To avoid interference and ensure optimal performance in a 2.4 GHz wireless network with two access points (APs) set to the same SSID, you should choose channels that do not overlap. The 2.4 GHz frequency band is divided into channels, and specific channels are designed to minimize interference by not overlapping with one another.
Here's the detailed reasoning:
1. Understanding Channel Overlap in the 2.4 GHz Band:
The 2.4 GHz band is divided into 14 channels spaced 5 MHz apart. However, the bandwidth of each channel is 20 MHz. This means that adjacent channels often overlap, causing interference and reducing network performance.
2. Non-Overlapping Channels:
The commonly used non-overlapping channels in the 2.4 GHz band are 1, 6, and 11. These channels are spaced far enough apart to avoid any overlapping frequencies.
3. Optimal Channel Selection:
- Channel 1 uses the frequency range starting at 2.401 GHz up to 2.423 GHz.
- Channel 6 uses the frequency range from 2.426 GHz to 2.448 GHz.
- Channel 11 uses the frequency range from 2.451 GHz to 2.473 GHz.
These channels are chosen as they provide the maximum separation between their frequencies, thereby reducing interference.
Given these points, let's examine the options provided:
- 2 and 5: These channels are not optimal as they overlap significantly.
- 7 and 11: While channel 11 is a non-overlapping choice, channel 7 overlaps with other channels and is not ideal.
- 5 and 6: These channels are adjacent and hence overlap.
- 1 and 6: Both channels 1 and 6 are non-overlapping, providing a clear frequency separation to minimize interference.
Therefore, the best choice to avoid overlap for the two access points is channels 1 and 6.
The channels for the two APs should be set to:
1 and 6
