Adding a router to network in order to extend network?

[Doju]

Hi, I'm a happy Time Capsule owner, but due to the age of my house and its thick walls, the Time Capsule has a hard time blanketing the second floor of my house, and has spotty reception up there.

Forewarning: I'm a networking fool.

I was wondering if anyone could recommend a cheap wireless N router that doesn't necessarily need to have a great range, just enough to cover a floor.

Now, is there a way I could just have this extend the current network, and not have it as a brand new wireless network? (ie: I only want one wireless network under settings on my iPhone.)

Lastly, how in tarnation do I do this? We have a cable modem plugged into the wall on our first floor with a WLAN cord coming out of it, which plugs into the Time Capsule. We then have an ethernet cord that goes from the Time Capsule to our old PC.

How would it be possible to put a router upstairs anyway with this current situation? (WITHOUT running it all through the house and up the stairs. >_<)

I see people with houses with ethernet cords upstairs, but I just have no idea how they do it. Don't they need a central area for the modem, or are modems old, phased-out tech that we still have for some reason.

 

[theITGuy]

U need an Airport Express:

http://www.apple.com/airportexpress/features/sharing.html

"Extended range.

If you already have a wireless network in your home and would like to extend its range, AirPort Express is the answer. For example, suppose you want to extend the range of your current AirPort-based network to your backyard, garage, or attic. You can use AirPort Express as a wireless bridge to extend the range of your primary base station.2"

Cheers.

-J.-

 

[GimmeSlack12]

You have more options than just the airport express. What you're trying to do is setup a WDS (wireless distribution system) which you will have a 2nd router boost the first (primary) routers signal. The way I've done this in the past is using a Linksys WRT54G/B and installing the DD-WRT firmware onto it. This is a fairly easy task to do with plenty of instructions on the internets to help you out.

Basically what you're looking for is a WDS capable router.