2 wireless routers, one SSID, same channel number or not ?

[GoNz0]

as per the title, i have 2 neatgear routers, the 3700 and the 4500, they share the SSID on the 5ghz radios, as it stands the channels are as far apart as possible but i can't work out if i should have the same channels or not ?

some guides say to use the same channels, others say not.

over to the hexites

[Agent]

It depends on how you've set it up.

If it's WDS or Bridge Repeater mode, then they should be on the same channel (a lot of chipsets get upset if not, but some do work fine). If they are purely independent, they should be on different channels to minimise interference.

Are they connected via a cable? If not, how?

The difference between WDS and repeater bridge before people ask:
WDS = linked routers by MAC
RB = linked by SSID

Loads of info on the subject.

So it comes down to your setup really.

[Dareos]

hmm, surely 2 routers broadcasting would mean 2 DHCP clients and therefore would be assigning 2 different ip addresses to one device as it switched between the wireless networks?

is one set up as an access point and using the other as a DHCP, or is it linked to a server in some way that combines the ip addresses?


curious

[Agent]

hmm, surely 2 routers broadcasting would mean 2 DHCP clients....

Only unless allow 2 of them to run. You simply turn one off

[GoNz0]

4500 is the DHCP router, the 3700 is connected via cable with DHCP off (3700 running DD-WRT to use it as a 5 port switch)

[Dareos]

ahh lad at work (one of the clever ones) uses a DD-WRT router and loves it, im testing the superhub out at home atm, been a pita to setup and I know the system inside out, but really need a decent router. Draytek in the near future i think.

[shaithis]

Separate them, they are each separate signals and the channels they are on are irrelevant...so the less interference between them, the better.

[GoNz0]

yeh there separate, just wondering what the average assumption was due to various (predictable) conflicts on Google

[shaithis]

For best signal, use something like wifi analyser app on a smartphone and see what channels all the wifi signals are on near you....then try and choose channels in the largest gaps.

[GoNz0]

yes m8, i know the basics like that

was just asking if there was any truth to the same channel crap i read about

[Agent]

yeh there separate, just wondering what the average assumption was due to various (predictable) conflicts on Google

The conflicts you're seeing are due to different technology. If you're just putting another router into another, then you should have them on separate channels due to interference as Shaithis says. They are separate networks in their own right, and it's not as seamless as WDS.

If you're doing a proper WDS based setup, they should be on the same channel (this is by design).