Wifi network issue - cascaded routers

Howdy all.

In an attempt to increase coverage at a house, I cascaded a Linksys E2500 router to the existing Arris Wifi router/eMTA. It is somewhat successful. Systems connected to the Linksys connect to the internet via ethernet or the 2.4 GHz wifi network. And the 2.4 GHz wifi SSID hands off between the two routers no problem. The 5 GHz wifi network is what I can't get to work on the Linksys. The Arris is broadcasting it's 5 GHz wifi SSID. The Linksys router's setup page shows the 5GHz network is active but it is not broadcasting. The objective is to set all the Wifi SSIDs and security settings the same for both routers, with one SSID for 2.4 GHz and another SSID for 5 GHz. Then set channel to AUTO for each one as well and let the client computer decide which router to connect to depending on what channel is stronger.

I've tried renaming the 5GHz network on the Linksys to a different SSID but it still would not show up in wifi network discovery. Wondering if I'm not supposed to set the channels to auto for 5GHz or some other weird setting which is preventing the Linksys from co-mingling with the Arris on 5 GHz.

 

How far apart are both the routers? You should never use auto for channels. For best performance download a wifi analyzer for your phone to determine which channels have the lowest number of wifi signals on it.Set each router to a channel with the lowest number of interefence. YOu also what to make sure you dno't overlap the channels between the two routers for best performance. see: https://community.ubnt.com/t5/UniFi-Wireless/Multiple-APs-should-use-different-channels-but-the-same-SSID/td-p/1828117

 

Thank you for the insight. I did just as the article stated. I ended up having to reflash the Linksys router firmware to get 5 GHz working again, but once it was, setting the channels correctly and to medium Tx power really helped with coverage.