Multiple APs with same SSID but all connected via ethernet?

[TOgbourne]

Hello everyone im having lots of trouble with my wifi setup. Forgive me as this is my first post on here.

I have two routers both connected via ethernet my second router is a TP-Link W8970. I want to have both routers working together on the same ssid to create a roaming network. I have disabled DHCP on the second router and changed all the network settings and passwords etc but When i attempt to access the network at all I fail and cant get an ip address for my phone, ipad etc. Is it also my understanding that the WDS feature is to connect two routers wirelessly.(im using ethernet). Am I just missing something or is it just plain not possible on consumer gear?

 

[bill001g]

Not sure if the second router has a AP option but it tends to be simpler to connect the lan ports to the main router and as you have done reassign the IP and disable the DHCP.

It should work, this is a simple AP function. I would start with different SSID just so you can be really sure what your machine is connecting to.

The roaming concept does not really work all that well. The end device is in control and it is really stupid. It will wait until the signal is below a certain level and only then go out and look for a better device to connect to. You could be sitting on top of the second router and if the device think its signal was good enough it will never switch. You end up manually dropping it so it connects.

I tend to prefer the different SSID and I the person know when I can get better signal and force the change.

Still you should have few issue getting the second device to run as a AP. It has to be something very simple you did wrong.

 

[Pooneil]

Having a common SSID's and encryption settings will work, even with APs from different companies on the same network. But no better from a wifi perspective than having separate SSIDs. It is mostly for ease of setup for users, only entering a complex passphrase into the device once and limiting confusion among less techno sophisticated users. When you get stuck on a bad signal when roaming, cycle the wifi on and off.

Your problem may be from some other reason. Most routers/APs have the ability to use multiple SSIDs. Set up unique SSIDs on each AP for troubleshooting purposes or any time you want to force connection to one AP, such as a wifi printer.