Suggestions for multiple AP setup

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Laksorama

2 posts

Wannabe Geek

#111957 21-Nov-2012 05:55

Hi there.
First post :)

I have become in charge of setting up the wifi in our home, we are 7 guys living in a 300 square-meter apartment.
So two things make this a difficult job for me, first, we have lot of devices connected(right now 15 devices, with 5 people home and no guests).
Second, there is a lot of space which has to be covered in good signal.

Our current setup is: NetgearCG3000(acting as modem) -> NetgearWNDRMACv2(acting as DHCP) -> AirportExtreme(acting as AP) -> AirportExpress(acting as AP).

Now the problem is, pretty usual I guess, dropouts and other small issues(like AirPlay functions dropping or dissapering on Idevices) that force us to restart the DHCP router.

Now my thoughts are that these are some pretty potent routers, and that I should somehow be able to make a competent working wireless system. I have tried to accomplish this for a long time, but it hasn't been possible, for me at least.

So I come here with hope that some of you guys might have some suggestions that could resolve our first world problems, :)

And I apologize for my bad grammar.

Thank you
Leon.

sbiddle

30853 posts

Uber Geek

Retired Mod

Trusted

Biddle Corp

Lifetime subscriber

#720476 21-Nov-2012 06:15

I guess the first thing is knowing your setup - are the Apple devices running their own unique SSID's, common SSID's, or even running in WDS mode? How is your RF noise levels? What channels are you running the devices on?

Due to the number of issues I've encountered I don't recommend Airport's for WiFi, particularly if you're trying to deploy multiple AP's.

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Laksorama

2 posts

Wannabe Geek

#720482 21-Nov-2012 06:34

sbiddle: I guess the first thing is knowing your setup - are the Apple devices running their own unique SSID's, common SSID's, or even running in WDS mode? How is your RF noise levels? What channels are you running the devices on?

Due to the number of issues I've encountered I don't recommend Airport's for WiFi, particularly if you're trying to deploy multiple AP's.

Thank you for the quick reply.
When you talk about SSID, are you talking about my network name?
If yes, all three routers are running with the same SSID's, password and encryption..
if no, i have some reading up to do..

All WDS functions are off to my knowledge..

I do not know my "RF noise Levels" but i have been using a tool called "wifiscanner" for mac, to find the least "polluted" channels..

I dont think we will be buying new hardware to soon, since we just bought the AirportExtreme..
But what products would you recommend then, for multiple AP's?

Thank you.

DrStrangelove

368 posts

Ultimate Geek

#721051 22-Nov-2012 00:00

If the Netgear WNDRMACv2 can support 5Ghz as well as 2.4GHz, some of the devices which support 5GHz and are closer to this Wireless router may benefit from less congestion (Given 5GHz is not crowded), however 2.4GHz, in general has the longer signal reach. So 5GHz devices at a distance along side 2.4GHz devices will have a lower signal.

Could the devices at the spots of least signal employ an Ethernet over power solution?

Radio Frequency(RF) interference or noise is all the stuff that is interfering with your WiFi signal.

Some router firmware can give you what is called a noise floor indicator, over which your signal can be seen to be 'good'.

If your noise floor is below approx -85dBm you're doing OK. However if it's starts to creep up the scale this means your WiFi signal is having to work harder to keep it's head above water ..so to speak.