Multiple wireless access points

Vertigo · 23 Apr 2008 at 11:45

Got a question here for any wireless gurus.

We need two access points to cover a large area but we want them to behave as one "node". Each access point will have a hard wired connection to the central switch, we just want them to appear as a single network when connecting from a client and for the clients to automatically switch between them to the one with the best signal.

What kit/technologies do we need to achieve this?

Vertigo · 23 Apr 2008 at 11:57

Vintage_Geek said:
Wouldn't you just need one wireless access point and then a wireless repeater/extender to increase the range of your wireless network?

Whilst it would work, it's nowhere near as neat a solution and also restricts total bandwidth. Using two APs, each with their own fixed network connection is neater and splits the total available bandwidth across the users.

Vertigo · 23 Apr 2008 at 11:58

EVH said:
Just set up two access points (connected to the modem/switch) using the same broadcast SSIDs.

Tell the computers to switch to the one with the best signal.

Does this work with any AP or do they need to support certain technologies?

Vertigo · 23 Apr 2008 at 12:35

What on earth are you on about? There are no modems in this scenario at all and IP addresses are leased from a central DHCP server.

I've just done some testing here by setting up two access points with the same SSID but on different channels. A test laptop connects to the strongest one at startup (excellent) and, when that AP is switched off, finds the other one automatically (even better).

What it won't do is switch back to the original AP when the AP is restarted, despite the signal being much stronger. It seems to want to cling on to the weak signal from the other AP and won't switch until that weak signal actually disappears.

Is this a hardware limitation (one of the APs is rather old) or can it be fixed with drivers/preferences?

Vertigo · 23 Apr 2008 at 14:58

Basically it all works except it won't switch to an alternate AP when there's a stronger signal available, it has to actually lose its connection before searching for an alternative. What I need is some way of having it automatically check for a stronger signal at regular intervals and switch if there's a better one.

EDIT: Sorted!

Need to use Intel's ProSet wireless drivers rather than Windows' own and it switches to the strongest signal automatically as you wander about.