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Question

Wireless Network for larger home

by Jul 8, 2015 2:27PM PDT

I currently have verizon fios, with the wireless feature turned off. I have 4 apple routers that are hard wired into the fios modem/router. Each of the routers are plugged into their WAN ports, all on bridge mode. I am getting dead spots in many areas of the home, and I am not sure what is wrong, or what I can do to increase the efficiency. I am paying for 50 down and 25 up, so things should be flying.

Some ideas that have been going through my head. 1, would it make a difference to plug these apple routers into their LAN port instead of the WAN port? I read this online and I dont understand why it would make a difference, but many articles state to not plug LAN into WAN. Can someone explain why? and 2. Should I be using the wireless feature on the fios router and not just use it as a modem?

Any suggestions are greatly appreciated

Discussion is locked

8 Posts
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Answer
Here's some info.
by Jul 8, 2015 2:37PM PDT
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Answer
Nice link given.
by Forum moderator Jul 8, 2015 2:48PM PDT

Start with that but here's an issue. If you are using 802.11n you may have little room on channels. See this chart from this link:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_WLAN_channels


So you can see why channels can overlap and collide. It's not like the signal drops off in each area and so you may have to go get some WiFi Analyzer app on Android (that's what I use) to see if moving to 802.11g and setting channels may help.

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WAN Vs LAN
by jonmmarg600 Jul 8, 2015 5:20PM PDT

So you don't think it matters if the four routers are plugged in to their WAN or LAN port?

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When it comes to WiFi coverage? No.
by r. proffitt Forum moderator Jul 8, 2015 5:56PM PDT

"I am getting dead spots in many areas of the home,"

It appears you have the IP, networking part under control so it's time to try channels and 802.11g

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5ghz
by jonmmarg600 Jul 8, 2015 6:07PM PDT

How do you suggest dealing with the 5ghz networks? Would u have a separate SSID for all four 5ghz and then another for the 2.4?

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I never duplicate SSIDs
by r. proffitt Forum moderator Jul 8, 2015 7:26PM PDT

But some folk do. I let them deal with that.

For me I find 5GHz to not have as much range. 802,.11g gives me range and when dealing with multiple APs I can avoid that issue I noted earlier.

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G vs n
by jonmmarg600 Jul 9, 2015 5:04AM PDT

Even though G isn't as fast as N u still recommend that

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Look up.
by r. proffitt Forum moderator Jul 9, 2015 5:37AM PDT

See the bands used by each? How would you avoid overlaps and the issues caused by that? I shared my solution that I've used for years. Let's hear how you would solve it.

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