Merge Powerline wifi networks?

theboykidney · 13 Apr 2015 at 17:18

Hi,
Have a TP-Link powerline adapter setup broadcasting 2 wifi networks - both of the same name. Is there an easy way to merge them into 1?
Correct in assuming they need matching IP's?
cheers.

bremen1874 · 13 Apr 2015 at 17:37

Can you add some more detail about your current setup? People are going to have to make too many assumptions if you don't.

BTW you can't have matching IPs on a network, every device needs an unique address.

theboykidney · 15 Apr 2015 at 16:02

I have a router broadcasting WiFi, it's plugged into a TP-link powerline adapter, and on the other end I have TP-link broadcasting another WiFi network. Both networks are called the same name, but appear as separate ones.
I need to log into them when I get home to look at any specific details you might need, but that describes the basics.
thanks a lot.

bremen1874 · 15 Apr 2015 at 16:13

You can't combine them.

If you use identical configurations on both (except the wireless channel which should be different) then your device will connect to the access point with the strongest signal. If you're expecting your device to seamlessly roam between the two access points then you're probably out of luck. It does depend on the device, but most will hang onto their first connection even when they could swap onto a stronger signal.

Seamless roaming is possible but it requires a central controller (software or hardware) which gets you into kit that's aimed at the SME market. The cheapest option I'm aware of would be UniFi APs from Ubiquiti.

tribz · 15 Apr 2015 at 16:52

I find that most consumer stuff nowadays will let you do roam onto the strongest AP signal with the same name. I've done it loads of times with with TP-Link / Billion / ASUS / Netgear / D-Link etc.

Steveocee · 15 Apr 2015 at 17:07

As long as it's same name and encryption along with a different channel you should get roaming.

Giving them the same IP address would be catastrophic as your router is presumably 1 and its the default gateway so if you numbered your additional wifi adapter the same then devices on both networks would possibly try and get out of it.