Solved Can I select a particular SSID for permanent use?

jf1949

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For some time now, I have used a TP-LINK TD-W8961ND router as a wireless router and for the ADSL link to the Internet. This router is situated in a study room, on the ground floor at the front of the house. It is LAN-attached to an old desk-top PC which is running Windows XP, and cannot be upgraded to later versions of Windows.

For most of my work I use a Toshiba Satellite Pro, running Windows 8. This lap-top is normally used in the dining-room, which is on the ground floor at the back of the house. Its position is about 7 metres away from the primary router, to which I connect through a wireless link. The normal signal level is about -70 RSSI.

During the last year I purchased a generic tablet, described as an MC701A, and running Android 2.3.1. I also bought a Packard-Bell Dot S Notebook for my wife, which runs Windows 7. We intended to use both these devices in our lounge, also on the ground floor and about 10 metres from the primary router. However, neither of these devices could get a strong enough wi-fi signal in the lounge, from the primary router. I therefore decided to see if I could use a TP-LINK MR3020 device, which I originally purchased for use when traveling with the tablet, to boost the signal.

In addition, my satellite TV provider BskyB recently upgraded my service to allow me to download programmes via broadband, providing I had an appropriate router connected to the satellite receiver via a LAN cable.

I set up the MR3020 as the secondary router, and LAN-attached it to the SKY+ box. I configured it with "repeater" mode. Now I can use the tablet and DOT S devices in the lounge, and download programs to my SKY+ box. The MR3020 has an RSSI rate of about -55.

However, I now find I get performance problems on my Toshiba lap-top, particularly when using Internet, with pages timing out repeatedly, and images filling slowly. Through a network tool called inSSIDer, I can see that the Toshiba actually swaps between the two routers, as sometimes one is highlighted in use, then the other is highlighted. When the Toshiba is routing through the MR3020, I can only get half the data rate at 150 instead of 300. It would appear that the performance problems only occur when I am routing through the MR3020.

Is there any way I can “force” my Toshiba lap-top to always use the direct wi-fi route to the W8961ND router, rather than going through the MR3020? In this way, I could possibly eliminate performance problems.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Toshibs Satellote Pro
Assuming these routers both have separate wireless access points and that you have them configured correctly as in DHCP server shut off on the secondary router, etc.

If you only want to connect to a certain router then set up a different SSID on that router then set up another wireless profile for that connection. That way your machine will only connect to that router.

Most people set up the same SSID and password on their access points so that you can walk around and it will automatically connect to the one with the best signal but that might not be the best way to do it in your case so setting up a different SSID would fix that.

This link might also be helpful for setting up the new wireless profile. :)

How to Manage Wireless Network Connections & Profiles in Windows 8 | 7 Tutorials
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro WMC
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    Home built
    CPU
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chev65, thanks for your prompt response. I would liike to try your suggestion, but my immediate recation is that it will not be possible. In "repeater" mode, the secondary router has to use the same SSID as the primary router. Thus my Toshiba can only "see" one SSID/network. The utility inSSIDer can see both routers, because it references them by MAC address, but it still shows the same SSID for both.

I am now looking to see if my primary router can handle multiple SSIDs. If so, I will spend this morning "playing" with different configurations.
 
Last edited:

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Toshibs Satellote Pro
chev65, thanks for your prompt response. I would liike to try your suggestion, but my immediate recation is that it will not be possible. In "repeater" mode, the secondary router has to use the same SSID as the primary router. Thus my Toshiba can only "see" one SSID/network. The utility inSSIDer can see both routers, because it references them by MAC address, but it still shows the same SSID for both.

I am now looking to see if my primary router can handle multiple SSIDs. If so, I will spend this morning "playing" with different configurations.

Yes it won't work in repeater mode because that is just resending the original signal, the only way would be to put the secondary A/P into A/P mode and set a different SSID up on it.
 
Last edited:

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro WMC
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Home built
    CPU
    Q9650 @ 4.05 GHz
    Motherboard
    Gforce 780i SLI FTW
    Memory
    8GB Gskill DDR2 1200Mhz
    Graphics Card(s)
    GTX-480
    Sound Card
    Asus D2 Xonar
    Monitor(s) Displays
    HannsG
    Screen Resolution
    1680x1050
    Hard Drives
    Gskill 120GB SSD
    PSU
    Thermal Take 1000watts
    Case
    Thermal Take Xtreme
    Cooling
    9 fans air cooled
    Keyboard
    G15 logitech
    Mouse
    G9 logitech
    Internet Speed
    50mbps
Thanks again chev65. Now I am afraid you are losing me. I am not sure that running in AP mode will enable me to set up the wirleless connections I need. Not sure how the secondary router running AP mode will be able to contact the primary router without an ethernet connection. Can it use wireless instead? Sorry, much of a novice here!
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Toshibs Satellote Pro
When you said this, When the Toshiba is routing through the MR3020, I can only get half the data rate at 150 instead of 300. It would appear that the performance problems only occur when I am routing through the MR3020.

This is what happens when you run an extender, they cut the bandwidth in half.

In most every case you would be far better served running two separate A/P's rather than extending one of them. The problem is that A/P's require an Ethernet connection to each one of them where with the extender you don't need to do that.

If you set them up as A/P's you should also make sure that they are both using separate channels.

I don't know any other way to do this so you will have to make your own choices in this regard. :)
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro WMC
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Home built
    CPU
    Q9650 @ 4.05 GHz
    Motherboard
    Gforce 780i SLI FTW
    Memory
    8GB Gskill DDR2 1200Mhz
    Graphics Card(s)
    GTX-480
    Sound Card
    Asus D2 Xonar
    Monitor(s) Displays
    HannsG
    Screen Resolution
    1680x1050
    Hard Drives
    Gskill 120GB SSD
    PSU
    Thermal Take 1000watts
    Case
    Thermal Take Xtreme
    Cooling
    9 fans air cooled
    Keyboard
    G15 logitech
    Mouse
    G9 logitech
    Internet Speed
    50mbps
Hello, as an analogy, what you are trying to do with a repeater mode is like splitting a garden hose from one faucet. It does not make your signal stronger but only tries to cover some of dead or weak spots at home.

Access point is a better option as you are getting the signal right from the wired main source and not grabbing from another "distributor".
If wiring is a problem, you might want to google up "powerline adapters". It uses your existing electrical system at home to transfer internet signal. And they are a very good investment that you won't regret. I have 4 of them in my house where one of my access points is hooked up.
 

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    Main PC - 2x Sony PS3 3D LED Displays + 1x 22" Philips; HTPC - 47" HDTV w/ 17" LCD secondary display
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    External (network attached)- 1x2TB Seagate backup; 1x1TB ext. storage; 1x500GB,
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Thanks 4thjuly! As previously mentioned, I have to use "repeater" mode, since I don't have a simple method of connecting the MR3020 to the primary router by ethernet. I am investigating the use of powerline adapters, but I was trying to avoid extra expense, as the TP-LINK combination should work.

Through a process of testing, I have now arrived at a much improved situation. :geek: I found that the MR3020 has a MAC number block facility. I have therefore "blocked" the toshiba MAC number, thus forcing it to use only the primary router! This means that my throughput is now always 300! I am not too bothered with the rate of 150 for the devices that use the MR3020, since we do not intend using these for massive data downloads!

I have also altered a setting in the toshiba's wifi adapter setting. It uses a Realtek adapter, and one of the settings is for "roaming sensitivity level". I have disabled this, which immediately removed the performance problems which were affecting my use of the internet! :)
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Toshibs Satellote Pro
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