Two wireless routers bridged, same SSID?

[chipped]

Hi guys,

I have a DIR-635 and DIR-655 bridged using CAT5. I set them to use the same SSID and different channels manually. One is on channel 1 and the other on channel 9 with the same SSID.

I have been using this setup for about 1 year but I recently ordered 2 WNDR3700 and am just wondering what happens where the signal overlaps and the laptop see's both with the same SSID, will it choose the one with the stronger signal?

I have looked into wireless repeating, but this will limit my bandwidth to the wireless signal connection of router 2 to router 1? I will have my NAS connected to router 2 and I want to get the max speed possible.

Router 2 is connected to a CAT5 cable that runs straight into router 1.

Thanks.

 

[thiggins]

A diagram would help.

It doesn't help to use channels other than 1, 6 and 11 in 2.4 GHz. If anything, it can make things worth because your signal may be seen as noise by other APs and they won't be able to coordinate transmissions.

The AP a client connects to when you set APs to the same SSID depends on many factors. You aren't guaranteed whether the client connects to the strongest signal. It may just connect to the first AP it sees.

If you want to control the AP a client connects to, then give the APs unique names so you can manually control AP connection.

 

[chipped]

Ok I have attached a diagram. So you recommend using the same channel and the same SSID on both?

I dont want to use different SSID's because that makes it harder to manage, if I walk down or up with my iPhone and it still has a weak connection, it will hold it.

 

[thiggins]

Again, if you want to control the AP a client connects to, then give the APs unique names so you can manually control AP connection.

Multiple APs should be set to different channels, using 1, 6 or 11 (in the US).

 

[chipped]

Just an update, it appears that my MacBook Pro and iPhone switch wireless networks depending on signal strength. I went outside and walked around, they could see both network but when one got a stronger signal it swapped.

I have the same SSID on both routers, different channels, different AP names and static ip's with the 2nd one having DHCP disabled of course.

PS: These WNDR3700 are crazy fast, I shirt you not, they are consistently up to 20x faster than my DIR-635 B1 and DIR-655 A2.