Wi-Fi Range Extender

What Does Wi-Fi Range Extender Mean?

A Wi-Fi range extender is a device between a base router, or wireless local area network (LAN) access point, and a client computer or device that is outside the signal range or blocked by a signal barrier. The extender works as a wireless relay or repeater by receiving access point signals, which are retransmitted to the client.

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This term is also known as range expander.

Techopedia Explains Wi-Fi Range Extender

The computer or device using a WiFi range extender experiences a latency increase, that is, delay time when sending and receiving signals. The thinking is that clients that receive weak access point signals find Wi-Fi range extenders more effective than clients unable to receive any signal at all.

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Margaret Rouse

Margaret Rouse is an award-winning technical writer and teacher known for her ability to explain complex technical subjects to a non-technical, business audience. Over the past twenty years her explanations have appeared on TechTarget websites and she's been cited as an authority in articles by the New York Times, Time Magazine, USA Today, ZDNet, PC Magazine and Discovery Magazine.Margaret's idea of a fun day is helping IT and business professionals learn to speak each other’s highly specialized languages. If you have a suggestion for a new definition or how to improve a technical explanation, please email Margaret or contact her…