388.8.4 release seem to have cause AIMESH stability issue

[welim]

Dear Sir/Mdm,

Recently I've updated the latest firmware 388.8.4 from 388.8.2.
After the upgrade, I frequently find AX86U_PRO being the main AIMESH router keep disconnecting with my AIMESH node AX11000.
AX86U_PRO is not a triband. AX11000 is a triband.

It has no issue with the connection until I upgraded to 388.8.4 release.

Q1: Is there a release notes for this on what it fixes?
Q2: Anyone experiencing such instability issue? ie frequently disconnect from the AIMESH Rotuer to the AIMESH Node. It dont happen immediately. Maybe 1-2 days ok and then it will start to have connection issue.

The wifi is setup to on during day time and off during night time.
Thats all its being setup. There is no scheduled system reboot. Only AIMESH main router wifi on/off

The connection link signal strength between them is "GREAT" . But it can be intermittent especially after the Wifi on/off due to the Wifi scheduler (ie night time off and day time on).

This is no issue with the 388.8.2 release. It seems having stability issue after the 388.8.4.

If I've done something not right, may brothers and sisters please help. I've temporary change back to 388.8.2 first and monitor few days to see its impact. If I have any update, will put here.

Best Regards,
Wee-How

 

[welim]

I've further update this issue here:- https://www.snbforums.com/threads/asuswrt-merlin-3004-388-8_4-is-now-available.92938/post-936760

 

[OzarkEdge]

You should keep your issue/discussion in one thread, not spread it all over.

OE

 

[Ripshod]

Have you installed Merlin on the aimesh node? The generally advice around here to use Asus firmware on nodes, Merlin on routers.

 

[welim]

Hi Ripshod, when I upgrade the firmware, the AIMESH node and router upgrade to both 388.8.4. It causes frequent disconnection and need the node to reboot before it becomes stable.
I downgrade back to both NODE (AX11000) and ROUTER (AX86U_PRO) to 388.8.2 and it is working well for the past few days. No need to reboot.
Are you saying I need to make the NODE using ASUS's factory firmware while the ROUTER (AX86U_PRO) to 388.8.4 and this should be fine. Is this correct?
Moving forward, it is good enough to upgrade the AIMESH router would do. Dont need touch the AIMESH node firmware. AIMESH node firmware just update it to any ASUS's factory firmware. Correct?

Thank you very much for the help.

Best Regards,
Wee-How

 

[welim]

If I go ASUS website, the AX11000 firmware was like year 2021 ...

ROG Rapture GT-AX11000 - Support

www.asus.com

 

[welim]

If I go ASUS website, the AX11000 firmware was like year 2021 ...

ROG Rapture GT-AX11000 - Support

www.asus.com

Wrong... I saw it is:-

ASUS GT-AX11000 Firmware version 3.0.0.4.388_24394
Version 3.0.0.4.388_24394
70.72 MB
2024/11/13
Please unzip the firmware file, and then verify the checksum.
SHA256: 377915f7d7eb85c324e3e316cebdb799d4c9a6ba304ce905a8a000cc525aa5d0

1. Strengthened input validation and data processing workflows to further protect information security.
2. Enhanced AiCloud password protection mechanisms, safeguarding against unauthorized access attempts.

 

[welim]

All,

1. AIMESH ROUTER: AX86U_PRO (Dual band) => 388.8.4 release merlin firmware
2. AIMESH NODE: AX11000 (Trid Band) => ASUS factory latest firmware 3.0.0.4.388_24394
3. Wifi scheduler is on. Day time on and night time off to avoid unwanted radiation. Less concern about power consumption

It seems after I do this change, it will still disconnect.
ie. Reboot (1) and (2) and then it will connect properly. GREEN showing GREAT connection.

No issue after that but when wifi scheduler is turning the Wifi off and on in the next day, it could result in AIMESH ROUTER/NODE disconnection.

So far, my first day test show that it will lost connection. I have to remotely go to AIMESH ROUTER to set "Optimization". Then the AIMESH ROUTER re-connect the AIMESH NODE and started to work again.

I am suspecting firmware bug? Can the developer after a wifi scheduler turning on/off for AIMESH application, can it auto do a "AIMESH Optimization" ?
Is it already done or it is not?

Much appreciated for the help

Best Regards,
Wee-How

 

[Squall Leonhart]

wifi scheduling is not explicitly compatible with mesh.

 

[welim]

Ok Squall, but wifi scheduler is very important feature. When we sleep, we dont on it. AIMESH is also important feature. It allow us to seamlessly connected with the same SSID.
It is unfortunate that we cannot do a "AIMESH Optimization" after the wifi turn back to ON.

Temporary, if my wifi turn on at 6am, I also setup auto system reboot at 630am. So far two days passed, no disconnection.
There is no "auto optimization" scheduler.. so I use auto system reboot to avoid instability.

If developer know this, hope they can fix it... It is basic problem that ASUS should fix.

Best Regards,
Wee-How

 

[welim]

Update: With Wifi scheduler turn on, I've setup such that when the Wifi turn on at timeX, I setup the AIMESH router to do a system reboot at timeX + 10min.
For quite a few days, no problem. If you dont do that, it seems after the scheduler turn on the Wifi to do the AIMESH connection, it becomes unstable and got disconnected after sometime.
With the system reboot, many days.. I havent encounter any issue.

Wifi scheduler is very important. With AIMESH not able to support Wifi scheduler properly, it is an unfortunate.
I sincerely hope the developer can help to fix one day. Thank you very much!

 

[Piotrek]

The generally advice around here to use Asus firmware on nodes, Merlin on routers.

No.
As far as I remember a few releases ago there was a fix for AiMesh node problems in AsusWRT-Merlin.

I need to make the NODE using ASUS's factory firmware

It is not required.

No issue after that but when wifi scheduler is turning the Wifi off and on in the next day, it could result in AIMESH ROUTER/NODE disconnection.

You should choose - do you want AiMesh on WiFi or WiFi scheduler.
If you want AiMesh on WiFi - disable WiFi scheduler.
If you want WiFi scheduler - use Ethernet Backhaul for AiMesh.

 

[Tech9]

wifi scheduler is very important feature. When we sleep, we dont on it.

You needlessly break and restore AiMesh few times a day.

AIMESH is also important feature. It allow us to seamlessly connected with the same SSID.

Completely unrelated to Asus and their AiMesh marketing name.

 

[welim]

Thank you @Piotrek . My AIMESH router and node are at different storey of my house. Unfortunately, cannot connect via ethernet backhaul. I would love to do it this way too. Is this a "known issue" which seem most of the seniors aware? I only started using AIMESH for 1-2yrs. Previously, higher floors uses another SSID.

With the current method I've used, there is no more breaking of AIMESH. It is rather stable.

IMO, if ASUS cannot support some X+Y feature together properly they should not populate it in the GUI for user to enable/disable. It is just my personal opinion.
If it allows, then it must be tested. Else the test coverage is going to be low and invite alot of bugs from different users that set things differently.

 

[dosborne]

Why is it important to turn off your wifi on a schedule? Maybe there is another option to resolve whatever it is you think you are gaining?

 

[Tech9]

IMO, if ASUS cannot support some X+Y feature together properly they should not populate it in the GUI for user to enable/disable.

You are correct, but consumer market is marketing first. There are other somewhat working and actively advertised features in Asuswrt. Your wireless AiMesh router upstairs is an expensive gaming... repeater with fancy name. It's not even tri-band, but rather tri-radio dual-band.

 

[welim]

Thank you @dosborne . I have 4 children. One of the node is placed closer to the bedroom.
I wanted to reduce radiation during night time when no one uses the wifi. Thats the main reason.

 

[welim]

Hi @Tech9 , my AIMESH router is at level1 and AIMESH node is at level3. Luckily their radio beam can meet. So the AIMESH connection is indicating "GREAT". I setup AIMESH is just to have a single SSID connected while I move from lvl3/4 to lvl1/2. Level1 and 2 covered by AIMESH router and level 3 and 4 covered by AIMESH node. I dont use repeater. I tried before using repeater but the throughput test show that repeater is no good.

 

[Tech9]

I setup AIMESH is just to have a single SSID

I don't have AiMesh and use single SSID just like you. Go figure.

 

[welim]

Hi @Tech9, I dont have ethernet backhaul at lvl3/lvl4. If I have, I can setup similar wireless AP with similar SSID and then setup them to have different channels so that they dont interfere with each other within. Unfortunately, I dont have such ethernet backhaul . Each level of my house, there are rooms with door. Within the room, I have the ethernet port but if I set a wireless AP, it is only within that room. The other rooms of that same level can connect but my level4 will have very weak signal. With my current setup, the AIMESH node at lvl3 is not inside any of the rooms. It is outside. It is almost equal distance away from lvl3 rooms and lvl4 rooms.

If you have other suggestion, please let me know. I exhausted all ways to try and I am not expert too. Thank you very much