How do I know which base station I am connected to in an extended wireless network?

Question

Level 1

5 points

How do I know which base station I am connected to in an extended wireless network?

I was wondering whether it is possible to determine which of the wifi stations you are actually connected to when using mutliple stations in an extended network mode. I have a Time Capsule (2nd or 3rd generation) extended to an Airport Express (current/2012). I can no longer see the Airport Express's name in my network options. I understand this is because it is using the Time Capsule's name now. But how can I tell which unit I am connected to?

Also, when I use a software program like WiFi Explorer, it only shows one set of signals (2.4 and 5GHz). So despite having my computer sitting two metres away from the Airport Express unit, the signal strength of the wifi signal is the same as when it wasn't plugged in. In other words, it seems to just be showing the Time Capsule signal a few rooms away. How can I tell what the Airport Express's signal strength is?

MacBook Pro, Mac OS X (10.7.5)

Posted on May 21, 2014 4:51 AM

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Answer 1

Bob Timmons

Level 10

185,024 points

May 21, 2014 5:07 AM in response to Schudy

But how can I tell which unit I am connected to?

On your MacBook Pro....

Locate it close to your main base station and log onto the wireless

Hold the option key while you click on the AirPort icon at the top of the Mac's screen

Look for the BSSID, which is the ID of the base station to which you are connected

Jot down the last few characters of the BSSID

Move your Mac close to the AirPort Express for a minute or two and do the same thing

Now you know how to see which base station the Mac is connected to at any given time

WiFi Explorer will now make more sense, as you know which signal is which that you are looking at

The SNR reading in WiFi Explorer is probably the best measure of signal quality. Use the chart below for reference:

> 40dB SNR = Excellent signal

25dB to 40dB SNR = Good signal

15dB to 25dB SNR = Low signal

10dB - 15dB SNR = Very low signal

5dB to 10dB SNR = Virtually no signal

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Answer 2

May 21, 2014 9:05 AM in response to Schudy

In WiFi Explorer, the entry you see in bold in the networks list is the network you're connected to.

In addition, for each network WiFi Explorer can show the name of the corresponding Apple base station (e.g. Schudy's Time Capsule). Go to WiFi Explorer > Preferences > Advanced and check the column "Device Name". That should make it easier to identify the base station you're connected to.

Adrian

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Answer 3

turbostar

Level 4

2,941 points

May 21, 2014 10:37 AM in response to Schudy

It's easy in AirPort Utility just hover over the base station and look for your device

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