Duplicate SSID

Question

Hi&nbsp;Should my Orbi system be transmitting duplicate SSID? There are 2 instances of the SSID in the avaible networks list and this seems to be creating problems for wireless printer, sonos and general device connectivity as you move between rooms/inside and outside etc&nbsp;I appreciate there is 2 frequency ranges active (2.4 &amp; 5GHZ) but I dont recall seeing 2 SSID in the past. No config/setting chnages have been made for ~6 months&nbsp;Currently have 1 router (RBR50 on F/W 2.5.1.8) and 1 outdoor satelite active&nbsp;Thanks&nbsp;Gareth

FURRYe38 · Answer

Depending upon what app you use and such, you may see more than one SSID name listed. Most wifi analyzer apps will show more than one as it's design is to detect any signal sources out there. Now if you use a pad or phone, these should only show 1. My iphone and android pad only show 1 SSID name to connect to. These devices seem to be designed to display only 1 SSID if more than 1 signal with the same name is detected.&nbsp;spatzy13&nbsp;wrote:Thanks all&nbsp;Outdoor confirmed in Orbi mode (Satellite) via the web interface. Also downloaded and ran WifiInfoView, it shows 4 instances of the SSID each with different mac addresses. 2 x 802.11g &amp; 2 x 802.11n&nbsp;Is that normal/expected?

plemans · Answer

Is your outdoor satellite in extender mode or orbi mode? it has both options. in extender mode, you can potentially get 2 ssids.

https://kb.netgear.com/000060131/How-do-I-set-up-my-Orbi-Outdoor-Satellite-in-Extender-Mode

CrimpOn · Answer

spatzy13&nbsp;wrote:Should my Orbi system be transmitting duplicate SSID? There are 2 instances of the SSID in the avaible networks list and this seems to be creating problems for wireless printer, sonos and general device connectivity as you move between rooms/inside and outside etcIt would help to know how you detect the duplicate SSID.&nbsp; My "regular WiFi devices" show the Orbi SSID only once.&nbsp; When I open a WiFi Analyzer app, however, each radio on each access point that is broadcasting the SSID appears.&nbsp; I have one router and one satellite, so I see four instances of the SSID (two 2.4G and two 5G).&nbsp; They each have a different MAC address.&nbsp;I struggle to understand how this situation affects devices that do not move. (wireless printer, Sonos speakers).

spatzy13 · Answer

Thanks for the replyI see the 2x SSID on the list of available networks on both mobile devices (2 x iphones, 2 x ipads) and 2 different windows laptops. The issue for the printer is that the printer shows as offline on my laptop so I have to go to printer and put it onto the 2nd of the SSID's. For the SONOS its similar, speakers can be often appear to be offline from in the Sonos app so i have reconnect the speaker to the wifi etc&nbsp;These things may of course be unrelated but i thought it was strange that I see 2 x SSID's&nbsp;CrimpOn&nbsp;wrote:spatzy13&nbsp;wrote:Should my Orbi system be transmitting duplicate SSID? There are 2 instances of the SSID in the avaible networks list and this seems to be creating problems for wireless printer, sonos and general device connectivity as you move between rooms/inside and outside etcIt would help to know how you detect the duplicate SSID.&nbsp; My "regular WiFi devices" show the Orbi SSID only once.&nbsp; When I open a WiFi Analyzer app, however, each radio on each access point that is broadcasting the SSID appears.&nbsp; I have one router and one satellite, so I see four instances of the SSID (two 2.4G and two 5G).&nbsp; They each have a different MAC address.&nbsp;I struggle to understand how this situation affects devices that do not move. (wireless printer, Sonos speakers).&nbsp;To Plemens question, (thanks also) it should be in Orbi mode, it was on install. Is there a way to check from the Orbi app? I cant see any option/setting associated with extender mode…

CrimpOn · Answer

spatzy13&nbsp;wrote:To Plemens question, (thanks also) it should be in Orbi mode, it was on install. Is there a way to check from the Orbi app? I cant see any option/setting associated with extender mode…An easy way to determine the "mode" of the RBS50Y (outdoor) satellite is to look at the Orbi web interface "Attached Devices" display.&nbsp; If it appears at the top as a "satellite", then it is clearly in satellite mode (not "extender").&nbsp; The Orbi "app" also will show it as a satellite, rather than a "device".&nbsp;Alas, I have heard that "i things" do not allow developers to produce the sort of WiFi Analyzer apps that Android allows.&nbsp;You could download the (free) WifiInfoView app and run it on one of the Windows computers.&nbsp; It will show the MAC address of each access point that is broadcasting the SSID.

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Duplicate SSID

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