How? If that were true, WiFi range extenders would violate TOS as well.
A WiFi extender just repeats the same network with same security, SSID and access password. It doesn't extend connection to third parties.
Similarly, if I have a large property with a large land, I can spread the network to every part of the land with the equipment of my choosing and no one would say anything unless I allow third parties unfettered permanent access to said network.
You can always alter the SSID & password and present it as a completely different network (even you can run a different DHCP to make it a subnet effectively). However, when you keep the SSID the same, your devices can roam much easier.
In fact, WiFi has a roaming standard and latest devices can utilize this for mesh-like handoff without a central controller.
Recent laptops and phones handle it relatively well, it seems.
Mine (a TP-Link RE-200) can do anything you want with it. If you add it to a OneMesh network, these settings are (sensibly) disabled and synced from the root node (the router).
Mine, TP-Link from 2013 could definetely not do this : I assume because it just retransmitted the packets and did not have the horsepower to do a decrypt+recrypt.
WiFi range extenders usually implies same home and same family members and not the house down the hill so neighbors don’t need to pay their own. It’s a bit absurd though since that house wouldn’t be able to pay their own in this case.
Comments
How? If that were true, WiFi range extenders would violate TOS as well.
A WiFi extender just repeats the same network with same security, SSID and access password. It doesn't extend connection to third parties.
Similarly, if I have a large property with a large land, I can spread the network to every part of the land with the equipment of my choosing and no one would say anything unless I allow third parties unfettered permanent access to said network.
Same password, yes. But you can alter the SSID, on WEP at least, last time I checked.
You can always alter the SSID & password and present it as a completely different network (even you can run a different DHCP to make it a subnet effectively). However, when you keep the SSID the same, your devices can roam much easier.
In fact, WiFi has a roaming standard and latest devices can utilize this for mesh-like handoff without a central controller.
Recent laptops and phones handle it relatively well, it seems.
The WiFI extender I used could not change the passphrase.
Mine (a TP-Link RE-200) can do anything you want with it. If you add it to a OneMesh network, these settings are (sensibly) disabled and synced from the root node (the router).
Mine, TP-Link from 2013 could definetely not do this : I assume because it just retransmitted the packets and did not have the horsepower to do a decrypt+recrypt.
Probably. SoC based devices improved explosively in the last 5 years.
WiFi range extenders usually implies same home and same family members and not the house down the hill so neighbors don’t need to pay their own. It’s a bit absurd though since that house wouldn’t be able to pay their own in this case.