Smart (?) Connect

[TheLyppardMan]

I just tried a quick experiment to test "Smart Connect", using the default settings, but it seems it wasn't so smart after all.

To elaborate, I have two Amazon Fire TV Sticks, one in the master bedroom, directly opposite the router with no objects in between and the other in the lounge, directly below. After rebooting the router, the Fire TV Stick farthest away in the lounge connected to the 5 GHz band, while the one in the bedroom connected to the 2.4 GHz band, which was the opposite of what I was expecting. So that doesn't seem particularly impressive, does it. Or am I missing something? Anyway, I've switched it off, rebooted the router and now everything seems to be back to normal.

 

[bennor]

You are not missing anything. Do a Asus/Asus-Merlin subforum search for smart connect and you'll find quite a few have found it not to be very smart. Lots of past discussion on smart connect:

Search results for query: smart connect

www.snbforums.com

 

[CaptnDanLKW]

Agreed because there is no one setting that works for all - usually the devices nearing -dBm thresholds may bounce.

FWIW, my trigger is the opposite (greater than) of the defaults (less than) for 2.4. My logic is if a client is on 2.4 and has a strong signal, and its phy speed > 90 then it's probably a 'real capable' device not one of my weak IoT devices and therefore should be triggered.

Try forgetting the network on the device and add it again.

I use static channels for 2.4 and 5 - I suspect if devices are set to auto and acsd changes channels, the smart connect routine will have to reevaluate too, so logic says static channels is your friend with SC but I don't know this for sure.

Also, be patient, go back in a few hours and see if things have resolved themselves.

As always, YMMV.

 

[bbunge]

Your "quick experiment" of SmartConnect was not done in a smart manner. Some things need a bit of time to settle out. Routers with Dual Band SmartConnect work just fine if you do not mess with them.

 

[TheLyppardMan]

Your "quick experiment" of SmartConnect was not done in a smart manner. Some things need a bit of time to settle out. Routers with Dual Band SmartConnect work just fine if you do not mess with them.

What I couldn't understand was why the router would allocate the opposite of what I was expecting after rebooting, especially since both devices get excellent signal strength on the 5 GHz band. The Android Tablet (also in the lounge) shows a weaker signal strength on the 5 GHz band, but it was still connected to that band after the reboot. Totally puzzling, so for now at least, I'm going to stay with manual selection of which SSID to use.

 

[CaptnDanLKW]

To reiterate what a couple of us have recommended from our experience. It takes time for things to settle down, ESPECIALLY right after a reboot. If you reboot and expect everything to connect perfectly, it won't.

Also don't forget, it's the STA (Client) that initiates all communication and negotiations, so its logic is tied to the software and nuances of its SoC & firmware. Wi-Fi connection negotiations do not ask 'what are your capabilities', it's much more stupid than we assume.... that's why it's a bit temperamental, but it can work when you get your home-specific parameters right and you let it settle down.

Just keep in mind 2 SSIDs don't solve the problem if your devices become aware of them both - most services save SSIDs to your 'account', are shared (unless you chose not to), and then all of a sudden you see your firestick connected to your (SSID)_2.4 because it decided to renegotiate and pick another SSID it knew about and liked better. Same for android/google accounts, apple / iphone/pad, Microsoft Windows/Xbox.

This is all just advice; your choice of configuration is no more wrong or right than anyone else's and its preference.

Good luck.

 

[bennor]

Amazon devices sometimes get wonky on the WiFi and connect to the wrong WiFi band if one had previously configured it to connect to the 2.5Ghz band then tried to connect it to the 5Ghz band.

If you disable (turn off) Smart Connect, make sure to access the Fire Stick and delete/forget any saved WiFi connection. You may also have to access your Amazon and clear any saved WiFi passwords. Its possible the Fire Stick is connecting to the 2.4Ghz first then to the 5Ghz later on. Particularly if the 5Ghz is slow in coming up due to DFS being used (160Ghz). Reboot the Fire Stick then try to connect it to the correct WiFi band (typically 5Ghz for faster speed).