When To Use Your Extender; How The Extender Works - NETGEAR EX6200 User Manual

When to Use Your Extender

NETGEAR recommends that you connect to the extender only when your existing home
network connection is poor. Data traffic routed through the extender is inherently slower than
traffic routed directly from the network.
NETGEAR recommends that you connect through the extender network only when the WiFi
device is in a "dead zone" where connection from the existing network is poor or nonexistent.

How the Extender Works

The extender works like a bridge between a WiFi router (or a WiFi access point) and a WiFi
device outside the range of the WiFi router. The extender has two main jobs:
• The extender connects to a WiFi network that is up and running.
When the extender connects over WiFi to an existing network, it functions as a network
client, similar to how a WiFi device connects to a network.
• The extender acts as an access point for WiFi devices.
The extender has its own WiFi network that WiFi devices can join. In its role as an access
point, the extender performs tasks that WiFi routers do, such as broadcasting its network
name (SSID).
The extender must do each of these jobs so that both ends of the bridge are in place.
WiFi Range
Extender
Boosts the range of your
existing WiFi and creates
a stronger signal in
hard-to-reach areas.
Figure 7. Range extender in a home
AC1200 WiFi Range Extender
Overview
13
Existing WiFi
Sometimes your router
does not provide the WiFi
coverage you need.