Repeater used to regenerate weakened signal ;
- A repeater is a network device that receives signal and retransmits it at a higher level or higher power so that the signal can cover a longer distances.
- It used to regenerate or replicate a signal that need to be transmitted. Why a signal needed to be regenerate? It is because the signal has been distorted by transmission loss after a long distance.
- Normally we use repeaters to amplify the signal when the length of the network cable exceeds the standard set for the type of cable being used.
- For example : In a local area network (LAN) using a star topology with unshielded twisted-pair cabling.
- The length limit for the unshielded twisted-pair cable is 100 meters.
- The most common configuration is for each workstation to be connected by twisted-pair cable to a multi-port active concentrator.
- The concentrator amplifies all the signals that pass through it allowing for the total length of cable on the network to exceed the 100 meter limit.
- It is not as intelligent as bridges and routers.
Here have two videos show a clear presentation and simple explanation about how repeaters work , quite easy to understand by graphics. Hope you guys enjoy =)