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Please allow unique SSIDs for Both Bands
I understand the logic that Netgear wants to make everything simple, and having just a single network to connect to is indeed simpler than having two.
However, there are some downsides to this. This week I bought a few Oittm-branded WiFi power switches and was excited to set them up - and that lasted all of 90 seconds before I became extremely frustrated. Why? Because the WiFi switches can only be set up on a 2.4 Ghz network. It uses an app that I installed on my Android phone - but because the switch can only connect to 2.4Ghz, and my phone automatically connect to the 5Ghz network, the two can't see each other. And since I can't pick the 2.4Ghz manually to connect so, there's no solution I'm aware of.
So, please Netgear, give us an advanced option for power users who need it to turn on unique SSIDs for each band.
You can actually by following the instructions listed in this posting, I just did that and it works:
https://community.netgear.com/t5/Orbi/How-to-set-a-separate-SSID-for-the-5-GHz-network-on-your-Orbi/m-p/1396594
12 Replies
You can actually by following the instructions listed in this posting, I just did that and it works:
https://community.netgear.com/t5/Orbi/How-to-set-a-separate-SSID-for-the-5-GHz-network-on-your-Orbi/m-p/1396594For a possible official (Netgear) resolution, you can try posting your request in the Idea Exchange section (link below).
https://community.netgear.com/t5/Idea-Exchange-For-Home/idb-p/idea-exchange-for-home/tab/most-recent
Interesting info...good gouge.
In my case, one think to keep in mind, I have a device that only runs 5ghz. When I setup the Orbi and gave my Orbi the same network name as my old one, the 5ghz device would not connect for it was looking for a 'MYNET_5Ghz'. Had to go in and reconfig the device and then it worked fine.
In the case of other devices that can use both 2.4 and 5g, how does the Orbi decide which freq to assign? Is it based on current network load conditions, etc.?
To the OP....I too have another device that requires a setup through a Iphone app and will only run on the 2.4ghz band. When I went to set it up, my Iphone 6plus was already connected to the 2.4 ghz band and things went fine. I'm just wondering why your phone went to 5g? Is it because the Orbi decided that was best for the moment and will it change later?
Retired_Member wrote:In the case of other devices that can use both 2.4 and 5g, how does the Orbi decide which freq to assign? Is it based on current network load conditions, etc.?...I too have another device that requires a setup through a Iphone app and will only run on the 2.4ghz band. When I went to set it up, my Iphone 6plus was already connected to the 2.4 ghz band and things went fine. I'm just wondering why your phone went to 5g? Is it because the Orbi decided that was best for the moment and will it change later?
Yes to all of that. WiFi devices will connect automatically to the strongest signal, and there's a sort of handshake that goes on between the device and the Orbi when it first connects (and each time it comes back into range). Part of that handshake is going to be "what WiFi frequencies can you support?" along with "which frequency are you getting the strongest" and if 5Ghz is an option, that's what network the device will be put on. I am not aware of any setting in Android or iOS that allows you to control which WiFi band to use - all you can control is what SSID you connect to.
In your case, your iPhone was getting a weak 5Ghz signal and was assigned to the 2.4 Ghz spectrum. If you go near your router, turn off WiFi, then turn it back on, I'm certain it would lock onto the 5Ghz signal.
Your post did give me an idea though I'm going to try later: I'll turn off WiFi, walk outside my house, turn it back on and hopefully get my phone onto the 2.4Ghz network and then try the setup again.
I saw the other post about using Telnet to change the SSIDs - that's a brilliant tip that I may use, but it will be a last resort - I really appreciate it being shared!
jasondunn wrote:
Retired_Member wrote:In the case of other devices that can use both 2.4 and 5g, how does the Orbi decide which freq to assign? Is it based on current network load conditions, etc.?...I too have another device that requires a setup through a Iphone app and will only run on the 2.4ghz band. When I went to set it up, my Iphone 6plus was already connected to the 2.4 ghz band and things went fine. I'm just wondering why your phone went to 5g? Is it because the Orbi decided that was best for the moment and will it change later?
Yes to all of that. WiFi devices will connect automatically to the strongest signal, and there's a sort of handshake that goes on between the device and the Orbi when it first connects (and each time it comes back into range). Part of that handshake is going to be "what WiFi frequencies can you support?" along with "which frequency are you getting the strongest" and if 5Ghz is an option, that's what network the device will be put on. I am not aware of any setting in Android or iOS that allows you to control which WiFi band to use - all you can control is what SSID you connect to.
In your case, your iPhone was getting a weak 5Ghz signal and was assigned to the 2.4 Ghz spectrum. If you go near your router, turn off WiFi, then turn it back on, I'm certain it would lock onto the 5Ghz signal.
Your post did give me an idea though I'm going to try later: I'll turn off WiFi, walk outside my house, turn it back on and hopefully get my phone onto the 2.4Ghz network and then try the setup again.
I saw the other post about using Telnet to change the SSIDs - that's a brilliant tip that I may use, but it will be a last resort - I really appreciate it being shared!
Hey Jason....did you ever get a fix for this? My one weather station that needs a iphone hooked up to 2.4g is giving me a problem. Last night I had to power down one of my sats due to the constant blue light. Now my iphone only connects to 5g. then the weather station lost its wifi connection..not sure if its related. trying to reconnect i need the phone on 2.4g but the orbi puts it on 5g.
