Help setting up Wireless-N network with roaming

[aljrob]

Hi all,

I am trying to set up a wireless-N network in my house which has a number of stone internal walls, and so will require at least 2 and possibly 3 APs to ensure full coverage.

The house has cat-6 to all rooms, and I am then using the following kit to set up the WiFi. The location is (very) rural, so there shouldn't be any wireless interference/congestion issues. For the same reason I am not currently using any wireless password/security as there is very little risk of anyone who is not physically on our property being able to pick up the network.

1. Asus RT-N66U Router - used as DHCP server and WiFi AP#1. Broadcasting separate visible N networks on the 2.4GHz and 5GHz bands (ie SSIDs of Name_2Ghz, Name_5GHz), Channel 1

2. Apple Airport Express - used as WiFi AP#2. Connected to router 1 with Cat6 to the WAN port ont he Airport Express. Used to establish new 2.4GHz and 5GHz networks with matching SSID's (Name_2Ghz, Name_5GHz), Channel 11 (as might need to add another AP physically located between 1&2, which would be on Channel 6) .

The above all basically works and I am able to join both frequency bands on both APs and use internet, connect to my internal servers etc. However, the network is not behaving quite as I had expected, and I was hoping someone might be able to either educate me as to why my expectations were wrong or alternatively how to get it working as I had hoped.

What I was hoping to achieve was two separate roaming WiFi networks in the separate bands, so I could add high-bandwidth devices to the 5GHz SSID, and lower bw hooked up to the 2.4GHz.

I noticed when holding a Skype call on an iPad (retina mini if its important) that the device isn't roaming from AP to AP seamlessly, and I'm having to manually connect to the closest/strongest AP when moving from one end of the building to the other. I have become aware that iPad's might have some issues with holding onto weak wireless signals for too long on this kind of network which I guess might play a part.

Questions:

1. Is it possible to set up a seamless roaming network using a combination of Asus and Apple kit in this way, or does it all need to be from one manufacturer?

2. Is it possible to do this with separate SSID's for each frequency band as I have described?

3. When standing in range of both APs, I can see 4 different networks listed in my device's wireless settings, ie:

Name_2GHz
Name_2GHz
Name_5GHz
Name_5GHz
​

I had expected to see only one of each SSID if the network was truly "meshed" to create blanket coverage. Were my expections wrong, or does this suggest the Airport Express might not be in the right mode?
​

Any thoughts/advice on how I can achieve a seamless network, if indeed it's possible, throughout the house would be very welcome!

Thanks in advance for any help offered!

Aljrob

 

[VirtualLarry]

If you want truely seamless roaming, then you will want to go with "managed" wireless, which means buying APs, and a "controller" to manage them.

Check out Ubiquity networks gear.

 

[aljrob]

Ok, thanks, but I'm really looking for the best solution that's possible with the gear I already have

 

[smitbret]

If you want truely seamless roaming, then you will want to go with "managed" wireless, which means buying APs, and a "controller" to manage them.

Check out Ubiquity networks gear.

^^^^^^ This is the easiest way to get it done. Standard, consumer grade equipment won't do what you are asking.

 

[aljrob]

I really, honestly, appreciate both of you taking the time to point me in the direction of the Ubiquity gear which I've no doubt is great, but I would be very grateful if someone could have at least a bit of a go at answering my three original questions. I do not have spare funds to purchase new APs etc right now.

Or alternately explain to me why I'm asking the wrong question(s).

Questions:

1. Is it possible to set up a seamless roaming network using a combination of Asus and Apple kit in this way, or does it all need to be from one manufacturer?

2. Is it possible to do this with separate SSID's for each frequency band as I have described?

3. When standing in range of both APs, I can see 4 different networks listed in my device's wireless settings, ie:

Name_2GHz
Name_2GHz
Name_5GHz
Name_5GHz
​

I had expected to see only one of each SSID if the network was truly "meshed" to create blanket coverage. Were my expections wrong, or does this suggest the Airport Express might not be in the right mode?
​

Aljrob

Q3 is the one that's bugging me the most. If I am in an area of overlapping coverage, should a properly configured consumer-level (ie non-managed) wireless network like mine show four visible SSID's in the situation I've described? Or only two (ie Name_2GHz and Name_5GHz)

 

[smitbret]

I really, honestly, appreciate both of you taking the time to point me in the direction of the Ubiquity gear which I've no doubt is great, but I would be very grateful if someone could have at least a bit of a go at answering my three original questions. I do not have spare funds to purchase new APs etc right now.

Or alternately explain to me why I'm asking the wrong question(s).

Q3 is the one that's bugging me the most. If I am in an area of overlapping coverage, should a properly configured consumer-level (ie non-managed) wireless network like mine show four visible SSID's in the situation I've described? Or only two (ie Name_2GHz and Name_5GHz)

That is correct. As long as your client device can see the SSID and the name is being broadcast, you'll see it. A meshed network is different than simply setting up new Access Points. That's where managed wireless and the Ubiquiti systems come into play. You are broadcasting 4 different SSIDs and must choose which one to connect with. You will stay connected to that SSID until you disconnect or just lose the signal altogether, even if a better connection is available. There is no "seamless handoff".

 

[aljrob]

Thanks Smitbret, I think I'm beginning to understand.

Possbily the last question - does the Ubiquity network management software run on a server on the network or in the cloud somehow? I couldn't quite figure it out on their website (not that I can afford the gear at the moment anyhow!).

If a network server, any idea if an Synology intel-powered NAS would run the software? I'd rather not have leave a mac or PC powered up.

 

[stlcardinals]

Or as another solution, just replace the Asus with an Airport Extreme. Put the Airport Express in Bridged mode.

 

[azazel1024]

If you want truely seamless roaming, then you will want to go with "managed" wireless, which means buying APs, and a "controller" to manage them.

Check out Ubiquity networks gear.

Correct. Video and voice IP does not roam well with client directed roaming. I experience facetime call drops if I roam from one AP to another in/outside of my house even using the same SSID.

That said, basically everything else works pretty flawlessly.

You'll need access point directed roaming for it to work properly. There are other things clients could utilize, but consumer routers don't implement fast roaming.

For Ubiquity Unify, it runs on the access points, to a degree. To do the initial setup and any future management you have to load a java based program on a windows (or mac?). After that, it does not require a central controller or server to be left on 24/7 to operate. There is NO web based management page to do the setup with.

 

[azazel1024]

Oh, for your question 3, no, it should only show two if setup properly. Try setting actual security on the access points, even if it is simply abc123 for the password. See if that'll fix the issue of multiple SSIDs showing up like that.

Mine only shows a single one for both bands (because I choose to do one unified SSID). Only time I see all of the access points is if I bring up a Wifi sniffer like InSSIDer, then I'll see multiple APs with the same SSID.

 

[alkemyst]

Also roaming is usually not really needed in a home environment if you are not doing voice.

 

[azazel1024]

Also roaming is usually not really needed in a home environment if you are not doing voice.

Or video chat. That'll also generally get broken with roaming. Just FYI.

Streaming works fine, as do webpage loads, file transfers, etc.