Best WiFi Extender for DD-WRT r51040 (Linksys EA8500) ?

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chrbar
DD-WRT Novice


Joined: 07 Mar 2014
Posts: 13

PostPosted: Thu Jan 05, 2023 22:45    Post subject: Best WiFi Extender for DD-WRT r51040 (Linksys EA8500) ? Reply with quote
Hi,

I use a Linksys EA8500 running DD-WRT r51040 (12-17-2022), and I would like to add some WiFi Extender.

Does WiFi Extender have to run under DD-WRT, or can I use any WiFi Extender brand/model with its original firmware?

I got a Linksys RE7000 WiFi Extender which seems to be on the same products range than Linksys EA8500.
Does some DD-WRT user have any experience with RE7000 and recommand it?
Do you have some setting advices?

Thanks a lot for your help and advice Smile
Chris

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Linksys EA8500 DD-WRT r53045
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nickant
DD-WRT User


Joined: 09 Feb 2016
Posts: 319

PostPosted: Fri Jan 06, 2023 0:20    Post subject: Reply with quote
Hi fellow EA8500 user!
I have ethernet points at either end of my rectangular house.
My main EA8500 gateway is connected to my WRT1900ACv1 via ethernet at the other end of the house and is used as a Wired AP.
This Wired AP has NAT/DHCP disabled and is used purely as a gigabyte switch and WIFI extender, all being controlled by the EA8500 gateway.
My Wired AP uses DD-WRT but doesn't need to, as any router set up in this way (with its IP within the same range as the gateway) will work.
The WiFi on the Wired AP has the same SSID name and password as the gateway's Wifi - most devices will move over to the strongest signal, some need to be disconnected/reconnected to shift over.
I haven't used any specific wifi extenders, as I prefer to recycle older routers and use them instead.

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Netgear XR500 OpenWrt-23.05.3 (Gateway)
Linksys EA8500 OpenWrt-23.05.3 (Wired AP)
Linksys WRT3200ACM DD-WRT r55460 (spare Wired AP)
Netgear WNDR3700v4 DD-WRT r55460 (spare Gateway)
Photos: https://www.flickr.com/photos/nickant44/albums
blkt
DD-WRT Guru


Joined: 20 Jan 2019
Posts: 5660

PostPosted: Fri Jan 06, 2023 8:45    Post subject: Reply with quote
Another EA8500 as an access point with wired Ethernet as backhaul would serve the best coverage and reliability.
It is very easy to find Linksys EA8500 used for a very low price, also sometimes same as well for Netgear R7800.

If for whatever reason Ethernet is not possible (it is) see stock QCA extenders, Netgear EX7500, EX7700, EX8000.
Linksys RE7000 is MediaTek and not tri-band. Extenders need a third radio for backhaul so speeds are not halved.
hebeda
DD-WRT User


Joined: 18 Sep 2006
Posts: 456
Location: Leipzig, Germany

PostPosted: Fri Jan 06, 2023 13:57    Post subject: Reply with quote
if power consumption isnt an issue, just buy another EA8500 - since this is a qualcomm based chipset, any qualcomm based device will work easy...
chrbar
DD-WRT Novice


Joined: 07 Mar 2014
Posts: 13

PostPosted: Sat Feb 11, 2023 20:44    Post subject: Reply with quote
Hello, thanks a lot for your advices.

I just got a second EA8500 and I'll set it as an access point (with wired Ethernet as backhaul) to extend my WiFi.

This EA8500 come with Linksys firmware version 1.1.4.173728.
Thus I think I'll have to follow the hack method from mrjcd (as I did on my first EA8500).
https://mrjcd.com/EA8500_DD-WRT/

Or, is there another way now to install DD-WRT on it?

Thanks,
Chris

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Linksys EA8500 DD-WRT r53045
blkt
DD-WRT Guru


Joined: 20 Jan 2019
Posts: 5660

PostPosted: Sat Feb 11, 2023 20:50    Post subject: Reply with quote
If your EA8500 is US model with GPG encrypted firmware, 1.1.4.173728 will not allow to install from stock webUI.
Linksys EA8500 - DD-WRT conversion - Converting a "new" EA8500 to DD-WRT?

You can try stock firmware Linksys webUI feature to restore previous firmware and verify version or build number.
If build is 1.1.4.168206 or older you are in luck otherwise 1.1.4.169978 or later accepts only encrypted firmwares.
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