Making tweaks to my network. Trying to figure something out here. When I moved up to OS X Lion and Airport Utility 7.5.2, my wireless router and all the extensions started signals in different channels.

I went to manual and chose a signal no one else nearby is using and took down the 5 ghz channel. So everything should be on the same channel, but I'm not certain if this is the right move.

Did I do this set up right or is there a better way I didn't find on the internet.

P.S. I think maybe the only thing harming my signals now (that is if I did the network set up right), is the iPhone 3gs and my wife's 3g which is using the a/b/g configuration for 802.11.

10/22/2011 3:18:45 PM

Having everything on the same channel can cause interference issues which can ultimately slow things down. The only reason for keeping things on the same channel within the same network would be if there are issues switching between APs.

Not sure why you would turn off the 5GHz channel, unless you have no devices that can use it. 802.11a would be in this range, but it is more likely that a 5GHz device would be 802.11n.

When you can, you really should only be using channels 1,6,11 since they don't have an overlapping frequency range.

Of course, I may have misunderstood what you're trying to do, and I'm not familiar with the equipment/software you're using.

10/22/2011 5:18:56 PM

Let me try to clarify.

Airport Extreme is emitting 2.4 ghz channel.

AExt is extended wirelessly by Time Capsule (1st Gen), Time Capsule (2nd Gen), and Airport Express.

All are emitting the same channel (channel 10) due to neighbors using 1, 6 and 11. I cut off the 5 ghz channel because some devices tried to use that channel, but are having difficulties due to 5 ghz having issues going through walls, doors, etc...

I don't know if this information is relevant, but I will give it anyway in the occasion it is.

TC1G is connected via ethernet to Roku, Apple TV (2nd Gen)
TC2G is connected via ethernet to PS3, PS2 and Apple TV (1st Gen)
AExp is connected via ethernet to HP computer

Mac Mini is wirelessly connected to network (as is 2 iphones, and ipad)
Macbook Pro is connected via ethernet to AExt.

I'm just trying to get the best possible signals between the AExt and the wireless extensions. Are there programs that can suggest which frequency I can use and what settings are most appropriate?

10/22/2011 6:30:40 PM

OK I talked to my neighbors. They let me set their wireless settings... I guess everyone in the neighborhood just set it up and started using wireless internet. Their networks are faster and now I can use channel 11.

Channel 11 is extended through those 3 routers I discussed above, if the network is extended, then it's just that... the network is extended through the same channel. I reopened 5 ghz to 161 since the Apple TV seems to like that channel a lot when using wide channels on a closed network.

Things are going a lot faster, but I'm not sure if I'm peaking my network as high as I can...

10/23/2011 2:54:13 PM

Sounds like you've gotten it pretty close to the maximum now, unless there are some other underlying interference issues. Download a program called inSSIDer and take a look at what other networks are around your channel range. It's no spectrum analyzer, but it will do for most purposes.

The reason Apple TV seems to like the 5GHz channel is because it's actually able to do full 802.11n, which is much faster.

10/24/2011 12:02:41 PM

Kind of surprised that no one else has responded. At all.

10/25/2011 12:37:56 PM

Nothing to troll I guess.

10/26/2011 4:13:06 AM