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Which Channel am I Really Using?

Did you check the channel in both programs at the same time, or on different occasions? With the auto setting, the router automatically switches to the optimal channel based on the channels wireless networks surrounding you are operating on. This allows your network to ideally avoid interference with other networks around you. When you have dual channels active e.g., 4+8, this is called channel bonding. With wireless N, channel bonding allows your network to take advantage of the maximum throughput and bandwidth provided by your router versus using a single channel. The only drawback is that with dual channels active, there is a heightened chance of interference with other wireless networks. This is why with auto channel select, your router will by default switch back to a single channel instead. With Netgear routers, when you change the channel of the router manually, you hit the "Apply" button at the bottom of the page and the router should reset on its own, saving your channel setting.

I am unable to check both programs at the same time, because only one computer on my network is connecting via wireless. While using Ubuntu, it always indicates it is using channel 2. While using Windows, it always indicates using channels 4 & 8. FWIW, there are at least 10 other wireless networks active in this area. 3 use channel 1, 2 use channel 3, 2 use channel 6, 3 use channel 11. I have not attempted to change the channel manually. Thanks for your reply.