SSID naming

[Castle Computer]

HI. On routers with dual bands, do you prefer to keep the 2.4g and 5g bands the same name or different names? I have always used different names (example - 2.4 MyRouterName and 5g MyRouterName5). However some newer devices (Netgear Orbi) only use 1 name. What is your preference for SSID naming? Keep 2.4g and 5g separate SSID or name them the same?

 

[MichaelBits]

Name them the same with the same security and password.

That way devices which can operate on either will choose the best one to connect to.

 

[Archon Prime]

Hmm...I've always gave them separate names so I know what is connected to what. I guess it really doesn't matter.

 

[mr m]

X2 on keeping the same SSID. Keep it simple and let the Orbi's band steering algorithm work as designed.

I would only differentiate between 2.4 and 5 if there were operational issues.

I have had great luck with Orbi's mesh systems. That dedicated, third 5 GHz back haul band really works as advertised and my clients get seamless coverage everywhere.

 

[freedomit]

Draytek 5G routers have a setting called band steering which automatically activates when you use the same SSID and password

 

[GTP]

Depends on the client. Most don't care. Some want it differentiated to (examples) "jacksJoint and "JacksJoint5g" or similar.
They connect their old smart TV to the 2.4g (cause it doesn't know about 5g) and their phones/computers to the 5g.
Some hide the SSID after creating it requiring uses to physically type the SSID name and password.
Many just use the default they get with the modem from the ISP.
Some clients like to get creative, like:

ThisoneMum
SpiderWeb
WebOf Lies
WebOf Trust
PasswordisAlexander! (or some other name)
SlowestInternetInTown
GetYourVirusHere
MalwareCentral
NSA
FBI
CIA
ASIO
PolicePrivate
TheFeds
AustralianFederalPolice
ConnectAtYourPeril
NoInternetHere
NoConnection
ConnectionFailed
ConnectionNotAvailable
Please-reenter-password
PasswordFailed
ConnectionTimeout......etc, etc.

 

[mikeroq]

Some clients like to get creative, like:

On that note, my two home networks (2.4 and 5) are currently:
Department of Defense
FEMA

 

[GTP]

My "private" ones are just Barcelona1 & Barcelona2 with hidden SSID's.
Workshop is "Workshop" and also hidden.
I change the passwords regularly 'cause clients like to look over your shoulder when you connect.

 

[Calx]

ours is ASYLUM52 and ASYLUM VISITOR

 

[Your PCMD]

I have 4 SSID's on my setup (UniFi). All are for both 2.4 and 5 Ghz (so devices can choose) and they are named FBI_Van, the next is for guests and has limited speed and is accessible only by using the Facebook login setup in UniFi. The last is not even visible and is used by my family only. The 4th below

I dont worry about anyone "stealing" internet because I have everything tightly tuned to only work within 50 ft or so of my house which sits on 3.5 acres of land. Here in Texas, if your that close to my house to get internet, you have trespassed and will go to jail. However I don't worry about that because everyone around here knows I have 8 cameras and posted signs - including the police. So far I have only had to call the police on a couple of girls for egging my daughters car - whom denied it - to the cops - until they saw the video.

I'll add that there is a public access between my property and a railroad and cops love to park on it to get those speeders and people that try to beat the train crossing lights. I know most of the cops that park there and they get free internet connecting to Police_Dept - but it is also bandwidth limited.

Sorry for the edits, I have not had my coffee yet this morning.

 

[Archon Prime]

Here in Texas, if your that close to my house to get internet, you have trespassed and will go to jail.

I wish we had this law lol. Only thing I can do is yell at the ******* to get off my property.

 

[Your PCMD]

I wish we had this law lol. Only thing I can do is yell at the ******* to get off my property.

Yeah they don't play here. In fact, there are many places in Texas that have trespassing signs that say "Trespassers will be shot". And the scary part is they can do it and not be charged. This happens more times than you think especially down at the border to Mexico. Land owners there don't play.

 

[fencepost]

I'll also throw in an unrelated note: for businesses in fairly dense areas, there's no reason that their internal/private wifi SSID needs to have anything to do with the business name. Any equipment that's supposed to be connected to it is being done by someone internal who hopefully knows what they're doing. Anyone outside doesn't have any need to know that "Medical Practice X" even has wifi other than possibly a "guest" network.

Sure it's security by obscurity, but if you're still using all the same measures you'd normally use anyway then it's just one more little bit.

 

[GTP]

It's astounding how many unsecured wifi networks and unsecured wifi printersthere are.
Take a walk around the neighbourhood/town/city/business district and you'll see dozens of them.

 

[Markverhyden]

Yeah they don't play here. In fact, there are many places in Texas that have trespassing signs that say "Trespassers will be shot". And the scary part is they can do it and not be charged. This happens more times than you think especially down at the border to Mexico. Land owners there don't play.

 

[YeOldeStonecat]

Same SSID and security.

By default, clients will choose which frequency they want to jump on (if they support both 2.4 and 5).
You can also have the AP itself "nudge" certain clients towards one of the other, based on what type of wifi chipset they have, this is called Bandwidth Steering. Most wireless systems have this feature, and wifi clients have the smarts to manage themselves with this. This also can help keep the clients balanced across both frequencies. Or prefer one or the other.

The fewer SSIDs the better. Both for you, and being a responsible wifi neighbor to others.