Networking
Trace a route back to the internet with plain advice that’ll help you stay connected
Trace a route back to the internet with this plain connection advice
Use the way Apple kit picks a network to your advantage to ensure it gets the best signal
Getting the best Wi-Fi connection
QWe use a couple of Wi-Fi access points to deliver good signal coverage throughout our house and garden. How should we configure them to ensure our Macs and iOS devices always get the best wireless connections?
AIn theory, you should set up each with a unique name and password, so that in the event of problems they are easier to identify. However, Apple devices don’t simply connect according to the best signal, but first and foremost according to the priority list of access points, and so may well opt for a weaker signal if that connection happens to be at the top of the list.
You can use this to your advantage by giving your access points identical names and passwords. They’ll still have unique IP addresses, and will automatically configure themselves to operate on different wireless channels.
When your Mac or another device then tries to connect, it’ll give both the access points equal priority, and should choose the one with the better signal. This should in turn ensure you get the fastest speed and a more reliable connection.
If you then have a wireless problem and need to work out which access point is causing the problems, you’ll have to rename it until that’s fixed. One other important matter is that you must ensure the common password is long, impossible to guess, and robust. Unless you’re in a remote location, it’s wise to turn off guest access to reduce the risk of anyone breaking into your network.