NETGEAR Universal WiFi Range Extender WN3000RP - Manual (Page 6)

Getting Started
6
Universal WiFi Range Extender WN3000RP
How the Extender Works
The Extender works like a bridge between a wireless router and a computer or wireless
device outside the wireless router’s range. To do this, the Extender has two main jobs:
1. The Extender connects to a wireless network that is up and running.
When the Extender connects wirelessly to a network, it acts as a network client. This is
similar to how a computer connects to a network.
2. The Extender acts as an access point for computers.
The Extender has its own wireless network called NETGEAR_EXT that wireless
computers can join. In its role as an access point, the Extender performs tasks that
wireless 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.
Figure 2. Range Extender in a home
When to Use Your Extender
NETGEAR recommends that you connect to the Extender only when your home network
connection is poor. Because data traffic routed through the Extender is inherently slower than
traffic routed directly from the network, the computer should stay on the network if the
connection is good enough. NETGEAR recommends that you connect through the Extender
network only when the computer is in a “dead zone” where connection from the network is
very poor or non-existent.