Do I have too many wifi networks

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Level 1

103 points

Do I have too many wifi networks

I could use some other opinions on my setup as as I'm just not sure I've gone about this the right way over time. I don't know if all these signals are creating conflicts or anything.

For all referenced wifi/wireless signals, I have not limited to a particular channel or signal.

Through the past few years I've tried to maximize our wifi signal such that we have good coverage inside the house and outside while sitting on the front and back porch. Our house is 4 levels including a basement and top floor with 6,000 square feet or so. With kids/parents, etc, we have an apple tv connecting wirelessly, two iphones, we control our outdoor speakers wirelessly, one macbook, multiple ipads/iphones, etc. The set up I have today is:

Verizon ran the FiOs stuff through the basement so their wire/router comes in on the bottom/basement floor. I've taken their Verizon router and turned off the wifi, and connect their router directly to an Apple time capsule. I have a wireless signal turned on here to cover the basement. All Ethernet connections in the house are to this TC in the basement.

Note all references to wireless networks are a wireless network by the same name but "created" with the same password (not extending a wireless network) unless otherwise noted:

Basement:

1. The wifi signal mentioned above.

On the ground level I have:

1. Kitchen connected by Ethernet with an airport express sending a wireless signal.

2. A cubby hole office area connected by ethernet with an airport express. This sends out a wireless signal.

3. Family room has an entertainment system with an airport express with speakers connected that are wired all the way outside the house. This system sends off a wireless signal that "extends" the wireless network (not connected by Ethernet due to location).

4. Recently added a brand new Time Capsule in the main office area. This sends a wireless signal as well. This was installed in the past 72 hours and I swear it seems like the signals have gotten worse in the house.

On the third floor:

1. A loft area is connected by Ethernet with a 1st gen Time Capsule. This sends a wireless signal.

2. The master bedroom is connected by Ethernet with an airport express. This sends a wireless signal.

4th floor: No hardware. Area rarely used.

In the ground floor, # 3 was needed with how we set up our outdoor speakers. I've noticed that different devices will connect to different wifi signals even if we're sitting side by side. I'm not an expert at this stuff but I basically kept adding hardware until I could feel comfortable I was getting a solid signal with the shape/construction of our house. Not sure if there is a better way to go about it.

Thanks for reading.

Posted on Oct 22, 2014 2:22 PM

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Answer 1

John Galt

Level 10

156,416 points

Oct 22, 2014 3:09 PM in response to Ramblinmanva

Do I have too many wifi networks

You might. There is definitely a limit, though it's not easily determined. Basically, if you are using 2.4 GHz 802.11b/g there exist only three non-overlapping channels. In your case it is nearly certain that some of them are overlapping. That in itself is not a major concern, but when signals begin to overlap then the bandwidth that would otherwise be available becomes limited due to the need for various devices to share a finite bandwidth. By my count you are using seven access points, all in a fairly small area. The result will be a fairly noisy wireless environment.

Any problems that may occur as a result will be most evident during extensive communication, such as streaming music or video.

Essentially one should have as many wireless access points as necessary to serve the desired area, but no more. If you can constrain as many devices as practicable to use the 5 GHz network, it may alleviate the channel congestion that probably exists.

If you are using Mountain Lion or later, Apple's Wireless Diagnostics may provide some additional information for you to consider: About Wireless Diagnostics - Apple Support

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Answer 2

Bob Timmons

Level 10

186,530 points

Oct 22, 2014 3:30 PM in response to Ramblinmanva

In addition to John Galt's comments, here is some additional information to consider.

Mac laptops will generally do a good job of automatically switching from one wireless access point to another as they move about the house....to pick up the "best" quality signal from what is usually the closest wireless access point at any given time.

But, this is not generally true for iOS devices like an iPhone and iPad.....since these devices use much simpler operating systems than a Mac computer. As a general rule, an iOS will connect to the closest wireless access point (the strongest signal) when it is powered up.

But, if you move an iOS device from one area to another, the iOS will usually not switch access points quickly, and instead hold onto the original AirPort to which it connected....even if it is close to another access point. Kind of a nature of the beast with the iOS system.

The iOS device might switch over to another access points after some time....a few minutes or longer....and it might not. You have to experiment a bit to find out how things behave at your home.

So, if you are moving an iOS device from one side of the house to another, or from upstairs to downstairs....and you want the iOS device to connect to the best quality signal....turn off the WiFi temporarily for a minute or two on the iOS device and then turn it back on when the iOS device is in the new location. The iOS device will usually connect to the stronger wireless access point when you do this.

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Answer 3

Ramblinmanva Author

Level 1

103 points

Oct 22, 2014 3:30 PM in response to John Galt

Thanks for the response.

Should I be picking specific channels for the various wireless signals to use and make them all the same? Or different?

So far I have not limited any specifically to 5 GHz but I may play around with that.

You are correct on your count. I think I'll start with using only 1 or 2 on the ground level and cut off one on the 3rd floor.

I think what I was finding was that some of those extra ones were needed to be closer to the outdoor area (hence one extra on the ground and one extra in the master bedroom).

Thanks for the tip about the wireless diagnostics. Had not used this before.

Most of the time we're connecting via iPads (where this diagnostic can't be used I believe) but I'll play around with it.

Thanks for the tips.

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Answer 4

John Galt

Level 10

156,416 points

Oct 22, 2014 8:45 PM in response to Ramblinmanva

Should I be picking specific channels for the various wireless signals to use and make them all the same?

No, given the number of base stations you have it really is best to leave channel selection on "Automatic". It brings up an interesting question since your devices are constantly going to be contending with one another in a futile attempt to find a quiet channel, but that is no different than it would be in any highly populated area. The method with which Apple base stations choose their wireless channel and how often it is permitted to change is not publicly known, but Wireless Diagnostics will record those changes in a log file. It contains a plethora of additional arcane information that you may or may not find useful, or helpful.

5 GHz brings its own challenges and limitations, but I think your installation may benefit from its use. Compared to 2.4 GHz, the number of available 5 GHz channels is huge.

Finding the optimal wireless installation always involves some experimentation. My method is to start simple, then add devices one at a time and evaluate the effects of adding each one. Every minor change affects everything, and more is not always better.

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