topic Re: Separate 2.4 vs 5ghz SSID's in Unleashed

Separate 2.4 vs 5ghz SSID's

richard_faris_j — Sun, 28 Jun 2020 17:16:24 GMT

I'm replacing 3-4 Pakedge WX-1's in my home with Unleashed R710's. I want to use the same SSID's so that I don't have to reconnect a gazillion devices. I'm a step above novice when it comes to networking and typically know what I need to know to perform my job. This one has me stumped. How to I create separates, or can I just create 2 in the Ruckus setup that match the names and security of the two SSID's I'm running now? Thanks in advance.

Re: Separate 2.4 vs 5ghz SSID's

syamantakomer — Mon, 29 Jun 2020 11:11:38 GMT

Hi Rich,

Creating same SSID on Ruckus as your old setup may not help. Though new SSID name will be same but devices will not connect automatically and you have to connect them at least once, so that devices can remember the network settings for future connections.

Now come to the main query, creating 2.4 vs 5 G SSID. In Unleashed, when you create a new SSID, it gives you option whether you want to deploy on both bands (2.4 and 5 G) or just one them.

Configuration path: Unleashed GUI >> WLAN (Create new or edit existing WLAN settings) >> Advanced options >> Radio Control >> Enable WLAN on (Options are, All radios/2.4 G or 5 G).

If you choose All radios, then same SSID name will broadcast on 5 and 2.4 G radio.

For more configuration help, you may refer the user guide.

https://support.ruckuswireless.com/documents/2599-ruckus-unleashed-200-7-ga-user-guide/download

https://support.ruckuswireless.com/documents/3123-ruckus-unleashed-200-8-ga-user-guide/download

Regards,
Syamantak Omer

Re: Separate 2.4 vs 5ghz SSID's

richard_faris_j — Mon, 29 Jun 2020 11:51:45 GMT

I did find the setting. A little poking around and I was able to find the setting. Thank you.

As for the SSID’s being cloned, everything seems to be okay without any further attention. How would I know? Just of a device seems to be acting up?

Re: Separate 2.4 vs 5ghz SSID's

syamantakomer — Mon, 29 Jun 2020 12:29:54 GMT

Hi Rich,

Good to know that you figured it out already.

Sorry I did not understand your query "How would I know? Just of a device seems to be acting up?".

Could you elaborate.

Re: Separate 2.4 vs 5ghz SSID's

richard_faris_j — Mon, 29 Jun 2020 12:37:48 GMT

How would I know if cloning the SSID’s are presenting a problem. Everything seems fine.

Re: Separate 2.4 vs 5ghz SSID's

syamantakomer — Mon, 29 Jun 2020 12:48:11 GMT

WX-1 APs are still on the network or you have removed them?

Easiest possible way is, disable/turn off WX APs and check if all the devices are connecting fine on Unleashed.

Regards,
Syamantak Omer

Re: Separate 2.4 vs 5ghz SSID's

richard_faris_j — Mon, 29 Jun 2020 12:59:04 GMT

Yes, the WX’s are no longer on the system. Everything seems more than fine. The Ruckus AP’s are blazing fast and saturate the space nicely. I cannot speak for handoffs yet. I haven’t tested that.

Re: Separate 2.4 vs 5ghz SSID's

syamantakomer — Mon, 29 Jun 2020 13:06:07 GMT

R710 is a very powerful AP, so handoff depends upon deployment of the APs.

A RF site survey is the key to achieve good coverage, highest possible throughput and smooth roaming.

Regards,
Syamantak Omer

Re: Separate 2.4 vs 5ghz SSID's

DarrelRhodes — Mon, 29 Jun 2020 17:49:24 GMT

Hi Rich,

Just to elaborate on Syamantak's (excellent) comments; some client devices save the AP BSSID as part of its WLAN (SSID) profile. A BSSID is generated from the AP's base MAC address, and changes for each SSID, including an identical SSID on 2.4GHz and 5GHz.

So, in the instance where you swap-out an AP (even a like-for-like model) with an identical configuration, some clients won't automatically reconnect because the BSSID will have changed.

In my experience, it tends to be low cost/low performance client devices that have this nasty habit and thankfully it looks like you've managed to avoid this issue.

I hope that helps.

Thanks,
Darrel.

Re: Separate 2.4 vs 5ghz SSID's

daniel_m — Tue, 30 Jun 2020 16:30:04 GMT

I know this doesn’t answer your question, but why are you replacing your high-end Pakedge access points?

Re: Separate 2.4 vs 5ghz SSID's

richard_faris_j — Tue, 30 Jun 2020 17:18:19 GMT

Actually a very good question. I refuse to denigrate the Pakedge WAPs. I have experience with both WK and WX series and they are solid as a rock (as is every current Pakedge network device). The issue is that Ruckus (I only have experience with the Unleashed platform) is wildly easy to setup and manage and it tends to have a richer faster WiFi signal all else equal. Pakedge is a dealer centric brand, so it really takes dealer involvement to reap the total benefits. On a sidenote, I have never had to reboot a Pakedge Network, they are very very stable. In the case, I am now using a Mikrotik Router, a Ubiquity Edge Power switch and Ruckus AP's. It's a networking guy's dream.

Re: Separate 2.4 vs 5ghz SSID's

mark_schneider — Thu, 15 Apr 2021 18:00:05 GMT

Sorry to awaken a 'dead thread'. I am about to deply a single R650 Access poin in my home, and have a question that I cannopt seem to find addressed anywhere....

I currently have 3 ssids on my Netgear AX12. One for 2.4g, one for 5g, and a guest network on 5g only. This allows me to select which band my devices log into. I am not sure which band they will log into if i set up a dual-band single ssid netowrk (forget the guest thing for the moment). What determines which band which devices connect to - should I care?

Thanks!

Re: Separate 2.4 vs 5ghz SSID's

eizens_putnins — Fri, 16 Apr 2021 11:39:04 GMT

You should care. Device makes decision to which band to connect, and decision is often not the best one. This is a typical issue with Apple devices, which see higher RSSI on 2.4GHz and connect to it, instead of using much less crowded 5GHz band with slightly lower RSSI. So it is always good to have separate SSID for 5GHz, and to use 2.4GHz only for old devices, not supporting 5GHz.

Re: Separate 2.4 vs 5ghz SSID's

eizens_putnins — Fri, 16 Apr 2021 11:42:19 GMT

Recently we recommended our customer to implement separate SSID for 5GHz and make it default for all business devices supporting 5GHz, which resulted in major improvement of connections quality, and 50% traffic growth.

Re: Separate 2.4 vs 5ghz SSID's

mark_schneider — Fri, 16 Apr 2021 14:01:47 GMT

I am the sole occupant of a single-family, free-standing house, and my home office voip phone and desktop pc are wired ethernet, as is my music streaming device in that room. Main a-v system is all hardwired ethernet, so it is laptops, tablets, smartphone and a few music streamers that hit the wifi (theromostat and Harmony remote as well -the hub of which is a nuisance to provision- as it seems to care whether the hub and the androids communicating with it are on the same network.

So far, so good - the R650 is doing a great job - I think all of my stuff is being given more than enough bandwith - and with great signal strength so far.

Re: Separate 2.4 vs 5ghz SSID's

syamantakomer — Mon, 19 Apr 2021 19:31:40 GMT

If you need more coverage, you may choose to connect on 2.4 G SSID. If you are close the AP where 5G signal is strong, choose that over 2.4 to get more speed.

Re: Separate 2.4 vs 5ghz SSID's

Dejeh1 — Fri, 22 Sep 2023 18:01:59 GMT

Hi Syamantak,

I have the R550 and I'm also trying to create 2 SSID for which one will be 2.4g and the other 5g but I don't see any option for this, it doesn't even have a radio selection, please could you help point me in the right direction. Thanks