qvfps
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Connecting to weaker wireless connection
I recently setup a wireless network with multiple wireless access points. I set them all up with the same ESSID and passphrase so we have a seamless connection from one end to the other. It is currently working however some of the PCs are not connecting to the nearest access point.
When I turn on one of the computers it connects to the network with 2-3 bars for signal strength. This computer is located across the hall from one of the access points. If I disconnect from the network and scan for networks it finds the access point with 5 bars and if I connect to the network again it connects with 5 bars. Is there anyway to make sure each PC connects to the strongest signal.
Most of the PCs are running Windows 7 32 bit.
When I turn on one of the computers it connects to the network with 2-3 bars for signal strength. This computer is located across the hall from one of the access points. If I disconnect from the network and scan for networks it finds the access point with 5 bars and if I connect to the network again it connects with 5 bars. Is there anyway to make sure each PC connects to the strongest signal.
Most of the PCs are running Windows 7 32 bit.
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What channels are you using, by the way?
ASKER
I am not having a problem while roaming. The issue is some of the stationary computers pick a weaker/further away access point to connect to. I would like them to connect to the nearest access point with the strongest signal by default.
Depending on your access points another option would be to disable lower speed connections from those access points. This effectively stops slower speed and lower single strength client connections from happening.
ASKER
Do you mean block the MAC address on the access point so it will only connect to the one I want?
I was thinking of setting the minimum data rate allowed for connection to the access point in question to something like 6 meg but Mac filtering might be an option as well. That is a good solution when you have clients which are not chatty enough to remain connected to the access point usually not an issue with computers but smaller devices like print severs.
qvfps - even though it's called "roaming aggressiveness", the algorithm applies whether or not your computer is physically moving around. It is simply the term used for the network adapter's behavior of deciding which access point to connect when multiple access points are available, and at what point will the network adapter abandon the currently connected AP for a stronger one.
The adapter will usually try to re-associate with the first familiar and eligible (strong enough signal) AP that it did in the past. 2-3 bars is considered a strong enough signal. This is a behavior that is implemented at the hardware / driver level and is not normally something the user is given much control over, except for that setting I posted in my earlier comment.
Are you actually issue with network connectivity when your laptop is on the 2-3 bar access point? If not, you don't actually have a problem and you can leave the behavior as it is.
The adapter will usually try to re-associate with the first familiar and eligible (strong enough signal) AP that it did in the past. 2-3 bars is considered a strong enough signal. This is a behavior that is implemented at the hardware / driver level and is not normally something the user is given much control over, except for that setting I posted in my earlier comment.
Are you actually issue with network connectivity when your laptop is on the 2-3 bar access point? If not, you don't actually have a problem and you can leave the behavior as it is.
http://www.intel.com/support/wireless/wlan/sb/CS-030101.htm