Clone SSID or create new one

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Level 6

13,899 points

Clone SSID or create new one

I have an Airport Extreme as my primary router with a 100 Mbps internet connection (where I typically actually get ~ 130 Mbps). I have extended the network to a second floor using a powerline TP-Link TL-WPA8630 KIT, extending the network through the house electronic wiring. The TP-Link module transmits has both ethernet output ports and WiFi and is 802.11n and 802.11ac capable. I get typically 100 Mbps to 300+ WiFi Mbps over a large distance.

The TP-Link extender is basically acting like a range extender but it broadcasts its own SSID WiFi networks. TP-Link offers an option to "clone" the Airport Extreme router SSID(s) so throughout the home it will look like just one 2.4 GHz network and one 5 GHz network. My question is: would doing this reduce overall throughput performance? I have read it typically does, but keep in mind the TP-Link is connected to the Airport Extreme via hard wiring, not via WiFi. Also, once in a while, devices presently auto-select one or the other of my TP-Link or Airport Extreme networks that is not the fastest for that location -- right now I can easily manually pick a better one. Won't this likely still happen with the "clone," except with the clone, I'll have no way to manually select the faster network like I can presently do?

MacBook Air, OS X El Capitan (10.11.6)

Posted on Oct 23, 2016 9:41 AM

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Answer 1

Bob Timmons

Level 10

185,042 points

Oct 23, 2016 9:56 AM in response to steve626

My question is: would doing this reduce overall throughput performance?

No

Also, once in a while, devices presently auto-select one or the other of my TP-Link or Airport Extreme networks that is not the fastest for that location -- right now I can easily manually pick a better one. Won't this likely still happen with the "clone,"

Yes

except with the clone, I'll have no way to manually select the faster network like I can presently do?

Temporarily, turn off the WiFi on the wireless device that you are using. Then, turn the WiFi back on and the device should connect to the access point with the strongest signal.....although iOS devices like the iPhone and iPad (and some PCs) will not always do this reliably.

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Answer 2

steve626 Author

Level 6

13,899 points

Oct 23, 2016 10:02 AM in response to Bob Timmons

Bob Timmons wrote:

Temporarily, turn off the WiFi on the wireless device that you are using. Then, turn the WiFi back on and the device should connect to the access point with the strongest signal.....although iOS devices like the iPhone and iPad (and some PCs) will not always do this reliably.

Thanks. I have noticed this myself, that the SSID with strongest signal is not always selected, but often it is. Also, when one moves around with devices like iPhones, laptops, etc., it starts by selecting the strongest signal but after moving around, one often needs to manually select a different stronger (closer) SSID, which is very easy now when the SSID's are different, but might not be so easy when one can't distinguish between them (they would have the same name when cloned).

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Answer 3

Bob Timmons

Level 10

185,042 points

Oct 23, 2016 10:23 AM in response to steve626

I have noticed this myself, that the SSID with strongest signal is not always selected

Normal and expected. Macs will usually do a very nice job of automatically switching as they more from an area near one one access point to another area with a different access point with Apple routers.....but iOS devices like the iPhone, iPad and most PCs will not do this very well.....if they do it at all. In theory, a Mac should work well with a 3rd party access point as well.

but might not be so easy when one can't distinguish between them (they would have the same name when cloned).

That is why I noted that you need to temporarily turn off the WiFi (or switch to Airplane Mode on an iPhone or iPad) and then turn the device back on.....so that it will usually pick up the signal from the closest access point. That is simpler than having to manually switch to a different access point or SSID, so if it works for you, things might be a bit faster and easier.

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