6 Advantages and Disadvantages of Repeaters in Networking | Drawbacks & Benefits of Repeaters

What is Repeaters ?

When signals move through transmission media, it eventually gets weaken. This process is called Attenuation. Repeater is a kind of networking device that accepts incoming signals from routers and strengthen them so that the signals can be retransmitted to the devices. Just like a hub it too works at the physical layer of the OSI model. 

 

What are the types of Repeaters ?

Generally there are 3 types of repeaters. Those are the telephone repeater, radio repeater and optical repeater. Repeaters are especially useful when signals are being distorted due to transmission loss. While repeaters seems advantageous, using them has possible downsides too. Examining the pros and cons will help you to identify whether the repeaters will be suitable for the business networks. 

 

In this article, you will get the information on 6 Advantages and Disadvantages of Repeaters in Networking | Drawbacks & Benefits of Repeaters. Through this post, you will get the information on 6 Advantages and Disadvantages of Repeaters | Drawbacks & Benefits of Repeaters. 

 

 

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Advantages of Repeaters

 

1. Cost

 

Comparing to other networking devices, repeaters are relatively inexpensive. They can be purchased at minimal expense. However that does not deny the fact that it requires other forms of expenses. One such is the use of electricity.

 

 

2. Network Performance

 

Repeaters doesn't always depend on a processing overhead. Therefore, they have very number of impacts on system performance. 

 

 

3. Enhance Signal

 

Whenever a computer and a router is placed far apart, it will result in weak signals. Hence, the user will experience slow internet connectivity. Repeaters has the capability to strengthen signals so that it can be retransmitted much stronger with better performance.

 

 

4. Network Extend

 

Other than enhancing signals, repeaters has the ability to extend the length of the transmission. It means that it can extend the total distance covered by the network even if it is a wired or a wireless medium.

 

 

5. Physical Barriers

 

Physical obstructions may overall weaken the signals of wireless connectivity. Using a wireless repeater, these impacts can be reduced so that there will be an assurance that signals will be delievered to the computers.

 

 

6. Media Support

 

In repeaters, networks can be connected for reception and transmission using various physical medias. The most popular form of media is the cables.

Disadvantages of Routers

 

1. Network Traffic

 

Repeaters are unable to segment network traffic. Hence, they lack the capability to reduce congestion as well as network traffic.

 

 

2. Network Architecture

 

Repeaters are also unable to connect networks of different architectures. For this purpose either a gateway or a router is needed.

 

 

3. Number of Repeaters

 

There is a restriction in the number of repeaters which can be implemented on a particular network. If more of them are deployed, it will create noises on the wire and increase the chances of packet collision.

 

 

4. Network Segmentation

 

Repeaters does not have the capability to segment the network. Suppose if there are 2 different cables each with segments. It cannot create separate traffic from one cable to another.

 

 

5. Collision Domain

 

Since all the informations are passed to several domains, repeaters cannot separate the devices. Moreover repeaters cannot identify if it is a part of the same collision domain.

 

 

6. Bandwidth Usage

 

A wireless repeater broadcasts signals in both directions in between router and a computer. Once a computer connects to a wireless repeaters, the bandwidths are effectively halved.