In some implementations, association module 242 may include instructions to manage wireless connections between wireless access point 116 and a wireless client device. Association module 242 may include instructions to discover and determine the capabilities of wireless client devices, identify and select a frequency band, and associate with a wireless client device for the wireless client device to access the wireless local area network.

In some implementations, association module 242 determines the capabilities of a wireless client device by determining whether the wireless client device is operating indoors or outdoors and by determining whether the wireless client device is located near range or far range relative to a wireless access point (e.g., wireless access point 116). In other implementations, association module 242 determines the capabilities of a wireless client device by identifying whether the wireless client device is a legacy device. In some examples, if any wireless client device is at far range and indoors, then a first frequency band (e.g. the 2.4 GHz frequency band) may be preferred. In other examples, if any wireless client device is a legacy device and only supports the first, e.g. 2.4 GHz, frequency band and not a second, e.g. 5 GHz, frequency band, then running the wireless access point 116 at the first, e.g. 2.4 GHz, frequency band is preferred. In still other examples, if all wireless client devices support the second, e.g. 5 GHz, frequency band and are not at far range (e.g., usually for mobile hotspots, the wireless client devices are nearby), then the second, e.g. 5 GHz, frequency band is preferred due to higher performance and less network congestion.