5th generation Extreme & iPhone - 5Ghz wireless network weirdness

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Level 1

6 points

5th generation Extreme & iPhone - 5Ghz wireless network weirdness

Hi All,

I just upgraded my 4th gen Extreme to a 5th gen Extreme. Kinda weird - with the 4th gen, the 5Ghz wireless network could NOT be seen from the iPhone 4S (as expected, since the iPhone doesn't support the 5Ghz wireless range).

With the 5th gen Extreme, not only can I SEE the 5Ghz wireless network, I can connect to it and use it!

It's ok, not causing any problems, but that doesn't really make sense!

Same firmware on the Extreme (7.6), same firmware on the iPhone (latest 5.0.1 code).

Anyone know why?

- Thanx

- Jon

Mac OS X (10.7.2)

Posted on Jan 14, 2012 9:09 AM

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Answer 1

Jan 14, 2012 9:14 AM in response to jbauer

It sounds like you did not enable the option on the 5th Generation AirPort Exreme to give the 5 GHz network a separate name.

If that is the case, both the 2.4 GHz and 5 Ghz bands are broadcasting using the same wireless network name. The iPhone is connecting to the 2.4 GHz band.

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Answer 2

jbauer Author

Level 1

6 points

Jan 14, 2012 9:17 AM in response to Bob Timmons

Hi Bob,

Thanks for the note.

To create the 5Ghz wireless network, in AirPort Utility, under Wireless, I clicked on "Wireless Network Options..." and then checked the box for "5GHz Network Name" and the network name is my regular wireless network name, plus 5GHz after that.

That wireless network comes up as an additional wireless SSID. That's the one I'm selecting on my iPhone...

- Thanx

- Jon

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Answer 3

Jan 14, 2012 9:24 AM in response to jbauer

If your iPhone really will connect at 5 GHz, you have a rare product indeed. Mine won't...and Apple specs say 2.4 GHz only, but I suppose anything is possible.

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Answer 4

jbauer Author

Level 1

6 points

Jan 14, 2012 9:24 AM in response to Bob Timmons

Of course, I'm sure it isn't. I think the different chipset (Broadcom?) on the 5th gen Extreme changed this behavior...

I asked Apple about this too, and they essentially gave me a blank stare.

Oh well. No biggie - like I said, it's working fine. I just wouldn't expect the 5GHz wireless network to even show up on my iPhone...

- Thanx

- Jon

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