Odd network behavior

[Colin Law]

On 1 August 2017 at 05:07, rikona <rikona at sonic.net> wrote:
> I'm seeing some odd network behavior that I don't understand. The
> problem started when I decided to improve the wireless coverage in my
> house by using an extra router as second access point. Both routers
> have the same SSID and the same encryption and password. The second
> router has different LAN IP address, a different channel[using 5 and
> 9], and the DHCP server is turned off in the second router/access
> point. This second router/access point does work and does extend the
> wireless coverage significantly, so that function seems to be working.
>
> But, I started noticing on my Ubuntu box that I was periodically losing
> my network connection about every 5 to 20 minutes. The connection would
> go down for a couple of minutes then come back up. When the connection
> went down, all the lights next to each CAT5 connector would go off
> completely [which seemed odd], not even flickering. After a minute or
> two the input CAT5 connector light would go on, followed shortly by the
> rest of the CAT5 connector lights, and the network would be up.

If I understand correctly the second router is configured as a
repeater, and is a client of the wifi in the first router. If it only
happens when the second router is connected then it sounds very much
like a bug in the first router causing it to crash and restart under
some particular circumstances to do with the communications with the
second router.  I suggest first checking that the firmware in both
routers is the latest available.  If that does not help then try using
a different SSID on the second router.  I am never sure whether this
it is a good idea to use the same SSID on both, having seen claims
pulling in both directions. Personally I like to be able to see which
one is connected to and to be able to force it to one or the other if
desired.

Colin