Multiple Airport express roaming network interference

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Multiple Airport express roaming network interference

Hi, I am using airport expresses to put wifi into the small school where I work. School is fully ethernetted so looking to configure as a roaming network with the AXs as access points. I am using ipad and airpot utility to configure. Install first 2, create then join network, works a dream. However, when I install a third they seem to disrupt each other and I lose all wifi. Have tried setting channels manually so they shouldn't interfere but same problem??

Airport express-OTHER

Posted on Sep 13, 2012 11:42 PM

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Answer 1

Tesserax

Level 10

160,838 points

Sep 14, 2012 9:40 AM in response to Ukelele Paul

As you know, the key for a roaming network is that each base station should be broadcasting a wireless network on a radio channel with enough channel separation to prevent Wi-Fi interference between base stations. So, for example, if you have two base stations adjacent to each other, be sure to set their channels to be at least 3-5 channels apart from each other. For roaming networks, you want to avoid using the "Automatic" setting for radio channels.

Since you are still getting some form of Wi-Fi interference, you may want to double-check your roaming network configuration again. Please review the following Apple Support article to be sure nothing was missed. In addition, you may want to look for other sources of Wi-Fi interference in the area, like portable phones, microwave ovens, other wireless networks, etc.

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Answer 2

Ukelele Paul Author

Level 1

0 points

Sep 19, 2012 3:50 PM in response to Tesserax

Thx Tesserax. the key was having different channels.

BUT when you set up a new airport with an ipad you have to use the Settings - Wifi options to configure a new base station. This does NOT give you the option to set the channels - you then have to go into the Airport Utility to do this, but by that time it has caused interference and brought the whole wifi down. So - you have to turn off the 2 existing airport expresses (which have manual channels set) then set up the new aiport express with exactly the same network details, set its channels to be manual and different to the first 2 and then turn the original 2 back on and voila!

Worked fine with 2 but needed this work around with 3.

cheers,

Paul.

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