BQ16 and GT-BE98, Wired AI Mesh port speed goes to 10/100 :(

[Whirlo]

One other item to note, the device would connect at 1GB and 2.5Gb fine - so I really believe this to be a HW fault "a defective Port" on 10GB on the BT98 vs any conf issue or compatibility issue.

Have you had any news? Was it a hardware defect?

 

[A011528]

Received confirmation Yesterday that the device is defect, they are issuing a refund. In other words it will work with a fully functioning device.

 

[Stepalex]

A new BQ16 firmware is out 3.0.0.6.102_36801, pls let us know your findings

 

[A011528]

A new BQ16 firmware is out 3.0.0.6.102_36801, pls let us know your findings

I've only been on the 3.0.0.6.102_36801, for less than 24hrs - but so far the network feels more stable (all my tests are positive), CPU seems to have a better spread across all 4, vs core 1 under prior firmware, while the RAM a little more but more stable. The GUI feels more responsive and the built in speed test is now accurately measuring connection speed - which it was not under the previous firmware.
I have to say the BQ16 is meeting and beginning to surpass my expectations - so much so that instead of buying another BT98 I might opt for another set of BQ16. I've gone through a lot of HW routers and I'm coming to the conclusion that this is one of the best devices ive had.

 

[Stepalex]

Are you using it as a standalone, or in mesh?

Are you using MLO?

 

[A011528]

Are you using it as a standalone, or in mesh?

Are you using MLO?

Wired 10G, Mesh. MLO I have it turned on, most of my devices (50+) wont support it, only the phones in my household can and i don't have a use case on phones, of my 6 and 6e devices, they are only going to pick one band anyway - so its a bit pointless for now, I think it will be more useful once I get PC/laptop on 7, I'm going to play with it on and off over the next few days to see if the new firmware has made any other changes.

 

[Whirlo]

Sono stato solo su 3.0.0.6.102_36801, per meno di 24 ore, ma finora la rete sembra più stabile (tutti i miei test sono positivi), la CPU sembra avere una migliore distribuzione su tutti e 4, rispetto al core 1 con il firmware precedente, mentre la RAM un po' di più ma più stabile. La GUI sembra più reattiva e il test di velocità integrato ora misura accuratamente la velocità di connessione, cosa che non accadeva con il firmware precedente.
Devo dire che il BQ16 sta soddisfacendo e iniziando a superare le mie aspettative, tanto che invece di acquistare un altro BT98 potrei optare per un altro set di BQ16. Ho provato molti router HW e sto giungendo alla conclusione che questo è uno dei migliori dispositivi che abbia mai avuto.

@A011528
I also need to buy two satellites, so do you recommend the two BQ16 kits instead of the other two BE98? Some people told me that it is better to buy all the same devices
(I use my be98 as a router)

 

[A011528]

@A011528
I also need to buy two satellites, so do you recommend the two BQ16 kits instead of the other two BE98? Some people told me that it is better to buy all the same devices
(I use my be98 as a router)

In my opinion, the BQ16 outshines the BE98 with a more mature feel, despite being newer. My experience with the BT98 (gen1) was subpar across various configurations—as a core router, edge, AP core in AI Mesh, and satellite, it never quite delivered. My BT98's defective 10G port, which was essential for me, led to a refund. Instead of replacing it with another BT98, I have now ordered two more BQ16s. This upgrade will also help me eliminate some old, non-Asus APs. Once the additional set of BQ16's arrive, I'll have a total of four, i hope enhancing coverage across my three-story home that has concrete walls and numerous blind spots, which the first set reduced.

Over the years, my network setups have been a mixed bag of hardware, added to as i could afford (I'm sure I'm not the only one) i hat to say this leading to constant instability (i was firefighting alot). I even built my own router, but lacked the time to manage it. My quest for simplification led me to assess various routers. I considered QNAP (bought two Qhora, still have them although loaded with a customer FW) and i even tested a friend's Ubiquiti setup (who kindly lent them while he and his family were on vacation), those options were either too expensive or slow to adopt Wi-Fi 7. A colleague suggested Asus when I was shopping for a NAS (I ended up with a Flashtor), which eventually brought me to their network devices. Asus' no-nonsense approach and lack of subscription model appeal to me—I believe subscriptions are unnecessary for a network and i like the HW specs. While I have the option to load Merlin, I'm currently using stock firmware, which meets all my needs.

This is my first time committing entirely to one brand—trusting Asus is a big step for me. The existing BQ16s convinced me to go all in, and I'll be happy to report back on what's it like having a total of four. Aesthetically, the BQ16 looks better than the BT98 and passes the spouse test. The BT98, though a good device, was cumbersome, resembling a King Crab. Nowadays, I prefer simplicity and less intrusive looking devices.

 

[A011528]

One more item that almost held me back from Asus, was their lack of outside AP devices (i have an EAP670, which is fine) but if i go all in..... their lack of outside AP to address this space almost held me off Asus completely. But I am glad Asus are eventually releasing this BD4 Outdoor (no price yet) and I recall that when Asus announced the BQ16 it took more than a year for it to be available. So great that they look to be solving that space but I do question why they have gone for 2 x 2.5Gb POE+ and why not up to 10Gb to really break through.

​

 

[Whirlo]

Ive spoken to Asus support, looks like it might be a defective 10GB Port on the BT98, i currently have it running over the 2.5GB (and that is working fine) but the reason i bought these was for thew 10GB backbone - they have given me a contact to request a replacement device as it is under warranty.

Ill repot back once i get a new device - just to update and confirm that 10GB, but it looks like I was the only one having this specific issue, id say its safe to combine the BQ16 and BT98.

I bought 3x Be98 and unfortunately they all seem to have the same recognition problem, I must also say that the connection works at maximum if it were not for the yellow selection and the 10/100 writing. I therefore believe that it is not a hardware problem, but rather a software aspect that hopefully will be resolved with a new firmware

 

[A011528]

I bought 3x Be98 and unfortunately they all seem to have the same recognition problem, I must also say that the connection works at maximum if it were not for the yellow selection and the 10/100 writing. I therefore believe that it is not a hardware problem, but rather a software aspect that hopefully will be resolved with a new firmware

That would be very interesting if this was a SW issue. Do you have the ability to perform a Speed test from a client ? maybe such as iperf ? when i had the issue my throughput was being limited (what im saying is it wasn't just a GUI display problem) the connection was really a 10/100

 

[A011528]

Quick Update: 2nd set of BQ16 arrived and are now plugged in so now 4 in total + 2 QNAP and 1 EAP as AP's.

 

[Whirlo]

That would be very interesting if this was a SW issue. Do you have the ability to perform a Speed test from a client ? maybe such as iperf ? when i had the issue my throughput was being limited (what im saying is it wasn't just a GUI display problem) the connection was really a 10/100

Yes, I have performed various speed tests and the connection always works normally 10Gbs RX and 2Gbps TX as per my ISP (on all two nodes).
I have reported the matter to Asus and I am waiting for a response. Obviously I have also performed close tests with various types of cables from cat6, cat7 and cat8. In my opinion it is a problem of recognition via SW that on BQ16 does not occur while on BE98 it does. The usual luck.
I did not go on the BQ16 because I read that various settings take a long time to be modified and updated unlike the BE98, confirmed?

 

[ionutp]

I have the same issue wit 2 gt-be98
the only way it is working is with firmware 34372.
Upgrading the firmware shows the uplink connection to 10/100 but the speeds are indeed 10gbps. So I think it is a visual bug.
The other issue that I have when upgrading the firmware is 6ghz band not beeing broadcasted to the other 2 nodes that I have (2 axe11000) and the router that is connected wireslly to the mesh is beeing bounced between main router and the other one (i specified the connection to be with the 2nd router in mesh)
With 34372 firmware is working great.