Configuring Wireless Band Preference on Client Devices Last updated; Save as PDF No headers. Additionally, I have had a couple drops of both the Wemo light switches and my Amazon FireTV Sticks (2.4 & 5ghz) when band steering is enabled. Meraki access points can now be configured to steer 5 GHz-capable wireless clients towards the 5 GHz band. Band steering is a technique used in dual band WiFi equipment that encourages newer client devices to use the less congested 5 GHz network. If you only have one network on your router, chances are that it is actually broadcasting on both the 2.4GHz and 5GHz bands and using a protocol called “band steering” to let your device switch automatically. Channel selection and power settings on access points can be automatically optimized by Dashboard, or manually updated to meet specific requirements. Auto RF is a feature on Meraki Access points that is built on Auto Tx Power and Auto Channel in order to detect non Wi-Fi interference and monitor the Wi-Fi environment. By default, Band Steering is turned on. These devices will connect at faster speeds and more clients will be able to connect to the network simultaneously. I know this has historically been a huge issue with Apple devices on many AP's (not just Meraki). Find out if band steering is a good way to get a better network connection. Here’s how it works. With it disabled they joined the network normally. choose either both 2.4 and 5 or 5Ghz only. Band Steering: When band steering is enabled, dual-band (2.4GHz and 5GHz) APs only reply to probe requests on the highest supported frequency band for the client. My Wemo Light Switches (2.4ghz) would not find the wifi when band steering was enabled. Recent experienced with band steering and Apple devices Looking for feedback on recent experience (within last few months) that you've had with band steering enabled and Apple devices. – Posted by Hans Robertson This is where band steering comes in. Customers can either use Dual Band (with or without band steering), 5 GHz Only and 2.4 GHz at an SSID level. Also, the Rogers installer advised me to keep band steering turned on as turning it off could affect TV performance. If 2.4 GHz support is needed, it is recommended to use ' Dual-band with band steering' to ensure support for 2.4 GHz devices while dual band devices will be steered to use the 5 GHz band. The answer is found in band steering. the band steering may be causing your particular wireless card to drop off 2.4Ghz and not connect to 5Ghz. I have some smart plugs that only work on the 2.4 ghz network. Administrators can turn Band Steering on or off per SSID. It's at the bottom of the access control page for the SSID. How can one turn it off? Back when 802.11b was king. Heck the old unifi I replaced for a hotel client with MERAKI saw far fewer problems with macs and android devices when band steering was on. With Band steering turn on, the smart plugs are unable to connect to the 2.4ghz network. This reduces the number of probe responses on 2.4GHz by pushing clients to 5Ghz where supported. Based on the environmental factors it detects, Auto RF can automatically tune settings such as channel assignments, per-radio transmit power, and band steering. Auto RF Overview. In the early days of wireless LAN, 802.11b was king, and its kingdom was the 2.4 GHz band. Depending on signal strength on the 5ghz band I'd recommend turning band steering off as the macs tend to get very flaky Is this true? 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