How important is it to manually configure different Wi-Fi access points on the same SSID to different channels?

2

I have a home network with two Wi-Fi access points:

Both are on the same SSID as per this answer, and are backhaul connected by Powerline adapters.

From time to time I have flakiness in my Wi-Fi network - disconnects, slowness, etc., and have been trying to diagnose and fix this. I’m relatively sure the Powerline adapters aren’t the issue, because when I connect machines directly to the Ethernet connection, everything is robust and fine and internet access is nice and fast.

One theory I have is that this may be because both Wi-Fi access points are set to “Auto” for the channel, which in theory means they search for a good channel periodically, settling on ones which don’t clash with much else.

However, I’m in a busy apartment block with lots of Wi-Fi networks, so I’m guessing from time to time they may clash by picking either channels close to each other or the same channel. Is this theoretically possible, and might it explain Wi-Fi disconnects?

I’ve now tried manually setting them both to separate channels—1 and 11— so will see if these issues go away. Because they are sporadic problems, though, it would be nice to know if my theory makes sense.

Andrew Ferrier

Posted 2015-10-10T17:28:43.143

Reputation: 1 604

1What you describe might be the case. But it could also be the case that—as you state—you reside in an area with lots of Wi-Fi traffic, interference from other Wi-Fi devices out of your control could be mucking up the mix. Also, maybe you should just use one access point to extend the other instead of having two separate entities. Unless that is already your setup and I’m not clear about that? – JakeGould – 2015-10-10T17:43:32.357

@JakeGould the apartment is big enough, and the placement of the two access points are fiddly enough, that I really need two to get even coverage throughout. There is nowhere I can put a single access point that covers the whole apartment. – Andrew Ferrier – 2015-10-10T17:55:53.180

1

Got it. Now I am understanding the backhaul stuff. Also, FWIW 802.11n is a very flaky protocol. My answer here explains the headaches. But it might be worth it to invest in routers that can handle 802.11ac. Just a thought.

– JakeGould – 2015-10-10T18:00:17.977

802.11ac supports 5GHz, right? It's definitely worth considering. Can I check what 5GHz networks are already around me to see what the bang for my buck might be if I get a 5GHz access point? – Andrew Ferrier – 2015-10-10T18:09:08.440

I'm not 100% sure. But I do know that 802 11n is really messed up protocol. It's not just the gigahertz. – JakeGould – 2015-10-10T19:58:56.300

Answers

1

You say this:

However, I’m in a busy apartment block

And this:

I’ve now tried manually setting them both to separate channels—1 and 11—

Abandon 2.4Ghz. Its horrendously polluted in dense dwellings. 5Ghz is the only decent solution here.

Linef4ult

Posted 2015-10-10T17:28:43.143

Reputation: 3 705

I appreciate you're trying to help, but this doesn't really answer the question. I'm trying to understand if setting both the routers to Auto will cause clashes with each other, or not. – Andrew Ferrier – 2015-10-10T18:11:54.270

Its really a moot question. Even if they do or they dont, there are three "useful" 2.4 bands, 1, 6 and 11. Rest overlap. In an apartment block with 10+ APs you're totally overlapping anways so whether its yours or not is irrelevant. The bursts of problems may even be a microwave oven. That all said, yes, if you lived in a standalone dwelling I would be advising fixed channels, auto tends to be pretty basic and makes mistakes regularly. – Linef4ult – 2015-10-10T18:19:46.580

1I have upgraded to 5GHz since asking this, and to be honest, you were right - it has greatly helped stability and speed. – Andrew Ferrier – 2015-12-22T13:38:25.593

Glad you got it sorted – Linef4ult – 2015-12-22T22:45:48.367

Asked: 2015-10-10T17:28:43.143

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Active: 2016-01-17T05:22:35.830