AiMesh firmware restore (from backup) best practices

[HouseMusicRules]

Hi,

Just finished factory resetting and then setup my AiMesh system (4 total - XT8 router and 3 XT8 nodes).

I do have certain devices manually pinned to various Nodes depending on their distance from them (in order to maintain strong signals to all devices on my network). Plus I have gone through the laborious trouble to rename all my devices into the AiMesh settings to ensure I recognize them and also so I can spot unauthorized devices more easily.

I have saved the Settings file in the Administration section of the AiMesh firmware with the (pinned) devices and Nodes all setup to my liking.

So now I am wondering what the best way is to restore it (if the need ever came to be). I can only think of 2 ways to do it:

1st way:
a. Factory reset Router
b. Do not connect any nodes to AiMesh system (yet)
c. Restore backed up Settings file to Router
d. Add Nodes to AiMesh system AFTER (c) restoring backed up Settings

2nd way:
a. Factory reset Router
b. Connect all nodes to AiMesh system BEFORE (c) restoring backed up Settings
c. Restore back up Settings file to Router

Not sure what is exactly is preserved in the backup of the Settings file, but I'd like to keep all the pinned devices setup to their respective Nodes, if possible. Thereby minimizing further setup after the backup Settings file is restored. Basically, I'd like everything to be preserved from when I saved the backup Settings using the restore feature (assuming it is even possible).

Thanks for your help.,
HMR.

 

[aex.perez]

"nvram get sta_binding_list" on each router or node has the list of mac addresses bound to the specific device (router or node).

Make it easy on yourself, having been through this a few times, if using Merlin firmware use BACKUPMON. Setup router and nodes as usual, then restore each devices backup and reboot router (and nodes). Back in operation is seconds.

A variation of your 2nd way, as the nodes will have their own "sta_binding_list" and to keep it you'll need to restore them as well.
Not having used stock firmware in a bit, and since you don't have accees to the GUI on the AiMesh nodes this is my current method that's been tested and proven.

You could enable and SSH into the nodes and do an NVRAM set assuming you have a copy of the NVRAM get above.
Not having used the stock firmware in years on the router or nodes, haven't tried it.
YMMV....

 

[HouseMusicRules]

Oh wow thanks. That is pretty technical. I will have to research what all that means.

 

[Tech9]

If your system is working in acceptable for you way - don’t touch. You are asking for trouble, XT8 is quirky. Start replacing firmware and playing with scripts on it and you’ll regret your decision soon after.

 

[OzarkEdge]

So now I am wondering what the best way is to restore it (if the need ever came to be).

AiMesh = router + node(s)

'Restore' is typically for disaster recovery... recovering the same hardware and same firmware and same configuration using a saved configuration file created from same. Such 'Restore' is seldom required and unlikely to be the desired path forward at the time, given a disparate and dated collection of AiMesh hardware and firmware (it's not the same as with data backup and restore... you will always want to restore your data!). Instead, you will most likely perform a new network installation from scratch, making some improvements over what you had before, like upgrade the router.

If I were going to restore a saved router configuration to recover an AiMesh, I would install the same model router hardware and firmware version, Hard Reset the firmware, and configure it minimally from scratch to access the webUI. Then restore the configuration file created by that model router hardware and firmware version. Alternatively, I believe you can restore a saved router configuration file directly from the webUI Quick Internet Setup routine upon first logging into the firmware after a reset.

Once the router is restored, turn ON each existing node for AiMesh to connect each to the router. If you need to replace a node, first remove its entry from the AiMesh configuration, Reset the new node firmware, and then add the new node to the AiMesh. Adding a new node (even the same model new node) will likely require manually entering any configuration specific to that node, like node bindings and a few others (node LED, USB, etc.).

OE

 

[HouseMusicRules]

Quick Internet Setup routine upon first logging into the firmware after a reset.

Once the router is restored, turn ON each existing node for AiMesh to connect each to the router. If you need to replace a node, first remove its entry from the AiMesh configuration, Reset the new node firmware, and then add the new node to the AiMesh. Adding a new node (even the same model new node) will likely require manually entering any configuration specific to that node, like node bindings and a few others (node LED, USB, etc.).

OE

This is interesting. Something to definitely keep in mind. Thank you for pointing that out.