How to configure 2 access points

[gerardog]

Hi there, I need some help with my wifi network! I have 2 access points hardwired to my router. I've set them with the same SSID, different static IP, and separate channels(1,6), and different WEP keys. However this doesn't seem to be working like it should :( More specifically, the connection is not very stable and my laptop will lock to one access point ignoring the other (when I'm closer to the one with a stronger signal)...

The access points are from different vendors (Netgear, Dlink) but I assume this should not be an issue since I would like them to operate indipendently from each other and provide extended coverage to my wireless clients.

Both access points provide the possibility to configure WDS, AP repeater modes but I'm really confused on these functions since I've never used them and the manual assumes I'm a network genius.

Any suggestions? Hope I was clear enough!

Thanks ;)

[wiltonh]

I assume that you made the SSID the same so you could switch from one to the other as you moved around.

As I understand the 802.11 standard, the client connects to the stronger signal and once connected there is no roll over to another access point even if it is closer. Most of us have seen a cell phone switch from one tower to the next but wifi is a different story. An engineer who is working on the problem told me there is a lot that goes on in switching and currently it is very hard to keep from messing up streaming video.

Not quite sure why your connection should be unstable but you might move one to channel 1 and the other to 11 so they are as far apart as you can get them.

Another idea would be to give them different SSIDs.

Wilton

[M/Q]

I might suggest using the same WEP key if you need to use WEP. But I rather see you switch to WPA or better. WEP has always had a stability problem and different vendored devices do not always hash the WEP key the same, which causes encryption errors.

Try getting the client to roam, without any encryption enabled. Then work your way from there.