Connecting two Wireless routers via cable to act as one wireless network?
I connected my main Dynex router (has worked fine for 3 yrs but limited coverage) to a 2nd D-link router (in Basement) via cat 6 cable (LAN – LAN) and configured the 2nd router as an access point (I think that the correct term).
Upstairs router has 1 dell 8400 and an EPSON Workforce 310 printer wired to it, downstairs router has an Xbox 360 wired to it. I have 4 Dell wireless laptops and 1 wireless Wii and I want to access all of the Computers, printers etc from each other. 2nd router has DCHP and NAT disabled, a static IP out side the 1st routers range, all wired and wireless appliances are working fine and "see" each other.
The wireless part is causing some issues, I don’t want to have to "change Wireless networks" so I have the same SSID, Domain name, WPA2 and passwords on both routers the main router is on channel 1 and the 2nd on channel 11.
That said the problem I’m having is the laptops don’t seem to be picking up the stronger signal as I move between the routers?
The laptops are using different Windows OS (2 on XP Media center 2002, 1 on Vista Home premium 2007 and 1 on XP professional 2002) The wireless connection Icon in the bottom tray shows a weak signal but when I open the wireless connection status it shows an excellent signal (and sometimes visa versa!) when I view wireless networks some times I see 2 of mine (same name) some times not, it’s very frustrating!
What am I doing wrong or is there a better way of seeing how strong a signal you are receiving?
The laptops may not change wireless until one drops off completely. What you are trying to configure is "roaming", where the laptop picks up the strongest signal, within a certain margin. The issue is that the routers may have to know about this mode, along with the drivers for the laptop cards. In more elaborate networks, the routers that take part in "roaming" talk to each other directly, to establish which will talk to the laptop. Many box store routers won’t do that.
The problem with the laptops is that you have an order in which to connect, starting at the "top" with the preferred one first. Even though the SSID may be the same, it is probably coded internally to connect to one router, not just "either".
One article I read says that some clients do not change channels properly, and only then, to try using the same wireless channel for both routers:
Quote:
"For a roaming network, both access points must use the identical SSID and wireless security and keys. Both access point should operate on non-overlapping channels 1, 6, or 11. (It may help to check for other WLANs in your neighborhood to see which channels they use. Avoid those channels if possible…) Only a few wireless clients have problems with roaming between access points with different channels. Only in that case you would have to use the same channel on both access points. Remember however, that they will interfere with their transmissions and thus heavy wireless traffic on both access points at a time may cause serious problems…"
You may have to play around with the settings in the routers and the wireless cards to see if there are some "roaming" or similar settings…. Good luck.
Other than that issue, you seem to have things configured properly…
You can’t do it like that. What you can do is have one router, and either buy antennas for it or buy access points and place them around the house. Both options expensive.
You get two networks because routers are of different manufacturer and have different MAC addresses, so they act as a separate networks.
References :
It should be mentioned that there is a type of network (I think developed my Microsoft) that works in this manner… and it allows a decide that is compatible with it to switch between the strongest/nearest access point without disrupting the connection. However, this option is usually used in large businesses, and is very expensive.
References :
The laptops may not change wireless until one drops off completely. What you are trying to configure is "roaming", where the laptop picks up the strongest signal, within a certain margin. The issue is that the routers may have to know about this mode, along with the drivers for the laptop cards. In more elaborate networks, the routers that take part in "roaming" talk to each other directly, to establish which will talk to the laptop. Many box store routers won’t do that.
The problem with the laptops is that you have an order in which to connect, starting at the "top" with the preferred one first. Even though the SSID may be the same, it is probably coded internally to connect to one router, not just "either".
One article I read says that some clients do not change channels properly, and only then, to try using the same wireless channel for both routers:
Quote:
"For a roaming network, both access points must use the identical SSID and wireless security and keys. Both access point should operate on non-overlapping channels 1, 6, or 11. (It may help to check for other WLANs in your neighborhood to see which channels they use. Avoid those channels if possible…) Only a few wireless clients have problems with roaming between access points with different channels. Only in that case you would have to use the same channel on both access points. Remember however, that they will interfere with their transmissions and thus heavy wireless traffic on both access points at a time may cause serious problems…"
You may have to play around with the settings in the routers and the wireless cards to see if there are some "roaming" or similar settings…. Good luck.
Other than that issue, you seem to have things configured properly…
References :