Q: Swapping old router with Airport Extreme and keeping same SSID should not be done as perApple?
Hi, I recently swapped an old N 450 Router to Apple Extreme (5Gen). Initially the signal was very strong and even in first floor Smart TV Netflix loading was almost instantaneous. I have a 50mbps Xfinity Blast. All nice and felt that it was such a good move and justified the cost of the router too. After 2 days, started noticing connection drop outs, IP address conflicts, unable to connect, wifi was connected but no internet. Power recycled it and things seemed okay. again after 2 days, the internet was very slow, dog slow infact to load up regular websites and pages. This time through it was something with the Xfinity modem (Motorola SB6121) which never in 2 years had given me any issues, but recycled it, seems to be marginally better, but the speed ( not the wifi signal) remained very slow. I am a IT person, not specifically Networking, but quite good with systems, configurations etc. Finally eating up my pride called the Apple Support. The guy who responded seemed knowledgeable. He asked me to walk through the set up process, which I said, I have already done it.He asked me how did I set the router up. I had used an iPad with the Apple Utility and since there about 15 devices connected through out the house, I had used the same SSIDs one for 5Ghz and another for 2.4 Ghz. Apparently using the same SSID leads to deterioration in both connectivity and signal strength. I have never heard of this as I have swapped out routers in past 12 years using same SSIDs without any issues. The Support guy told me that this is only with Apple Routers and not with other brands. I have never heard any such thing and trying to google did not get me much information on this. I reached this forum as result. I need answers desperately so that I can decide to return or keep the router. Thanks
AirPort Extreme 802.11n (5th Gen), Other OS
Posted on Jan 17, 2014 5:02 PM