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Resolved Extending wireless network coverage

Discussion in 'Networking (Hardware & Software)' started by hill47, 2014/10/24.

  1. 2014/10/24
    hill47

    hill47 Well-Known Member Thread Starter

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    My friend lives in a large house, and he has increased his wireless coverage using a wireless extender. This has given him adequate coverage, but unfortunately he has two SSIDs and cannot move around the house seamlessly. Is there a way of extending his wireless coverage with just one SSID? He does not mind using home plugs if an Ethernet connection is necessary. He has an unused router if this helps.
    Thanks
     
  2. 2014/10/24
    elcajongunsfan Lifetime Subscriber

    elcajongunsfan Well-Known Member

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    I'll assume that the access point has the same SSID? That is the best way to ensure roaming from one cell area to another
     

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  4. 2014/10/25
    TonyT

    TonyT SuperGeek Staff

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    To extend the initial wireless network (same SSID) the second AP needs to be configured in Repeater mode, if it has that capability. What it does is grab the signal that is broadcasted from the initial AP and forwards that signal further. It acts sort of like an amplifier, extending the range of the initial AP broadcast.

    If the second AP is setup in AP mode using the same SSID and security, clients (computers & devices) will see 2 separate wifi networks with the same name, differentiated only by the MAC address of the APs. This will also work to extend a WLAN, but seamless, automatic switching between APs is not possible. One must manually disconnect from the weaker AP and connect to the stronger one. This is because devices and computers will remain connected to an AP until there is no signal detected at all. A "one bar" weak connection will remain until you manually connect to the stronger AP.

    Bear in mind that when using additional APs to extend a WLAN that the bandwidth will be reduced by about 50% for each additional AP. For example, if the initial AP is a 54 mbps connection, then connecting to the second AP will be roughly a 27 mbps connection to the initial AP.
     
  5. 2014/10/25
    SpywareDr

    SpywareDr SuperGeek WindowsBBS Team Member

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  6. 2014/11/02
    hill47

    hill47 Well-Known Member Thread Starter

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    Thanks for the input. It seems that the mesh solution is the answer.
     
  7. 2014/11/02
    hill47

    hill47 Well-Known Member Thread Starter

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    This post can now be closed.
     
  8. 2014/11/03
    SpywareDr

    SpywareDr SuperGeek WindowsBBS Team Member

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