Dual networks inside same house: how to combine?

72hundred

Hi,

I've currently got two routers in a house to allow good coverage. One is up stairs at the back of the house (via a home plug) and the other down stairs at the front at the modem. Currently the set-up works well enough. But both wireless networks have a different name and you have to manually select it when changing location within the house.

Is there a way of having the networks named the same SSID and having it set up so devices automatically switch to the stronger network?

TheChizler

If everything else is set to auto, it's as simple as naming the two networks the same thing and having the same security settings. They should use separate channels, if you know how to change wireless channels set them at least 5 apart.

seamus

Yeah, that should work.

In circumstances where only one router is connected directly to the internet, what you do is put the other router in Repeater or AP mode. This means it basically acts as a dumb relay for the other router, extending the wireless range.

If you're happy with the speed provided by the home plug, then TheChizler's solution is a better way to go.

72hundred

Saw something today on Linus tech tips called "zero hand off". Any one heard anything about this? It's is company specific standard or some more widespread?

Skalragg

if you are using an old router for example. Remove DHCP off it, assign it a static IP address in the same range as your router. Set the SSID to be the same with the same wireless security credentials. The wireless devices will switch to the most powerful signal seamlessly .

Wheather your using 2.4GHz/5GHz be sure that both wireless antennas are broadcasting on different channels.

If its 2.4 use channel 1 /6 /11

White Heart Loon

72hundred wrote: »

Saw something today on Linus tech tips called "zero hand off". Any one heard anything about this? It's is company specific standard or some more widespread?

You're referring to Ubiquiti. Zero handoff is seamless roaming. With zero handoff all access points get set to the same channel and appear as a single Mac address, a software controller handles the handover which is pretty much instant as there is no deauthenticate packet sent or reconnection to a new access point. The end device sees one access point for the whole wireless network. If done right you'll not have a single ping dropped, perfect for voice.

Skalragg

White Heart Loon wrote: »

You're referring to Ubiquiti. Zero handoff is seamless roaming. With zero handoff all access points get set to the same channel and appear as a single Mac address, a software controller handles the handover which is pretty much instant as there is no deauthenticate packet sent or reconnection to a new access point. The end device sees one access point for the whole wireless network. If done right you'll not have a single ping dropped, perfect for voice.

Cisco have solutions with basic APs that behave in the same way, transition between points is seemless even though there is no wireless controller. Ubiquiti is fine if you go for their mid range model + they have, if you are considering them. Have had a lot of problems with the low cost products compared to mid range / high price products..... like all things you pay for what you get

White Heart Loon

Skalragg wrote: »

Cisco have solutions with basic APs that behave in the same way, transition between points is seemless even though there is no wireless controller. Ubiquiti is fine if you go for their mid range model + they have, if you are considering them. Have had a lot of problems with the low cost products compared to mid range / high price products..... like all things you pay for what you get

Would you believe I've replaced a 10+ Cisco AP setup (that gave nothing but trouble) in a warehouse, with all Ubiquiti Unifi and its working flawlessly. Sometimes it's better not to throw money at something when there are better more affordable solutions. Cisco just put two zeros on the end of everything they sell

72hundred

This isn't a purely related question - but what would you wire a house with Cat 6? If you were building a house new now from scratch.

White Heart Loon

72hundred wrote: »

This isn't a purely related question - but what would you wire a house with Cat 6? If you were building a house new now from scratch.

Yes, even cat 5 would be fine (does gigabit), run at least 2 to every tv point back to a central location. Put a bit of thought into where you position your network points, e.g. I find above the kitchen units is a great out of the way place to add a wireless access point.

72hundred

White Heart Loon wrote: »

Yes, even cat 5 would be fine (does gigabit), run at least 2 to every tv point back to a central location. Put a bit of thought into where you position your network points, e.g. I find above the kitchen units is a great out of the way place to add a wireless access point.

And considering the "life" of a house might be 20,30,40,50 years etc. Is there any way of setting up a "future proof" set-up (of course an oxymoronic thing to aspire too).

The only thing I was thinking of was to have conduits running from a central point to the outer points. So at least I could always try run a cable (whatever is the current standard) down in years to come.

White Heart Loon

72hundred wrote: »

And considering the "life" of a house might be 20,30,40,50 years etc. Is there any way of setting up a "future proof" set-up (of course an oxymoronic thing to aspire too).

The only thing I was thinking of was to have conduits running from a central point to the outer points. So at least I could always try run a cable (whatever is the current standard) down in years to come.

Yes, that's probably the best option to futureproof. Copper cat 5/6 cables in our homes will eventually be replaced by fiber. The beauty of fiber will be that we'll be able to run it alongside electrical cables, it does not conduct electricity so there is no safety issue and there is no crosstalk, it's light, not electrical pulses.

72hundred

White Heart Loon wrote: »

Yes, that's probably the best option to futureproof. Copper cat 5/6 cables in our homes will eventually be replaced by fiber. The beauty of fiber will be that we'll be able to run it alongside electrical cables, it does not conduct electricity so there is no safety issue and there is no crosstalk, it's light, not electrical pulses.

Can cat5/6 have issues with electrical cables running beside it?

srsly78

Only at very high speeds really (10gbit). The cables use twisted pairs to minimise this. There is also cat6A which is basically the same but thicker because of extra shielding.

Just put some space between the cables really, and not just electrical ones - seperate the data cables too if possible.