Source
r/HomeNetworking•
TimonEUW

I´ve got a question regarding wifi.

In my familys house we´ve got 3 different named wifi networks all connected to the same router. When I am for example in the first floor I am connected to the first floor wifi network, but when I walk down to the ground floor I am still connected to the first floor wifi network and I have to change it manually. (because of poor signal strength)

My question is, if I can just give every wifi network the same name (SSID?) to get a seamless transition between the wifi networks to always have full signal strength.

I´d really appreciate your help, thanks in advance.

Posted Oct 26, 2015, 6:01 PM UTC

36
CBRjackUbiquiti•

Give the three the same SSID and same security settings (same password, same type) and your devices should roam.

Should : roaming decision is left to the device, some are really "sticky" and will hold on to a very weak signal, some will be quicker to switch.

4
TimonEUWOP•

Thanks for your answer. Wanted to ask here before I might break something in our home network.

1
CBRjackUbiquiti•

Also, make sure they use a different channel each, 1, 6 and 11. (Others overlap, giving slower performance)

3
BetterHomeWifi•

There are many threads here about this. Use the same SSID, PW, and encryption, use non-overlapping channels, connect via the LAN ports, and disable all but one dhcp server.

1
brttrd•

  1. Turn the power lower on the radios. Start at 1/2 power for 2.4Ghz and 3/5 power for 5Ghz and play around.

  2. Turn of the lower end data rates on the radios. EX Data rates below 11Mbps or 22 Mbps.

Like the others said, the device determines when it roams but having the same SSID everywhere will help.

1
SysAtMNLinksys•

My question is, if I can just give every wifi network the same name (SSID?) to get a seamless transition between the wifi networks to always have full signal strength.

No, it doesn't work that way. Your wireless clients (personal devices) all have different connection algorithms to determine how they connect to various APs in the area. As you roam around the client will determine on its own when its time for it to switch around from one AP to another.

The way you control seamlessly roaming from one AP to another is to setup a wireless controller with Zero Handoff functionality. Zero handoff is the feature that automatically moves clients around from one physical AP to another as they migrate around the environment.

Stacking your SSIDs will only make it more difficult for you to manually connect to specific APs. In most cases you have to physically disable the wireless adapter and turn it back on to make it connect to the strongest signal in the area.

1