Multi Access point setup

[jdcountryboy91]

I am trying to get 4 access points setup so that I can ahve roaming throughout the campus. I have all 4 set to the same SSD, with the same security, and with alternating channels (1,4,6,11 (I think)). The issue I am having is that on any device (Mac, Windows, Android, IOS) I have to enter the security in for each access point even though the ssd, security type, and security password are all the same. Also, is there a way to to set the access points so that only one instnace of the network will appear on the list of networks on a device?

[chazman14]

I believe that you have to change the settings in the router itself. I am no expert, but it does have something to do with the router being set up as a "repeater" and adjusting the ip and/or subnet ip address that each router has assigned. It also depends on the router itself if it allows to be changed to a repeater mode.

[Morshu]

What kind of access points are they? I'm not sure but being on different channels might make them show up as separate networks...

What I did at our church was setting up a WRT54G and then 2 WAP54G's as wireless repeaters, it shows up as one network and I can walk across the campus and stay connected on my iPod. It's not the best setup but it works pretty well.

[bpalermini]

What you have described should work just fine.

Channels 1, 6 and 11 are the ones that don't overlap. You can use the same channel twice, just put them at the farthest out locations.

Do you have just one of the devices setup as a router and the others as access points? You want to have only one device giving out IP addresses. The others need to be access points, not doing anything else but substituting for a wire.

[rkresge]

Originally Posted by jdcountryboy91

I am trying to get 4 access points setup so that I can ahve roaming throughout the campus. I have all 4 set to the same SSD, with the same security, and with alternating channels (1,4,6,11 (I think)). The issue I am having is that on any device (Mac, Windows, Android, IOS) I have to enter the security in for each access point even though the ssd, security type, and security password are all the same. Also, is there a way to to set the access points so that only one instnace of the network will appear on the list of networks on a device?

Channels 1, 6 and 11 are the only ones that don't overlap each other.

In order to accomplish what you're trying to do, you may need to configure an ESSID ("E" for "Extended") in which all of your APs participate. Even though your APs have the same BSSID (B for Basic) and security, the clients will see them as being separate animals. If your APs don't have an ESSID capability then you may not be able to do what you're trying to do.

Having said that, I manage a school district network - each of our buildings has a separate ESSID (Cisco WLAN Controllers) with the same SSID names and security settings, but different IP addressing. I can take any of our 1000 wireless computers and devices and a) walk throughout a building without losing connectivity, or b) go to different buildings and connect automatically using the same settings. We even run multiple SSIDs on each one with no problem.

ESSID is what you do for the first one, moving from AP to AP transparently. Everything else being equal, you should *not* need to have separate wireless connections for each AP in your clients. There's something else going on.

So the next question is what kind of APs are they? There may be some settings you have overlooked.

FWIW, it shouldn't matter what channel the AP is on, nor should the IP addressing be an issue. However, if the APs are configured basically as bridges, that could contribute to the problem.

This may not be the best place to find help on this subject. Your AP manufacturer may have some support forums that are much more helpful.

Blessings,

Roger

[jdcountryboy91]

Thanks for the replies everyone. I have pieced our network together over the years so it includes different manufacturers. The main router that assigns all IP addresses is a Linksys WRT54GS. The 3 "access points" include a Linksys WAP54G (DHCP turned off), Netgear WPN824 (DHCP turned off), and a Dell 2350 wireless router (DHCP turned off). I wil look through all the settings but even the Linksys AP shows up as a separate network and requires me to type in the security.

[bpalermini]

How do you have the access points plugged into the network. You should not use the WAN port. Plug into a LAN port. You want everything on the same subnet.

Stay with it. This will work for you. I setup a similar network at my previous church about 4 years ago using all Linksys WRT54G units and it is still working today.

[jdcountryboy91]

Correct, I have the 3 access points running back to the main router and they are plugged in via one of their LAN ports.

[rkresge]

Originally Posted by jdcountryboy91

Correct, I have the 3 access points running back to the main router and they are plugged in via one of their LAN ports.

Next question is, are you SURE the security settings on the APs are absolutely identical? Even minor differences could cause the behavior you're looking at.

Roger

[jdcountryboy91]

I'll double check that today when I go up there but I think this is happening with all 3 access points.

[jdcountryboy91]

Alright so I found the culprit. One of the access points had a space at the end of the SSD. I took it out and now all is well. Only one instance of the network name shows up and I only have to type one password in for the whole network. Thanks for the help guys!