How to extend a wireless network?
 

I currently have a wirless home network set up, using a D-Link DI-524 router. At the far ends of the house the signal strength is quite low. Is there a way to use something like a "wireless relay" to put somewhere in between the router and the computer, to boost the signal strength?
I have seen a couple of options, but don't really understand the differences between them (range extender, wireless antenna, wireless repeater). What are the pros and cons, and what do you think would be most suitable? Should I specifically go for a D-link product, as that is what my router is?
Thanks.

I tried making one of those homemade parabolic signal boosters and that worked really well as for for distance and directionality, but less well going through concrete.

Hahaha! That looks cool Zen Tom. Thanks. But unfortunately I don't think it will be of much use to me. My house is long and thin, and the router is placed in the center, and I need coverage in both directions. Also, the signal is passing through three walls, which is the reason the signal is so weak in the first place (the distance from the router is not actually all that great).

You can either get high gain antennas from DLink or online vendors. You can also get another access point, put the router at one end of the house and put the access point in the middle, and set the access point to repeater mode.

www.hyperlinktech.com is a great place to get antennas.

Give the access point a try, i have never tried high gain antennas, but with an access point you know you will have perfect reception near it, and better reception then before as you move away.

Ok, A wireless access point is sounding good. If I set it to repeater mode, it doesn't have to be wired to anything, correct? I can just have it anywhere with a power connection?

Also, do all wireless access points work with all wireless routers? Or do I need to get one that specifically works with my router?

Thanks for the help.

I'll second the access point. It sounds like what you need is a repeater to take the signal and amplify it, so that it reaches the far ends of your home. With that setup you can get fairly even coverage throughout the house.

you need a wireless access point.

i found that adding a cable between my PCI card and the screw in antenna boosted the signal fourfold. It allowed me to rais the antenna from the back of the pc where there's quite a bit of interference and metal blocking it to above the monitor.
I went from 1 bar to the full 5 and that's just 20 foot from the router.
Walls in the UK are brick though.

And it's a much cheaper option.