New ISP and router = new WiFi SSIDs or no? (Sky)

Scam · 9 Mar 2021 at 10:09

I'm switching ISPs and obviously getting a new router. Is there any downside to replicating my current WiFi SSIDs (2.4ghz and 5ghz) in the new router to save me having to go through all my devices (Google homes, Harmony hub etc and updating them?

Also, I'm changing to Sky. Is it best to keep the 2.4ghz and 5ghz channels separate in their router? I know on Plusnet it caused loads of issues...

Thanks.

Scam · 9 Mar 2021 at 12:04

Thanks guys. I guess apart from being over-zealous on the security there's no reason to then, just what I was thinking.

bremen1874 said:
At that point, you've already made your decision about separating 2.4GHz and 5GHz.

That did occur to me as I was posting the above! Woops.

Next question, I have some Devolo powerline adapters (due to the PN router's wifi being trash upstairs in my spare room). Guessing I'll need to re-pair those with the new router right..

Scam · 9 Mar 2021 at 17:39

the-evaluator said:
There's no difference in the security of combined or split SSIDs.

I meant as in it's good security practice to change your passwords every now and again. So, good to use this opportunity to change my wifi password. But, I cba

the-evaluator said:
The homeplugs are paired to each other, not to the router so you shouldn't need to make any changes.

Ok good to know, thanks!

Bouton Aide said:
Do you people not have QR codes printed out?

Doesn't help with my Google Homes, Harmony Hub, Amplifier, Sky Q etc though does it...

Scam · 17 Mar 2021 at 09:12

So, following up on this thread I'm all set with Sky as of yesterday. Seems fine and I have SSIDs split as before.

But I realised seen as both SSIDs use the same password I could just join them up (as long as I use one of the existing names).

So what's recommended? My Q box is plugged into ethernet, so is my AppleTV and other TV devices. Main WiFi devices are my Google Homes, Chromecast, Harmony hub, and mobile phones.

Thanks.

Scam · 17 Mar 2021 at 12:32

the-evaluator said:
How are the SSID's currently split? If they're split into 2.4GHz & 5GHz networks then you may as well leave things like that. Personally I like having split SSIDS in this way.

Yeah, I just have XXXXX and XXXXX-5g with the same password on both. So it'd be easy to have both channels on the first SSID.

I wonder what's better for devices with regards to swapping between SSIDs compared to swapping channels via the same SSID? :confused:

My work Macbook doesn't seem to like the 5g SSID in my spare room/study for example as it's furthest from my router. (But I do have powerline adapters for it anyway so it's irrelevant.)