Dual Netgear Router - Extended Range Help

Networking
#1

Hello! I currently own two Netgear routers, one is a WNDR4500 and the other is a WNDR3700. My main goal is to cover my entire two-story house with a wifi signal.

My current setup is the 4500 setup upstairs on a wired connection broadcasting on the SSID MattNetworkUp and uses both the 5 and 2.5 GHz. Downstairs, I have the 3700 broadcasting on the SSID MattNetwork and also using both 5 and 2.4 GHz. (The upstairs and downstairs routers use different channels).

Although this setup works really well for my stationary PCs upstairs and downstairs and doesn't reduce the bandwidth like other solutions will, it is extremely inconvenient for my mobile devices. My family and I are constantly having to bounce between the "up" and "down" wifi networks as we move around the house, and both iOS and android don't make the transition process between wifi networks very seamless.

Could anyone make some recommendations on how I could configure my two routers so that I can achieve the maximum range and bandwidth throughout my house? This could mean flashing either or both of the routers with a custom firmware, whatever is required.

If there simply isn't a good solution with my current hardware, I would be open to consider purchasing additional hardware as a last resort.

Thanks so much!

#2

Wireless clients usually try to stay connected as long as they can rather than moving to a stronger signal. There's not a lot you can do about that without buying and enterprise level wireless system.

What you could try is setting the SSID to be the same on both access points, you can have the channels the same as well but if you don't have other networks nearby you might get better results using different channels (always use non overlapping channels which are 1,6 and 11 for 2.4ghz), also make sure the passwords are the same. Then adjust the signal strength so that the signal is weak where the networks start to overlap, this will encourage the clients to switch network when you're moving from one to the other. But again trying to stay connected to an access point is what most clients do and there's little you can do to change that.

#3

Alright thank you, I will try that tomorrow! I will keep you updated on the results!

Thanks again!