SEPTEMBER 2020 MACWORLD 93from the main router.
Name each additional router’s
network the same. This name, the SSID
(Service Set Identifier), is what you see in a
list of Wi-Fi networks in a menu. (Name the
base stations themselves uniquely in
whatever way the device lets you identify
them for configuration.)
> Use the same network password for
all Wi-Fi networks, too.
That’s generally all that’s required. The
only exception is if the broadband router
handles network assignment with DHCP
and NAT. In that case, configure your main
base station as a bridge/access point, too.
For a configuration like this, some
manufacturers have
finally got the religion of
simplicity. I’ve gradually
switched from Apple to
TP-Link for the three
Wi-Fi routers on my
network. The first still
required an ugly and
complicated Web
administrative interface
to configure. But the later
two use TP-Link’s Tether.
Tether lets me
connect to the router
out of the box, configure
it to be part of my set of
managed networks, and
then choose the simple
options, like network
name and access point
mode, with a few taps.
It’s not quite AirPort
Utility, but it’s among the
least-frustrating setups
I’ve had for non-mesh
and non-Apple gear. ■TP-Link’s Tether app offers simplicity in configuring a set of
standard Wi-Fi gateways. At left, top: A list of local devices;
bottom, setting access point mode. At right, top: enabling Smart
Connect to assist in mobile roaming; bottom, a configured device.