[dspguy]

Yeah, ok, I don't know what the thing I'm talking about is called, otherwise I'd just google it. Here's what I'm trying to figure out:

I have two routers. Router 1 is hardwired to the cable modem. Router 2 is hardwired to Router 1. Both use DD-WRT if that matters. Wireless settings on Router 2 match Router 1 (same SSID, security settings, but different channels). I followed the DD-WRT instructions for dummies to set this up.

Router 2 is located in an area where the signal strength of Router 1 is getting pretty low (example: can't stream stuff to my Roku without occasional buffering due to the poor connection if I was using Router 1). Router 1 can still "be seen" at this location, but not well enough to be useful for some devices.

For some devices, like a Roku - it is now hardwired to Router 2. Works fine as you'd expect. For some wireless devices (like tablets, cell phones, laptops), those devices will "hang on" to Router 1 as long as possible before it switches to Router 2 instead. Considering Router 2 is hardwired, of course it would make more sense for these mobile devices to switch from Router 1 to Router 2.

I can "force" some of these devices to switch by disabling wifi and then turning it back on. Then they grab the router with better signal.

Is it possible for devices to some how... automagically sense these conditions and switch? Or is the disable/enable wifi the only option?

 

[jimscreechy]

I understand your problem but the short answer is no. You have your system set up correctly but the transfer from one wireless network to another is controlled in this case by the OS on the client. Windows does this automatically no doubt using some clever algorithm as I assume do most systems.

The only way to really do this is if the client has within the wireless software some the ability for you to determine when this change occurs, e.g move to next network in range when threshold or signal strength ratio is 3:1 drops below 30% or something like that, which of course you would have in a infrastructure setup but not a domestic one. This tends to be by design that clients hold on to an established network connection as long as deemed 'reasonable' to maintain existing connections.

 

[MitchConner]

jimscreechy is quite correct. All wireless devices use an RSSI (Received Signal Strength Indicator) value to decide when to roam between networks. Unfortunately, this is 100% proprietary and 100% different from vendor to vendor.

It is entirely dependent on whether your equipment is configurable enough so your devices can roam more efficiently.

Can you show me a screenshot of the configurable options for your wireless?

 

[alpenadiver]

With DD-WRT you can adjust the Transmit power of your wireless, I would try adjusting it on both routers to find a good coverage.

Here is a link from the wiki, TX Power is 2.16; Advanced wireless settings - DD-WRT Wiki

 

[GentleArrow]

consider configuring the routers in a WDS configuration

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wireless_distribution_system

 

[dspguy]

Hrmm, if my devices aren't going to automagically switch due to whatever software is on each device that makes this decision for itself, I guess it makes more sense for me to just use a different SSID for both routers and then just switch myself on a mobile device.

Otherwise, this other router really makes no difference. If I'm going to move my laptop from nearby router 1 and then go near router 2 and it will cling to that "1-bar signal" without switching channels, I can't see why having both routers with the same SSID would work.

 

[jimscreechy]

Yes, with multi router/access point domestic wireless setups, its often a compromise with 'best effort' results. Cost being a factor, unfortunately a less that perfect outcome is sometimes encountered.

 

[dspguy]

I appreciate the input from everybody. I'll consider whether to continue with the one single SSID or not. Thanks everyone!