Getting started with RT-AX88U and RT-AX57

[portnoy58]

Greetings, I am a complete newb to this so would be grateful for any assistance with this initial attempt at setup. I am attempting to put together a small network at home where we have a lot of concrete walls and small rooms spread over three floors. The modem is positioned on the middle floor. Initially I was using one router, the RT-AX57 and when we needed to extend coverage I was moving the router to the ground floor and running an ethernet cable from the modem on the midde floor; this works really well. I have recently bought the RT-AX88U and would like to set this up as the primary router and then use the RT-AX57 as a node downstairs. I want to connect primary router and node by an ethernet cable but today I learned this is not as simple as before when connecting the modem to one router. My immediate query is in setting up the AX88U as primary router and then the AX57 as the node, will I need to do a factory reset on the AX57 to enable me to designate it as a mesh node, given that at initial set up it was itself a primary router. I'd be grateful for any advice on this as when I had an inital attempt at connecting the router and mesh today, well it didn't work!

 

[ColinTaylor]

My immediate query is in setting up the AX88U as primary router and then the AX57 as the node, will I need to do a factory reset on the AX57 to enable me to designate it as a mesh node...

Yes.

 

[bennor]

... will I need to do a factory reset on the AX57 to enable me to designate it as a mesh node, given that at initial set up it was itself a primary router.

Generally, yes a reset on the node will be required. See the following basic Asus support docs on setting up AiMesh if you haven't already.

[AiMesh] How to setup AiMesh system (Web GUI)? | Official Support | ASUS Global

[AiMesh] What is Ethernet Backhaul Mode/Backhaul Connection Priority in AiMesh System and how to set up in different scenarios? | Official Support | ASUS Global

 

[portnoy58]

Generally, yes a reset on the node will be required. See the following basic Asus support docs on setting up AiMesh if you haven't already.

[AiMesh] How to setup AiMesh system (Web GUI)? | Official Support | ASUS Global

[AiMesh] What is Ethernet Backhaul Mode/Backhaul Connection Priority in AiMesh System and how to set up in different scenarios? | Official Support | ASUS Global

Thanks for these links. Given the nature of our current home, lots of concrete walls and small rooms over htree floors, I am going for a wired connection, specifically between middle floor and ground level. I presume I should pursue the second option, the backhaul mode ... right?!

 

[portnoy58]

Yes.

Thank you, a good start!

 

[bennor]

I presume I should pursue the second option, the backhaul mode ... right?!

Yes. Its called Ethernet Backhaul. An additional Asus Support link on Ethernet Backhaul.

[AiMesh] Can I set up wired connection between AiMesh routers (Ethernet backhaul)? | Official Support | ASUS Global

 

[OzarkEdge]

I presume I should pursue the second option, the backhaul mode ... right?!

Wireless backhaul is available when you add the node, if the node is in WiFi range. Wired backhaul is available when you wire the node. Both wired and wireless backhaul can be available.

The backhaul used by AiMesh depends on which backhaul AiMesh chooses to use depending on the health/quality of the backhauls available and the Priority setting.

If wired backhaul is used, AiMesh should disable the wireless backhaul until it is needed for failover when the wired backhaul fails.

If you have wired the backhaul and you do not want AiMesh to use wireless backhaul, then enabled the Ethernet Backhaul Mode setting to disable wireless backhaul always... no failover.

OE

 

[portnoy58]

Well thanks for the input. The process was a bit fiddly as I am expecting explicit instructions at every point. Only moan is my network doesn't have the name I want! But the speed of the connection downstairs is really fast and the node is now in a fixed place so a good start. Once more many thanks!