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[mrgou]

Hi,

In the installation instructions for DAP-1320, about the manual setup method, it is indicated: It is suggested to configure a name that is different from your "Primary" wireless network.

Why is that? Isn't it the whole point to make the extension transparent and let the extender use the same SSID and key? What is the risk of using the same that they recommend not to?

Thanks!

[FurryNutz]

Its just a "suggestion". You don't have too. 

It can be on the same SSID and use the same PW. Just need to make sure if your running it in AP mode, it needs to run on a different channel from the main host Wifi router. Bridging or Relaying should automatically select and use the same channel for these modes.

[mrgou]

Thanks. I tried both options for a few days, and I'll settle for keeping the same SSID. I found another page on the DLink support site which states: "D-Link suggests creating a new wireless network name and password for the extended signal because it will allow you to easily distinguish between your "primary" signal and your extended signal".

Now, indeed, with a different name, you can clearly ensure that you're on the extended network, and thus have the best signal. The problem is that devices will not automatically switch to it if the "primary" network is still in range, even if the signal is weak.

With the same SSID, it's much more transparent, and you don't need to worry about it. When connecting a device, it selects the strongest source. If moving around, not all my devices switch directly to the strongest (my laptop does, my tablet doesn't), but switching WiFi off and back on forces it quite easily.

I just wanted to share that experience.

Cheers!

[FurryNutz]

The problem of devices that will not automatically change to the other has to due with that device and how it's programmed and designed to pickup and detect wireless radios and the behavior, there in. Generally most devices won't change unless the user of the device tells it too. Even with my iPhone 4s, it will always pickup my living room AP wireless when I'm in the same room as the main host router which has the stronger signal. If I want to use the main host router, I have to manually tell the iPhone to use it.

This is a Mfr device operation process thats not related to D-Link routers and APs. You'll need to refer to the MFr of your devices to see what they are designed to do.

Thank you for sharing and good luck.