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Two Routers - Same Network - Same SSID

I have a big house.
The modem and router (Apple Time Capsule) is set up on one end of the house, leaving the other half without wireless coverage.

However there is a network jack in every room. I want to setup a second router (not a time capsule) on the other side of the house using the network jack to provide coverage.

Is it possible to set it up to that the second router shares the same SSID and password as the original router, and the computer automatically connects to the one with the strongest signal so it is seamless for users?

Additionally, what router offers the best penetration power to get through multiple walls and floors to offer the greatest range?

Thank you
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John-Charles-Herzberg
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Avatar of Craig Beck
Just one thing about using high-power APs...

If an AP uses 600mW power and just manages to penetrate from one end of the building to the other, the chances are that a client using a 50mW radio won't be able to talk back to the AP if it is located at the edge of the AP's coverage cell.

This implies that you should try to use an AP which uses roughly the same power output as a typical client in your deployment.  Think of it as a normal person-to-person conversation.  It's no good one person screaming at everyone to be heard only for everyone to only whisper back.
For a house, you can use a consumer grade router and just set it to WAP mode, letting the first router provide DHCP.  You can use the same SSID but use a different channel as John-Charles-Herzberg pointed out above.  Since you have outlets in every room, I would do a heat map for best placement.  To do that, just set up the second WAP somewhere and then use a laptop, tablet, or smartphone to gauge signal strength, walking around and making sure you don't have any dead spots.  If you do, change the location of the WAP until you get the best overall coverage.
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Jonathong

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Thanks guys. It worked great