Does dual-band mean two separate SSIDs?

[Moraga Mike]

OK, guys, please don't laugh at me. You've been so helpful in the past. So here goes:

I had a Linksys Wireless-G WRT54GS that I wanted to replace. I bought a dual-band Netgear N600-series WNDR3700. I just got it today and I quickly was able to get the wired access (to one of the four ports on the back of the unit) to work.

However, I had and have some issues with the wireless access.

First, do I need to set up two distinct SSIDs for the 2.4 GHz and the 5 GHz bands?

In other words, does it really just give me two separate networks that I have to choose to logon to?

I got it up and running by creating one SSID "Toby11" (2.4GHz) and a second one called "Toby" (5 GHz). I can access the internet on Toby11 but I can't get the Internet via Toby. That was the only way I got it work when I was on the phone with Netgear support.

The sum total of the machines currently.... I want to add a NAS device.

I have a Win 7 laptop w/Atheros AR5B93 N-capable wireless network adapter. This is the machine I used to configure the router and my main PC.
I have a Vista laptop w/Intel N-capable wireless network adapter which is my wife's main machine and is downstairs in the kitchen most often.
I have a Win XP Pro laptop w/Intel N-capable wireless network adapter, my work machine (I have administrator rights).
I have an older Dell laptop (college son's old high school machine) with an internal wireless G-adapter.
I have an very old Win XP Sony Vaio desktop with only an external wireless G-capable.

I also want to get my balky Linksys Wireless PrintServer to get working again, too, but that's a future thread.

Our son is in China and I'd like to optimize Skype (a future thread).

[Paul Komski]

Early dual-band routers could be either one or the other frequency but newer ones can operate both simutaneously and have two SSIDs.

Looks like yours is the latter but which one your devices connect to would depend on the peripheral's own capabilities.

http://apcmag.com/dualband_wifi_ready_to_roll.htm

Google

[Moraga Mike]

Thanks, Paul, for the article. This newer version router supports simultaneous 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz networks.

This morning I got the 5 GHz SSID to connect to the internet.

I understand that my old "g" wireless network adapters will only attach to the 2.4 GHz SSID.

Question: Is it preferred or optimal that IF a network adapter is "N" capable that I should prefer it to attach to the 5 GHz SSID? I assume that it should be faster, right? Or am I missing something?

[Paul Komski]

Question: Is it preferred or optimal that IF a network adapter is "N" capable that I should prefer it to attach to the 5 GHz SSID? I assume that it should be faster, right? Or am I missing something?

There are Pros and Cons and 5GHz may not be allowed in any particular juristriction.

2.4GHz vs. 5GHz Deployment Considerations
Is 5 GHz Wireless Network Hardware Better than 2.4 GHz?