Two Access Point

[anothermacuser]

My network is currently set up like this:

Cable Modem (SB5101) ? Wired router (BEFSR41), connected to about six computers on wired ? AirPort Extreme in bridge mode (serving anywhere from 3 to 10 computers at once

The problem is that I do not get signal on the far side of my house. I have an AirPort Express. How should I configure the AirPort Express to simply expand the range of the AirPort Extreme, which it will be connected to over Ethernet from the other side of the house?

I have looked into ways to do this, but I am looking for the best. Note that the two access points can be connected over my existing Ethernet infrastructure. I know how I can easily make two separate wireless networks but I would like my brother?s iPhone to be able to go across the house without losing signal, switching to the other AP without a hiccup, seamlessly, the way that cell phones do with towers.

Is this possible with two home routers? (Apple AirPort Express & Apple AirPort Extreme) If so, what is the best way?

 

[hiromizu]

What did Apple's pre-sales engineer say when you called them?

 

[anothermacuser]

I got both routers from a friend after he went to N (pointlessly). If I were paying I would have done it differently.

 

[hiromizu]

Most companies worth their salt have toll free numbers that you can call to inquire about their products and integration compatibility....

 

[anothermacuser]

To clarify, I am asking if there is a way to get the two routers to broadcast the same SSID, same WPA key and broadcast on the same channel. They already are served by the same DHCP server (an old wired router) so they already are in the same IP range

 

[Aarondeep]

Originally posted by: anothermacuser
To clarify, I am asking if there is a way to get the two routers to broadcast the same SSID, same WPA key and broadcast on the same channel. They already are served by the same DHCP server (an old wired router) so they already are in the same IP range

I know for sure you don't want to be using the same channels for each access point. You want to use non-over lapping channels. Like 1, 6, 11
Try setting the access points using the same security settings and SSID and DIFF channels. I am not positive, but i think that should work.

Some might tell you to look into something called WDS (wireless distribution system), but i think that's only for linking access points that aren't wired into the lan. Someone correct me if i'm wrong.

 

[JayBlay77]

^ You are correct on the WDS. While it could be a solution, in WDS you would lose half your bandwidth so it's not ideal if you have both AP's able to connect to your LAN via ethernet.

I 2nd aarondeep's configuration as well. The only hitch you might run into is that some wireless devices have issues when roaming between different channels. For the most part laptops should be fine. You would have to test out your brother's iphone, but I think it would work.

 

[spidey07]

Don't run on the same channel, there is no reason to do so. It's not switching channels that is a problem for the client it is the association/disassociation process that takes a little bit of time. Just use the same SSID, same security, make sure you broadcast the SSID and you should be fine. If your client gets fussy and likes to switch between access point frequently then you can normally tune the roaming behavior of the client and have it "stick" to access points longer before making a roaming decision.