Clownzer
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Wireless Access Points - Seemless Connection... or lack of
Hello Everyone,
I have a huge problem in our office. I am using multiple Linksys WAP (WAP54G) I set them all on the same channel and I know they have overlapping coverage.. The problem is our laptops seem to drop when switching between the WAPs and when they are in overlapping coverage areas they get no connection as if the laptop is fighting on which one to connect to. So I am at a loss! Please help solve my wireless woes.
Chris
I have a huge problem in our office. I am using multiple Linksys WAP (WAP54G) I set them all on the same channel and I know they have overlapping coverage.. The problem is our laptops seem to drop when switching between the WAPs and when they are in overlapping coverage areas they get no connection as if the laptop is fighting on which one to connect to. So I am at a loss! Please help solve my wireless woes.
Chris
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SOLUTION
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Your laptops are not connecting because simply the packets that they receive in the overlapping areas come from different APs, thus creating a mixup of packets that make no sense for the laptop's wifi adapter.
The best sollution is the one provided by ecszone.
I assume that the WRT54Gs are connected to a central switch using ethernet cable, so you can set different channels for each one of them, letting the users know that there will be a small interruption in the service while they are migrationg from one area to another and you will end up with very happy static users and moving users that will get used to the idea that there will be a temporary lack of service while moving from one area to another, but once they move from one AP to another, the connection will be very reliable and they will have plenty of bandwidth to use.
The best sollution is the one provided by ecszone.
I assume that the WRT54Gs are connected to a central switch using ethernet cable, so you can set different channels for each one of them, letting the users know that there will be a small interruption in the service while they are migrationg from one area to another and you will end up with very happy static users and moving users that will get used to the idea that there will be a temporary lack of service while moving from one area to another, but once they move from one AP to another, the connection will be very reliable and they will have plenty of bandwidth to use.
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I must just add my 2 pence worth as I have many Linksys AP's around my site and my guys can wonder about all day without dropping connections, even between buildings. I don't want to go against any of the good advice above, but these are the facts about my setup:
They all have the same SSID
They all use the same WEP
They are all on the same Channel
But that's not to say it will solve your problem. I'm not sure what's going on with your setup, have you considered an external source of interferance? For example, our MD's Porshe security system used to cause hell with our signal, until we worked out what it was and asked him to park it round the corner!
Also, depending on the positioning of your AP's it's still possible to get some black spots. Make sure your AP's are set to use both Antenna and try re-positioning the AP's, I found that this helped reduce blackspots. You can also try using different antenna to improve coverage. There are some interesting articles about on this stuff, one in particular that really helped me improve coverage on site, If I can find it, I'll link it later.
As Technolotyworks said, you should not lose connection when roaming, so consider other causes.
:)
They all have the same SSID
They all use the same WEP
They are all on the same Channel
But that's not to say it will solve your problem. I'm not sure what's going on with your setup, have you considered an external source of interferance? For example, our MD's Porshe security system used to cause hell with our signal, until we worked out what it was and asked him to park it round the corner!
Also, depending on the positioning of your AP's it's still possible to get some black spots. Make sure your AP's are set to use both Antenna and try re-positioning the AP's, I found that this helped reduce blackspots. You can also try using different antenna to improve coverage. There are some interesting articles about on this stuff, one in particular that really helped me improve coverage on site, If I can find it, I'll link it later.
As Technolotyworks said, you should not lose connection when roaming, so consider other causes.
:)
Make sure that each WAP has been updated with the latest firmware.
Andre...