Use the Ethernet port on a WiFi Extender for non-demanding devices.So, I think it would be interesting to explore some of these applications and if it actually make sense to add an Ethernet port to a WiFi Extender. There’s also another possibility that involves interlinking WiFi with (non-WiFi) powerline adapters. That is, if the WiFi extenders can actually handle such a setup.Īnd most don’t due to overheating, not necessarily because its components are too under powered. But there are a few other applications where it does make sense, such as connecting a client device via cable or even an Ethernet switch for multiple client devices. So, if you intend to use a cable, then having an Ethernet port to connect the WiFi extender to the router makes zero sense because at that point, it’s better to use a proper access point.
For this reason, a lot of us need to rely on WiFi extenders to receive the signal from the router, which is then pushed forward towards the client devices that were either connected at a low data transfer rate or were so far off, that they had no signal whatsoever.
But, when you use a WiFi extender, it is because you either hate to have Ethernet cables in your house or it’s just too costly to install new ones (retrofitting an old house). But can this logic be applied to the WiFi extenders as well? From an aesthetic point of view, I guess so. But why do you actually need it? Let me give you an example about a networking device that has gradually removed its Ethernet ports, leaving a single one for PoE purposes and I am talking about the ceiling-mountable wireless access point.Īnd I guess it’s a sensible decision considering that the users won’t like having cables hanging down from the ceiling towards a client device. I have had the chance to test several dedicated WiFi extenders and have configured a few access points to work as WiFi extenders as well and yes, all had at least one Ethernet port.