2.4G and 5G

Hi WDNJSQ,

Most STAs (as your laptop or phone) on the live network support both 5 GHz and 2.4 GHz frequency bands. When attempting to join a WLAN, some of the STAs associate with the 2.4 GHz radio of APs by default. As a result, the 2.4 GHz frequency band with fewer channels is congested, heavily loaded, and has severe interference. The 5 GHz frequency band with more channels and less interference is not well used. When the 2.4 GHz frequency band has many users or severe interference, the 5 GHz frequency band can provide better access service for wireless users. Users must manually select the 5 GHz radio to connect to it.

The band steering function enables an AP to steer STAs to the 5 GHz radio first, which reduces traffic load and interference on the 2.4 GHz radio and improves user experience. To implement band steering, an AP must have the same SSID and security policy on the 5 GHz and 2.4 GHz radios.

Currently, AirEngine series APs (except the AirEngine 5760-10) cannot suppress Probe Response frames on the 2.4 GHz radio before STA association. However, after STAs are associated with these APs, the STAs will be steered to the 5 GHz radio.