3 wifi networks (no password) with same ssid how to choose? in Mavericks

I have an issue-- at a location where I sometimes work, the wifi (which is set up for guests, so no password) has the same SSID/name as 2 other networks in range. I'm using Mavericks on a macbook. using wifi explorer I can see all 3 (one channel 1, one channel 4, one channel 5), but under the system utilities it only shows one of the 3. It is connecting to one that doesn't seem to work. I know that one of them works, because my iphone is connecting to that one and works ...
I tried disconnecting and reconnecting wifi 4 times on my macbook hoping it would reconnect to the one that works, but no luck. Guessing it is connecting to the strongest. Is there a way to choose which of the networks to connect to manually??? set the channel or something??? This is frustrating. As I said I can see all 3 in wifi explorer, but in OSX sys utilities I only see one instance of that ssid.
Thanks

No, generally speaking it's not possible to manually choose what network you want to connect to when they all have the same SSID. Some apps that are similar to WiFi Explorer but that offer the ability to join the networks they find might let you choose, but it will not work very well since it ends up conflicting with what the system does, which is to automatically choose the "best" network based on different factors such as signal strength and security configuration. This "best" network is the one you see in the menu of the Wi-Fi system bar icon.
Are the two other networks in range also part of the "guest" network? If not, and they're not under your organization's control, then the only solution is to have the "guest" network use a different SSID to make it distinguishable from the others.

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Access Connections - Many APs with same SSID (Again)

I have a W520 running Access Connections 6.11 (release December 2013) on Windows 7 Pro 64-bit. Access Connections is still broken in regards to dealing with multiple Access Ponts having the same SSID. It keeps hoping from one access point to another regardless of signal strength of the AP.
The most desirable strategy would be if Access Connections would find and lock on to the best signal strength AP and stay there. However, it doesn't do that. It acts almost randomly. It also keep shifting around. The rate is almost random as well. Sometimes it will stay locked on to an AP for up to 10 minutes, at other times it shifts in as little as 30 seconds.
Other laptops, from other manufacturers like HP, Toshiba, and Apple do NOT exhibit this behavior on our campus. Other Lenovo machines running Access Connections DO exhibit this behavior. The problem is NOT machine specific (ie, not hardware or some weird idiosyncracy of the particular W520 i'm posting about). The problem is Lenovo's Access Connections. The problem is also not a configuration issue with the campus. I have a network at home running Airport Extremes all having the same SSID's and the W520 in question does exactly the same behavior there. Totally different hardware at home vs campus and same behavior. I cannot change the names of the AP as a fix. This is not a capability in the configuration of the AP's. Even if it were, I shouldn't have to do it. Campuses are often configured in this way. Campuses that are large commercial users who I believe are the most lucrative Lenovo customers.
This problem has been going on for literally years with different versions of Access Connections. Here are two threads in the Lenovo Community I found in under 30 seconds. Neither was solved correctly. In other words, Lenovo never fixed the software, and people had to either give up or resort to kludge solutions in their campus configurations.
http://forums.lenovo.com/t5/ThinkVantage-Technologies/Is-it-possible-to-default-to-a-specific-Access...
http://forums.lenovo.com/t5/ThinkVantage-Technologies/Access-Connections-Many-APs-with-same-SSID/m-p...
Lenovo has actually made the problem progressively worse over time instead of fixing it. They have done this by removing the abilty to prioritize AP's by MAC address. Initially, Lenovo allowed you to configure 5 MAC addresses in order. Then, Lenovo removed that capability making it possible to only give a single MAC address as preferred. Finally, in recent iterations, Lenovo removed that capability alltogether. The box is still there in the UI, but it's greyed out. It is very frustrating to have this kind of thing happen. The prioritize capability is fundamentally a kludge, but at least it's something to give a bit of a workaround. Now we don't even have that.
Can a lenovo engineer please look at this issue and give me a timeline for resolution?
BTW, It is still not possible to configure Access Connections with a blank SSID either. I bring this up, because if you're going to fix the Access Connections code for multiple SSID's, you should be aware of the blank SSID problem as well. I imagine they are both in the same part of the Access Connections codebase, at least from a logical standpoint.
Thank you.

I found that there is a setting in the Intel driver (15.9.1.2, released 8/22/2013) for the wireless card (Centrino Advanced-N 6205). The setting adjusts the "roaming aggressiveness". I can only guess this means how often the driver goes out and tries to find a "better" signal and/or bandwidth. The card supports a/b/g so the calculus is complex as to what constitutes "better", and I have no idea how sophisticated the algorithm the driver uses is.
That said, if I set the "aggressiveness" to the most aggressive setting, things work somewhat better. They are still not as a good as other wifi managers bundled with competing products (specifically HP, Toshiba, and Apple so far), but it helps. It does appear that more of the time now, the AP having the best signal appears to be the AP the laptop is attached to.
Lenovo, please consider that forcing your customers to dig around in arcane driver settings and relying on the whims of driver writers and hardware companies to do things correctly and well, is a recipe for failure. Your customers are just going to get annoyed and say to their colleagues, "My old Toshiba seemed to do a better job of WiFi connections. I think next time, I'm going to have IT get me one of those again." And, of course, that colleague will look a lot harder at buying the Toshiba instead of the Lenovo, as well. Wifi connectivity is a very big deal for people who have to move around - and lets not forget, this is a laptop we're talking about, which is explicitly designed to, well, be moved around.
I apologize for being so pedantic, but it often takes such measures to get managers in these companies who control programmer time, to take these issues seriously and allocate the programmer resources to fix these problems.
The problem I am having is still not considered "fixed." I would very much like to hear any other solutions that work better. I would love to hear from Lenovo on the matter. Still waiting.
Thanks.

I am trying to set up home sharing between my iphone 4s and mac which is running itunes 11. Both are connected to my home wifi network and using the same apple id but on the iphone app it says 'Turn on Home sharing in iTunes on your mac using account ***

I am trying to set up home sharing between my iphone 4s and mac which is running itunes 11. Both are connected to my home wifi network and using the same apple id but on the iphone app it says 'Turn on Home sharing in iTunes on your computer or apple tv using account ***
Does anybody have suggestions as to why this is the case?

Understanding Home Sharing - Support - Apple
Hope this helps.

TS1398 My iPhone 5s can no longer use Internet on a wifi network. I've reset everything, how can I roll back to iOS 7?

My iPhone 5s can no longer use Internet on a wifi network. I've reset everything, how can I roll back to iOS 7?
i Was considerinf buying a macbook pro, but am reconsidering spending such an amount of money on a company that can screw up such a basic function. I mean you can have your iOS 8 back if this is what it means, I don't want to use your health Kit app.

You cannot 'roll back' your iOS. That's never been supported or allowed by Apple (with only one exception).
Use this article: iOS: Troubleshooting Wi-Fi networks and connections - Apple
It's not the iOS. It may be a setting on your iPhone or the wi-fi network, or a hardware issue. But it's not the iOS. If it was, then everyone's iPhone 5S using the same iOS would not be working, and that's not the case.
Troubleshoot your issue.

My printer can not connect to WiFi if there are two or more APs with same SSID

I tried to connect my printer to WiFi but failed.
My network has more than 2 WiFi APs and all the APs have the same SSID and security settings.
I found that the printer can connect to WiFi only if I left one AP on and turn all other APs off.
Other devices like notebooks, smartphones all works fine with these APs.
Any solution to solve this problem?

No, I gave you a solution to try, you rejected it. BTW using channel 3, it is getting clobbered by all APs on channel 1 and channel 6. If you use channel 1, you only have other APs on channel 1 to contend with. That's why you should only use channels 1, 6 or 11 on the 2.4GHz band.
Say thanks by clicking the Kudos Thumbs Up to the right in the post.
If my post resolved your problem, please mark it as an Accepted Solution ...
I worked for HP but now I'm retired!

Error fetching network with same SSID, different floors

Dear,
I would like help from you, because I have a problem and I can not detect.
I have six devices installed in the WAP model 4410N on two different floors, and a third on each floor.
Both are with the same SSID, but when I'm walking him on a quest equipment that is in another floor, which causes the machine to drop the connection due to fluctuations and barriers such as walls, doors, windows, elevators, etc. .. .
I wonder how to detect only the AP network of walking even with the same SSID.
VLAN use one at each andaar.
If you have any suggestions thank you.
thank you
Anderson

Hi Anderson,
It sounds like you have 5 access point in standalone and 5 SSID broadcasting but you can't know the difference between which SSID is good depending where you are at.
If you can use any of the AP as a repeater (you may repeat 2 additional ap), when the signal strength of the original connection is low enough, it should fall to the more powerful strength of the repeated SSID.
Additionally, if you'd like to use more than 3 AP in a repeater group, you may want to look in to something like the AP541N. These devices support clustering, up to 10 units.
-Tom
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Using Airport Express as separate wifi network vs extender with Time Capsule?

Hello all. I recently converted my home computer network from Windows/PC based to an iMac with Time Capsule. On my previous setup, I had a Cisco/Linksys router with wifi, and I also had two Airport Expresses in separate areas of the house where the Linksys had a weak signal. Obviously, I had the Airport Expresses set up as "separate" wifi networks, as they could not be used as network extenders with the Linksys. This setup seemed to work really good, as the 3 wifi networks provided good blanket coverage in all parts of the house. Each network also seemed to "hand-off" to the other pretty well, meaning that Airport Express 1 would show as the active network when you moved far enough away from the Linksys (or insert any of the network names here, even though I'm pretty sure that the device accessing the network has more to do with this than the networks themselves). In particular, the speeds that I got from the Airport Expresses actually eclipsed the speeds that I would get from the Linksys wifi.
My issue is that after I converted everything, I left the Airport Expresses as "separate networks" and essentially removed the Linksys/Cisco router and replaced it with the Time Capsule. So I still have 3 separate wifi networks, just like before, with the Time Capsule network taking the place of the Linksys wifi network. While the Linksys and the Airport Expresses seemed to co-exist together nicely, I get the feeling that the TC and the AEs are somehow working against each other or at least competing with each other for bandwidth. For example, if I have my iPhone right beside my iMac and TC, and I run a speed test on the iPhone using the TC wifi network, I get download and upload speeds in the range that I am expecting (30-40 mbps download). However, when I walk down the hallway to the other end of the house, the TC tends to remain the dominant wifi network, even when I am in the same room with one of the AEs (this is where they used to "hand off" nicely between networks). When you run a speed test in this location still on the TC wifi, the speed drops down to 5-7 mbps, and worse, I believe the signal becomes inconsistent because webpages and data often seem to be freezing in the middle of downloading. I understand that the distance from the TC is causing this, because my solution has been to manually switch from the TC to the closest AE, and that fixes the issue. Run a speed test after I manually switch to the closest AE when I am in the same room as an AE, and the speeds pop back up to 30-40 mbps.
My question is this: would switching the AEs to "extenders" of the TC wifi network help this issue? Honestly, my laziness was one reason that I did not do this when I setup the TC initially, because I have several devices that access the AE wifi networks that I'd have to update with the new network name and password. Everything was working great before, and I just didn't want to upset the apple cart. But if I have created an unfriendly environment between the TC and the two AEs, I certainly have no problem making the change now. I just wasn't sure if making this change would fix my problem or not. I know it's a mundane thing, but I'd like to be able to roam the house without continuously having to manually switch between wifi networks to get a consistent signal.
Sorry if this is a simple issue. I am admittedly a newbie with the TC and its interaction with the AEs.
Thanks in advance!!

It is not a simple issue.
Exactly which method works best is going to take some experimentation.
The way you are trying to set it up as a roaming network is generally considered the best.. but the devices like iphones do not hand off neatly.
It is interesting that they in fact used to hand off better using the Linksys.. which could be due to its poorer range. The new TC having so much better range is causing the phones to not swap "towers" to the local express.
Test it with a Mac laptop.. as generally they do hand off better.
I cannot quite figure out if you are using roaming correctly. All the wireless should have identical names, with identical security setting and passwords.
The only thing that should be different is wireless channels on each item. And you are likely just using auto anyway.
So each device is creating a wireless network. And for 2.4ghz one should be channel 1, then another channel 6 and another channel 11. For 5ghz it will be same idea but there are more channels available.
When you extend wireless, everything runs the same channel. But the wireless speed is reduced. You must disconnect ethernet to each of the expresses.. and the problem is your 30-40mbps will reduce permanently to 15-20mbps for all clients. So take your choice.. 15-20mbps for all clients forced to double hop is better than 5-7mbps which you experience now when you walk around.. although I am not sure how much browsing you do whilst walking. You may need to compromise which is the better out of several not great alternatives.
I would have a test.. which is wrong btw.. but I have heard that it works.
In your roaming network at the present time. Try setting each router to a manual wireless channel.. and fix all of them the same. So for instance, set 2.4ghz to channel 11. Try fixing the 5ghz as well, say the TC is defaulting to 149, it might not actually respond to manual wireless channels.. you will need to test this.. say set to 36 or 40 and see if the TC is actually changed.. if not just set all the expresses to 149 as well. What you are doing is trying to reinforce the wireless in each area.. but this is actually wrong. So all will have same wireless name and same security wpa2 personal is the only valid one.. and all the same password.
Test with a few clients and see if the results give you decent local speeds as well as better roaming.. once you decide which to do, then you will need to change all the clients.

Advanced wireless config - 2 base stations with same SSID

Hello, in my home I have 2 stations running with the same SSID (one is a repeater)... Is it possible to be able to select the station I want to connect to??? With "Internet Connect" I can't.
Thank you

Rafael
Welcome to discussions. When you say repeater do you mean relay? You are not connecting to a base station per se but a network. If your second station is configured as a relay station or in such a way so as to expand your existing network, the answer is no. However, you can use your second station to create a separate network you can connect (you will not be able to use it as a relay station, for example, though).
My answer is kind of generic. If you can mention what you are trying to achieve maybe I or somebody else (more likely) can come up with suggestions.
Regards
h

Created new wifi network, lost contact with my printer

Replaced an older Time Capsule this week with a new one as my wireless base station and renamed my wifi network in the process.
But now HP Photosmart C4380 can't find my new wifi network.
The printer's network test report says the Network Name (SSID) is not found.
How do I help my printer find it's way home to the new base station network?
Thanks.

Network Printer Troubleshooting
HP – Printer Not Found During Wireless Installation
HP – Wireless Printing Center
If you have the printers IP address open Terminal applications/Utilities and at the prompt type: ping {printerIP}. You will get a reply or failure.

Needing to rename my wifi network and password using Panther

My computer just broke down, and a friend gave me their old macbook. Because they did not have their installation cd, there's a limited amount of things I can do to reset the system using my information, but I at least want to reset my wifi network name and password. I'm not incredibly tech-savvy, so I was hoping to have help with this! My friend never upgraded from Panther (**** them!), so I'm having trouble finding information on this elsewhere. Please help!

Resetting a wifi network name and password requires you to change those settings on the wireless router itself. The OS the computer is running makes no difference.

How do i find the wifi network and password for iphone 4s

how do i find the wifi network name and passwordfor iphone 4s?

Well Netgear will not know your password. The factory default user name for netgear is usually admin and the factory default is password is password. Go to an internet browser and in the url windo type in 192.168.0.1 and if I am right a login window will appear. Try the factory defaults.

My ipod 5 was stolen but I have find my ipod installed on it but my ipod isn't/never was connected to a wifi network when it was stolen so how will my ipod play sound or go on lost mode and if there's no wifi connected to it?

my ipod 5 was just recently stolen in a waterpark (same with my best friend) and when i went on to find my ipod I pressed play sound and lost mode but it never successfully did all those things because my ipod wasn't or isn't connected to a wifi network as it says in the app. so how will I ever find my ipod if it never is going to connect to a wifi network without the thief accessing my ipod (I have a passcode). and also when I check the app once in a while it says ipod is online but cannot find location, so does that mean the thief is using my ipod or is trying to get in?

Yo are correct. It has to connect to internet for the FindMyiPhne features to be transmitted to the iPod
lost/stolen
No app on the iPod is required.
- If you previously turned on FIndMyiPod on the iPod in Settings>iCloud and wifi is on and connected, on a computer browser go to iCloud: Find My iPhone, sign in and go to FIndMyiPhone. If the iPod has been restored it will never show up or conbtinue to show off-line.
- You can also wipe/erase the iPod and have the iPod play a sound via iCloud.
iCloud: Erase your device
iCloud: Use Lost Mode
- If not shown, then you will have to use the old fashioned way, like if you lost a wallet or purse.
- Change the passwords for all accounts used on the iPod and report to police
- There is no way to prevent someone from restoring the iPod (it erases it) using it unless you had iOS 7 on the device. With iOS 7, one has to enter the Apple ID and password to restore the device.
- Apple will do nothing without a court order
Reporting a lost or stolen Apple product
- iOS: How to find the serial number, IMEI, MEID, CDN, and ICCID number

How do I remove a wifi network account from iMac? Or how do I encrpyt an open wifi network account to make it secure?

Somehow a wifi network connection has been created either on my airport router or iMac or iPad which is non secured, I.e. Open. I cannot workout how to delete it or make it a secure connection. My concern is that other users may able to access my computers via this open wifi connection.
What can I do to correct this?

click on the wifi icon and go all the way down to network preference click and open it once you on network window on the bottom right there is a advance icon click that then you should be able to delete all the network that your mac is remember.
hope this is help.

BT HomeHub wifi network dropping connection with my apple products

I have a BT Home Hub connected to the internet and use it to provide my home wi-fi network. To this I have connected iMac, Time capsule (by having it join existing network), airport express, apple Tv and cannon wireless printer)
Time machine backyps to timecapsule via wifi. However None of my devices seem to remain connected to the wifi for very long. If I open airport utility it states time capsule and airport express no longer connected to the network and only offer the option of forgetting device even though green light remains on time capsule and airport express. If I go into Home Hub settings via ip address on safari, it is showing that both are connected.
With regard to my apple TV that doesn't seem to be able to share the content on my iMac because of home sharing connectivity issues.
Finally my iMac seems unable to connect to my wifi printer over the network even thoough all seem to be connected to homeHub appropriately.
Can anyone help out with this?

This setup is the worst possible.
You will always have issues with the TC .. it will be slow and unreliable because that is the nature of double hop wireless.
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Extending a WiFi network...with another base station? P.S. - I'm an idiot

So my mother has a large house and just bought an Airport Extreme, but it is difficult to get a signal in some corners of the house. I bought one for my house, as well, which means that my old Airport Base Station is sitting idle. I want to take my older base station to her house to extend her network. I have gone to the support pages, but I am thoroughly confused with all the setups. Can someone break it down for like you would for a child? Thanks much!~

Just to be sure you get the right set of instructions, what is the exact model of the "older" AirPort base station that you have? Will you be using a Mac or a PC to setup & administer both base stations? What version of operating system will it be running?

3 wifi networks (no password) with same ssid how to choose? in Mavericks

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