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How to enable 5GHz mode in Time Capsule

Hi,

does anybody know how can I enable 5 GHZ mode in Apple Time Capsule? Should I create separate 5 GHZ network with separate SSID name or is it automatically enabled under the same name after standard configuration? Suppose I have configured "Apple1" network just after Time Capsule first configuration. Is "Apple1" both 2.4GHZ and 5GHZ which uses the same SSID name and switches automatically depeneding on the device and supported mode? The reason for it is that I'm looking for the best possible network transfers when backing up wirelessly on my Time Capsule and there are a lot of neighbourhood networks operating on 2.4 GHZ


Thanks in advance,

Aleksander

MacBook Air (13-INCH, MID 2011), OS X Mountain Lion

Posted on Jul 30, 2012 7:28 AM

Reply
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on Jul 30, 2012 9:46 AM

How to enable 5 GHz mode....


Both 2.4 GHz and 5 Ghz bands are always enabled. You cannot turn one "off" and another "on".


Both 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz bands are broadcast using the same wireless network name when the Time Capsule is using default settings.


This is the best choice for most users, since wireless devices will automatically connect to either the 2.4 GHz or 5 GHz signal based on their capability and location in relation to the Time Capsule.


For example, iPhones cannot connect to a 5 GHz network, so they will always connect at 2.4 GHz.


A newer Mac laptop will connect at 5 GHz if it is in close proximity to the wireless router, but it will switch to 2.4 GHz once it moves several rooms away....because 2.4 GHz signals are stronger than 5 GHz signals.


You do have the option to assign a separate name to the 5 GHz network. If you do this, you can "point" wireless devices to that specific network to connect. But....this is no guarantee that that they will be connecting to the best signal.


Once the laptop is a few rooms away, the 2.4 GHz signal might well be not only stronger...but also faster. If the laptop is "locked" onto the 5 GHz signal, it does not transfer data as quickly as it could using 2.4 GHz when it is not close to the router.


The bottom line for most users would be to leave the settings in default mode and let devices automatically choose and connect to the best signal quality. Isn't that what you want?

4 replies
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Jul 30, 2012 9:46 AM in response to AleksanderM

How to enable 5 GHz mode....


Both 2.4 GHz and 5 Ghz bands are always enabled. You cannot turn one "off" and another "on".


Both 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz bands are broadcast using the same wireless network name when the Time Capsule is using default settings.


This is the best choice for most users, since wireless devices will automatically connect to either the 2.4 GHz or 5 GHz signal based on their capability and location in relation to the Time Capsule.


For example, iPhones cannot connect to a 5 GHz network, so they will always connect at 2.4 GHz.


A newer Mac laptop will connect at 5 GHz if it is in close proximity to the wireless router, but it will switch to 2.4 GHz once it moves several rooms away....because 2.4 GHz signals are stronger than 5 GHz signals.


You do have the option to assign a separate name to the 5 GHz network. If you do this, you can "point" wireless devices to that specific network to connect. But....this is no guarantee that that they will be connecting to the best signal.


Once the laptop is a few rooms away, the 2.4 GHz signal might well be not only stronger...but also faster. If the laptop is "locked" onto the 5 GHz signal, it does not transfer data as quickly as it could using 2.4 GHz when it is not close to the router.


The bottom line for most users would be to leave the settings in default mode and let devices automatically choose and connect to the best signal quality. Isn't that what you want?

How to enable 5GHz mode in Time Capsule

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