[paulq]

I have my AP setup (after an hour of fiddling) and now I show two WiFi signals on my laptop. They both have the same SSID but are on different channels. Is my laptop just using both of them??

Unfortunately, the signal strength is almost the same.

Thanks!
Paul

(it's a D-Link DAP-1525 access point/bridge ... in AP mode)

[zx10guy]

So you have a wireless router that is also broadcasting the other SSID signal?

[paulq]

Yes. Is that bad?

I have an ethernet line coming out of the back of the router at the back of the house and into an access point in another room. The access point is broadcasting a signal too. I thought I was supposed to name them the same thing?

[zx10guy]

No. You did the right thing. The wireless NIC is going to select an AP based on an algorithm in its drivers mostly based on signal strength.

Some wireless controllers use techniques to steer wireless clients to specific APs based on AP load, RF interference, signal strength, etc. These techniques are better than just letting the wireless client select for themselves.

[paulq]

Should I be concerned that i am essentially getting the same signal strength after setting up the AP that I was getting before setting it up? The AP is almost line of sight to my computer... maybe 30 feet.

[TerryNet]

If the positions and/or distances indicate that one signal should be stronger than the other you have reason for concern if they are essentially the same.

What exactly is "almost line of sight"? If the "almost" is a wall made of brick or concrete or with a lot of duct work that is a serious obstruction.

Use the Xirrus (or similar tool) to observe the signal strengths as you move the laptop around. You may get an idea of what's happening. The following is my canned post; you can ignore the part about attaching here unless you want us to comment on something.

Please attach a screen shot of the Networks page (don't collapse the Radar, Connection or Signal History) of the Xirrus Wi-Fi Inspector. If you need help with that see TSG Posting a Screenshot. FWIW to take screen shots with Windows 7 or Vista I prefer to use the built-in Snipping Tool.

[paulq]

LOL.... Nope, I mean if I lean to the left a bit, I can see the access point. Minimal obstruction.

BUT... I booted up today and I am seeing a 10 dBm difference now. I guess it's working. Is that the improvement I should expect to see? I have a screen shot from Xirrus attached. I am connected to the access point.

Thanks for taking the time to help. I really appreciate it.

[TerryNet]

The Xirrus is showing 18 dBm difference and that is quite significant. Are you having any problems with the connection? If so, there may be interference and you could try channel 5 instead of 3 on the other one.

[paulq]

Things seem to be running smoothly after the one day "break in period" (not saying there is such a thing). Should my AP be on the same channel as my router? If not, I think the AP is in the best spot it can be in terms of overlapping other signals. See attached.

(my network is Oz-2.4Ghz)

[zx10guy]

No. Leave them both on different channels.

[paulq]

Thanks for your help... definitely clarified this set up. I have one other question but I'll start a new thread - maybe you know the answer too...