2 routers, G and N, in the same environment.

[joelslaw]

Setting up 2 wireless routers on the same network seems to be quite a popular topic. As such I have been able to find most of the info I need using Google. However there are still a few details I am confused about.

SETUP
I currently have a Netgear WPN824 (802.11G)
I just ordered a Rosewill RNX-N4 (802.11N) (it was cheap, well rated on Newegg, and I have had good experience with Rosewill products)

The devices I will connect and the connections I will use:
PS3 - Gb Ethernet
Media server - Gb Ethernet
2 Laptops - Wi-Fi N
Wii - Wi-Fi G
Guest laptops - Wi-Fi G

GOAL
I want to use the new Rosewill router in "802.11N only" mode to get the best performance from it. I want to leave my WPN824 up in "802.11G only" mode to have backward compatibility with with wifi G devices.

I want all devices to have internet access and be able to connect to all the other devices on the network.

PLAN
I found this document from Netgear that answers all but a few of my questions.

I will connect the routers like this:

Modem(WAN port)<--->(WAN port)RNX-N4(LAN port)<--->(LAN port)WPN824

All wired devices (PS3 and media server) will be connected to the RNX-N4.

I will (prior to connecting the routers) disable the DHCP server on the WPN824, and assign it an IP address outside the RNX-N4's DHCP pool, but still in the same subnet as all of the other devices.

QUESTIONS
Should both routers use the same SSID?
If so, how can I force a wireless device to connect to one or the other?
If not, I can just tell each device which SSID to connect to, so no problem there.

The questions below are all contingent on the first one, so after I have that, half of the questions below are moot.

NOTE: both routers are 2.4 Ghz

If the SSIDs are the same, do the routers need to be placed far apart?
If the SSIDs are different, do the routers need to be placed far apart?

If the SSIDs are the same, what wireless channel would be best to use for each?
If the SSIDs are different, what wireless channel would be best to use for each?

If the SSIDs are the same, do I have to use the same wireless encryption settings?
If the SSIDs are different, do I have to use the same wireless encryption settings?

Thank you all in advance for your help!!!

 

[JackMDS]

Good plan.

If you really want to Force the Connection use the MAC filter in each Router.

Putting the Wireless Router apart in a clever way is good cause it can increase the general Wireless Coverage.

Put the Wireless Router on different Channel. Ch 1, and Ch 11 to create the best separation.

Then try with the same SSID and differnet SSID (it takes few seconds to change SSID, and see which one work better for you.

Encryption is used after you are connected to one or the other, so you can use the same encryption.

 

[kevnich2]

I would suggest the same SSID as it will increase your wireless footprint. If you use the same SSID, yes, use the same encryption keys or else you'll have problems on the client side. If you use different SSID's, you can use different encryption keys.

 

[VirtualLarry]

Originally posted by: joelslaw
2 Laptops - Wi-Fi N
Wii - Wi-Fi G
Guest laptops - Wi-Fi G

I would use different SSIDs, because otherwise you will not be able to control which router your wireless clients connect to. In fact, your laptops using N might connect to the G router, and throttle themselves down.

I only recommend using the same SSID, when you have multiple identical (or nearly identical) routers in a WDS network.

 

[joelslaw]

Thank you guys for your feedback. Based on what you said, I think I'll go with 2 different SSIDs. It'll allow me to more easily separate my G and N devices and I don't really need to increase my wifi footprint (my place is pretty small). That really only leaves one question unanswered:

If the SSIDs are different, do the routers need to be placed far apart?

Basically I don't want the 2 to interfere with each other. Is having them on separate channels (1 and 11) enough to prevent this, or do they need to be physically far apart as well?

 

[JackMDS]

If the G is only for guests you should consider an arrangement like this to protect your sharing.

Network Segregation - http://www.ezlan.net/shield.html

The G being the first Router and the N the second.

Few feet apart is OK.