1 network with multiple access points

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Level 1

9 points

1 network with multiple access points

Apologies in advance if some of my terminology is sloppy but my setup is as follows.

1. New AirPort Extreme Base Station in my basement connected directly to my cable modem and acting as my main WiFi router for the house.

2. Older Airport Express (G) hard wired into an ethernet jack on my main floor acting in bridge mode only as an access point.

3. Second but also older Airport Express (G) hard wired into an ethernet jack on my second floor acting in bridge mode only as an access point.

My objective is to have wireless coverage through the whole house and because of the location of the Airport Extreme in the basement in the mechanical room, I need the other units to help get the wireless signal throughout the house. In order to allow all my devices to seamlessly jump from one access point to another, I have named each of the 3 units with the same SSID and the same PW. From what I have read, my iOS device (or laptop) should automatically jump to the strongest signal. So if for example, in the kitchen in the back of the house, the base station from the basement has a very weak signal, the old Airport Express on the second floor near the kitchen which should have a much stronger signal should be the one my device connects to.

That all works relatively well in theory, but sometimes, the device I am using will show only a single bar in the wireless connectivity meaning it is stubbornly connecting to the weak signal in the basement (or on the second floor) and ignoring the much stronger signal on the main floor. This obviously means poor surfing / download speeds etc.

Other than re-naming the different access points and forcing my device to connect to whichever is closest, are there any suggestions? It is particularly a problem in the bedroom where my ipad will regularly "ignore" the much closer old AE (which when connected, gives me full signal) and connects to the one downstairs which barely gives me a single bar.

Is it possible that my very old Airport Express models are "wearing out"? (I know there are no moving parts but I have had issues in the past where routers just seem to stop working). Should I try out one of the newer Airport Express models to act as access points? There are lots of them available as refurbs in the Apple Store.

Thanx in advance.

Posted on Oct 22, 2013 12:51 PM

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Answer 1

Best reply

Bob Timmons

Community+ 2024

Level 10

159,218 points

Oct 22, 2013 1:02 PM in response to Birdman325

From what I have read, my iOS device (or laptop) should automatically jump to the strongest signal.

Maybe in theory, but not in practice with the iOS devices and some PCs.

The iPhones and iPads will not usually automatically switch access points as they move from one area to another, which is caused by limitations in the iOS operating system. Nature of the beast, I am afraid.

What you will probably need to do most of the time with an iOS device is turn off the WiFi when you move to another area for a minute or two, then turn it back on and it usually then pick up the signal from the closest access point.

If you do not manually turn off the WiFi and then turn it back on when you move the iOS device, the iPhone or iPad will almost always stay connected to its original connection point. That is why you see the weak signal displayed.

Sometimes, my iPhone or iPad will switch to another access point after a time....maybe 4-5 minutes or so....and sometimes not.

Macs should automatically switch to the access point with the strongest signal as they move from one area to another.

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Answer 2

Birdman325 Author

Level 1

9 points

Oct 22, 2013 1:14 PM in response to Bob Timmons

Thanx for that. That might be way the laptops (mine, kids' etc) don't seem to have this problem as accutely as the ipad. Although even if I turn the WiFi off, and then turn it back on, it will sometimes connect to the weaker signal.

Perhaps there is no merit then to picking up the newer Airport Express and maybe I should just re-name the AirportExpress that is upstairs as a different name, and I can then "force" my ipad to connect to it. Seems a bit of a pain but may provide a more reliable connection (?)

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Answer 3

Oct 22, 2013 1:26 PM in response to Birdman325

I have had older and newer AirPorts and the iOS devices generally have the same issues with all of them, so I doubt that switching to "new" devices will help.

Currently, all of the AirPorts here are less than 2 years old and we still have problems with the iOS devices.

Yes, Apple continues to say that they are "working on it". iOS 7 is not any better here than previous versions, by the way.

Setting up a different SSID would be a way to force a device to connect to a given access point, but personally, I would rather turn WIFi off and then back on when I move the iPhones or iPad around. But, your call on that.

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Answer 4

D1v1d

Level 1

8 points

Jun 22, 2014 3:40 AM in response to Birdman325

Great post. Similar setup and switching challenges with my three storey London house. I've got 5 APs incl APExtreme in bridge mode fed by basement router. Each AP has a unique name so I can confirm quickly if it's the best 'local' AP. I get coverage throughout the house and in front and back gardens. 5 gig band has clear speed advantage but limited range. I've 'tuned down' the 2.4 gig APs with narrow channels and mixed mode to help punch through overlapping APs in the neighbourhood.

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