HT204616: Wi-Fi base stations: Setting up and configuring a roaming network (802.11 a/b/g/n)

Learn about Wi-Fi base stations: Setting up and configuring a roaming network (802.11 a/b/g/n)
bestcableguy

Q: When I set up two new AEBS the second one kills my wireless connectivity. What am I doing wrong?

I have two new AEBS. I set up the first as outlined in the article. When I set up the second it kills my internet access. Unplug the second and all is well. Plug it back in... lose connectivity. Help please.

Posted on Mar 22, 2012 9:19 PM

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Q: When I set up two new AEBS the second one kills my wireless connectivity. What am I doing wrong?

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  • by Tesserax,Helpful

    Tesserax Tesserax Mar 22, 2012 9:35 PM in response to bestcableguy
    Level 9 (54,684 points)
    Wireless
    Mar 22, 2012 9:35 PM in response to bestcableguy

    The key for a roaming network is that the router connected directly to the Internet modem has both NAT & DHCP enabled; all other routers need to be configured as bridges (i.e., both NAT & DHCP are disabled). That means that the AirPort connected to the Internet has the option Connection Sharing = Share a public IP address; the other routers would have Connection Sharing = Off (Bridge Mode)

  • by bestcableguy,

    bestcableguy bestcableguy Mar 22, 2012 9:45 PM in response to Tesserax
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Mar 22, 2012 9:45 PM in response to Tesserax

    I will double check in the morning when I can get back on the jobsite. It was just plain weird. The 2nd AEBS on the other end of the house when connected from the patch panel to the Main AEBS would literally kill my network connection.

  • by Tesserax,Helpful

    Tesserax Tesserax Mar 22, 2012 9:57 PM in response to bestcableguy
    Level 9 (54,684 points)
    Wireless
    Mar 22, 2012 9:57 PM in response to bestcableguy

    The other important configuration items are:

    • Both routers must have unique Base Station Names.
    • Both routers must use the same Network Name, Security Type, and Security Password.
    • Be sure that both routers have Radio Channels set to Automatic. If you are still having wireless connectivity issues, try setting the Radio Channels to Manual and choose channels on each router to be at least 3-5 channels apart on the 2.4 GHz band.
  • by Bob Timmons,Solvedanswer

    Bob Timmons Bob Timmons Mar 23, 2012 5:47 AM in response to bestcableguy
    Level 10 (105,268 points)
    Wireless
    Mar 23, 2012 5:47 AM in response to bestcableguy

    The 2nd AEBS on the other end of the house when connected from the patch panel to the Main AEBS would literally kill my network connection.

    This will happen if the the 2nd AEBS is configured to "Extend a wireless network". Make sure that it is set to "Create a wireless network".