BE88U as AiMesh node - 5 GHz is open

[Dragnet.nu]

I have a BE98 as the main node with five AiMesh nodes, one with Ethernet backhaul, the others with RF backhaul. Four nodes are AX and the fifth (and newest) is a BE88U in the garage.

The reason I chose it is that I can use an external antenna (the garage is covered in sheetmetal). It connects the backhaul to the main 5 GHz with WPA2-personal alright. But then it presents the same SSID in the garage on 5 GHz without any security, just as an open network. To make it even more strange I am certain that I had WPA2-Personal in the garage when the BE98 was running its initial firmware.

The other two (AX) nodes running 5 GHz backhaul does not have any security issues.

 

[OzarkEdge]

I have a BE98 as the main node with five AiMesh nodes, one with Ethernet backhaul, the others with RF backhaul. Four nodes are AX and the fifth (and newest) is a BE88U in the garage.

The reason I chose it is that I can use an external antenna (the garage is covered in sheetmetal). It connects the backhaul to the main 5 GHz with WPA2-personal alright. But then it presents the same SSID in the garage on 5 GHz without any security, just as an open network. To make it even more strange I am certain that I had WPA2-Personal in the garage when the BE98 was running its initial firmware.

The other two (AX) nodes running 5 GHz backhaul does not have any security issues.

Have you tried rebooting everything, starting with the BE98 router?

Have you tried Hard Resetting and re-adding the garage BE88 node?

Have you tried proving the new BE88 node works properly with the latest ASUSWRT firmware before making your antenna mod?

Why 6 access points?... do you have thick masonry walls in every room and trying to cover 4 acres?

OE

 

[Dragnet.nu]

Have you tried rebooting everything, starting with the BE98 router?

Have you tried Hard Resetting and re-adding the garage BE88 node?

Have you tried proving the new BE88 node works properly with the latest ASUSWRT firmware before making your antenna mod?

Why 6 access points?... do you have thick masonry walls in every room and trying to cover 4 acres?

OE

1) Yes.
2) Yes.
3) Well, the mod is only that I have unscrewed one antenna (the left one) and connected the cable from the external anrenna.

Three nodes are inside, One in a small guesthouse, One in the garage and one in a small shed to cover the patio (and usually off this time of year). The guesthouse also has an external antenna mated with my old AX88U (that works fine).
(Yes, it is a bit excessive ;-) )

 

[Dragnet.nu]

Some rearranging later I can now say that it does seem to be a firmware combo issue.
I moved the BE88U to the basement where I have Ethernet backhaul and there 5 GHz works as it should.
I moved my old AX88U (also with detachable antennas) to the garage and it does not have any issues with 5 GHz for backhaul / security.

I think that the issues started with ASUS GT-BE98 Firmware version 3.0.0.6.102_36852