What is wireless repeater? It's a device usually used to extend wireless coverage in wireless network by repeating the wireless signal
Most of the time the repeater would give you the best performance if the one you purchased is from the vendor same as your wireless router/access point.
The repeater is best used to provide wider wireless coverage to reach those distant, hard-to-reach areas at your home where cabling is impractical.
The wireless standard supported are usually 802.11g or 802.11b/g. Make sure you select the one with 802.11b/g support if you have mixed wireless network at home.
Sometimes this device is not only work as a repeater, but also can act as wireless access point. Having both features would add the flexibility of the usage. Dlink DWL-G800AP wireless repeater is one of the example built with both features.
In terms on how to locate the repeater, you should locate it at the edge of your wireless network to better expand the wireless range.
The configuration of the repeater is pretty simple. Usually you only need to configure it with basic network setting, wireless name, SSID and wireless security features, connect it to other wireless router/access point, then you are considered done.. Furthermore, the simple setup wizard that provided by vendors is easy to use to set it up.