Can I use my iMac as a wireless repeater?

[sultanoflondon]

Hi all,

Would it be possible for me to use my iMac as a wireless repeater of some sorts? Basically use my AirPort card to pick up signals from my home router (which is quite far away but my iMac does get good signal somehow) and then broadcast it somehow? If so, how would I do this?

Further, what is the difference between a wireless access point and a wireless repeater. I know that a repeater basically takes a WiFi signal and makes it stronger, but what about he access point?


Thanks in advance!

 

[old-wiz]

Not workable- the iMac can act do internet sharing but only from one media to another..ie.. ethernet to wi-fi or the other way around,

 

[sultanoflondon]

Not workable- the iMac can act do internet sharing but only from one media to another..ie.. ethernet to wi-fi or the other way around,

Really? That is a shame! Oh well...

 

[simon48]

Really? That is a shame! Oh well...

It is, but it comes down to that you'd need two (one for in and one for out) Wi-Fi card in your Mac.

 

[sultanoflondon]

It is, but it comes down to that you'd need two (one for in and one for out) Wi-Fi card in your Mac.

That's not really feasible. Thanks for the post anyway.

 

[CH12671]

USB WiFi dongles are fairly cheap now-days...

 

[Altemose]

When you connect two interfaces like you say, you are creating a bridge essentially. I would invest in either a stronger router, an AP that you can hardwire, or maybe even an extender. The problem with wirelessly extending anything is you only get half of what you put in. For example, if the extender can only connect at G speeds (54 Mbps) then half will be usable.