Setting up two access points with same SSID
I have the following network setup:
Linksys 8 port router (RV082) at the center of my network. DHCP server turned on.
Two linksys wireless g routers (WRT54G and WRT54GS respectively) connected to the main router via a wire. DHCP servers turned off.
Several clients are connected both wired and wirelessly.
Both the wireless routers have identical wireless settings, except one is on channel 1, the other on channel 11.
I expected this to cause the two routers to behave like access points, allowing my computer to connect to whichever one is stronger. But when I do this, computers cannot connect to the network at all (Limited Connectivity warning). If I change the SSIDs around so they are different, I can connect to either one. I hear people on forums suggesting that the routers must be in "AP" mode. But I can't find this setting.
Third party firmware is out of the question.
How do I set up the routers to both have the same SSID and behave as access points?
Linksys 8 port router (RV082) at the center of my network. DHCP server turned on.
Two linksys wireless g routers (WRT54G and WRT54GS respectively) connected to the main router via a wire. DHCP servers turned off.
Several clients are connected both wired and wirelessly.
Both the wireless routers have identical wireless settings, except one is on channel 1, the other on channel 11.
I expected this to cause the two routers to behave like access points, allowing my computer to connect to whichever one is stronger. But when I do this, computers cannot connect to the network at all (Limited Connectivity warning). If I change the SSIDs around so they are different, I can connect to either one. I hear people on forums suggesting that the routers must be in "AP" mode. But I can't find this setting.
Third party firmware is out of the question.
How do I set up the routers to both have the same SSID and behave as access points?
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ASKER
I think I see what you are saying. Do not use the WAN port because I want to bypass the NAT functionality of the router. You're sort of describing this: http://kbserver.netgear.com/kb_web_files/n101496.asp
But this is what I am doing. The routers are connected via the LAN ports, the wan port on the wireless router is not used at all.
Some have suggested that the problem is that the DHCP signals are not being relayed properly from the RV082 through to the wireless routers. I don't know why this would work when they are on different SSIDs, and not when they are on the same SSID... but does it sound possible?
But this is what I am doing. The routers are connected via the LAN ports, the wan port on the wireless router is not used at all.
Some have suggested that the problem is that the DHCP signals are not being relayed properly from the RV082 through to the wireless routers. I don't know why this would work when they are on different SSIDs, and not when they are on the same SSID... but does it sound possible?
ASKER
I'll post more information about my setup, just so everyone is clear:
Linksys RV082
IP: 192.168.64.1
DHCP: ON, range from 100-150
VPN: OFF
DMZ Host: (none)
WAN Settings: static ip/dns/gateway provided by ISP
WAN: Internet Connection
LAN1: Computer
LAN2: WRT54G
LAN3: WRT54GS
Linksys WRT54G
IP: 192.168.64.2
SSID: TestNetwork
Mode: Mixed
WEP: 64bit, key 1: 1234001234
DHCP: OFF
DMZ Host: (none)
WAN Settings: Obtain IP Automatically
WAN: (none)
LAN1: RV082
LAN2: (none)
LAN3: (none)
Linksys WRT54GS
IP: 192.168.64.3
SSID: TestNetwork
Mode: Mixed
WEP: 64bit, key 1: 1234001234
DHCP: OFF
DMZ Host: (none)
WAN Settings: Obtain IP Automatically
WAN: (none)
LAN1: RV082
LAN2: (none)
LAN3: (none)
ASKER
Still can't seem to get this to work...
Hello Frosty555,
Sorry for the delay, I think I missed the notification of your previous comment.
The used network setup seems fine to me. Is there anything you change between the working and the non-working situation except for the SSID, if so what is it?
One single suggestion, can you disable UPnP on both wireless routers which you use as access points to prevent issues there?
Regards,
LucF
Sorry for the delay, I think I missed the notification of your previous comment.
The used network setup seems fine to me. Is there anything you change between the working and the non-working situation except for the SSID, if so what is it?
One single suggestion, can you disable UPnP on both wireless routers which you use as access points to prevent issues there?
Regards,
LucF
ASKER
Seems to be that yes, just change the SSIDs and everything starts working. Keep them the same and nobody can connect... Although IT seems when it isn't working, I will change the SSIDs, and STILL nobody can connect for a few reboot cycles, then it suddenly jumps to life.
I will try disabling upnp. Should I do this on the wireless routers AND the main router? or just the wireless? I'll try both out. I'll get back asap, but probably that will be Thursday.
I will try disabling upnp. Should I do this on the wireless routers AND the main router? or just the wireless? I'll try both out. I'll get back asap, but probably that will be Thursday.
Hi Frosty555,
Just on the routers which you use as an access point.
Even though I'm wondering if UPnP might cause these issues, I've seen weird issues caused by it before so I wouldn't be surprized if it helps.
Regards,
LucF
Just on the routers which you use as an access point.
Even though I'm wondering if UPnP might cause these issues, I've seen weird issues caused by it before so I wouldn't be surprized if it helps.
Regards,
LucF
ASKER
Nope, disabling upnp did nothing to help...
Strange. Maybe at some low level these routers rely on the uniqueness of the SSID, even though they're not supposed to?
I guess when trhadmin said "Getting this to work with residential grade equipment can be hit or miss in any event." he wasn't kidding. Darn. I will have to just setup all the computers to have both SSIDs as preferred wireless networks.
Strange. Maybe at some low level these routers rely on the uniqueness of the SSID, even though they're not supposed to?
I guess when trhadmin said "Getting this to work with residential grade equipment can be hit or miss in any event." he wasn't kidding. Darn. I will have to just setup all the computers to have both SSIDs as preferred wireless networks.
Try these steps for testing :
1. Disable all security WPA etc ..
2. Change channel to 3 an 9 ( could be anything )
3. Now turn off one router and see if you can connect
4. Turn on the 2nd one and see if you can connect
5. Assign static IP to your PC and see if you can ping gateway
If at point no 4 everything works fine with the security disabled then the problem is the WPA settings. Try using WPA-Personal for both.
Suggestion:
If your using similar config for more than one AP/router then its always suggested to type and save it on text file and copy paste when ever configuring the network
Now if everything works fine at point 5 that is on static IP and your able to ping your gateway then the problem might be from DHCP relay. Could be that something is conflicting
Let us know the results
1. Disable all security WPA etc ..
2. Change channel to 3 an 9 ( could be anything )
3. Now turn off one router and see if you can connect
4. Turn on the 2nd one and see if you can connect
5. Assign static IP to your PC and see if you can ping gateway
If at point no 4 everything works fine with the security disabled then the problem is the WPA settings. Try using WPA-Personal for both.
Suggestion:
If your using similar config for more than one AP/router then its always suggested to type and save it on text file and copy paste when ever configuring the network
Now if everything works fine at point 5 that is on static IP and your able to ping your gateway then the problem might be from DHCP relay. Could be that something is conflicting
Let us know the results
ASKER