AiMesh or repeater mode with an WiFi 6 (main) and WiFi 5 (secondary) router for extra WiFi coverage?

[Rob Q]

Hi,
My plan is to extend the WiFi coverage for the one side of the house. My main router is the new AX82U but I still want to use my AC1900P since it still works.
I was thinking of using the AC1900P as an WiFi extender but I don't know if I should set it up as an AiMesh node or a repeater?
The AX82U is exposed to the internet, as my modem is connected to the WAN port.
I also want to use the WiFi 6 features with my WiFi 6 devices, so they'll probably be connected to the new router. The older WiFi 5 devices would be on the AC1900P. The AC1900P has got to be connected to the AX82U wirelessly, though. I don't have the spare parts available to wire the two together.

 

[degrub]

put it in AP mode

 

[Rob Q]

put it in AP mode

How would I set that all up?
Ethernet cable?
WiFi?

Also... you mean this? on both or just the one router?

 

[Tech9]

The older WiFi 5 devices would be on the AC1900P

Your RT-AX82U can handle well mixed N/AC/AX devices on 5GHz, RT-AC1900P will be limited to N/AC obviously.

The AC1900P has got to be connected to the AX82U wirelessly, though.

Use the RT-AC1900P as wireless AiMesh node. It will work as a Repeater anyway, but will allow Guest Network propagation.

 

[sorachan]

Generally when using an ethernet cable, it's highly recommended to use AP mode.

The reason is that AP mode doesn’t share channel bandwidth, minimising interference between your router and access point while providing the same coverage. You also have the flexibility to adjust settings.

 

[Rob Q]

Your RT-AX82U can handle well mixed N/AC/AX devices on 5GHz, RT-AC1900P will be limited to N/AC obviously.



Use the RT-AC1900P as wireless AiMesh node. It will work as a Repeater anyway, but will allow Guest Network propagation.

I've disabled the 2.4 GHz radio on the RT-AC1900P and it's connected to the AX82U on the 5 GHz band. I'm actually seeing the issue of having two strong 2.4 GHz signals in the same house, my devices that are close to the router in my bedroom, want to connect to the AC1900P on the 2.4 GHz band.

That being said, the 5 GHz band seems to want to be at 80 MHz, using channel 153 (which is empty) and I have the 2.4 GHz band set to 20 MHz wide, and channel 1 (only 1 neighboring network from a few properties up on the south side of my yard)

 

[Tech9]

Unfortunately, AiMesh doesn't have power settings per node. The system tuning options are very limited.

 

[Rob Q]

I've disabled and removed the RT-AC1900P node. It was slowing down the 5 GHz network majorly. I guess that would be because it was sharing the bandwidth since the backhaul was set to the 5 GHz radio.

 

[Tech9]

Any repeater will cut down the throughput to connected to it devices due to retransmissions. This is normal and expected.