As an option, Plume Home can have two WiFi networks, with separate SSIDs and passwords for each. One WiFi network supports WPA3, and the second network supports WPA2 only. When there are two WiFi networks, the Plume Home app refers to the WPA3 network as the Primary WiFi and the WPA2-only network as the Secondary WiFi, regardless of which one is created first.
What is WPA3, and when is it used?
WiFi Protected Access 3 (WPA3) is the latest iteration of security protocols for wireless networks. WPA3 uses Simultaneous Authentication of Equals (SAE), a more robust authentication method for WiFi connections. SAE replaces the existing pre-shared key method used by WPA2 to minimize security risks even when using weak passwords. As part of the WiFi 6E specification, WPA3 is a prerequisite for using the 6 GHz band. If you have hardware that supports WiFi 6E (SuperPods with WiFi 6E) and WiFi 6E client devices, switching the encryption to WPA3 is required to use the 6 GHz band for increased performance. Most WPA2-capable devices will still be able to connect to the WPA3 SSID.
WPA3 limitations
While the WPA3 SSID is used for all WiFi bands (2.4 GHz, 5 GHz, and 6 GHz), not every client device you'd want to connect to your WiFi can support it. Some older WiFi devices using WPA2, such as simple WiFi devices (smart home devices, printers, etc.), cannot connect to WPA3 WiFi networks. WPA3 SSIDs also do not support the Multiple Passwords feature of Plume Home WiFi networks, which provides different access levels and dedicated guest WiFi.
For these reasons, we've provided the ability to create two WiFi networks (SSIDs), one for your high-performance devices using WPA3, and a WPA2-only SSID for your guests and compatibility for devices that don't support WPA3.
WPA3 support on older Plume hardware
All models of SuperPods with recent firmware support WPA3. However, PowerPods and the original Plume pod do not support WPA3 and should not be used as part of your network if you want to add 6 GHz-capable hardware to your Plume Home network.
What type of network is created during initial setup?
When prompted to create the WiFi network (Network name and password) during setup, the type of WiFi network (WPA2 or WPA3) created is based on the type of hardware used.
If the hardware used during initial setup supports 6 GHz, such as the SuperPod with WiFi 6E, the WiFi network created will support WPA3.
If the hardware used during initial setup does not support 6 GHz, the WiFi network created will support WPA2 only.
If you are only using WPA2 currently and all hardware supports WPA3, adding 6GHz-capable hardware to your network will pop up with an option for Advanced WiFi Configuration. Continuing will provide different options based on the circumstances in the table below. If you choose Cancel, the recommended action and corresponding flow are visible on a card at the top of the Home page and on the Network page under Connectivity.
Existing network security type and other conditions | Prompt when 6 GHz hardware is added | What does the prompt and corresponding flow do? | Secondary step |
WPA3 Only | Not applicable. The Secondary WiFi setup option is always available to enable the WPA2-only network. | Enables the WPA2-only Secondary WiFi network. | (Optional) Enable multiple passwords. |
WPA2 Only, single password used | Transition to WPA3 | Converts the existing WPA2 SSID and password from the Secondary WiFi to the WPA3 Primary WiFi. | (Optional) Enable the Secondary WiFi and multiple passwords. |
WPA2 Only, multiple passwords used | Primary WiFi setup | This flow allows you to either enable the WPA3 Primary WiFi using the existing SSID and Home password or create a new SSID and password for the Primary WiFi. | (Mandatory) If the existing SSID (network name) is used, a new network name must be set for the Secondary WiFi. |
Note: The WPA3 Primary WiFi can only be enabled if 6 GHz-capable hardware is present.
Setting up a secondary network
With 6 GHz-capable SuperPods to your network, we recommend keeping the existing Network name (SSID) and password for the WPA3 Primary WiFI and connecting as many devices as possible to that WiFi network. Limit the use of the secondary WPA2 WiFi network to guest access and devices that do not support WPA3.
Open the Network page.
Under the Connectivity tab, tap the Secondary WiFi Setup tile.
You may need to swipe the Primary WiFi name tile to see the Secondary WiFi tile.
Enter the new Secondary WiFi name and password.
Tap on Next.
(Optional) Once you have created the secondary WiFi network, create dedicated guest passwords using the multiple passwords feature.
If you only have the WPA2 WiFi with a single password, adding a 6 GHz-capable extender will trigger a tile for the Primary WiFi tile to appear on the Network page. These steps convert your existing WiFi network from WPA2 to WPA3.
Open the Network page.
Under Connectivity, swipe the Secondary WiFi tile and tap on the Primary WiFi tile.
This tile will only appear if all your hardware supports WPA3 and at least one extender is 6 GHz-capable.
In the popup, tap the Transition to WPA3 button.
Your WPA3 Primary WiFi is now configured using the credentials you previously used for the WPA2 Secondary WiFi.
Since the SSID and password are the same, most of your devices will reconnect to the Primary WiFi.
The following steps are optional, but recommended if you want more control over how devices connect to your network, or guest access
Tap on the Secondary WiFi setup tile.
Enter the Secondary WiFi name and password.
Tap on Next.
The Secondary WiFi has been created, you can set up multiple passwords.
Primary WiFi (WPA3) setup with pre-existing multiple passwords
If you already have multiple passwords enabled, you can create a new Primary WiFi that supports WPA3 when a 6 GHz device is added. Alternatively, you can use the existing Network name (SSID) and one of your Home passwords for the WPA3 Primary WiFi. Your choice depends on how difficult it would be to reconfigure the already connected devices.
New SSID and password for Primary WiFi - All the devices you want to connect to the Primary WiFi must forget the old network and be reconfigured for the Primary WiFi network.
Reusing the SSID and one of the Home Passwords for the Primary WiFi - Devices already connected using that one Home Password do not need to be reconfigured; however, all other devices using any other password need to be reconfigured.
Reusing the SSID and one of the Home passwords
Open the Network page.
Tap on the Primary WiFi setup tile under the Connectivity tab.
After the app loads your existing (SSID) as the Primary WiFi name, you have a choice:
Keep the name and tap Next, allowing you to choose one of your existing Home passwords. Some of your previously connected devices will reconnect to the Primary WiFi. The rest of these instructions are based on choosing this option.
Edit the Network name, creating a completely new SSID that requires a new password for the Primary WiFi. All devices you want to connect to the WPA3 Primary WiFi must be reconfigured.
After the existing Home Passwords load, select the password that the WPA3 Primary WiFi will use.
Tip: Select either the password used by the most devices or one used by devices that are more difficult to reconfigure. Devices using the existing password will automatically reconnect to the WPA3 Primary WiFi.
Since you reused the existing network name (SSID) for the Primary WiFi, you must now enter a new one for the WPA2 Secondary WiFi.
Tap on Complete.
Because you've changed the SSID for the Secondary WiFi, all devices connecting using any password other than the Home Password chosen, including Guest and Internet Only passwords, must be reconfigured.