s about wireless modems, routers, and IP addresses are common. Clarify your needs for a better understanding.
s about wireless modems, routers, and IP addresses are common. Clarify your needs for a better understanding.
We possess cable internet at home. We own a cable modem and a wireless router placed close together. Because the house spans multiple levels—about three floors—there’s a mix of connectivity options. The modem and router sit on the uppermost level, while we have two distinct Wi-Fi signals: one that isn’t 5G and another that is. One individual consistently chooses the 5G option on the second floor. On the lower level, most users seem to rely on the non-5G connection. I think the person on the top floor previously used the non-5G but it’s uncertain. If someone on the upper floor intends to use the internet heavily where the modem and router are located, is it better for them to use the non-5G password or the 5G one? There are two separate passwords for each network. Typically, I prefer the non-5G connection and only switch to 5G when the non-5G fails. The users on the first floor mostly stick with the non-5G, while the third floor users are more likely to opt for 5G. I asked someone to check their IP address with both connections, and they confirmed it matches exactly. That’s expected. Therefore, it shouldn’t be two different IP addresses. Regarding speed, 5G is faster but its signal strength may be weaker than the non-5G connection. When I used non-5G mainly on the first floor, it worked well for me. Now, if the third floor user connects heavily, should we provide them with the non-5G password or not? Should we offer both options? Several people use the non-5G on the first floor, while one person uses 5G there. So, whether a third-floor user connects via non-5G or 5G shouldn’t affect others on that network. The signal impact should be limited to the specific connection they choose. If you want multiple IP addresses, you’d need to purchase them from your ISP—yes, it’s possible. Most residents here connect to either the non-5G or 5G Wi-Fi, depending on their needs.
The website you're seeing shows your assigned WAN IP by your internet service provider. This isn't due to weak signal strength, but rather because faster 6 GHz wavelengths struggle to pass through solid objects like walls. The exact issue depends on your router model and the Wi-Fi standard it supports. Older devices tend to cause more congestion across all users. Most providers restrict this behavior. You usually need separate accounts or multiple connections for each IP address. This approach isn't ideal, but it can work if you're using a modern setup. I personally use 6 GHz with two access points in central areas of my home. A flexible network system lets you add components as needed, avoiding strict limitations. If your router lacks advanced features, it might be outdated for multi-story homes. Generally, staying nearer the router improves performance. You can often join both 2.4 and 5 GHz bands, letting devices switch between them. If your router doesn't support this, it's likely too old for three floors. A basic router can manage many connections without major issues. It's designed to be user-friendly, allowing multiple users on the same channel without severe slowdowns.
5 GHz usually offers higher speeds compared to 2.4 GHz, whereas the former provides greater range. If the router is nearby and there are no barriers in between, 5 GHz tends to perform better. However, the best choice depends on the Wi-Fi standard you're using—for instance, 802.11n versus 802.11ax. When connected via your ISP’s service, you receive a single external IP address, which is what the tool tracks. Each device on your network retains its own private IP, which isn’t visible to the monitoring service. Generally, 2.4 GHz is preferable for longer reach and better penetration through walls and obstacles. The optimal option hinges on distance, obstacles, and material composition. This all comes down to how much activity each user has—browsing, streaming, downloading, or video streaming. The more data-intensive their tasks, the greater the advantage of a faster connection. Networks operating on different frequency bands don’t interfere with each other. Still, shared bandwidth means any usage impacts others on the same connection. Newer standards like Wi-Fi 6 bring features such as OFDMA to boost performance in crowded environments, but only if all devices support it. Even then, sharing a single ISP connection limits overall bandwidth; you’ll need additional or higher-capacity links to avoid congestion.