Problems with being in range of multiple access points?

[Chimpie]

When designing a layout for routers and access points, is there a problem if a laptop or other wireless device is in range of multiple access points?

Thanks.

Chimp

 

[JackMDS]

If set correctly it should not be a problem.

:sun:

 

[nweaver]

if you are attempting to do a multiple AP setup to extend range, you should look into WDS capable AP's (Buffalo? and WRT V1-4)

 

[Chimpie]

My brother's house is set up as (looking at it from the front) a 4 bedroom house, a 3 car garage, and then a 2 bedroom in-law's house, all connected. The wireless router is in the in-law's house (now an office) and the signal doesn't get to the main house very good. Recently he ran some Cat5 to the main house, but I was thinking about putting up an access point in the master bedroom and one in the back part of the house. Putting up one in the middle of the house may work but I think it would work better if there were two. My concern would be if a laptop was in the middle of the house it might pick up both antennas.

:still learning:

 

[spidey07]

get one good point -nd be done with it.

 

[elkinm]

It should not be a problem if they all use the same SSID.

But then again I set up a bridged network with two Buffalo routers and noticed that a laptop tries to connect to the main router first even if it is a weak signal. As soon as I get out of range of the first one, it instantly switches to the bridged one and is once again at full speed. It is not supposed to be like this.

It should pick the stronger signal with the same SSID but how often does everything work like it should.

 

[Mojonba]

Chimpie,

Two wired access points is the way to go if you want better coverage/performance. I've tried the WDS thind and imho its crap (latency and throughput wise). There shouldn't be a problem with overlapping signals. I recommend having access points which are close to each other to operate in different channels (frequency). The independent channel numbers are 1,6 & 11. Windows Wireless Config will transparently select the highest signal access point as long as you use the same SSID.

 

[spidey07]

elkinm,

you'll find that a client roaming to another access point doesn't work like you think it should. Many times the client will "stick" to an access point and only roam if the signal to this AP gets very low.

That is all a function of the client driver. Some even have a setting where you can control this behavior.

 

[Ctrackstar126]

could he use unidirectional antennas on the two different routers to point in different directions so theres a stronger signal one way while the other rouer has a stronger signal the other thus no real conflict

Explained a little better using two uni hi gains he would be focusing the points to go further but not so much overlapping each other so weak signal becomes strong signal of other router. I saw some antennas are uni with a 30 degree signal point.