Linksys E3200 questions

I'm purchasing a router for my laptop to get better signals throughout my house. I would like to know how to use a dual band router. I see that it would be like having 2 connections so how would I connect to it on my computer to get a good signal strength throughout out my house away from my router using the dual bands.

 

I moved this to the networking section. I meant to reply yesterday, but was too tired so i'll give you my reply today.

A dual band router means that you have two separate wireless networks, one on the 2.4GHz band and one on the 5GHz band. To be able to use the 5GHz band, your other wireless apparatus needs to have the right hardware, that means an a/g/n wireless adapter for laptops, for other devices, you'll have to check their specs. 5GHz is nearly deserted which means that you'll get better throughput, but the downside is that the wireless signal fades much faster than 2.4GHz networks.

As for getting a good signal throughout your house, it depends on how your house is setup. If you have multiple floors, let's say basement and 2 floors, you'd want the router on the first floor. Other than that, keep the router away from devices that could produce interference (don't place it right beside your microwave).

 

I see, I just bought a new computer Hp DV6t I think it should be compatible with the 5.0 GHZ. Also Do i switch to the connections my self manually or does it do it automatically?

 

When you configure your router, give the 2.4GHz network and the 5GHz one different ones and then connect to the one you want. Both will be seen as separate networks if you do that.

for example you could name them:
Network-2.4
Network-5

and then connect to Network-5 if you want to use 5GHz. Be careful, there aren't a lot of computers that come with a 5GHz compatible wireless adapter, most of the time it's an upgrade that you have to pay for.

 

Also, just like he said that not all hardware are compatible with the 5GHz band. Most phones do not also and there is no upgrading wifi adapter in the phone.