GT-AX6000 AiMesh: clients getting knocked off

[DianaRea]

I have had issues when the 2.5 GB port is used. Switching to a 1 GB LAN port on the router and the WAN port on the node seemed to "fix" the disconnect issue.

I did this.

I also did all the firmware resetting, etc.
Now the issue seems to have gone away. I will give it a few more days to be sure...

 

[DianaRea]

You may have to redo your configuration. If you have 2x DNS servers and only one is doing filtering some of DNS resolution will go unfiltered. Why this complication with external DHCP, DNS and 3rd party firmware?

Good question about the two DNS servers. Let me explain:

I have a custom developed system on my primary linux server. This one runs the DNS for the LAN. I have quite tech savvy kids (geeks tbh) who has a lot of servers, and other equipment. All have proper names on the network, etc.
I made my own ad blocking system back in the day on this server as well. However, at some point I discovered pihole and thought to just add it because of its excellent out of the box experience. So I added pihole on a random pi3 and then I configured the pinhole to use my local DNS as it's upstream DNS. This way, the pihole works as an ad blocking DNS while also being able to resolve all my local names.

So why not just use pihole only? Because the linux machine also has DHCP server which integrates with the DNS to be able to make some dynamic naming magic, etc.

Not sure what you're asking with 3rd party firmware? Do you mean Merlin? Merlin I use because I prefer free software, and I bought the GT-AX6000 because it was able to run a free firmware.

Now, this setup is not for everyone. But I am quite happy with it. I have been running this set up for 20+ years. Except for the pihole, it is probably only 5 years old. And of course the wifi gear has changed a lot over the years. (which is also a reason I do not use that gear for DHCP, DNS, etc.)

I hope this answers your questions.

 

[DianaRea]

No, you have good ASUS equipment... it will run next gen ASUSWRT 5.0 that will extend WLANs/VLANs (Guest, IoT, etc. WLANs) to all nodes and has multigig Ethernet for a 2.5Gbps WAN and 2.5Gbps wired backhaul. You just need to install it... beginning with the firmware, Hard Reset, and configured from scratch.

I see. Is there a way to preview the user interface, etc.? Do you use it? Would you mind taking a few screenshots?
I am really nervous about not being able to revert back to merlin which I am now familiar with.

 

[Tech9]

I hope this answers your questions.

Old habits. May lead to bigger issues down the road with the new Asuswrt features including Asuswrt-Merlin when/if it moves to 3006 base for your model. What is described above as configuration can run entirely on one device (your router), it's the better way, and in not too geeky configuration.

Asuswrt-Merlin is modified stock Asuswrt with Asus approval and support. Everything Trend Micro related, AiMesh, AiCloud, wireless drivers, USB storage related drivers, etc. - all closed source proprietary software. Comes from Asus upstream, licensed to Asus, stays unchanged. The reason running Asuswrt-Merlin on non-Asus devices is described as "illegal". This is not a free software package, nor entirely open-source.

Use the system the way you know, come back in case something breaks again.

 

[OzarkEdge]

I see. Is there a way to preview the user interface, etc.?

https://demoui.asus.com/

Currently not 3.0.0.6.* ASUSWRT 5.0 demo.

Do you use it?

No. Asuswrt-Merlin is stock ASUSWRT plus fixes, tweaks, and added features. It's built on stock firmware so you are running it with Merlin... sometimes not as current... sometimes some components more current. Merlin may afford the option to not use the ROG interface... that's a benefit if you despise the ROG webUI.

I don't need it and the extra steps, delays, and key man dependency. The natural arc is for ASUSWRT to eclipse the Merlin project... the ride will end... could end overnight. Meanwhile, ASUSWRT continues to adopt other dev's good ideas. It's all good, but less and less required for the non-power user.

Me, I want a plug and play appliance... I don't want a bazillion settings... I despise what Google, Microsoft, and other big data are doing to us by adding so many settings it drives you crazy... it's insane. They should fire half their 20 something coders and stop feeding the rest so they go home and live their lives instead of burdening us users with tons of nonsense settings... nearly every setting in gmail comes with a link to learn more... I don't want more... more is less.

Would you mind taking a few screenshots?

Check out the online demo above by ASUS.

I am really nervous about not being able to revert back to merlin which I am now familiar with.

It's all just firmware... install and use what you want (always review the release notes for specific install/revert advice, if any).

To revert:
o save the current firmware1 config to .cfg file
o try different firmwares
o re-install firmware1, Hard Reset, and restore its .cfg file (made on same hardware, same firmware is my advice).

That said, I appreciate not wanting to play with your only network. Feel free to wait until you have another router onhand to do so.

OE

 

[Tech9]

It's all just firmware... install and use what you want

They better stay with the flat network design and 3004, @OzarkEdge. Something is going to break with 3006 VLANs and external DHCP. The new firmware runs multiple instances of Dnsmasq with DHCP servers, one per VLAN. Let them stay in the comfort zone for now. This system needs complete rework. Not sure how AiMesh even works in it.

 

[OzarkEdge]

They better stay with the flat network design and 3004, @OzarkEdge. Something is going to break with 3006 VLANs and external DHCP. The new firmware runs multiple instances of Dnsmasq with DHCP servers, one per VLAN. Let them stay in the comfort zone for now. This system needs complete rework. Not sure how AiMesh even works in it.

Wise advice... the network is everything... admin priority one is its users.

OE

 

[Tech9]

Asuswrt with external DHCP was showing a warning message not long ago saying it will break AiMesh. Unless something changed recently - the main router has to have DHCP server enabled. When @DianaRea had a single router it was easier. I wouldn't be surprised if AiMesh stops working again.

Second router in AP Mode is the workaround, if it happens.

 

[OzarkEdge]

Asuswrt with external DHCP was showing a warning message not long ago saying it will break AiMesh. Unless something changed recently - the main router has to have DHCP server enabled. When @DianaRea had a single router it was easier. I wouldn't be surprised if AiMesh stops working again.

Second router in AP Mode is the workaround, if it happens.

I'd want to deconstruct/make it simpler... let the consumer class router/AiMesh do the basics... and now AiMesh may require this.

OE