkin modem/router
Zuhait
Technically there is no problem with using Linksys Range expander and Belkin wireless router. Both should support WDS and the wireless standards (802.11 g/b/a/n)
ReplyDeletehi
ReplyDeleteihave a WRE54g v3, bur cannot find it home screen, whether cables or wifi please can someboby help!
the modem is not mine its ny neighbours, for whith i pay him for access,but because of the distance between us im only getting 24 mbps, ihave the wep key and thaat works only on the dongle/modem
I hope by home you mentioned the web based setup page of WRE54G Linksys Range expander.
ReplyDeleteThe default login IP of Linksys Range Expander is 192.168.1.240 but you might had changed the Range Expander IP address during the configuration. If that is the case you can do either one of the following solutions.
1. Try to remember the login IP
or
2. Reset and reconfigure the Range Expander
How to Reset a Range Expander
How to setup Linksys Range Extender ? Is that same like setting Linksys Range Expander ?
ReplyDeleteLinksys Range Extender is same as Linksys Range Expander. You can follow the same steps to setup Linksys Range Extender.
ReplyDeleteI want to install RE1000 Linksys Range Expander with my Comcast Cable internet. What steps I should do to install range expander with Comcast modem ?
ReplyDeleteWhat is the default password and username of WRE54G and RE1000 ?
ReplyDelete@AL
ReplyDeleteYou can follow the same guide to configure Linksys Range Expander. BTW is your Comcast modem offers wireless connection ?
@ Anonymous
there is no username for Linksys RE. admin is the default password.