How can I ensure a single wifi name and avoid to change the name of the LAN on my Mac?

JaumeBS wrote:

Thanks a lot for your comments, MrHoffman, and for your right judgment of the situation.

In fact I have a "Time Capsule" which I configured with Airport as my wifi LAN in first floor. Using it for Time Machine back-up.

I found the old Apple routers had low and fading Wi-Fi output power, and have met Capsule models with signal drop-outs of ten to fifteen seconds or so. No diagnostics, no yellow LED, just occasional dropouts.

You can use a laptop Mac and a tool such as the WiFi Explorer app to map your local network for signal strength and interference from other nearby Wi-Fi networks and other issues.

Because of weak wifi coverage downstairs, I got a Netgear router connected (ethernet cable) to my internet modem and so having now a strong wifi signal (with a different name)on ground floor.

My worry now is that I have to change my connexion when moving up and down with my iPhone or iPad. So I would like to have a UNIQUE wifi all around.

That’s the access point (AP) setup. Or mesh, where the hardware supports it. You might be able to do that with a mix of Apple and NETGEAR when there is a backhaul wired connection for each, though you will probably then need to run your own DHCP servers, and potentially your own firewall if you don’t already have a box for that (which can be both an AP and a firewall together).

Synology NAS servers can run DHCP (and all sorts of other stuff), as can some other options. Apple used to have some nice products in this space, but discontinued all that when macOS Server ended.

I understand Synology NAS could be a replacement solution for Time Capsule (which is still working well), but ... no wifi capability.

Synology does have a couple of Wi-Fi routers that can accept added hard disks and do support Time Machine via SMB. I tend to go with the networking and the storage separate, as the storage available in the local (dedicated) NAS boxes can be larger, and centralized with the wired network and power and battery backup and physical access as needed, and the Wi-Fi devices can be scattered around where better coverage is needed.

If you want to go mesh, that usually means same-vendor gear. Having migrated off an all-Apple Wi-Fi network configured as APs (to get one SSID and roaming for the whole network), I’m now mostly using Ubiquiti for both wired and mesh.

For your case here, a couple of Ubiquiti Express boxes for mesh coverage, and a NAS box with TM support, would probably serve. This assuming no other odd issues or interference are lurking. Not the cheapest approach, but polished.

Other options include TrueNAS storage running on some old PC box, a Synology router (RT2600ac, or mesh MR2200ac) with added storage, or other such. TrueNAS lists Time Machine support, but it's not something I’ve tried.

I’ve used Wi-Fi extenders (and what basically evolved into mesh), but have had some issues with those over the years. That was with older Apple Wi-Fi gear. Mesh routers and their user interfaces are made for this drop-in wireless backhaul configuration.

Okay… quick intro time, mixed with random comments, and some background…

I’m guessing the Apple HD with LAN is an AirPort Time Capsule or maybe some other AirPort router with a USB-connected hard disk drive.

There are Wi-Fi systems that offer both access point and mesh configurations, and variously both.

Apple Time Capsule can be reconfigured as an access point, but those are all getting old and flaky.

Using access points and not traditional Wi-Fi routers, or using a Wi-Fi mesh and not traditional Wi-Fi routers, means you have one SSID network name and one network, and the Wi-Fi clients can freely roam among the Wi-Fi access points (or mesh routers).

Some configurations can use an extender, which can work. AirPort can use other AirPorts for this, but this isn’t an approach I’d generally recommend, as it’s all other and more limited gear. And the AirPort Rime Capsule is just getting old.

It’s fairly rare to find any vendor which can mesh or extend with gear from a different vendor.

Some of the ways I’ve encountered older AirPort gear failing have included with dropouts, and with weaker Wi-Fi signals, and failing hard disks for the Time Capsule devices.

For a mid-range mesh router, Ubiquiti has their recent Express: https://www.ui.com/us/cloud-gateways/express

If you also want Time Machine support for local macOS backups, you will either need a Wi-Fi router that supports that, or network attached storage that supports that. There aren’t all that many devices that are both Wi-Fi (router, access point, mesh) and internal storage. I’ve worked with Synology NAS, and current models of most of those support Time Machine.

What are your goals for your network, and are you seeking to keep that (guessing) AirPort Time Capsule working, or replace or extend it? (No mesh option for Time Capsule.)

Are you using the Time Capsule for Time Machine backups?

The reason for asking is that while I am reasonably certain you can add it as a client to the Netgear's wireless network and continue to use it for that purpose, I am equally certain that you will need to connect it directly to the Netgear with an Ethernet cable to do that.

Then, if you configure the TC to "Create a wireless network" with the exact same network name (SSID) as the Netgear's wireless network, you should be able to accomplish your originally stated goal.

You might need some additional guidance to do that, so for now please clarify your intent regarding your goals as

MrHoffman explained. I have no experience adding a Time Capsule to a mesh network (wired or otherwise), but I believe if there is any chance of it working at all you will need to wire it directly to the Netgear router.

What kind of router? Manufacturer and model designation please.

It's not necessary and inconvenient at best to have two separately named wireless networks, but I'm not sure what "an Apple HD with LAN" means.

Hi,

Instead of use another router, you'd better get WiFi booster.