[Dropul]

Hello everyone :smile:, I have a netgear modem-router with netgear genie and a sitecom range extender connected to it. All the devices I use are connected to the range extender since they are too far from the router. I want to set up a QoS rule to give maximum priority to my laptop (I'm an online gamer and I'd like to reduce lag spikes when other people are uploading large files on the net). In order to do this, the router must be able to identify my laptop via its MAC address; the problem is that, when I go to the router's page, all the devices have the same MAC address (the range extender's one) and thus I can't set up my rule... Do you know how I can fix this? Thanks in advance ^^

 

[MitchConner]

Are you able to set a QoS rule using the IP address on your router?

Can i see a screenshot of your qos configuration page on your router?

 

[Dropul]

Thx for the fast reply ^^
Unfortunately I can't set up a QoS rule using IP. I can use MAC addresses, or alternatively set up a QoS rule by service (by inserting the port range that the service uses). I've tried setting up some QoS rules by service, looking up on the net which ports the games I play use, but I still had a poor performance (maybe because the ports I need for my games are shared with other services). I've attached the screen of my QoS page.

 

[MitchConner]

Looks like you're stuck with the qos by service function by the looks of it.

Can you show me what you had configured previously?

 

[Dropul]

Oh I see, well at least now i know that it's not possible to set up a mac address qos rule for a device connected to a range extender. I have attached 2 screenshots regarding a qos rule by service where I inserted the port range for League of Legends as an example (I've read on the net that the game client uses UDP ports 5000-5500). Anyway with this rule I still experience lag issues when i play. This makes me wonder if a qos rule by device (using mac address) would do better.. (I might try going with my laptop near the router, playing some games with the mac address qos rule enabled, and see if my problem persists or not. Do you think that it's a good idea?)

 

[MitchConner]

If it doesn't inconvenience you then yes, I would definitely do it!

 

[Dropul]

I've done it, and it worked nicely! Unfortunately my router is outside my house and in a very uncomfortable place, so I'll go there only when I'm desperate ahah. Btw I found out that qos rules by device (with MAC address) reduce lag spikes dramatically (from more than 1000ms to less than 100ms), even though they don't eliminate them completely. I came up with what may be the solution to my problem, but I don't know if it can be done.. Is it possible to connect 2 different range extenders to the same router and to place them in the same place without them interferring with each other? If the answer is yes I could use the second range extender as my personal one, and I could set up a qos rule with its MAC address. Is this possible?

 

[MitchConner]

Btw I found out that qos rules by device (with MAC address) reduce lag spikes dramatically (from more than 1000ms to less than 100ms), even though they don't eliminate them completely.

QoS will help with congestion on your router, but won't do anything to affect upstream congestion as the QoS markings won't be respected after they leave your router.

It would be easier (and maybe cheaper), to look for a router that supports the features you need.

 

[GentleArrow]

"all the devices have the same MAC address (the range extender's one)"

Sounds like the extender was not setup as a repeater but as an independent AP

"All the devices I use are connected to the range extender since they are too far from the router"

Hopefully the extender is half way in between the router and the connected devices so it has the best signal from the router to repeat.

Ever thought of wiring to bring the router closer to the devices?

 

[Dropul]

Thanks for the support!

@MitchConner:

It would be easier (and maybe cheaper), to look for a router that supports the features you need.

Do you have any particular router in mind? Because even if there was a router with qos rules by IP, i still couldn't do anything since IP reservation requires MAC addresses to work.

@GentleArrow:

Hopefully the extender is half way in between the router and the connected devices so it has the best signal from the router to repeat.

Ever thought of wiring to bring the router closer to the devices?

Yes, the range extender is roughly half way in betweeen the router and the devices. I can't bring the router closer with wires because I would have to cross a street with them (unless I start digging a tunnel ahah).

Sounds like the extender was not setup as a repeater but as an independent AP

I'm not sure if the repeater is set as an indipendent AP or not. I've attached 2 screenshots regarding the extender settings and some router settings. Could you please tell me if I need to configurate them differently?