Advantages and Disadvantages of Repeater


Repeater is an electronic device that receives a signal to increase its power and retransmit it. They are used for long-distance transmission or received on the other side. We know Networking Architecture has a 7-layer OSI model, where repeaters and devices come at the physical layer. Repeaters are also called Signal boosters. They are cheap and easy solutions for a network device that has no impact on the performance of the network. They are useful in boosting the signal and retransmitting the signal from the transmitter to the receiver.

During transmission, certain signals get lost and distorted. Repeaters are connected between two LANS so we can say it is now a single LAN having a long-distance range.

Before discussing the advantages and disadvantages of a repeater let’s first know what is repeater and its characteristics and applications.

What are Repeater and its type?

What is Repeater?

Repeater is a type of device that helps in amplifying the signal coming and then retransmits it the from sender to the receiver side. The signals transmitted can be of many types such as Wireless, electrical and optical signals. During the transmission of signals, they become weaker, repeaters can help incoming signals from the router to enhance the signals so they can be rerouted to the device.

Generally, there are three types of repeaters for devices. These are phone, optical, and radio repeaters. It is very useful when the signals are attenuated and there is a transmission loss. Let’s now consider the types of the repeater −

  • Phone Repeater − It amplifies the telephone line.

  • Radio Repeater − It is a radio receiver that extends the signal.

  • Optical Repeater − It regenerates the optical fiber signal.

Characteristics of Repeater

By sending signals to the weaker sites, the repeater enhances the system signals. The signals produced between the two LANs can be continuously monitored by the Repeaters. These systems can improve networking adaptability and an IP site connection network is used to connect every Repeater.

They can be further classified but we are going Let’s now discuss the advantages and disadvantages of the repeater −

Advantages and Disadvantages of Repeater

Advantages of Repeater

  • Repeaters don’t always finish processing. They only need to be investigated during their downward performance.

  • They are cost-effective as compared to other network devices. We can easily purchase repeaters at affordable prices. Their installation is also easy. Although taking into consideration one point that we have to maintain it as it utilizes the electricity.

  • Repeater has the potential to boost the signal if the computer and repeater are placed apart. It strengthens the signals once they are retransmitted.

  • Repeater also can extend the transmission range. It extends the transmission signal level covered in the network either through wire or wireless mediums.

  • Repeaters are media signals as the most common physical medium used to connect networks are cables. A network's overall range can be increased with repeaters.

  • It is easy to connect to a repeater and has minimal impact on network performance. Several physical media can be used to connect networks utilizing specific repeaters.

  • It can strengthen or boost digital retransmission.

  • Some journalists have access to numerous physical media that can connect networks.

Disadvantages of Repeater

  • Repeaters can disconnect dissimilar networks. They cannot recognize network traffic and also are unable to ease traffic congestion.

  • If more of the repeaters are deployed, it will increase the noise in the wire and this may lead to packet collision.

  • Repeaters cannot detect the device through which the collision is happening in the neighborhood.

  • As the repeater transfers signal both ways, from the router to the computer, when there is a stable connection the bandwidth gets halved.

Lets now simply understand these points through this table

Advantages of Repeater

Disadvantage of Repeater

It is a cost-effective network device

They are unable to detect and segment the network traffic

Increase network performance of the system

Unable to connect to variant network architectures

It boosts the incoming signal and then retransmits it by amplifying it

Only selected repeaters are used in the network system, more than that can increase the noise

It can extend the length of the transmission range

Repeaters cannot identify their collision in the same domain

It helps in reducing physical hurdle which leads to weak signals

After the stable connection is established the bandwidth is halved

Conclusion

In this article, we have discussed a repeater is, its components, features, application, advantages, and disadvantages. Repeater is a device that amplifies the signals and retransmits them. It supports both digital and analog signals and repeats electrical and light-based signals. There are various applications of repeaters such as in offices, schools and warehouses, etc. Repeater is a very powerful and useful device used in the physical layer of the network system.

Updated on: 14-Apr-2023

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