Extend WiFi, by connecting WAP's with Ethernet cables?

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kingdragonfly

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Topic # 224072 1-Nov-2017 11:09

I want maximum performance, with the widest range, and hopefully a single wireless network name.

I just bought two D-Link DAP-1360's. They are the latest release "F".

I plan on hooking them both up to a network switch, with Ethernet cables to each DAP-1360's LAN port.

One DAP-1360 will be on one side of my home, and the other one on the other side of my home.

There will be overlapping WiFi signals between the two.

I'm confused on how set up the second DAP-1360.

Is the "extender mode" only using Wi-Fi signals, and ignoring the LAN port?

DarkShadow

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Reply # 1893562 1-Nov-2017 12:22

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Set both to access point mode. Same SSID, same password.

Mattmannz

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Reply # 1893594 1-Nov-2017 12:45

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Depending on the access points you might not get hand off to the best performing AP and might get stuck on the initial AP until you lose signal from the initial AP completely.

kingdragonfly

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Reply # 1893604 1-Nov-2017 13:01

I got suggestions to put

- use one SSID and password for all AP's

- put each on different channels

- for each, set up different DHCP server ranges

Is it up to the client, like a phone, to use the strongest signal as I walk around the house?

RunningMan

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Reply # 1893606 1-Nov-2017 13:06

kingdragonfly: [snip]
- for each, set up different DHCP server ranges

Don't do this. Set them up in a bridge mode, and let your main router do DHCP distribution.

As for which AP does a client connect to - initially the strongest one, but most clients will hang on to that AP, even if a stronger one becomes available. This is where APs that will disconnect when the signal RSSI drops to a certain level are useful.

kingdragonfly

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Reply # 1893609 1-Nov-2017 13:19

I also found this suggestion: "Turn the minimum bitrate up to a reasonable value to promote roaming."

I found this answer from another forum, if anyone finds my Geekzone thread later.

http://www.dd-wrt.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?p=778566

Rango wrote:

Has anyone tried using multiple APs with same SSID/password but different channels, tied to same-SSID/PW primary DHCP NAT gateway router AP by Ethernet (not WDS or Wireless Repeater mode) ?

DD-WRT Wiki describes this multiple AP model, see "Roaming access" in http://www.dd-wrt.com/wiki/index.php/Wireless_Access_Point .

I have read this can work to extend wireless coverage area, but there are conflicting reports of how well wireless clients roam between multiple APs with identical SSID/password. Some say clients roam seamlessly with no problem, automatically dropping weaker AP and associating with stronger AP in range according to some client algorithm as clients roam. Others say clients are "sticky" and will not associate with stronger AP until previously associated AP is so weak the connection essentially fails (or until user manually forces disconnect/reconnect in client).

Any info would be appreciated.

TIA...

In case anyone is curious, I can add to this now:

1) iPad 4th Gen and iPad Mini roam between same-SSID/PW APs fairly well. As iPad moves away from associated AP causing the signal to lose at least 1 of 3 bars (iPad indicated), iPad will jump to stronger AP within 5-10 seconds.

2) MacBook Pro (2011 with latest OS) appears to roam well also. It appears to be polling every 3 to 10 seconds for stronger AP, and it hands off to stronger AP in range without any indicated loss of signal strength. I suspect the signal strength indicator has a slow response because it never shows any loss of signal whatsoever when roaming between APs, but in any case the MacBook Pro appears to roam with no problem

For iPad 4th Gen and MacBook Pro, I have not tried VOIP or other streaming while moving from AP to AP, to see how well it handles it. I expect VOIP may not handle it too well, unless DD-WRT is using 802.11r (see below).

3) Droid Razr Maxx (2012 version) does NOT roam well. It sticks to first AP it associates with, and will not let go as long as it registers any signal at all from that AP, even in the presence of stronger AP. It requires wifi disconnect/reconnect to force it to stronger AP in range.

******************

So, this, along with other anecdotal information on the forums etc., shows that wifi roaming varies widely by client. It appears that Apple has implemented things to make roaming work fairly well on later devices/OSs.

webwat

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Reply # 1897847 8-Nov-2017 21:26

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Yes "extend" means using wifi signal to link the to access points, so the second one really is just a repeater and you end up probably with half or less of the speed you would normally expect, especially if the extender doesn't have a great signal from the main access point. Best to create 2 access points with an Ethernet connection, make sure you are getting gigabit (so the network cable needs all its wire pairs). If you cant sort out the roaming conveniently, then choose different SSID so that you can manually switch to the 2nd signal if needed.

Qualified in business, certified in fibre, stuck in copper, have to keep going ^_^

sbiddle

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Reply # 1897938 9-Nov-2017 07:25

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If you want roaming (and it's really just faux roaming because true roaming requires 802.1r support at a bare minimum with 802.11krv support for proper roaming) you need to ensure power levels are set appropiately. This will involve a site survey to ensure power levels are set to ensure there is overlap but not excessive coverage in the opposing areas.

kingdragonfly

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Reply # 1898427 9-Nov-2017 16:17

Thanks for the advice. I set up two access point, with the same SSID and password, connected by Ethernet.

I also turned down the signal strength to 80% to encourage roaming.

All seems to be OK.

Crowdie

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Reply # 1898440 9-Nov-2017 17:17

sbiddle:

If you want roaming (and it's really just faux roaming because true roaming requires 802.1r support at a bare minimum with 802.11krv support for proper roaming)

I am interested in the logic behind this statement. 802.11r reduces the transition time between BSSIDs, particularly when 802.1x is in use. As residential deployments rarely use 802.1x authentication and are low density 802.11r provides minimal, if any, advantage in these deployments.