Changing my AC68U to be an Access Point, couple questions

[Prodeje79]

Everything has been running great. My device is currently running Merlin 374.43_2-13E1j9527.

I picked up a Netgear X4S, and plan to make it my primary router and then turn my AC68U into an access point. More neighbors got wifi, and my signal is not working well in my master bedroom for my Fire TV. It is the furthest point in my house with my router in the basement. My house was built in 2001 and I think it is wired cat5 or 5e. It is only wired a couple spots on the first floor, including my family room. My idea is to install the AC68U to the wired port in my family room. The master is right above the family room, so hoping it will help my signal issues. Some day I hope to just get the master bed room wired.

What should I do regarding the firmware? I don't really use any advanced features. All my gaming PCs and consoles are wired and have static IPs. All I care about is Open NAT type. UPNP and port forwarding typically work fine for me.
I see the choices are basically leave it, go to the 380 branch, or go to the newest branch?

I've read a few places on how to switch to the AP mode, but I just wanted some more clarification.
https://www.asus.com/support/FAQ/1015009/
I plan to change the IP of the 68U from .1 to .2
What about the SSID? Can I keep it the same SSIDs for 2.4 an 5? Same channels? I currently don't use auto mode.
I also wanted to clarify the switch functionality for my family room. Will the AC68U LAN ports still work to connect my Nvidia Shield, TV, and A/V Receiver to be wired? I understand the x4s will take on all the DHCP duties. Any concerns if the x4s and AC68 are connected via CAT5/5e?

tl ; dr

Which firmware should I use?
What SSIDs and channels do I use? Link to more detailed information would be appreciated.
Do LAN ports continue to work in AP mode?

 

[ColinTaylor]

What should I do regarding the firmware? I don't really use any advanced features. All my gaming PCs and consoles are wired and have static IPs. All I care about is Open NAT type. UPNP and port forwarding typically work fine for me.
I see the choices are basically leave it, go to the 380 branch, or go to the newest branch?

It's largely irrelevant as things like NAT, UPnP, port forwarding, VPN, etc. will be handled by the Netgear. In AP mode the Asus is basically a radio connected to a switch. One firmware might have slightly different wireless drivers that work better or worse with your devices. Try it and see.

I also wanted to clarify the switch functionality for my family room. Will the AC68U LAN ports still work to connect my Nvidia Shield, TV, and A/V Receiver to be wired? I understand the x4s will take on all the DHCP duties.

According to the Asus documentation, the LAN ports are not available in AP mode. However, in reality, everybody that's ever tried have said that they do still function as normal LAN ports.

 

[jeff3820]

When you select access point mode your wireless router becomes a radio. If you use your same existing SSIDs on the Netgear, then you will have to change them on the 68U in access point mode. You should select different channels than the Netgear as well IF there is significant signal overlap. There are apps for android phones/tablets you can get to show you signal strengths on different Wi-Fi channels. Yes, all of the LAN ports will work on the 68U in access point mode. You might have to connect the network cable from the Netgear to one of the LAN ports...I don't remember if the WAN port just becomes another LAN port of if it is disconnected in access point mode.

CAT 5e can handle gigabit connections just fine...avoid cat 5 if you can as it is only rated to 100 mbps not 1000 mbps.

Existing merlin or Asus firmware will be fine...both support access point mode. Remember that the 68U in access point mode does no routing at all so there is no NAT, UPNP, or port forwarding at all. This will all have to be setup in the Netgear. Essentially, the 68U is just another wireless transmitter/receiver (that's an access point)...no routing functions at all.

 

[ColinTaylor]

I don't remember if the WAN port just becomes another LAN port of if it is disconnected in access point mode.

The Asus instructions say to use the WAN port as the connection to the upstream router. So in effect, it does become just another LAN port.

CAT 5e can handle gigabit connections just fine...avoid cat 5 if you can as it is only rated to 100 mbps not 1000 mbps.

No quite true. Both Cat5 and Cat5e are spec'd for gigabit. 100BASE-TX uses two wire-pairs while 1000BASE-T uses all four wire-pairs. Cat5e is an improved spec. that reduced crosstalk.

 

[dlandiss]

My idea is to install the AC68U to the wired port in my family room. The master is right above the family room, so hoping it will help my signal issues.

You can help that by laying the antennas down sideways. The strongest radio signal is at right angles to the antenna axis.

What about the SSID? Can I keep it the same SSIDs for 2.4 an 5? Same channels? I currently don't use auto mode.

It should work either way. We usually set different SSIDs for every radio to aid troubleshooting.

(1)Will the AC68U LAN ports still work to connect my Nvidia Shield, TV, and A/V Receiver to be wired? (2)I understand the x4s will take on all the DHCP duties. (3)Any concerns if the x4s and AC68 are connected via CAT5/5e?

(1)Yes, (2)yes, and (3)no

Which firmware should I use?
What SSIDs and channels do I use? Link to more detailed information would be appreciated.
Do LAN ports continue to work in AP mode?

Both Merlin's firmware and John's fork have proven to be very stable in both e router and access point modes. More info in the sticky posts at the top of ths thread. Yes, LAN ports continue to work the same as wireless.

Hope this helps!

 

[Prodeje79]

I appreciate the responses. I got everything hooked up, including my port forwarding rules. For whatever reason, my Caddy server was still unreachable externally even though I had the same firewall rules. I put the ASUS back in place as the router and boom it worked fine again. I tried many things on the netgear x4s and still no dice. I will post on the netgear forum side and see if any ideas.

Regarding my wifi, I decided to just disable wifi on the router in the basement. It doesn't really need to be on there any way.

My question is this: are there any advantages of the ASUS being my router vs the Netgear? It seems the specs of the Netgear are better, but the asus just works! For now the ASUS is on basement duty doing just routing, while the netgear is on wifi duty in the family room via cat5e. So far no hiccups in the master bedroom streaming.

 

[dlandiss]

It seems the specs of the Netgear are better, but the asus just works!

Sounds like an easy choice to me!