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Question

Creating my own wireless network

Aug 8, 2018 8:33AM PDT

Hi, I've moved into an office in a large building which has a LAN port and internet access. The building has it's own wifi access but I'm limited to 2 devices. I want to create my own wireless access point so plugged a TP-Link N600 router into the LAN port. This worked a treat. But... today I got told that my wireless access point was causing conflicts and other building users were not able to connect to the building wifi.

Are there some specific considerations I should take when setting up my router to avoid this?

Discussion is locked

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Clarification Request
Could you disable the usual 2.4GHz?
Aug 8, 2018 8:35AM PDT

And go all 5GHz?

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Done
Aug 8, 2018 1:38PM PDT

Thanks. I've done that. I guess that will be shorter range, so interfere with fewer people?

I've also hidden the SSID so if there are issues, it won't obviously lead to me. ANd I've reduced teh power output slightly.

I assume because I'm hooking a modem router up to an existing LAN, that I need to turn it into 'WIrelss Router mode' (disable the modem part). I have also disabled the DHCP server ( I assume that means the LAN will assign IP's?).

Can this now really cause other users issues?

When I scan the network, my device outputs on channel 48 - nothing sharing the channel or even close.

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Have to write.
Aug 8, 2018 1:55PM PDT

Recyclying old modem+router units is something I won't go near. Too many variables and with routers for 20 bucks our 150 buck a hour for work just doesn't make sense to work with these boxes.

As to causing issues, yes. Your IT staff gets to answer anything deeper.

As to hiding SSID, that has only resulted in callbacks so we never do that as a) callbacks, b) causes wifi dropouts and c) adds no security. Also doesn't hide the hotspot.

The move to all 5GHz would help as there are more channels at 5GHz and better interoperability.