In this article, we will discuss how to Create a Separate SSIDs for 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz on Netgear OrbiBy. Let’s start!, the whole system of the Orbi router unit and Satellite unit work efficiently with an SSID name, which is the same for frequency bands on 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz bands. It is one of the reliable, user-friendly features of all Wi-fi systems. By designating a single Wi-fi name, client devices, including laptops and smartphones, can roam freely within a house without changing their Wi-fi networks.
For example, if a user has an Orbi router on the first floor and a satellite unit on the 2nd floor, the SSID name will be visible the same, and devices can connect to whichever Orbi unit offers the strong signals and speed.
Both client-facing bands of the Orbi of 2.4 GHz and 5GHz emit signals utilizing the same SSID. Devices can choose to use either 2.4 GHz band or 5 GHz band frequency band automatically. Generally, if a client device supports dual-band, it will select 5 GHz frequency band because of its faster speed.
The setup, as mentioned above, is ideal for homes, and some circumstances can create an issue. Modern home networks contain smart devices, including CCTV cameras, smart-locks, doorbells, and more. These smart devices work on 2.4 GHz frequency band, and in several situations, they face difficulty in connecting to an Orbi, which features a single SSID for multiple bands.
Difference between 2.4 GHz band and 5 GHz band
The main differences between 2.4GHz and 5GHz signals are speed and range. A 2.4GHz frequency band signal provides internet to a larger area but with low speed, while the 5GHz frequency band offers faster speeds but only for a small space. Every router is built to deliver a particular set of band frequencies that a user needs to consider when deciding which Wi-fi frequency band will best suit their requirements.
Which frequency should you choose?
There is a range of aspects that will dictate which frequency band a user should use. Many devices in this modern era use a 2.4GHz that includes garage openers, baby monitors, microwaves, and baby monitors.
While you may not have much of these devices in your house, if you live in an apartment, which is covered by other people with their routers, the 2.4GHz frequency band is more likely congested with all kinds of devices. If you have a device that doesn’t roam around and will be situated near your router, it is recommended having it utilize the 5GHz frequency band to minimize congestion and take advantage of a higher speed than the 5GHz band can deliver.
If you have a device that roams around your house, such as a cellphone, and it is usually situated away from your router, it is recommended that you set this device up to take advantage of a 2.4GHZ frequency band. The 2.4 GHz band has a broader range and can puncture solid objects comfortably than the 5 GHz band, making it best for devices such as laptops and cellphones that usually roam around or are situated far from the router.
Here, we will create two Separate SSIDs for 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz on the Netgear Orbi router to separate them. This process can be done from the graphical GUI management interface, so we will need to connect with the Telnet command line to the router.
Creating a Separate SSIDs for 2.4 GHz on Netgear Orbi
You need to work with the below-stated steps to create separate SSIDs for 2.4 GHz and 5GHz on Netgear Orbi.
Login to your Orbi using Telnet
- Open your browser and insert 192.168.1.1/debug.htm in your browser’s address bar
Remember, most devices have this IP address as their default, but if you have other default IP address, type it there.
- A page will open where you can see an option of “Enable Telnet.” Check the box next to this option.
- Now you have to use a Telnet client from a computer to connect to the Netgear Orbi router.
On Windows devices, you are required to install and enable Telnet client or download a free software known as PuTTY (other alternative software), which will work as a Telnet client.
On Mac devices, you can open a command function window and can use Telnet from there.
Supposing you have a Telnet client installed on a computer, or enable it on windows, run Telnet 192.168.1.1, which should be the default IP address of an Orbi Netgear router. At authentication, you need to use the GUI administration credentials (admin and the password).
Check your SSID by using Telnet
After connecting to the Orbi router device with Talent client as mentioned earlier, execute below stated commands;
config get wl_ssid (this command is for displaying the name of a 2.4 GHz SSID)
Output: OrbiWi-fi
config get wla_ssid (This command is for displaying the name of a 5 GHz SSID)
Output: OrbiWi-fi
As it happened, by default, the SSID names of both band frequencies are the same. Now we have to change the SSID name of 2.4 GHz
Setting a separate SSID for 5 GHz network
- To change the SSID name of the 2.4 GHz band type below command
- config set wl_ssid=”OrbiWi-fi 2.4GHz“
- Config commit
- (This command will change the SSID name of the 2.4 GHz)
- Verify that the 2.4 GHz name is changed by typing the command stated below config get wl_ssid (this command will show the changed name of 2.4 GHz )
Now you have successfully changed your 2.4 GHz SSID name, which will be visible in your Wi-fi networks on your client devices.
Creating a Separate SSID for 5 GHz on Netgear Orbi
For creating a separate SSID for 5 GHz on a Netgear Orbi, you have to follow the below stated instructions.
First of all, you have to update your firmware, although it also works well with older firmware its recommend to update your firmware. To update your firmware, you have to;
Open your browser and insert 192.168.1.1/adv_index.htm
Remember, it is the default IP address, and if you have any other default IP address, type it there.
Now go to administration option, then go to firm update, and then click update all option.
Login to your Orbi using Telnet
- Enable Telnet by navigating to 192.168.1.1/debug.htm
- Enter below stated commands in terminal on your Windows device or Mac:
telnet 192.168.1.1
- login to the admin panel using your Orbi Netgear administrative credentials.
Check your SSID by using Telnet
After logging in to your Orbi using Telnet,
- Type the following two command lines and press return after each return.
Config get wl_ssid
Config get wla_ssid
The output which you will get will be the same until you change wla_ssid in the next phase. If they are different, you don’t need to change it again, as you have already separated the SSID name for 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz networks.
Setting a separate SSID for 5 GHz network
While you are still signed in to your Orbi Netgear using Telnet;
- Type the below-stated command lines and press return after each.
(Replace “NAME OF YOUR 5GHZ NETWORK” with actual SSID name you want to give for the SSID of your 5 GHz network. Ignore the quote signs)
Config set wla_ssid=NAME YOUR 5 GHZ NETWORK” config commit
- To confirm that the SSID of your 5 GHz(wla_ssid) has been changed successfully and that it is different than the 2.4 GHz (wla_ssid), type the following commands and press return after each.
Config get wl_ssid
Config get wla_ssid
The output will be different, and you have now successfully separate your SSIDs for your 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz networks.
- Enter the below-stated command and press return
Reboot
Disable Telnet
After your Orbi Netgear has restarted, disable Telnet by navigating 192.168.1.1/debug.htm
Conclusion
Both 2 GHz and 5GHz have their advantages and can be used as per your preferences. After reading above mentioned steps of creating separate SSIDs for both 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz band, we hope you can do this process by yourself and can create a distinct SSID name for both of them.
Also check:
FAQ’s
Below are most asked questions by users;
Q: Can you use 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz at the same time?
Ans: yes, it is known as dual-band, and both of these bands can be used at once.
Q: What’s the difference between 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz?
Ans: 2.4 GHz band offers internet with slow speed to a large area, while 5 GHz band provides internet to a small space with a higher speed.
Q: Which is better for online streaming2.4 GHz or 5 GHz?
Ans: 5 GHz has a higher radio frequency, and it is better than 2.4 GHz for online streaming.