Test Edimax Extender Throughput with a File Transfer
A practical way to test the Edimax extender’s throughput using a simple file transfer is to move one large file across the local network while the internet connection stays idle. Connect the sending computer to the main router by Ethernet, connect the receiving computer to the extender’s Wi-Fi, and time the copy with a stopwatch. The result provides a more useful measure than an internet speed test because it directly exposes a slow wireless link or unsuitable extender placement.
The method works with ordinary Windows or macOS file sharing and needs no paid server or cloud account. It also reveals how much performance is lost between the router and a remote room rather than measuring the maximum headline speed printed on the device. In Australia, that distinction matters because NBN 50, 100 and 1000 plans, along with fixed-wireless services, describe the broadband connection into the home; they do not promise the same speed over an extender.
Choose a local transfer method
Keep the first measurement on the local network. Place the sending laptop beside the main router and connect it by Ethernet, then move the receiving laptop to the room where the extender is expected to improve reception. Sharing a folder from one computer and copying it to the other exercises the extender’s backhaul and client-facing radio without involving an internet file server.
| Method | Path measured | Setup effort | Main limitation |
|---|---|---|---|
| SMB file share | Router, extender and client Wi-Fi | Moderate | Includes normal protocol overhead |
| iperf3 | Raw local TCP capacity | Software on both computers | Less familiar for beginners |
| Internet speed test | WAN and internet path | Low | Affected by the test server |
| Ethernet file copy | Wired network ceiling | Low | Does not measure any radio link |
SMB is usually the best choice for this simple test because both Windows and macOS include the necessary client software. It also supports files large enough for transfer speeds to settle rather than reflecting the short setup time of a tiny download. The receiving computer can save the copy locally, allowing the transfer rate to be checked without involving cloud-storage limits.
An internet speed test remains useful for checking the broadband connection, but it should not be the main extender measurement. A nearby test server may produce a different result from one across the country, and NBN congestion or fixed-wireless variability can obscure the extender’s performance. Use a local file transfer to isolate the home network, then record the internet speed separately if both connections need assessment.
Prepare the extender path
Configure the extender before beginning the transfer. Depending on the model, setup can begin with WPS pairing or by connecting to the extender’s setup network and opening its browser-based administration page. Common Edimax defaults include 192.168.2.1 and 192.168.0.1, but the exact model and hardware revision determine the correct address. If the page does not open, connect a computer directly to the extender and follow that model’s instructions for obtaining an address.
In extender or access-point mode, the main router should continue supplying DHCP addresses and the extender should receive its own address from that router. Check that the extender has a stable link to the router rather than relying on a previously saved network name or password. A simple floor-plan sketch, or a set of network layout notes, can help record where the router, extender and test equipment are positioned.
Placement determines the final result more often than the advertised extender class. The unit needs a strong backhaul signal to the router and enough local coverage for the receiving device. Being physically halfway between the two is not always ideal because the halfway point may have weak router reception. Concrete walls and closely packed apartments in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane can reduce range further, while neighbouring Wi-Fi networks may occupy the same channels. Test in the intended room rather than assuming a successful setup signal guarantees useful throughput.
If Ethernet can reach the target room, access-point mode with a wired backhaul is generally preferable to repeating Wi-Fi wirelessly. A single-band repeater receives and retransmits traffic over the same radio, using valuable airtime twice. Dual-band models can perform better when a fast band carries the backhaul, but that backhaul remains the limiting link. During measurement, a separate extender SSID makes it easier to force the receiving laptop onto the extender instead of the router’s stronger signal.
Share and copy the test file
Choose a file between roughly 1 GB and 2 GB and copy it into the shared folder before starting. An existing video archive, downloaded installation image or other non-sensitive large file will work. Make sure the sending computer has fast local storage and that cloud-sync software is not simultaneously uploading or modifying the folder. The receiving computer should also have enough free space and should not be running a backup that consumes disk bandwidth during the copy.
On Windows, set the sending computer’s network profile to Private, open File Explorer, select the folder and use its Sharing properties. Enable sharing for the relevant local user and allow access from the private network. Windows Firewall may ask whether to permit folder sharing; allow it on private networks only. On macOS, open System Settings, select General and then Sharing, enable File Sharing, add the folder and grant the receiving user the required access.
Find the sending computer’s local IPv4 address with ipconfig, then connect from the receiving computer using the appropriate SMB address. Windows can use a path such as \\192.168.1.20\share, while macOS can use smb://192.168.1.20/share. Keep the connection on the local network: do not expose the shared folder through internet port forwarding, and use a strong local account password. A transfer that fails after a short distance often indicates a firewall, authentication issue or storage problem rather than an extender bottleneck.
Calculate and compare throughput
Establish a direct Wi-Fi baseline before testing the extender. Keep the sending computer connected by Ethernet, but connect the receiving computer directly to the main router’s Wi-Fi and transfer the same file. Next, connect the receiving computer to the extender’s SSID and repeat the transfer from the same position. This comparison changes only the extender path and avoids confusing the extender with the receiving computer’s own wireless limitation.
Time each copy from the moment the file transfer begins until it finishes. Run the transfer at least three times and use the middle result rather than relying on one unusually fast or slow attempt. For a file measured in decimal gigabytes, average throughput in Mbps is the file size multiplied by 8,000 and divided by the elapsed seconds. For example, a 1.2 GB file transferred in 48 seconds averages 200 Mbps. If the file size is shown in gibibytes, convert it before calculating.
Compare the extender result with the direct Wi-Fi baseline by dividing the extender speed by the baseline speed and multiplying by 100. If the direct connection manages 420 Mbps and the extender manages 170 Mbps, the extender is delivering about 40 percent of that local Wi-Fi result. The percentage is often more informative than the absolute figure because it shows the combined effect of wireless backhaul, retransmissions, interference and the extender’s radio limits.
Perform one quiet-period measurement with the internet idle, then another during normal household use. Between about 7 p.m. and 10 p.m., Australian homes commonly see simultaneous streaming, gaming, video calls and cloud backups. These activities can affect Wi-Fi airtime even when the speed test itself runs locally. Keep the controlled and busy-period results separate so a fair extender measurement remains available alongside a realistic experience.
Use a repeatable test checklist
Consistent conditions make small differences visible and prevent a favourable result from being mistaken for a general improvement:
- Record the router and extender models, firmware versions, operating mode, SSIDs, radio bands and channel width.
- Use the same 1 GB or 2 GB file, sending computer, receiving computer and storage configuration for every run.
- Capture Ethernet and direct-router Wi-Fi baselines before recording the extender result.
- Run three timed copies from the same position, record each elapsed time and calculate the median.
- Repeat once during the household’s normal evening activity period while retaining the quiet-period result for comparison.
The median is useful because a single delayed transfer can be affected by background updates, a busy wireless channel or temporary disk activity. Keep antenna position, extender placement, SSID and file location unchanged between repetitions. If the three results vary widely, check for active cloud syncing, local video streams, smart-home cameras and other devices consuming the same radio band.
A successful run should also leave the network secure. Keep WPA2 or WPA3 enabled, use a unique administrative password and avoid leaving WPS available after pairing unless it is actively needed. WPS is convenient for initial setup, but it is not a substitute for the extender’s normal wireless encryption. If the setup page requests a firmware update, complete that before collecting performance results.
Interpret results and set the next test
Interpret the extender result relative to the direct Wi-Fi baseline rather than the number printed on its packaging. A result below roughly 40 percent of the direct result often points to a weak router-to-extender link or a same-band repeater configuration. Results around 50 to 70 percent can be reasonable for a wireless backhaul, although there is no universal pass mark. A result near the direct Wi-Fi speed suggests the backhaul and placement are working well for that particular test.
Separate the possible bottlenecks before changing the setup. Check the extender’s signal to the router, the receiving laptop’s Wi-Fi capability and nearby channel congestion. A dual-band extender can still be limited by its backhaul, while an access point connected by Ethernet removes that wireless-backhaul restriction. Older Wi-Fi clients may also negotiate a lower rate because of their own radio limits, even when the extender and router support faster standards.
Australian households should also separate home-network performance from broadband performance. NBN 1000 and other high-speed retail plans describe the maximum service available at the property, while fixed-wireless performance depends on the provider, cell site and local conditions. Australian equipment use is governed by ACMA requirements, including the Radiocommunications Act 1992 and the RCM compliance scheme. Use an Australian-approved model, supplied firmware and legal channel settings, and check that any advertised 6 GHz support is authorised for local operation.
Record the median transfer rate, direct Wi-Fi baseline, extender mode, test position and time of day in your notes, then repeat the same file transfer before making any equipment decision.