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Forum Discussion
Solved
5g vs 2.4g
Dear netgear, Please, please, please just let me connect selectively to 5g. Your algorithm to select "the best" band is driving me crazy!!! WTF!!! I just want to have the best speed whatsoever. I al...
Netgear could simply do the exact same thing that Linksys did, that is to enable the separation of the 2.4 and 5g bands and let users choose their preferred band themselves. Even with this separation, users could still configure their devices to connect to BOTH bands if they still want their routers to decide for them. In my opinion, if I want hamburger for lunch, don't force me to settle for fish & chips! simple as ABC!
Having tried both the Velop and Orbi in the same surrounding, I concluded that Band Steering (between 2.4 and 5g) or Smart connect as it is also called, is one major limitation of mesh wifi systems. While both the velop and orbi have their own strengths, the algorithm used by both to connect clients to the best band have much room for improvement. Even when standing near a node or satellite with a device in line of sight, 2.4g is often selected first. Can't understand why?
Band Steering known first when it appeared years ago outside of the USA, and then came to the USA as Smart Connect from Broadcom I believe, has always been somewhat problemtic with how it handles devices and connects them to the radios. It's up to Broadcom and router Mfrs who employ this technology and to weed out the problems seen. There are many factors and many devices out there, all with different capabilities so I presume there will be various issues seen during the development cycle. Seen it where devices do connect to 2.4Ghz first, then after a period of time where the device will re-connect to 5Ghz. Ya there always room for improvement when it comes to BandSteering or Smart Connect as it's known here. One SSID is the intended design for MESH systems from what I've seen and tested. I presume there is a reason behind it or Mfrs would give the option to disable it. My first MESH I couldn't do this either with a different Mfr, so seems to be something MESH systems are attempting to follow.
PlatinumGoat wrote:Having tried both the Velop and Orbi in the same surrounding, I concluded that Band Steering (between 2.4 and 5g) or Smart connect as it is also called, is one major limitation of mesh wifi systems. While both the velop and orbi have their own strengths, the algorithm used by both to connect clients to the best band have much room for improvement. Even when standing near a node or satellite with a device in line of sight, 2.4g is often selected first. Can't understand why?