Using network extender to connect to WiFi network that also requires user name
To connect to my university WiFi, eduroam, I need to type my user name and password into Windows' network configuration app (system tray, no web GUI). The WiFi signal is however weak from my current indoors location, and only strong enough on the balcony. I'd therefore like to place a repeater (extender) or antenna on the balcony, in order to have the same (unattenuated) signal strength indoors as well.
I have a TP-LINK TL-WA854RE repeater that unfortunately only provides, on its admin webpage, a place for me to type a password for the network I want to extend, but no user name. It's possible to change the network's security protocol (WEP, WPA/PSK etc), but eduroam actually uses EAP, a protocol that probably implies the existence of a user name in addition to a password.
There seems to be no firmware upgrade for this extender model, and TP Link's support suggests their product can not be used to extend public networks, only private ones where access to the router exists.
Is there any other way in which I can use this (or some other) network extender to boost this particular public WiFi network, in other words, to be able to also specify a user name?
Solution 1:
As a fellow victim user of eduroam in the past, I highly recommend using a high-gain antenna for better results, such as this one
If you think about it, your WiFi extender will have the same weak connection to eduroam. Sure, your connection will look stronger when you connect to the extender as the signal between your system and it will be very good - but your speed and reliability is always going to be limited by the weakest point in the chain: in this case the WiFi extender - eduroam segment.
This is why an Antenna is a better solution - this directly increases the signal strength without adding the overhead of a secondary WiFi network from the extender.
Edit:
Images taken from the software utility provided with the linked WiFi antenna to show the possibility of connecting to a WPA2 Enterprise network:
You will need WPA/WPA2 802.1X, or WPA/WPA2 Enterprise to connect to eduroam, unfortunately that's not listed for the TPLINK TL-WR940N.
This one list's Enterprise connectivity though so should be fine! Based on the reviews you may find a better model now you know what you are looking for, this one is unlikely to exceed 2MBps, which may or may not be a little slow for your purposes.
Solution 2:
You are looking for an outdoor wireless bridge that supports 802.11 EAP (wpa2 Enterprise). Something like this https://m.ebay.com/itm/Two-Engenius-EOC5610-600mW-11a-b-g-Outdoor-Dual-Band-Client-Bridge-AP-POE-DD-WRT/362233995461?hash=item5456d420c5:g:f2IAAOSwMGVaeRor
The model doesn't really matter, you want something that's in an outdoor enclosure, Poe for power, and something with at least a +6-9dbi antenna.(and supports dd-wrt) You probably want to find mounting hardware for the repeater to mount it on your balcony.