WiFi Bridge/Extender Common SSID

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Ti

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#258664 15-Oct-2019 17:09

I’d like to set the device with the same SSID as the parent router to allow seamless connectivity. When I set up the Netgear extender the default SSID comes up as [say] 1234567-ext with the same Chanel as the router. Is it practical to rename extender by deleting the -ext or will the two devices conflict?
Many thanks in advance!

sbiddle

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#2337883 16-Oct-2019 06:12

An extender will always use the same channel - it has to. You can rename the SSID to whatever you want, many default to -ext so you know you're connected to an extender.

My advice however is so look for a proper solution for your WiFi. Extenders rarely ever work properly unless you understand all their failings, and IMHO should be banned from the market. I would never recommend anybody ever buy one.

bignose

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#2337886 16-Oct-2019 06:47

sbiddle:
An extender will always use the same channel - it has to. You can rename the SSID to whatever you want, many default to -ext so you know you're connected to an extender.

most of the ‘extenders’ sold nowdays are really repeaters - hence why they can re-broadcast a different ssid, and as a result they can also set a different channel

the latest netgear extenders also support ‘smart roaming’ - so can do a single ssid and smart handoff of clients (using 802.11k/r) with a compatible router

whilst I agree with your general dislike of extender/repeater/mesh setups they do have their place (when wired backhaul just isn’t feasible), and the new generation with dedicated backhaul radios at least don’t instantly halve your thruput like old-school ones did

Ti

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#2337941 16-Oct-2019 09:06

sbiddle:
You can rename the SSID to whatever you want

Thanks for your response and believe me, I’d far sooner have a wired solution but that isn’t feasible as the home was built without any means of achieving that.
So, to the essence of my query; if I rename the extender SSID to the same as the router (take off the _ext) will my devices transfer automatically to the extender signal or will there be some sort of conflict between the two signals? Thanks!

bignose

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#2338035 16-Oct-2019 11:46

Ti:
So, to the essence of my query; if I rename the extender SSID to the same as the router (take off the _ext) will my devices transfer automatically to the extender signal or will there be some sort of conflict between the two signals? Thanks!

short answer - if it's a newer model netgear extender that explicitly supports roaming and your main wifi also supports it (and is preferably another netgear) and you enable it on both - yes (or at least definitely maybe)

if it's a netgear extender that's old and doesn't support that - no

Ti

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#2338163 16-Oct-2019 15:46

Many thanks!