Why is a Traffic boost needed?
Many applications, such as voice and video calls and online gaming, need their data sent without interruptions. When these interruptions occur, the picture or audio may freeze on a video call, or the online game can lag. In the case of video streaming, you may get buffering, dropped frames, or the resolution may be reduced. These problems become more obvious when the network is busy or connections aren’t ideal. Prioritizing the order in which the network sends data can help with some of these issues.
By default, Plume Home networks will automatically adjust the priority of data sent over a network. The Automated setting in the Plume Home app is based on the needs of a typical network and learns as it goes. However, certain applications or devices may still have issues. Using Traffic boost for certain applications or devices temporarily overrides the Automated setting.
How does Traffic boost work?
Traffic boost allows you to manually set which data sent over the network will have priority when needed. Traffic boost can prioritize traffic at the following levels:
Application category - This option allows data from apps in the following categories to be prioritized, regardless of which device they are running on:
Streaming apps to watch movies or TV shows
Video-based productivity and social apps that have a video component
Gaming apps that run on gaming systems
Individual application(s) - Choose specific applications to be prioritized, regardless of the devices running them.
Profiles - All data from the devices under the chosen Person or Group are prioritized. The type of app used does not matter; all devices assigned to the chosen Profiles are given the same priority. People and Groups can be created from the Profiles screen in the Plume Home app.
By Device - Traffic from all apps running on the selected device is prioritized. Only a single device can be chosen to be prioritized and must be assigned to a Person or Group.
Only one Traffic boost option can be applied at a time. Setting a new Traffic boost overwrites the currently active Traffic boost.
Once the current Traffic boost expires, the Plume Home network will automatically switch back to Automated.
Traffic boost settings
The current Traffic boost setting can be seen under the Connectivity tab on the Network page of the Plume Home app. What is currently being boosted will be shown along with the time remaining.
Automated |
Application category (Streaming apps) boost enabled
|
Person Profile boost enabled
|
Application-specific boost enabled
|
Device boost enabled |
Setting a Traffic boost for an application category or a single application
Open the Network page and select Traffic boost under the Connectivity tab.
If there is an active Traffic boost, it will be overwritten.
Under the Apps tab, toggle the application category (Streaming, Video calls, Gaming) you want to boost.
Alternatively, you can select a single application from within those categories.
Set the time limit for the boost from the pop-up menu.
3 hours
6 hours
End of day (11:59 PM)
Use the back arrow to return to the Network page. You will see the active Traffic Boost along with the time remaining.
Setting a Traffic boost for a Person or Group
Open the Network page and select Traffic boost under the Connectivity tab.
If there is an active Traffic boost, it will be overwritten.
Select the Profiles tab.
Toggle the Person or Group you want to prioritize.
Set the time limit for the boost from the pop-up menu.
3 hours
6 hours
End of day (11:59 PM)
Use the back arrow to return to the Network page. You will see the active Traffic Boost along with the time remaining.
Setting a Traffic boost for a single device
Open the Network page and select Traffic boost under the Connectivity tab.
If there is an active Traffic boost, it will be overwritten.
Select the Profiles tab.
Find the Person or Group the device is assigned to and select the device you want to prioritize.
Traffic boost can only be enabled on devices belonging to a Person or Group.
Only a single device can be chosen.
Set the time limit for the boost from the pop-up menu.
3 hours
6 hours
End of day (11:59 PM)
Use the back arrow to return to the Network page. You will see the active Traffic Boost along with the time remaining.
Home security boost
When enabled, Home security boost automatically prioritizes home security apps and devices on your Plume Home network when all primary devices have left the network.
Open the Settings page and tap on the Security tile.
Turn the Home security boost toggle on.
Why don't I see the Traffic boost option in the Plume Home app?
While your WiFi-connected SuperPods don't need compatible firmware for Traffic boost, the feature does require all of your Ethernet-connected SuperPods (gateway extenders) to have compatible firmware. If any of your gateway extenders on your network do not have compatible firmware, including if you are using the original Plume Pod or PowerPod as the gateway extenders, the Traffic boost feature will not be shown in the Plume Home app.
Model | Compatible Firmware Version |
SuperPod with WiFi 6E | 5.6.0 or higher |
SuperPod | 5.6.0 or higher |
SuperPod Aon with WiFi 6 | 5.6.0 or higher |
SuperPod with WiFi 6 | 5.8.0 or higher |
Firmware is updated automatically overnight while your network is not busy.