"Encourage" 5 GHz Operation

[txcanuck]

Hi,

Is there a way to try to push clients to 5 GHz, given that it's less crowded typically, and supports wider channel BW?

Thanks!

 

[TonyH]

Hi,

Is there a way to try to push clients to 5 GHz, given that it's less crowded typically, and supports wider channel BW?

Thanks!

Not interested in turning off 2.4GHz radio?

 

[txcanuck]

Unfortunately not - lots of legacy HW still around, that supports only 2.4 GHz ... so have to keep the radio on for that. But for devices that support both, want to "steer" them to 5 GHz ... .

Thanks!

 

[ColinTaylor]

I use two different SSIDs for 2.4GHz and 5GHz.

If you want a device to use just one band then only specify one SSID. If you want to have to option to use either you might have to look at the client side. In Windows for example you can specify a "preferred" SSID.

 

[txcanuck]

I can try that (preferred). I was hoping to have the AP "nudge" the clients ... as I have Windows, Linux, Android and iOS devices ... ;-).

Thanks!

 

[AlpineMan]

Use MAC address filtering on 2.4Ghz. Click on Wireless -> Wireless MAC filter. Choose 2.4Ghz band, choose Accept as MAC filter mode...then enter all the MAC addresses that you want to allow on 2.4Ghz. Your users won't be able to connect to 2.4Ghz unless their MAC address is on this list.

 

[KenZ71]

Don't ubiquity APs do this?

 

[txcanuck]

I believe they do, which is why I was asking. The MAC filter is a bit of a challenge, as I don't want to be adding devices all the time.

Thanks!

 

[AlpineMan]

The only MAC addresses you'll need to add are the legacy hardware that you mentioned on 2.4Ghz. You don't need to put users' MAC addresses on the 2.4Ghz or 5Ghz since no MAC filter rule will be needed for users.

One other idea is to change the SSID on your 2.4GHz, hide it (disable SSID broadcast), and/or change the SSID's password. This will lockout all users from using 2.4Ghz. You will just need to reconfigure your legacy devices accordingly.

Sent from my Motorola DynaTAC 8000X using Tapatalk

 

[thiggins]

Is there a way to try to push clients to 5 GHz, given that it's less crowded typically, and supports wider channel BW?

The best way is to use a product that support band steering. This feature is usually found more on access points than consumer routers. But some AC3200 and AC5300 "tri-band" routers have band-steering as part of their "Smart Connect" features.

Be aware that band steering success depends a lot on the client device. See the "Sticky Client" sticky for more info.

If you don't care if the clients can connect to 2.4, then look for band preference settings in the devices themselves.

 

[txcanuck]

Thanks for the info. Will dig into this more - much appreciated!