When you’re exploring options to extend wireless connectivity, you’re going to be looking at different access points.
You have lots of decisions to make during this process. You’ll want to settle on a manufacturer whose solutions will work with the rest of your IT environment. You’ll need to consider what features are necessary and fit within your project’s budget.
You know you want better wireless connectivity, but all these other decisions can quickly become overwhelming.
IT consultants, including The KR Group, can help you plan, implement, and support your wireless networks. To start, let’s answer one of the most common questions we receive: What is a dual-band access point?
Dual-Band Definition
In the simplest sense, dual-band access points omit two radio frequencies – 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz. Different devices utilize each (or both) frequencies.
1. 2.4 GHz history
The 2.4 GHz frequency wireless has been utilized in IT the longest, and it’s often credited for the widespread success of Wi-Fi.
However, the 2.4 GHz band has a major problem; wireless devices aren’t the only ones using it. Microwave ovens, baby monitors, and garage door openers use 2.4 GHz, too, and it can cause congestion and impede connection.
There is also the problem of the limited number of non-overlapping channels. (There’s only three of them.)
To get technical for a minute, there are 11 channels within the 2.4 GHz spectrum. Each one is 20 MHz wide, but the entire 2.4 GHz spectrum is only 100 MHz wide. The result is that channels overlap with each other and cause adjacent-channel interference in Wi-Fi.
As the user, you notice wireless access points that don’t work or work poorly.
2. 5 GHz is a faster option
In the last few years, 5 GHz has come onto the scene and solved some of the problems 2.4 GHz has.
The 5 GHz spectrum is wider and includes 25 non-overlapping channels.
It also provides the foundation for the 802.11ac Wi-Fi channel, which is faster than older standards.
The most significant drawback of the 5 GHz frequency is it has a shorter range than 2.4 GHz, and you’ll want to consider this when planning out the location of your access points.
What Are the Benefits of Dual-Band?
Now that you understand what dual-band is, you’re likely wondering how it applies to your wireless network.
We’ve already talked about how 5 GHz offers a solution to channel interference. Having the option to avoid interference is only one of the benefits of using a dual-band wireless access point.
Other ways dual-band technology is helpful include:
1. Speed
If you’re solely concerned about speed, having the option for 5 GHz allows devices to connect faster and avoid interference.
The problem is since the utilization of the 5 GHz band is relatively new, not all of your devices may be able to connect through this frequency.
The options for dual-band connection (having the ability to connect to either frequency) is necessary, so you can still use wireless technology for legacy devices.
2. Band steering
With your wireless access point omitting both frequencies within your office, the problem becomes how to keep the 2.4 GHz band open for those legacy devices.
This is where band steering is important.
Dual-band access points with band steering functionality allow you to configure your network to force hardware compatible with 5 GHz to use that frequency. The 2.4 GHz band – which is already prone to interference and crowding – is reserved for hardware that lacks the technology to connect via 5 GHz.
Keep in mind that band steering may impact how you place access points throughout a building.
The 5 GHz waves are less dense than 2.4 GHz. If you don’t plan around this, it could create problems for your users, specifically when they’re roaming from one access point to another.
3. Options to fit your environment
Perhaps the biggest benefit of dual-band access points is the ability to customize devices to provide the best connectivity for your specific environment.
The KR Group’s engineers have seen multiple instances where they or the company’s IT department needs to configure the access point for a unique use case.
For example, the walls in radiology departments are denser than normal to prevent x-rays from penetrating the entire building. This means they also limit wireless connectivity. Since 2.4 GHz penetrate farther than 5 GHz, they’re preferred in this instance, even for devices compatible with the faster option.
On the other hand, organizations with many devices using 2.4 GHz (manufacturers often fall in this category) can use dual-band technology to switch to 5 GHz and avoid interference.
Do You Need Dual-Band Technology?
Ultimately, you’ve been reading through this article to determine how important dual-band technology is for your IT environment.
The good news is almost all enterprise-grade access points incorporate dual-band technology. If you’re unsure, just check the specifications on the devices you’re considering.
As far as how you’ll utilize the technology, that depends on your unique situation.
When your primary concern is speed, dual-band wireless access points provide a faster connection with 5 GHz. With band steering technology, you can reserve the 2.4 GHz band for devices that need it and configure a faster connection with that option.
Overall, dual-band allows your business to connect better to the internet and gives you options to work with all sorts of unique situations.
Most access points built for businesses include dual-band technology. Check out which Meraki access points offer this option and their other features in our free comparison chart.
