Creating network names for your Wi-Fi networks
Depending on your organization, you might want to create multiple service set identifiers (SSIDs) for different purposes, like a network for contract workers or a guest network. Because SSIDs add management traffic to the network, be careful not to create more than you need, so there’s enough airtime available for data. Three or fewer SSIDs is a recommended target.
Keep in mind these best practices for identifying your network or networks.
Avoid creating excessive service set identifiers (SSIDs): When planning network names, consider using a single SSID for all devices with similar features. Each SSID enabled on a network adds to management traffic overhead and decreases available airtime for data. Three or fewer SSIDs are recommended for best performance.
Avoid using “hidden” SSIDs: Hidden networks are Wi-Fi networks that don’t broadcast their SSID. Hidden networks are sometimes incorrectly referred to as closed because the SSID is omitted in the beacon frame. Non-hidden networks are sometimes referred to as broadcast networks because the SSID name is broadcast in the beacon frame. Because users tend to move around with their Apple devices, hidden SSIDs often delay network association time and hinder roaming performance. Further, hiding the SSID brings no security benefit as attackers can simply learn the SSID from other management traffic such as probe requests and responses. Hidden SSIDs can even cause a device to use more battery power over time than a broadcast SSID, thereby shortening the device’s battery life.