Expanding wifi network while maintaining one access point.

[A@R]

My situation is this, I've been tasked with expanding our wifi network here at the shop. The building is about 300 feet long and 30 feet deep. The the main router reaches about 3\4 of the shop and then abruptly drops signal after bay 4. A cat5 cable was ran from main router to the office between bays 5 and 6 with a router added on that end. It works properly as a 2nd AP. Problem is the devices don't swap between the two networks. How can I facilitate the swapping of APs or have just one access point for the whole shop? Preferably one AP. I've looked into extenders, boosters, and repeaters. It seems like they all make a 2nd AP. This network will also be used for VoIP eventaully. Any advice would be helpful.

 

[L&LD]

My situation is this, I've been tasked with expanding our wifi network here at the shop. The building is about 300 feet long and 30 feet deep. The the main router reaches about 3\4 of the shop and then abruptly drops signal after bay 4. A cat5 cable was ran from main router to the office between bays 5 and 6 with a router added on that end. It works properly as a 2nd AP. Problem is the devices don't swap between the two networks. How can I facilitate the swapping of APs or have just one access point for the whole shop? Preferably one AP. I've looked into extenders, boosters, and repeaters. It seems like they all make a 2nd AP. This network will also be used for VoIP eventaully. Any advice would be helpful.

What is the layout of the shop? Open ceiling? Walls? Drop ceiling(s)?

If there are minimal walls, open ceiling and a single router are preferred, then locate the main router as high as possible in the center of the shop with at least 10 Cat5e or better Ethernet runs going to that location. Keep the router at least 3' from the ceiling up there and with unlimited free space (line-of-sight to each end of the shop). I would also enable a power switch to the router that is accessible (and locked) from the ground floor too.

This will give the best coverage and the most straightforward configuration possible (today and in the future), no matter which network hardware will be used.

 

[A@R]

3 open bays. A wall. A 4th bay. A 2nd wall then 2 open bays.

 

[L&LD]

3 open bays. A wall. A 4th bay. A 2nd wall then 2 open bays.

Sorry, I can't accurately visualize the area with the description above.

 

[A@R]

Is there no way to use multiple ap with only one login?

 

[L&LD]

Is there no way to use multiple ap with only one login?

Yes, just set your SSID and passwords the same on all routers and AP's. Make sure you're using different channels as appropriate for each though.

 

[MichaelCG]

300 feet long with walls are not going to play nicely with a single AP and probably not with two APs and be able to properly support VoIP traffic. The function of getting clients to move between the two APs is a function of the client itself and the only real control you have is to adjust the power levels of the APs. Drop the broadcast power so the client doesn't like the signal strength and hops over to the other AP. I think a lot of people will struggle with moving from one AP to just two because you have to lower the power levels. So the coverage gap you initially were trying to fill just got bigger or another gap appeared since the original AP needs to have the power lowered.

 

[L&LD]

A@R isn't being too forthcoming with information about his environment. See post 4 above.

In a shop, having a centrally located, ceiling mounted, router or at least an AP means that the signal only has to 150' to go, maximum, with a line of sight to all/most client devices. This is doable, nominally, and will give the easiest setup, troubleshooting, and upkeep for his requirements.

It would be nice to see additional details come to light here.