Patent attributes
An access point device operable in a wireless network detects multi-band capability of a wireless client based on a probe request received from the wireless client on the non-preferred communication band. The multi-band capability is detected based on a set of parameters included in the received probe request. When the wireless client is detected to have the multi-band capability, the access point device blocks the attempt of the first wireless client to associate on the non-preferred communication band. The access point device allows the wireless client to associate on one of the non-preferred communication band and a preferred communication band based on a count of probe requests received by the access point device from the wireless client on the non-preferred communication band. Upon association on the non-preferred communication band, the access point device steers the associated wireless client to the preferred communication band.
