Wireless Multimedia (WMM) is a quality of service (QoS) feature available on most modern wireless routers. It is designed to prioritize different types of network traffic to optimize the performance of video and voice applications. WMM is especially useful when multiple devices are connected to the same network, allowing for improved network performance even when multiple applications are being used simultaneously.
WMM can be particularly useful for streaming video or audio content, as well as for online gaming. Without WMM, these types of applications can experience video lag, buffering, and dropped audio. With WMM, however, network traffic is managed so that these types of real-time media applications receive priority, resulting in smoother performance and better overall user experience. Overall, WMM provides users with a way to optimize their wireless network performance and improve the quality of their online experience.
What is WMM on Router?
– WMM (Wi-Fi Multimedia) or WMM QoS (Quality of Service) is a feature found on most modern routers that gives priority to certain types of network traffic such as video or audio streaming and online gaming over other types of traffic like email or web browsing.
– WMM is designed to improve the quality of service and reduce latency for sensitive applications that require a high-quality wireless connection.
– WMM uses a process called traffic prioritization, where the router assigns different levels of priority to different types of traffic based on their classification.
– WMM creates different access categories (AC) for different types of traffic, such as voice, video, and best effort data.
– WMM also provides frame bursting technology, which enables multiple data packets to be sent at once, reducing the time it takes to transmit data and reducing network latency.
– WMM is especially useful in households or offices with multiple devices that require a stable connection. By prioritizing certain types of traffic, WMM ensures that high-bandwidth applications like video calls do not suffer from lag or buffering due to other devices on the network hogging the bandwidth.
– It is generally recommended to keep WMM enabled on routers as it can significantly improve the performance of the wireless network.
FAQ
1. What does WMM mean on a router?
WMM stands for Wi-Fi Multimedia, which is a QoS (Quality of Service) protocol that prioritizes certain types of network traffic over others to ensure a better user experience.
2. How does WMM improve network performance?
WMM improves network performance by giving priority to time-sensitive traffic such as video and voice over other types of traffic, thereby minimizing delays and reducing latency.
3. Do all routers have WMM?
Not all routers have WMM. It is typically found on newer routers that support the 802.11n and 802.11ac Wi-Fi standards, and it may need to be enabled in the router settings.
4. Can WMM be disabled on a router?
Yes, WMM can be disabled on a router if desired. However, this may result in degraded network performance when streaming video or using VoIP applications.
5. Is WMM the same as QoS?
WMM is a subset of QoS that specifically targets Wi-Fi traffic. QoS is a broader network management technique that can be used to prioritize traffic on wired networks as well as Wi-Fi networks.
Conclusion
In summary, WMM (Wi-Fi Multimedia) is a feature found on routers that prioritizes specific types of network traffic, such as video or voice calls, to ensure smooth and uninterrupted streaming. By enabling WMM on your router, you can benefit from better quality and performance on your Wi-Fi network, especially if you frequently engage in activities that require high bandwidth, like online gaming or video conferencing. With the increasing reliance on Wi-Fi in our daily lives, having a router with WMM can make all the difference in our online experience.
