In the past, when you set up a wireless router or mesh WiFi system, you’d end up with one network. Some users would have multiple SSIDs for different bands, but for the most part, you’d make one network and connect all your devices to it.
This approach offers a certain tempting simplicity, but it comes with drawbacks, too. To give friends and family internet access, you have to give them your password — and hopefully, that’s not a password that you use elsewhere. If you have kids, their devices have the same 24/7 internet access that your devices do. Setting up your router as VPN client means having every device in your house connected to the VPN. And IoT devices that really only need a sliver of bandwidth here and there end up with full visibility of your network and a claim on a premium slice of spectrum.
There’s a better way to manage a household full of connected devices, and you’ll find it with the latest ASUS WiFi 7 routers and mesh WiFi systems. Instead of offering just one SSID, they allow you to set up multiple SSIDs that all operate on the same hardware. Through Smart Home Master or Guest Network Pro software, depending on the model, you’ll easily be able to segment your network into groups that make sense for the different categories of devices in your home.
If you’ve never set up multiple SSIDs before, you might have a few questions about the terminology and process. Here, we’ll address some frequently asked questions and point you to further resources as needed.
What is an SSID?
In brief, “SSID” stands for Service Set Identifier, and it’s the name that you see when you connect to a wireless network.
What are the benefits of having multiple SSIDs?
Segmenting your network into multiple SSIDs can provide a wide variety of benefits, depending on the devices in your home and the different ways that you use your network.
- Seamless performance for high-priority devices. By separating lower-priority devices to SSIDs limited to the 2.4GHz band, you can ensure low-interference connections for higher-priority devices like your laptop and smartphone.
- Greater security. Setting up multiple SSIDs gives you powerful tools for maintaining the security of your data and devices.
- Easy parental controls. Typically, setting up parental controls requires establishing settings for each individual device. With an SSID just for your kids, all you have to do to ensure safe connections and enforce reasonable screen time limits is connect a device to the established kids’ network.
- Hassle-free VPN connections. Many people today use VPNs for secure, private browsing. With Smart Home Master or Guest Network Pro, you can configure a subnetwork for VPN connections. When you want a device to connect through the VPN, all you’ll have to do is switch the SSID. Every other device in your home will stay connected as usual.
What are Smart Home Master and Guest Network Pro?
Both Guest Network Pro and Smart Home Master offer you a rich set of tools for setting up multiple SSIDs. Smart Home Master is supported on the latest ASUS ZenWiFi mesh WiFi systems and select ASUS WiFi 7 models. You’ll find Guest Network Pro on the latest ROG WiFi 7 routers and select ASUS WiFi 6 models.
How do I access Smart Home Master or Guest Network Pro?
We provide two easy ways to access these features. The first is through our easy-to-use web GUI. Make sure that your ASUS router has all the cables connected. On a device such as a laptop, tablet, or smartphone, go to this address: https://www.asusrouter.com:8443. From there, you can access Smart Home Master or Guest Network Pro.
You can also use the ASUS Router app to access these features. Click here to learn more about the app and find a download link for Android or iOS devices.
What preset options can I select with Smart Home Master and Guest Network Pro?
You don’t need a background in network engineering to establish multiple SSIDs using Smart Home Master. Here are the options that you’ll be able to select:
- IoT Network: Set up and manage all your IoT devices under one secure SSID to provide enhanced security with commercial-grade protection.
- Kid’s network. Create a dedicated SSID just for the kids to easily manage their screen time without needing to configure each device individually.
- VPN Network. The VPN network provides streamlined VPN access. Connect to your preferred VPN service with a single click through a dedicated subnetwork.
Each SSID template offers a variety of configurable settings and setup options that allow you tailor each network to your exact needs. For example, you can limit the IoT network to the 2.4GHz band, or set a time of day when internet access stops for the kid’s network.
Guest Network Pro offers two additional options:
- Guest Portal. Create a captive portal for digital marketing. This applies to small businesses more than homes, but it’s a flexible feature with considerable potential. Whenever anyone connects to this network, they’ll have to interact with a webpage that you design. It’s a chance to market your brand to these users.
- Guest Network. Provide scheduled or one-time access to the network. With Guest Network, you can give your friends and family access to the internet without giving them full access to every device connected to your network.
Which ASUS routers offer support for multiple SSIDs?
Primarily, you’ll find Smart Home Master available with the latest ASUS ZenWiFi mesh WiFi systems. The highest-performing mesh WiFi systems with Smart Home Master are the ASUS ZenWiFi BQ16 and ZenWiFi BQ16 Pro. These powerful quad-band mesh routers provide cutting-edge WiFi 7 tech with speeds up to 25 Gbps, astonishing range, seamless connections with optimized AiMesh, and much more.
A trio of tri-band ZenWiFi systems bring WiFi 7 tech, access to the 6GHz band, and the convenience of mesh WiFi to mainstream users. These options include the ZenWiFi BT6, ZenWiFi BT8, and ZenWiFi BT10. These three models differ primarily in terms of their maximum bandwidth and available Ethernet options. Opt for one of the higher-performance options if your home has many connected devices, or if you’re looking to set up a smart home.
The most budget-friendly options are the ASUS ZenWiFi BD4 and ASUS ZenWiFi BD5. These dual-band mesh WiFi systems are ideal for smaller homes with fewer devices, as they provide a cost-effective option for accessing many of the advantages of WiFi 7.
There’s a lot more to say about these cutting-edge ZenWiFi mesh WiFi systems. For more information on how to pick the best model for your home, click here.