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MattDJUK's avatar
MattDJUK
Aspirant
May 10, 2020
Solved

EX7700 - Using 3 of them - but struggling to get them as "one network"

Hi all,

 

Bit of newb when it comes to this. So a step by step dummies guide would be great :D

 

I have 3 x EX7700's, all connected by CAT7 direct from a Virgin Media router.


After some pain, I have managed to get them all working as a separate networks (Netgear_5GEXT1 , Netgear_5GEXT2 and Netgear_5GEXT3). All different MAC addresses at the moment too.

 

How do I get them to work as "one network" so that our phones and tablets etc, are not constantly searching for a weak signal from one of the others?

 

To seemlessly have wifi upstairs, downstairs and outside (where the units are each positioned).

Many thanks in advance

 

 

 

3 Replies

  • plemans's avatar
    plemans
    Guru - Experienced User
    May 10, 2020

    So here's the issue. 

    You didn't buy a mesh network. You bought a wifi extender that runs as mesh when ran in extender mode. 

    Even in extender mode running mesh it can be an issue because its not a full mesh system with something controlling it. 

    Mesh extenders can also have issues when running mesh with more than 1 of them because they can connect to each other and end up in a loop. Because nothings controlling them. 

     

    You're also running them as an access point. The 'Onessid' function works when your running them in extender mode. When you end run around it and set them all with their own ssid or even set one ssid for all of them, its on the device to switch. And devices tend to be sticky and not want to switch. 

     

    I always recommend people move to a full mesh system like Orbi if they're needing more than 1 extender. That way there's a device acting as a controller linking them. Its more stable, better performance, and better roaming. 

     

    Extenders have their place but when you're needing more than 1, a full mesh system is the best.