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Forum Discussion
WPA2 on 2.4ghz overriding WPA3 on 5ghz band
I have a Wifi7 RS140 router. I've have some older smart plugs that only work with WPA2 security. No problem I just use the 2.4 band for those using WPA2. I have set the 5ghz band to WPA3 security for my phones yet when I connect to the 5ghz band I only get wifi 6 speeds (wifi 6 icon on phone). If I go back and change the 2.4 bands to WPA3 security then I get WIFI 7 speeds on my phone (wifi 7 icon) but no longer can connect the older smart plugs. I should be able to have to separate, independent bands each with their own security levels, no?
6 Replies
Max sure you using mixed security mode for 2.4Ghz. WPA2 and WPA3 so IoT devices can still connect while your phone connects at 5Ghz with WPA3 if the phone supports WPA3. Most newer generation phones do. Most IoT devices only support WPA2. Can disable Smart Connect to tests all this as well, then re-enabled it.
Hi. I have tried mixed wpa2 and wpa3 protocol, but as another community user stated it does not work with the older wpa2 only devices. Maybe it works with some, but not on my (or his) plugs. Thanks for the suggestion though.
You could enable the IoT network for the 2.4 Ghz only devices with WPA2 security mode. This feature is now added under the advanced wireless settings with the latest firmware. You could disable smart connect and rename only the 2.4 Ghz SSID just to connect the IoT devices.
IoT does not appear in the User Manual for the RS140.
https://www.downloads.netgear.com/files/GDC/RS150v2/RS150v2-140-130_QSG_UM_EN.pdf
(It is really annoying when significant features do not appear in the User Manual. I have no RS140 to double check.)
The user manual on page 68 appears to indicate that the 2.4G and 5G WiFi security level can be set independently. WiFi7 does require WPA3. It might be that WiFi7 also requires that both 2.4G and 5G WiFi require WPA3. (Multi Link Operation and all)
The IoT network feature is added with the latest firmware. Wifi 7 requires WPA3, but most older and current IoT devices don't need Wifi 7, so a WPA2 only 2.4 Ghz IoT or Guest network would suffice for IoT devices.
Thanks everybody for your quick responses and suggestions. Since 5G wifi7 speeds on my android phone are more important than outdated smart plugs, for $25 for a pack of four I just decided to buy new smart plugs that support WPA3 security.
