ARRIS Consumer Care

G18/G20: Band Steering Setup

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Question

How do I set up Band Steering on the G18/G20 gateway?

Answer

Band Steering improves Wi-Fi performance by moving the Wi-Fi clients to the least congested Wi-Fi networks. Band Steering steers Wi-Fi clients with 5 GHz support to the 5 GHz network. This relieves some congestion on the 2.4 GHz network for the Wi-Fi clients without 5 GHz support to connect to. When the 5 GHz network becomes congested, the least active Wi-Fi clients are moved to the 2.4 GHz network. It is moved back when the 5 GHz network is less congested. The Wi-Fi clients may experience a brief interruption when moved between the Wi-Fi networks.

Band Steering is disabled by default. The Wi-Fi network name (SSID) is unique and the Wi-Fi password is the same on the 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz networks. The Wi-Fi clients will connect to the respective SSID of each Wi-Fi network.

When Band Steering is enabled, the 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz networks broadcast identical SSID and share the same Wi-Fi password for each network type (Primary Home, Secondary Home, and Guest). The Band Steering feature will enable the Secondary Home and Guest Wi-Fi networks if it's not enabled already. Wi-Fi clients connect to the SSID and Band Steering moves them between the least congested network.

This document contains the following section:

Enable Band Steering
Disable Band Steering

Enable Band Steering

Launch a web browser, such as Internet Explorer, Firefox, or Safari. Enter http://192.168.0.1 into the address box, and press the Enter key. The https:// Redirect page will appear.
The SURFboard Web Manager is redirecting to a more secure connection, click the Proceed button to continue. The Gateway > Login page will appear.
A security or private risk alert may appear on the web browser advising users to proceed with caution when accessing the Web Manager. There is no risk in proceeding to the Web Manager. For instructions to bypass the alert screen, refer to article # 18181 - Alert Message for Web Manager Access.

NOTE: The Home Network Wizard will appear if this is the first time accessing the Web Manager. For assistance with the wizard, refer to article # 19602 - G18/G20: Web Manager First Time Login.
The Username field has admin populated, enter the custom password in the Password field.

NOTE: If the Login page prompts for email address and password, retrieve the email address and password in the app to sign in. For detailed instructions in the app, refer to article # 19069 - SURFboard Central: Web Manager Access.
Click the Login button. The Gateway > Summary page will appear.
On the left-hand menu, click the Connection link then click the Wi-Fi link.
Click the Networks sub-menu link. The Gateway > Connection > Wi-Fi > Networks page will appear.
Under the Network Options section, select Enable for the Band Steering option.
Click the Save Network Settings button. A notification pop-up will appear.
Click the OK button. The Gateway > Connection > Wi-Fi > Networks page will appear.
The Network Name SSID, Wireless Encryption type, and Passphrase (Wi-Fi password) of the 5 GHz band match the 2.4 GHz band for each network type (Primary Home, Secondary Home, and Guest).

NOTE: When Band Steering is enabled, the Secondary Home and Guest Wi-Fi networks are enabled, if it's not enabled already.

Disable Band Steering

On the left-hand menu, click the Connection link then click the Wi-Fi link.
Click the Networks sub-menu link. The Gateway > Connection > Wi-Fi > Networks page will appear.
Under the Network Options section, select Disable for the Band Steering option.
Click the Save Network Settings button. The Gateway > Connection > Wi-Fi > Networks page will refresh.
Under the Primary Home Wi-Fi Network section, click the Edit button for the 5 GHz Frequency Band.
Enter a new wireless network name or add "-5G" after the current name in the Network Name (SSID) field.
Enter a new wireless password in the Network Password field. The network password needs to be 8 to 63 characters long.
Enter the four-digit CAPTCHA code in the Type CAPTCHA Here field.
Click the Save button to apply the new settings. The Gateway > Connection > Wi-Fi > Networks page will appear.
The 5 GHz Network Name (SSID) has been updated. Repeat steps 5 - 9 for the Secondary Home and Guest Wi-Fi 5 GHz networks.