Figure 8. A tri-band network includes two dedicated 5 GHz bands

In this tri-band network, the first 5 GHz band provides a speed of 200 Mbps, and the second 5 GHz band provides

a speed of 1,300 Mbps.

The slower and faster devices are separated in different WiFi connections to ensure that you get the best speed on

each device. So in the previous figure, all the three mobile devices are on one 5 GHz band with a combined maximum

speed of 200 Mbps, and the other 5 GHz WiFi band is used for the faster 802.11ac devices with a combined maximum

speed of 1300 Mbps. Effectively both slower and faster devices can run faster and the overall network speed increases

by more than two times, from 640 Mbps to 1500 Mbps.

Load Balancing

The router uses load balancing to distribute WiFi connections among all three WiFi bands, to ensure that both the

WiFi bands are utilized. Load balancing prevents overloading a single 5 GHz band and ensures that both the WiFi

bands are utilized and device connections are spread across the two bands.

For example, if three mobile devices are connected to one 5 GHz band, the fourth device is automatically connected

to the other 5 GHz band.

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61

Figure 9. Load balancing

Slower devices like printers, older computers, or IP cameras connect to the 2.4 GHz band. The presence of two 5

GH bands prevents overloading when many devices use WiFi at the same time.

Benefits of Tri-Band WiFi

The tri-band WiFi network outperforms the dual-band network in several ways:

•

More bandwidth is available.

Even with more devices connected to the network, because the connections are spread across two different

bands, each device gets a larger share of the available WiFi bandwidth.

•

Smart Connect directs WiFi traffic to the appropriate lane.

With Smart Connect, older devices do not slow down faster devices.

•

The router uses load balancing to avoid network congestion in each WiFi band.

With load balancing, you don’t need to share your WiFi connection with as many devices.

Smart Connect

Smart Connect balances your 5 GHz WiFi connections into two different radio bands: the 5 GHz radio 1 band and

the 5 GHz radio 2 band. The router uses Smart Connect to choose the best radio band for your device to give you

the best WiFi performance.

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62

iTunes Server lets you play music with your Windows or Mac iTunes app from a storage device that is connected

to the router.You can also use the Apple Remote app from an iPhone or iPad to play music on any AirPlay devices,

such as Apple TV or AirPlay-supported receivers.

Figure 10. Smart Connect

For Smart Connect to work, both 5 GHz radio bands must use the same WiFi network name (SSID) and network

key (password). That means that when you connect to the router with WiFi, you see only one 5 GHz SSID that

connects to both 5 GHz radio bands.

If you enable Smart Connect and the SSID and passwords for both 5 GHz radio bands do

not match, the WiFi settings for 5 GHz radio 1 overwrite the WiFi settings for 5 GHz radio 2.

Note

Enable or Disable Smart Connect

To enable or disable Smart Connect:

1.

Launch a web browser from a computer or WiFi device that is connected to the network.

2.

Enter

.

A login window opens.

3.

Enter the router user name and password.

The user name is

admin

.The default password is

password

.The user name and password are case-sensitive.

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63

The BASIC Home page displays.

4.

Select

Wireless

.

The Wireless Setup page displays.

5.

Select or clear the the

Smart Connect – One Wireless Network Name (SSID) for both 5 GHz radios

check

box.

Selecting this check box turns on Smart Connect and clearing this check box turns off Smart Connect.

6.

Click the

Apply

button.

Your settings are saved.

Beamforming

Beamforming means that your router actively tracks clients and directs Wifi to the client, rather than just blasting it

out in all directions. This means better WiFi range and performance for your WiFi devices.

The router uses explicit and implicit beamforming to improve WiFi performance. Explicit beamforming requires the

client to support beamforming. Typically, 802.11ac clients support beamforming. Implicit beamforming means that

the router can support beamforming even with clients that do not support beamforming.This router supports implicit

beamforming for both 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz clients, which means that it will provide beamforming benefits of better

range and performance for all WiFi devices, even older 802.11a/b/g/n devices, not just the latest WiFi clients.

Enable or Disable Implicit Beamforming

Implicit beamforming means that the router can use information from client devices that support beamforming to

improve the WiFi signal.

To enable or disable implicit beamforming:

1.

Launch a web browser from a computer or WiFi device that is connected to the network.

2.

Enter

.

A login window opens.

3.

Enter the router user name and password.

The user name is

admin

.The default password is

password

.The user name and password are case-sensitive.

The BASIC Home page displays.

4.

Select

ADVANCED > Advanced Setup > Wireless Settings

.

The Wireless Settings page displays.

5.

Scroll down below the WPS Settings section and select or clear the

Enable Implicit BEAMFORMING

check

box.

6.

Click the

Apply

button.

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64

Your settings are saved.

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