Understanding Wi-Fi

[netherfield]

Do different makers equipment, if set to the same SSID and password work together easily or upset one another. Basically A Plusnet Router, BT mesh and TP link wireless access point.

I've given up trying to get info from BT and Plusnet

If only when we renovated this old house we knew what we know now all rooms would have had lots of network cables installed , with solid floors it's now not easy to hide cables.

[ToraToraTora]

so you have 2 separate WIFIs? They wont interfere with each other. No different to 2 neighbours with different suppliers.

[calmck]

I have one router for one end of the house and a TP link for the other end. Devices switch automatically between the two when moved from one end to another

[Togo]

Some models may indeed not be fully compatible depending on their ages and which precise protocols or bandwidth they are using(2.4/5ghz for instance. Some mesh links also need a modem not a router, the Tp 5 Deco link for example. You can with the wrong set up get a weird effect that is called double natting and lose wi fi altogether. Model numbers would help Netherfield

[netherfield]

TP-Link TL-WA1201(eu)
Plusnet Hub1
BT Wholehome wifi 3 disks.

[Togo]

Have you set up the Captive Portal on the TL-WA1201? It is the "thing", that for instace, allows pubs and hotels to satisfy your device that the connection is safe.

[Togo]

Off to bed Netherfield, will look in again tomorrow to see whether you have any more info. I could have posted a few links that may help but it may be better to narrow down your choice of possible solutions first. Could get complicated otherwise. Do you have a device that can still connect to the net?

[netherfield]

Two desktop computers are hard wired to the Plusnet hub so no problems getting inline with those. It's getting smartphone's and Amazon firestick that's the problem. I've one cat 5 cable which goes under the stairs previously for the telephone now connected to the hub. Here I tried the Tplink in access point mode using the Plusnet SSID, sometimes Firestick worked sometimes not. Then tried the BT mesh from the same place, with it's own SSID, second disc in the lounge, firestick works well and smartphones, but wherever I try putting the third disc I can't get reliable WiFi upstairs. Stone walls and old house don't help. I'd like to get the TP to pick up from one of the BT discs, but finding a power point and it being acceptable to Mrs N being on view is another matter. Further reading says Bluetooth house phone setup might cause interference.

[bobbinwales]

Am impressed with Togo's knowledge on this and he's answer. There's some great help given on this site

[Togo]

Hi again Netherfield. Been a bit busy this morning myself. Hmm. We know that the units work, sometimes, and for different appliances or gadgets. It may well just be that the stone walls do not like wifi considering the issue seems to get worse the further from the hub and link. I wonder also whether the whole set up is a bit complicated. The Plusnet Hub 1 can be used(I think) with full fibre connectivity so you are likely starting with good speed etc. You have also spent quite a bit on the BT extenders and TP link. Most situations would not require both of those units, and they will not be designed to be compatable although they could be. I think I may have tried a plug in extender (the ones that use the house wiring) and plugged it into each room to check it would work before getting more. I think I would again try the Captive Portal settings on the TP link, and hope that it then allows them extenders to receive and send the wifi.

1 Connect your computer to the access point’s network.
2 Go to http://tplinkap.net and log in with the password you set for the access point.
3 Go to Settings > Wireless > Portal.
4 Enable Portal
5 Select the effective Wi-Fi network for portal authentication.
6 Set Authentication Type to Simple Password and set a password for clients. Or select No Authentication if you want to allow clients to access the network without any authentication.


What you are doing is setting up a network at home that is similar to the wifi in pubs and cafes, so make the client password a good one.
This link may help.

https://www.tp-link.com/uk/support/faq/2929/

[Togo]

Oh if only we had an edit facility. "The" extenders not "them" extenders.

[netherfield]

Thank you togo

Haven't bought the BT Mesh they're on 'loan' from a relative.

I'll give your ideas a try.