How to switch to the strongest signal when using an access point?

Hello

I have a modem with wifi, and an access point with wifi. Each of these
are on opposite sides of the apartment. The access point is physically
connected to the modem by cable, and I use it to extend my wifi
network to the entire apartment.

The thing is that they seem to have two separate networks. So although
my connection is being extended by the access point, it actually has a
different name (SSID), and I need to connect to it manually.

Is there a way to make the two networks merge? or to have my laptop
switch to the strongest signal automatically?

Thanks

Zach

On 8 Mar 2007 09:43:50 -0800, "Zach" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in
<(E-Mail Removed) om>:

>I have a modem with wifi, and an access point with wifi. Each of these
>are on opposite sides of the apartment. The access point is physically
>connected to the modem by cable, and I use it to extend my wifi
>network to the entire apartment.
>
>The thing is that they seem to have two separate networks. So although
>my connection is being extended by the access point, it actually has a
>different name (SSID), and I need to connect to it manually.
>
>Is there a way to make the two networks merge? or to have my laptop
>switch to the strongest signal automatically?

Use the same SSID in both access points.
Put them on different channels with minimal overlap (1, 6, 11).
Use wireless clients designed to roam properly on multi-access point
networks (e.g., Intel).

--
Best regards, FAQ for Wireless Internet: <http://Wireless.wikia.com>
John Navas FAQ for Wi-Fi: <http://wireless.wikia.com/wiki/Wi-Fi>
Wi-Fi How To: <http://wireless.wikia.com/wiki/Wi-Fi_HowTo>
Fixes to Wi-Fi Problems: <http://wireless.wikia.com/wiki/Wi-Fi_Fixes>

On Mar 8, 7:11 pm, John Navas <spamfilt...@navasgroup.com> wrote:
> On 8 Mar 2007 09:43:50 -0800, "Zach" <zach.bast...@gmail.com> wrote in
> <1173375830.054462.82...@64g2000cwx.googlegroups.c om>:
>
> >I have a modem with wifi, and an access point with wifi. Each of these
> >are on opposite sides of the apartment. The access point is physically
> >connected to the modem by cable, and I use it to extend my wifi
> >network to the entire apartment.
>
> >The thing is that they seem to have two separate networks. So although
> >my connection is being extended by the access point, it actually has a
> >different name (SSID), and I need to connect to it manually.
>
> >Is there a way to make the two networks merge? or to have my laptop
> >switch to the strongest signal automatically?
>
> Use the same SSID in both access points.
> Put them on different channels with minimal overlap (1, 6, 11).
> Use wireless clients designed to roam properly on multi-access point
> networks (e.g., Intel).
>
> --
> Best regards, FAQ for Wireless Internet: <http://Wireless.wikia.com>
> John Navas FAQ for Wi-Fi: <http://wireless.wikia.com/wiki/Wi-Fi>
> Wi-Fi How To: <http://wireless.wikia.com/wiki/Wi-Fi_HowTo>
> Fixes to Wi-Fi Problems: <http://wireless.wikia.com/wiki/Wi-Fi_Fixes>

Thanks John

I did what you suggested and it works well on my laptop (which has
intel wifi).

The problem is that I have 2 desktop computers with wifi pci cards
(netgear WG311v3). These do not seem to recognize the access point,
which is now on channel 6. In fact, the only networks which are
showing up on the netgear wireless assistant are on channel 11. I have
enabled windows wireless managment, and it also can't find my access
point on channel 6.

What should I do?

Thanks

Zach

"Zach" <(E-Mail Removed)> hath wroth:

>I did what you suggested and it works well on my laptop (which has
>intel wifi).

Welcome to semi-seamless roaming. The Intel Proset driver has some
settings to control how agressively it should hold onto a connection
before searching for a better one. Other clients are not so smart.

>The problem is that I have 2 desktop computers with wifi pci cards
>(netgear WG311v3). These do not seem to recognize the access point,
>which is now on channel 6.

You access point might have the channel selection setting set to
"auto", which means pick any clear channel it finds useful.
Apparently, your Netgear WG311v3 clients are having a problem
following the change in channels. I suggest you dive into the AP
configuration and disarm this useless feature and select channels 1,
6, or 11. If the two access point happen to land on the same channel,
you'll have an interference problem so please select different
channels for each one.

>In fact, the only networks which are
>showing up on the netgear wireless assistant are on channel 11. I have
>enabled windows wireless managment, and it also can't find my access
>point on channel 6.

Are you broadcasting the SSID? Without that, your clients aren't
going to "see" the AP's.

>What should I do?

Disclose the maker and model number of your access points.

>Thanks
>Zach
--
Jeff Liebermann (E-Mail Removed)
150 Felker St #D http://www.LearnByDestroying.com
Santa Cruz CA 95060 http://802.11junk.com
Skype: JeffLiebermann AE6KS 831-336-2558

On 8 Mar 2007 13:34:56 -0800, "Zach" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in
<(E-Mail Removed) om>:

>On Mar 8, 7:11 pm, John Navas <spamfilt...@navasgroup.com> wrote:

>> Use the same SSID in both access points.
>> Put them on different channels with minimal overlap (1, 6, 11).
>> Use wireless clients designed to roam properly on multi-access point
>> networks (e.g., Intel).

>I did what you suggested and it works well on my laptop (which has
>intel wifi).
>
>The problem is that I have 2 desktop computers with wifi pci cards
>(netgear WG311v3). These do not seem to recognize the access point,
>which is now on channel 6. In fact, the only networks which are
>showing up on the netgear wireless assistant are on channel 11. I have
>enabled windows wireless managment, and it also can't find my access
>point on channel 6.
>
>What should I do?

Get better wireless adapters.

--
Best regards, FAQ for Wireless Internet: <http://Wireless.wikia.com>
John Navas FAQ for Wi-Fi: <http://wireless.wikia.com/wiki/Wi-Fi>
Wi-Fi How To: <http://wireless.wikia.com/wiki/Wi-Fi_HowTo>
Fixes to Wi-Fi Problems: <http://wireless.wikia.com/wiki/Wi-Fi_Fixes>

On Fri, 09 Mar 2007 10:21:16 -0800, Jeff Liebermann
<(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in
<(E-Mail Removed)>:

>"Zach" <(E-Mail Removed)> hath wroth:

>>The problem is that I have 2 desktop computers with wifi pci cards
>>(netgear WG311v3). These do not seem to recognize the access point,
>>which is now on channel 6.
>
>You access point might have the channel selection setting set to
>"auto", which means pick any clear channel it finds useful.
>Apparently, your Netgear WG311v3 clients are having a problem
>following the change in channels. I suggest you dive into the AP
>configuration and disarm this useless feature and select channels 1,
>6, or 11. If the two access point happen to land on the same channel,
>you'll have an interference problem so please select different
>channels for each one.

Won't help, but I don't think it will help either -- I've just not seem
that kind of jumping around unless there are other major problems.

--
Best regards, FAQ for Wireless Internet: <http://Wireless.wikia.com>
John Navas FAQ for Wi-Fi: <http://wireless.wikia.com/wiki/Wi-Fi>
Wi-Fi How To: <http://wireless.wikia.com/wiki/Wi-Fi_HowTo>
Fixes to Wi-Fi Problems: <http://wireless.wikia.com/wiki/Wi-Fi_Fixes>

On Sat, 10 Mar 2007 01:42:34 GMT, John Navas
<(E-Mail Removed)> wrote:

>On Fri, 09 Mar 2007 10:21:16 -0800, Jeff Liebermann
><(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in
><(E-Mail Removed)>:
>
>>"Zach" <(E-Mail Removed)> hath wroth:
>
>>>The problem is that I have 2 desktop computers with wifi pci cards
>>>(netgear WG311v3). These do not seem to recognize the access point,
>>>which is now on channel 6.
>>
>>You access point might have the channel selection setting set to
>>"auto", which means pick any clear channel it finds useful.
>>Apparently, your Netgear WG311v3 clients are having a problem
>>following the change in channels. I suggest you dive into the AP
>>configuration and disarm this useless feature and select channels 1,
>>6, or 11. If the two access point happen to land on the same channel,
>>you'll have an interference problem so please select different
>>channels for each one.

>Won't help, but I don't think it will help either -- I've just not seem
>that kind of jumping around unless there are other major problems.

Worse. I can't even force it to change channel.

I have no clue what algorithm the various manufacturers use to
determine when it's time to jump to a different channel. I put a
Buffalo WHR-HP-G54 with the stock 1.40 firmware on the bench and tried
to get it to change channel. I supplied amplified noise, Bluetooth
interference, on channel interference from another access point,
adjacent channel inteference, multiple duplicated access points on the
same channel, and probably some other tricks I forgot. Nothing would
get it to change channel.

However, I turned off all the clients, let the access point run
overnight, and in the morning, it went from channel 6 to channel 3. I
assume there's some logic to the automagic channel selection, but I
can't devine the logic with either technology or magic. If I asked
Broadcom, they'll want an NDA, which prevents me from disclosing the
technology and logic. Sigh.

I agree that I haven't seen jumping around from channels 1, 6, and 11.
Instead, I see hops from ch 6 to perhaps ch 4 or 8. These are
partially overlapping channels which should create some mutual
interference. I've never seen the Buffalo hop to 1 or 11 from the
usual channel 6 starting point.

Anyway, I've had better results with non-moveable channel assignments
than the allegedly automagic interference avoidance schemes.

--
# Jeff Liebermann 150 Felker St #D Santa Cruz CA 95060
# 831-336-2558 (E-Mail Removed)
# http://802.11junk.com (E-Mail Removed)
# http://www.LearnByDestroying.com AE6KS

On Sun, 11 Mar 2007 01:51:16 GMT, Jeff Liebermann
<(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in
<(E-Mail Removed)>:

>Anyway, I've had better results with non-moveable channel assignments
>than the allegedly automagic interference avoidance schemes.

Me too, but I think that's more a matter of wireless access points
having no idea what wireless clients are seeing, so lack critical info
on making a channel assignment. For example, the wireless access point
might see little or no interference on channel 6, but a remote wireless
client might see massive interference. What's needed is a way for the
wireless access point to obtain interference data from clients, but
that's outside the current spec.

--
Best regards, FAQ for Wireless Internet: <http://Wireless.wikia.com>
John Navas FAQ for Wi-Fi: <http://wireless.wikia.com/wiki/Wi-Fi>
Wi-Fi How To: <http://wireless.wikia.com/wiki/Wi-Fi_HowTo>
Fixes to Wi-Fi Problems: <http://wireless.wikia.com/wiki/Wi-Fi_Fixes>