Comments on: Software Updates Explain Dual-Band Networking

By: An easy way to figure out what band your Macbook is on… | Tongfamily Website

Sun, 08 Mar 2009 04:26:26 +0000

[...] Software Updates Explain Dual-Band Networking – TheAppleBlog Hold down the option key when clicking on your airport icon in the menu bar. That’ll give you your network specs, like what band, signal strength, etc. [...]

By: Vuong Pham

Vuong Pham — Fri, 06 Mar 2009 20:16:53 +0000

So far the new AIPORT Utility and firmware 7.4.1 doesn’t enable dual band native to the older AEBS.

I believe the older devices are missing an antennae for dual band simultaneous support.

By: Vuong Pham

Vuong Pham — Fri, 06 Mar 2009 20:15:19 +0000

It is nice to have those features built in and gracefully implemented.

I use DD-WRT.. which enables ssid and virutal ssid for same 2.4 ghz network.
The virtual ssid is for guest access. Your choice of security level non thru wpa2

I was missing the dual band love.. so I just added my AEBS as AP in bridge mode, with a static ip address. Plug in the device via lan port to the existing network. Now it serves up just the n clients. The gigabit switch is nice. (4.6 gig transfer in about 6 minutes internal server to gigabit NAS)

The other router dd-wrt acts as a dhcp server.

Great device for n connections and time machine backup via usb hub.
But very weak remote access IMHO. Your mileage may vary.

By: mogosh

mogosh — Wed, 04 Mar 2009 15:10:20 +0000

OK it’s not sounding good for dual band networking on my old time capsule, but I’ll continue to keep my fingers crossed. I guess my bigger disappointment is that Apple didn’t put the n protocol on the itouch. Luckily my modem is a combo wireless g router so I am doing the two network thing at home, but different SSIDs. I’d love to have 3 just because…and a guest network too?

By: Galley

Galley — Wed, 04 Mar 2009 13:49:27 +0000

@#3: is there anything the Option key can’t do?

By: KenC

KenC — Tue, 03 Mar 2009 23:44:31 +0000

Hold down the option key when clicking on your airport icon in the menu bar. That’ll give you your network specs, like what band, signal strength, etc.

By: Gazoobee

Gazoobee — Tue, 03 Mar 2009 21:49:08 +0000

I’ll be happy if this update merely stops the time Machine from randomly forgetting that it has a printer attached.

Also, for those that are worrying about the utility of the double network thingie, there is an easy and cheap solution. The networks can be manually split off just by buying an older Airport that only does b/g wireless and then moving the newer device to 5Mhz n. I got one second hand for 50 bucks and they can be had a lot cheaper at this point in most locales.

By: Mike Perry

Mike Perry — Tue, 03 Mar 2009 21:48:43 +0000

Wow! Apple is quick. Just this morning I suggested online that they make their laptops smart enough to choose the best network when the choice includes both 2.4 and 5.6 networks with the same name. Now, only a few hours later, it’s done.

It’ll be interesting to see they come up with a way to tell us which network we’ve joined. My neighborhood library uses six channels: 1, 6 & 11 at 2.4 GHz and 48, 153, and 161 at what I assume in 5.6 Ghz. But my MacBook doesn’t tell me which I’m on. When the library gets crowded and access gets slow, it’s hard to know what to do to find clear air.