Should WiFi Extender Have Same SSID

There seems to be a unanimous curiosity around whether should WiFi extender have same SSID as the Wi-Fi itself.

By the end of this article, you will have an idea about the following-

  • Point 1: What is an SSID and how can you find yours?
  • Point 2: How does an SSID work?
  • Point 3: Should a Wi-Fi extender have the same SSID?

Should a WIFI extender have the same SSID – Let’s Find Out

Let’s understand should wifi extenders have the same SSID in a simple way.

Given below are steps on how to find SSIDs on your device:

We have discussed all steps below.

ON WINDOWS:

Though the color of the icon may differ, the wireless connection icon is usually identified by green waves.

Step 1)

In Windows XP and Vista, double-click on the icon. In the case of Windows 7, 8, or 10, single click on the icon.

Step 2)

Click on the “general” tab to open the Active Network Menu.

Step 3)

The active network’s ID will be displayed in the “network” or “currently connected to” section.

Step 4)

You can view the SSIDs of other networks below the active network.

ON MAC OS X:

Those who use MAC operating system may follow the following steps.

Step 1)

Single Click on the Apple icon and open system preferences.

Step 2)

In system preferences, select network preferences.

Step 3)

Select AirPort for the device and the SSID will be displayed in the Network Name field.

ON ANDROID DEVICES:

Those who are using android devices should follow the steps discussed below.

Step 1)

Go to Settings on your Android phone.

Step 2)

In the menu, you will find an option called Wi-Fi. Turn the WIFI on.

Step 3)

All the available wireless networks will be displayed in a list format. The network you are connected to will be shown at the top with CONNECTED underneath. This is your SSID.

ON ROUTER:

The SSID can usually be found on the router, printed on a sticker on the side or bottom of the device. But that shall not be of great help if the network SSID has been changed even once, by someone. The majority of default browsers will follow this format. Any router worth its salt will be protected by WEP, WPA/WPA2, or even a WPS PIN.

These are a default form of security for anyone connecting to a router. They require the user to enter a password in order to have access to the router’s internet.

Point 2: How Does an SSID Work?

SSIDs are supposed to be unique from device to device. They are able to be up to 32 characters long and are case-sensitive. This only means that a Wi-Fi network with the name “wifi network” has a different SSID from the one that is called “WiFiNetwork”.

Routers and Wi-Fi broadcasting devices come with a default SSID, usually composed of the brand and the model number of the device, or your ISP’s name. Changing the SSID is not necessary, but allows you to better differentiate your own network from other networks in the area.

After the SSID has been set up by the network manager, the router, or another WIFI base station, broadcasts it to a nearby area. Afterward, when a device scans for nearby networks, it displays their SSIDs. The user then just needs to choose the appropriate one and the device will connect to it.

Of course, the device will only be able to connect to the SSID if it is an open network. If the network is secured by any type of encryption, then the user will need to enter the correct password.

Network managers can choose to have the router not broadcast the SSID. This might seem to further increase the network’s security for the common user, but it is false. Users wishing to connect to a non-SSID-broadcasting network will need to know the case-sensitive SSID and the correct password.

Point 3): Should a WIFI Extender Have the Same SSID?

So, basically, if you use an extender (or multiple APs) for the same network, then either use different SSIDs or make sure that a device can only see one SSID source for the network. In some situations, users may desire to have the same wireless network name (SSID) on the extender and the Wi-Fi router. YES, it will work for you if you use the same SSID, but for the most consistent performance, it is always suggested to use different SSIDs. 

Below are mentioned some of the reasons why choosing a different SSID is a good idea: –

Point. 1 – If the SSIDs are the same, then sometimes a device will connect to one source (the router), and other times it will connect to the other source (the extender)

Point. 2 – A device may not connect to the stronger signal if it is in range of both. 

Point. 3 – As the two transmissions are not continuous, a device may not see one source for a while and may switch to the other source. This can cause a short break in the connectivity while it negotiates its connection with the new source. 

Point. 4 – Connecting through a repeater is inherently slower than going directly to the router. Although this has little effect on dual-band extenders which support cross-band connections (such as 2.4 GHz to devices and 5 GHz to routers). On single-band extenders, this can reduce throughput by around 50%. Faster signals from the router even if the speed is significantly weaker. 

Final Thoughts: 

Even similar SSIDs are a possibility and can easily be used but it is advised not to for obvious reasons stated in the article. I hope it answers the question of Should a WIFI Extender has the same SSID.

David Peter
Hi, this is David Peter from California, USA. By profession, I am working as an Telecommunication engineer with a reputable Telecommunications Company here in California. I am a tech savvy person, and that is why I love my job. This blog is my part time hobby, and I love to write reviews about different products based on my own knowledge and experience. When you go through my reviews, you will feel that they are unbiased reviews as they come direct from my heart for tech lovers. The purpose is to help and guide people who are looking to buy or upgrade their electronic gadgets like modems and routers etc. Enjoy and give your feedback in comments!
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