Force 5GHz.

Welcome to the discussions!

"How might I force the TC to use the 5Ghz frq as opposed to 2.4Ghz? I have it set for 802.11n only (5GHz) - 802.11n only (2.4GHz)."

Since the TC is broadcasting both frequencies, I think you meant to say that you want your Mac Pro to connect to 5 GHz, correct?

It might help to understand that your Mac will look for the best signal quality. If it favors 2.4 GHz over 5 GHz, it is because it is receiving a better signal at 2.4 GHz. The higher frequency 5 GHz signals are absorbed by walls and any obstructions much more quickly than 2.4 GHz, which probably explains why your computer is favoring the 2.4 GHz signal.

Do both your 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz networks have the same name, or do you have separate names for each network? Post back if you still want to have your computer connect to the 5 GHz band first, even if it is not the best signal.

Hello Bob,

i'm having the exact same porblem. My TC is the only router and the only wifispot at my home. Both, 2,4 and 5 GHZ have the same networkname and my macbook is always connecting to the 2,4 in default and not to the 5 GHZ as i want. As i can see this problem is not risolved yet or am i wrong?. And peg you pardon for my english. I'm writing from Italy.

Thanks for your help,

Markus

Hi Markus!

You can use AirPort Utility to set up a different name for the main and guest networks. Once you have done this, try to connect. You should be given a choice of networks to connect to.

markus Haller wrote:
Hello Bob,

i'm having the exact same porblem. My TC is the only router and the only wifispot at my home. Both, 2,4 and 5 GHZ have the same networkname and my macbook is always connecting to the 2,4 in default and not to the 5 GHZ as i want.

actually, on my TC, both networks have the same name, exception is that the 5 GHz has the suffix (5 GHz). my MBP (and TV) are connecting to +network name+ (5 GHz) while my PB is connecting to the 2.4 GHz network. my MBP has +no choice+ but to connect to the 5 GHz because it doesn't know any other network.

on the MBP, in system preferences > network > advanced, i deleted all other networks except +network name+ (5 GHz).

despite all the above, i control my playlists on both the MBP and the TV with my iPod Touch, which, as we all know, is (b/g) capable only.

Hey guys,

This may be another way of getting your computers to read 5ghz only. In Network Preferences click the Advanced tab in the lower-ish right hand corner. It will open up the priority list for the networks you use. Always keep the 5ghz at the top and your computer will automatically connect to that network first. That's the way I have it then my 2.4ghz network after that.

Of course you have to name your networks so you know which on is which 😉 That help?

Yes, you are correct. Thanks!

@ Bob:
i already seted up both networks (no guest network) correctly, and both are working fine. It's just the matter of connecting the MB in default on the 5 Ghz. The question is why the MB doesn't see the 5 Ghz as MAIN network. Also after sleepmode it's connecting again to the 2.4 Ghz.
Thanks anyway!

@ Jolly:
i tried to delete all the other networks (7) but after a restart all the 7 are back again. I will try it again anyway..

@ drummerboibigo:
i handled with the priority list as well and the 5 Ghz network is on the first position, but.... still the same.

Hmmmm, is it me or is it my baby? 😉

Thanks to all

markus Haller wrote:
@ Jolly:
i tried to delete all the other networks (7) but after a restart all the 7 are back again. I will try it again anyway..

Hmmmm, is it me or is it my baby? 😉

Thanks to all

maybe a looong shot but you could try setting up a new user account on your machine. log into the new user and repeat the suggested steps.

another idea would be to go system preferences > network > locations > edit locations and set up a new location. be sure to move airport to the top of the list. via advanced add your 5 GHz network only (you may have to re-enter your network PW).

any of that make any difference ?

If you delete a wireless network under the Advanced tab, you must also delete any reference to that network in KeyChain Access. Look for a listing with the name of the network and AirPort Network Password.

Then restart your computer and log on the network. Make sure it is at the top of the list under the Advanced tab.

and thats exactly what i did yesterday Bob. The keychain was the matter. Now the 5 Ghz network is set as default. So we've got finally the solution. My last problem is remote connection from finder to timecapsule in combination with mobile me,But's not the right thread.

Thank you and have a nice day,

Markus

I think that the proper way to achieve this is to configure your Airport Extreme unit to prohibit 802.11n devices from joining the 2.4GHz range.

To do this, go to Airport Utility, click the "AirPort" icon then the "Wireless" tab. Then click on the "Radio Mode" dropdown *while pressing the Option key on your keyboard*. You will see many more radio modes this way. Select "802.11n only (5Ghz) - 802.11b/g" (or alternatively, "802.11a/n - 802.11b/g" if you have a 802.11a device around - not likely). This will prohibit 802.11n devices from joining the 2.4 GHz frequency range as it is now designated "b/g" only and is not "b/g/n" anymore.

Of course, this is really mostly useful as an experiment - in general, having the 802.11n devices be able to hop between 2.4GHz and 5GHz bands as they see fit is best, as another poster already stated previously.

+This will prohibit 802.11n devices from joining the 2.4 GHz frequency range as it is now designated "b/g" only and is not "b/g/n" anymore.+

This might work if there was some way for you to tell your computer to only connect to an "n" network. Did you find this setting? Perhaps you could share your secret with us?

No, unfortunately, I don't. You're completely right - all that achieves (I just checked it now; had a busy day and couldn't afford router downtime for a restart earlier) is that when the machine selects the 2.4GHz band, it'll use 802.11g on it instead of 802.11n. But it will keep selecting the 2.4GHz band regardless.

So, sorry for the misinformation - everyone please disregard my above tip, as it is genuinely wrong.

Bob Timmons wrote:
+This will prohibit 802.11n devices from joining the 2.4 GHz frequency range as it is now designated "b/g" only and is not "b/g/n" anymore.+

This might work if there was some way for you to tell your computer to only connect to an "n" network. Did you find this setting? Perhaps you could share your secret with us?

Bob - I have my airport extreme set to identify the 5ghz channel as part of the name of the network. I have my Macbook Pro setup to only join the network with the name which includes the 5ghz identifier.

I chose the option for 802.11n 5ghz ONLY - 802.11b/g

In effect, I have told the airport to be 5ghz only on it's primary antenna, and b/g 2.4 only on it's second antenna - and by telling the airport to identify the 5ghz signal, and having only the 5ghz network added to my Macbook Pro networking preferences, I have forced my computer to only connect to said "n" network, yes?