ASWART AC68u - 2 routers LAN to WAN AP

[Dez]

Hello, I’m in need serious help - configuring my to routers via LAN TO WAN setup.
Primary router ASUS AC68u - ASUS.
Secondary router ASUS AC68u - ASWART Merlin.
I’ve tried loads of other sites suggestions with no dice. Would appreciate some help with this setup. Could someone please write up a guide, thanks for your assistance.

 

[ColinTaylor]

What are the exact model numbers of the routers? AC1900 and AC68u are not specific models, there are multiple variants, e.g. DSL-, RT-, 4G-, etc.

 

[Dez]

G’day Colin,
They are identified as
Primary- RT-AC68u - 1GHz (2017)
Secondary - RT-AC68u - 800 MHz (2014)

 

[ColinTaylor]

Thanks for confirming that.

Can you explain a bit more about what you mean by "help configuring my to routers via WAN TO LAN setup".

 

[Dez]

I’m trying to configure my Secondary router (ASWART- Merlin) as an access point (AP) through WAN from the LAN Primary (ASUS)
- Also known as “Cascading 2 routers via LAN to WAN”.

 

[ColinTaylor]

“Cascading 2 routers via LAN to WAN” usually means that the 2nd router is on a completely separate subnet to the 1st router.

By contrast if you reconfigure the 2nd router as an access point (AP) it will be part of the 1st router's subnet just like any other device, and so will any clients connected to the AP.

Which of these two configurations do you want?

 

[Dez]

Okay
Yes 1st configuration is what Im trying to achieve, will most likely work as VPN. None of the previous guides I tried following - mention this.
excellent Colin, thanks any idea of a guide that’s able to help me achieve this configuration...?
Or
I\we would all be very happy if you would unleash you expertise on this matter, and provide assistance with a method of configuration,,,,,it would be very much appreciated....

 

[ColinTaylor]

Setup your first router as you normally would by following the instructions in the manual. Before proceeding further make sure everything is working and clients can connect to the internet.

Leave the first router up and running. Now unplug your PC from the first router. Connect one of the LAN ports on the first router to the WAN port on the second router.

Turn on the second router and wait 30 seconds. Press the reset button on the second router for about 3 seconds. Wait for it to reboot (about 45 seconds).

Turn off your PC. Connect an Ethernet cable from your PC to a LAN port on the second router.Turn on your PC.

Open your PC's browser and go to http://router.asus.com

You should be at the setup page for the second router. Setup the passwords and SSID's as desired. (Note that this router should be in "Wireless router mode (Default)" not "Access Point(AP) mode".

That's it.

 

[Dez]

Righty’O thanks, and what if I wanted to go the other rout and choose the 2nd method you mentioned,,, how is this accomplished please....?

 

[dosborne]

Further setup changes for a double NAT can include deciding which router will provide various services.

In my 2xNAT setup, the primary router has DHCP, wireless and pretty much everything else disabled as it feeds to the secondary router, my VOIP unit and a web server and of course connects to my ISP. My secondary router has DHCP and VPN services. My third router is an AP only providing all the wireless connectivity only.

Your scenario is pretty common, although from your original description I would have guessed that a router/ap scenario was what you were after instead of dual NAT. In any case there is a lot of info on these scenarios that you can search. Feel free to ask questions though, lots of helpful people around.

Fyi, each NAT "level" must have its own subnet. I.e. one router will manage (for example) 192.168.1.x and the second router 192.168.0.x. overall dual NAT is a bit trickier when it comes to routing tables, VPN and such so be aware.

 

[ColinTaylor]

Righty’o
So no need to change router IP address or subnet up up range....?

By leaving the first router powered on and connected to the second router, when the second router is reset it will automatically detect the conflicting subnet and switch to a different one.

At least that's what it did the last time I did this, YMMV. My primary router is on 192.168.1.x and the second router set itself up on 192.168.2.x.

 

[Dez]

Thanks guys (both) much appreciated,,,,though for testing purposes how dose one achieve the second method you both mentioned...?

 

[ColinTaylor]

Thanks guys (both) much appreciated,,,,though for testing purposes how dose one achieve the second method you both mentioned...?

Second method? Are you talking about Access Point mode? If so, just log into the second router, go to Administration >Operation Mode and choose Access Point(AP) mode. Bear in mind it will loose some of its functionality in this mode, e.g. VPN client.

 

[dosborne]

The simpler setup, if it solves whatever issue you are trying to resolve is:

Main router- configure as a standalone setup. With all the services you need. Then add a (preferably hardwired) connection to the secondary router and set it to "access point" to extend the current coverage area. Only 1 subnet to worry about.

 

[Dez]

Frick me,,this would of saved me days of BS rather than follow YouTube and other web links. Next time I’m coming straight your forum for quick precise advice. Thanks a lot for your support...

 

[Grisu]

First question, why AsusWRT on first router and Merlin on second?
It would be better to run latest 384.13 Merlin on both routers.

Then you will have the option to mesh the second router with Aimesh, so you wont need to configure anything on second router and everything is done on main router.
You can use VPN or whatever on main router, second router will extend Wifi and LAN ports to other rooms.

Use your 1GHz router as first router (faster VPN) and 800MHz as node.

To do so factory reset second router and let it be, on first router search for Aimesh nodes and connect them together.

 

[Val D.]

I believe OP has to do some homework first. What he wants to do is very simple and the information is readily available even on ASUS's website FAQ section. YouTube is definitely not a good place to start. I don't know what exactly basic networking guide is he expecting someone to write for him in this thread. A little bit of effort to learn at least basic terms will be greatly appreciated, otherwise OP and the people trying to help speak different languages and don't understand each other.

 

[dosborne]

. A little bit of effort to learn at least basic terms will be greatly appreciated, otherwise OP and the people trying to help speak different languages and don't understand each other.

Chill dude. He asked for help and got some. That's what these forums are for.

 

[dosborne]

First question, why AsusWRT on first router and Merlin on second?
It would be better to run latest 384.13 Merlin on both routers.

That's an option, certainly, but if he has reasons not to do it that way it is his choice. He's looking for guidance.

 

[Val D.]

That's what these forums are for.

OK then. For beginners this is the easiest way to get the system going using built-in tools:

1. Start with latest stock ASUS firmware on both routers
2. Reset both routers to Factory Default settings
3. Setup from scratch using the guides below step by step

User Manual with details how to setup the 1st router (the newer one):
https://dlcdnets.asus.com/pub/ASUS/wireless/RT-AC68U/E14013_RT-AC68U_manual_v2.pdf

AiMesh Setup Guide with details how to setup the 2nd router (the older one):
https://dlcdnets.asus.com/pub/ASUS/wireless/RT-AC68U/ASUS_AiMesh_Setup_Guide.pdf

After the system is up and running we can discuss Asuswrt-Merlin firmware and VPN connections, one step at a time.