What happens if two networks have the same SSID and password?

3

Related to this question: What happens if 2 wifi networks (run by different people) have the same SSID?

BUT in my case both WiFi have the same password.

I have two cases to consider:

  1. If they are broadcasting in the same location, what will happen?
  2. If they are in different locations, will devices which know about WiFi A automatically connect to WiFi B?

I'm setting up a WiFi using a MiFi dongle for use on vacation and wondered if I set it up the same SSID/password as my home Wifi, if I can save everyone having to add a new Wifi to all their devices... which these days is quite a large number!

Is SSID/password all that identifies a WiFi network to my PC or would different security settings mean it is not seen as the 'same' network?

Mr. Boy

Posted 2016-06-18T11:40:02.057

Reputation: 3 710

Answers

4

Two identically named SSIDs with the same password will allow your device to connect to either, without having to add any extra networks on your devices.

If both routers are broadcasting from the same location, the expected behaviour will vary depending on device. For example, some devices will connect to whichever router has the stronger signal, others will just connect to the first router they "see".

Mark Riddell

Posted 2016-06-18T11:40:02.057

Reputation: 652

Are SSID names case-sensitive? – Mr. Boy – 2016-06-19T13:58:33.360

@Mr.Boy Yes, at least my android phone saw 2 different WiFi when only one letter was in different case. – Puck – 2018-10-28T15:05:44.663

does it mean that I can create a fake spot with the same ssid and receive a password from devices that this is the original access point? – Sergey Ponomarev – 2018-12-08T22:27:35.287

1

@stokito The client (nor the access point) never send the password; see this answer (and Wikipedia).

– Jani Uusitalo – 2019-05-07T15:38:33.080

Asked: 2016-06-18T11:40:02.057

Viewed: 5 987 times

Active: 2016-06-18T12:44:08.707