2 routers, 1 SSID, 2 Channels (2 and 11)

Forums › LAN (ethernet/Wifi/routers/Bluetooth) › 2 routers, 1 SSID, 2 Channels (2 and 11)

davidcole

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#180704 18-Sep-2015 15:01

My laptop always seems to hit the channel 2 even though the channel 11 is a lot closer.

Since they have the same SSID they both don't show up (nor do I really know which it's hitting unless I netsh wlan show interfaces and look at the channel).

Any way to force it on to the higher strength one short of 2 ssids?

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wasabi2k

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#1389753 18-Sep-2015 15:11

Not that I know of, if you want reliable association to the right one - use different SSIDs.

If you want seamless roaming then invest in APs that handle it (but even then I haven't had a lot of success with actually roaming vs being sticky to the original AP).

Jase2985

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#1389770 18-Sep-2015 15:36

dont use Chanel 2 either, use channel 1

RunningMan

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#1389781 18-Sep-2015 15:57

Jase2985: dont use Chanel 2 either, use channel 1

Neither overlaps with the other channel in use so that should make zero difference.

Jase2985

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#1389844 18-Sep-2015 18:11

RunningMan:
Jase2985: dont use Chanel 2 either, use channel 1

Neither overlaps with the other channel in use so that should make zero difference.

and what about the neighbours?

RunningMan

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#1389864 18-Sep-2015 18:41

Jase2985:
RunningMan:
Jase2985: dont use Chanel 2 either, use channel 1

Neither overlaps with the other channel in use so that should make zero difference.

and what about the neighbours?

Without knowing what channels (and width) are being used by all the nearby APs, there is no way of knowing which channel is clearer. There is more likelihood of a nearby AP on channel 1 than channel 2, so 2 may well be a better bet. Either way, there is significant overlap between 1 and 2 anyway so bit of a moot point. This is getting OT anyway.

Back on topic, some clients will scan upwards from channel 1 until they find a known network. You may find if you swap the channel numbers so the most preferred network has the lower number, this could be a workaround.

eXDee

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#1389865 18-Sep-2015 18:42

RunningMan:
Jase2985: dont use Chanel 2 either, use channel 1

Neither overlaps with the other channel in use so that should make zero difference.

It's just best practice really. Only ever using 1, 6 and 11.

davidcole

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#1389932 18-Sep-2015 21:03

Sorry, I'm using 2 and 11, not 1.

I think my apple devices are OK switching. But my windows 7 laptop seems to only see the channel 2

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richms

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#1389947 18-Sep-2015 21:26

RunningMan:

Without knowing what channels (and width) are being used by all the nearby APs, there is no way of knowing which channel is clearer. There is more likelihood of a nearby AP on channel 1 than channel 2, so 2 may well be a better bet. Either way, there is significant overlap between 1 and 2 anyway so bit of a moot point. This is getting OT anyway.

Back on topic, some clients will scan upwards from channel 1 until they find a known network. You may find if you swap the channel numbers so the most preferred network has the lower number, this could be a workaround.

I have found that the slider on the intel wifi card had to be set all the way towards roaming before it actually would do it. Otherwise it would hang onto a lousy -70dB signal when there was a -45 it could move over too. Its like it doesnt bother looking even when its air rate is not the full 300 unless I tweeked that control.

Richard rich.ms

davidcole

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#1389976 18-Sep-2015 22:19

Hmm I tried teh roamin aggressivness and dropping the transmitt power, but couldn't get it to switch to the closer one (right behind me through a wall) The other one is upstairs in the roof.

Deleted teh network definition and readded it, I can see its on the channel I prefer now.

richms

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#1390001 18-Sep-2015 23:07

You havent done anything silly like turn off the SSID broadcast or play with the beacon interval have you?

Richard rich.ms

davidcole

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#1390061 19-Sep-2015 08:11

richms: You havent done anything silly like turn off the SSID broadcast or play with the beacon interval have you?

No I don't think so. Not even sure gargoyle gives me the option to turn off broadcast.