Device suggestions for AiMesh node just for 2.4ghz IoT with a Pro primary

[brentil]

Looking for advice on a device to get as well as if what I'm trying to do is even possible. I've currently got a RT-AX88U Pro as my primary network device that replaced a AC86U+AC68U AiMesh. I was hoping it would provide enough coverage but it doesn't just on the 2.4 ghz network where all my IoT devices are. So I'm now looking for another device to add to remake an AiMesh again and was looking for suggestions. Would have a hard wired backhaul. Stock firmware.

But since I have a Pro device I started making a bunch of dedicated virtual networks for different types of IoT devices so I wasn't also sure if those even work with AiMesh and if they do if that meant the node had to be a Pro device or not?

1. Primarily only used for 2.4 ghz IoT so doesn't need to be WiFi 6 or 7
2. Actively support by Asus hopefully for several more years
3. Works with Pro virtual networks on the mesh nodes
4. Not expensive and available in US market

 

[bennor]

If you still have the RT-AC86U and RT-AC68U, why not turn those into AP nodes (connected to the main router using Ethernet Backhaul) and configure the AP nodes for 2.4 Ghz only. Then connect the IoT devices to those AP nodes rather than the main router.

 

[bbunge]

Looking for advice on a device to get as well as if what I'm trying to do is even possible. I've currently got a RT-AX88U Pro as my primary network device that replaced a AC86U+AC68U AiMesh. I was hoping it would provide enough coverage but it doesn't just on the 2.4 ghz network where all my IoT devices are. So I'm now looking for another device to add to remake an AiMesh again and was looking for suggestions. Would have a hard wired backhaul. Stock firmware.

But since I have a Pro device I started making a bunch of dedicated virtual networks for different types of IoT devices so I wasn't also sure if those even work with AiMesh and if they do if that meant the node had to be a Pro device or not?

1. Primarily only used for 2.4 ghz IoT so doesn't need to be WiFi 6 or 7
2. Actively support by Asus hopefully for several more years
3. Works with Pro virtual networks on the mesh nodes
4. Not expensive and available in US market

You could try either or both of your old routers. I feel that the 2.4 GHz would work and maybe allow a single guest network as well. You can disable the 5 GHz network on the node.

One caution: using those old routers as nodes on the AX88U Pro may limit the channels and bandwidth available. I had this happen when I tested an AC66U B1 on my AX86U Pro.

 

[OzarkEdge]

Looking for advice on a device to get as well as if what I'm trying to do is even possible. I've currently got a RT-AX88U Pro as my primary network device that replaced a AC86U+AC68U AiMesh. I was hoping it would provide enough coverage but it doesn't just on the 2.4 ghz network where all my IoT devices are. So I'm now looking for another device to add to remake an AiMesh again and was looking for suggestions. Would have a hard wired backhaul. Stock firmware.

But since I have a Pro device I started making a bunch of dedicated virtual networks for different types of IoT devices so I wasn't also sure if those even work with AiMesh and if they do if that meant the node had to be a Pro device or not?

1. Primarily only used for 2.4 ghz IoT so doesn't need to be WiFi 6 or 7
2. Actively support by Asus hopefully for several more years
3. Works with Pro virtual networks on the mesh nodes
4. Not expensive and available in US market

RT-AX86U Pro is going for $185. Trade-in your AC68U at Best Buy and get another 15% discount. ASUSWRT 5.0 (3.0.0.6.*) firmware runs on Pro models and will let you move forward with next gen firmware... today.

What I did.

OE

 

[brentil]

I decommissioned the AC68/AC86 because they're no longer supported and while I didn't mention it security is requirement #1 for my network. I had Merlin on them but as he's stated he's no longer supporting them. The AC86 isn't supported by OpenWRT and others and the AC68 is 12+ years old and flaky. So both of them are no longer of use.

 

[brentil]

RT-AX86U Pro is going for $185. Trade-in your AC68U at Best Buy and get another 15% discount. ASUSWRT 5.0 (3.0.0.6.*) firmware runs on Pro models and will let you move forward with next gen firmware... today.

What I did.

OE

Thanks for the info, I'll look into what they have locally!

 

[bennor]

I decommissioned the AC68/AC86 because they're no longer supported and while I didn't mention it security is requirement #1 for my network. I had Merlin on them but as he's stated he's no longer supporting them. The AC86 isn't supported by OpenWRT and others and the AC68 is 12+ years old and flaky. So both of them are no longer of use.

If you are using the AC routers as AP nodes most of the features are disabled anyway and they would be behind the RT-AX88U Pro and it's firewall. All you would be using the AP nodes for is 2.4Ghz wifi for the IoT devices. The RT-AX88U Pro, if loaded with stock Asus 3006.x firmware, can be configured to VLAN the LAN port(s) the AC routers are connected to. It would further isolate and prevent those AC routers from accessing the main LAN network.

 

[OzarkEdge]

Thanks for the info, I'll look into what they have locally!

I recall having to order my AX88U Pro online; then went into the store after I got it to get the trade-in discount. Talk to a store manager to confirm this route... they were very agreeable when I did it.

OE

 

[brentil]

If you are using the AC routers as AP nodes most of the features are disabled anyway and they would be behind the RT-AX88U Pro and it's firewall. All you would be using the AP nodes for is 2.4Ghz wifi for the IoT devices. The RT-AX88U Pro, if loaded with stock Asus 3006.x firmware, can be configured to VLAN the LAN port(s) the AC routers are connected to. It would further isolate and prevent those AC routers from accessing the main LAN network.

It's a wireless AP, by it's very nature it's always exposed to everyone in wireless range. It's not supported, so it's not part of my infrastructure.

 

[brentil]

I'm still curious if you can expand a Pro AiMesh virtual network to the non-pro devices. Looking at the BestBuy website I saw the RP-AX58 for $80 which says it's an AiMesh extender. Checking the firmware page for it's still on 3.0.0.4.388 but that's at least newer than the 3.0.0.4.386 of the now defunct ones.

https://www.asus.com/us/networking-iot-servers/range-extenders/all-series/rp-ax58/

At that price I might just get it to test.

 

[degrub]

AiMesh works best when all nodes are the same and using the same firmware. Anything else may work.

 

[Tech9]

I'm still curious if you can expand a Pro AiMesh virtual network to the non-pro devices.

Ask Asus Support for compatibility chart. What we know here is from trial and error. Some devices work, some don't. If you want guaranteed compatibility - another Pro router and better the same model as your main so they run on exactly the same firmware updated to both at the same time.

 

[bbunge]

I'm still curious if you can expand a Pro AiMesh virtual network to the non-pro devices. Looking at the BestBuy website I saw the RP-AX58 for $80 which says it's an AiMesh extender. Checking the firmware page for it's still on 3.0.0.4.388 but that's at least newer than the 3.0.0.4.386 of the now defunct ones.

https://www.asus.com/us/networking-iot-servers/range-extenders/all-series/rp-ax58/

At that price I might just get it to test.

I think I answered that in my first post. Yes, Asus routers with the AiMesh settings in the firmware will work with Pro routers. The VLAN should work for one guest network on one WIFI band. Since you want to use the 2.4 GHz WIFI it should work. Pull out your AC68U, flash Asus firmware, factory reset it and add it to your asus Pro router as a mesh node.
Try it. It should work and the AC68U has lots of life in it yet. Not a security risk if behind a firewall.router.

 

[Tech9]

I think I answered that in my first post.

Read the question again:

I'm still curious if you can expand a Pro AiMesh virtual network to the non-pro devices.

RT-AC68U is definitely not compatible with the new Guest Network Pro.

 

[brentil]

Making a support ticket, lets see what their answer is. As I'm very curious what they say for something like the RP-AX58.

 

[Tech9]

Let us know the answer because AiMesh compatibility is not documented. As per Asus marketing most devices they sell are AiMesh Compatible and users realize only after purchase that there are different levels of compatibility between different devices running on different firmware versions.

 

[OzarkEdge]

I'm still curious if you can expand a Pro AiMesh virtual network to the non-pro devices.

No. Pro firmware features require Pro firmware 3.0.0.6.* and Pro hardware. And even that is still under development... work in progress.

Looking at the BestBuy website I saw the RP-AX58 for $80 which says it's an AiMesh extender. Checking the firmware page for it's still on 3.0.0.4.388 but that's at least newer than the 3.0.0.4.386 of the now defunct ones.

https://www.asus.com/us/networking-iot-servers/range-extenders/all-series/rp-ax58/

At that price I might just get it to test.

You're dreaming... you can't dream up a network.

If I add an RT-AX86U 3.0.0.4.388.24323 node to my Pro network that has:
2.4/5.0 main WLANs
2.4/5.0 Guest VLANs
2.4 only IoT VLANs

The RT-AX86U node broadcasts:
2.4/5.0 main WLANs
a 2.4 Guest WLAN and no 5.0 Guest WLAN
and I can even enable the 2.4 only IoT VLANs:

If you want to extend the Pro VLANs, you should gamble on Pro equipment. And I use the term 'Pro' loosely.

OE