How to setup ASUS RT-AC86u router

[OzarkEdge]

Many thanks Klueness and OzarkEdge for your prompt responses.

One thing I forgot to mention earlier is that I use two Devolo Wifi Powerline Homeplug adapters in a couple of rooms in the house where the wireless signal from the Plusnet (and previously from the N56U router) is weak. I have an ethernet cable going from the Plusnet router to the Devolo transmitter. When I am located near the Plusnet router and using wireless devices such as a laptop, iPhone and iPad, I use the 2.4 band of the Plusnet router. When I am further away from the Plusnet router, I sometimes have to manually switch to the Devolo wireless network. Other times, the devices automatically connect to the Devolo wireless network.

One thing I find frustrating is that the devices sometimes automatically connect to the weaker wireless signal so I have to manually connect the device to the stronger signal. Is there anything I can do so that a device always connects to the strongest signal?

I do not really use the 5 Ghz band on any of the devices.

When I was running the 56U router, I was not using the Plusnet router. I have an Openreach modem and this plugs into the Plusnet router (the modem used to plug into the 56U router until the router failed).

Once I am up & running, do I need to change any settings from their default settings?

Oh, and should I upgrade the firmware to Merlin?

Install the 86U router with stock firmware as your only site router and see how your network works before adding stuff to it.

OE

 

[Klueless]

I'll take that bet!

You're on. What kind of drinks we talking about? Even if I lose I'd be honored to buy you a beer my new friend. (That said don't be letting me down @Windsor-tg ; -)

 

[Klueless]

So it seems like the consensus is keep it simple and use stock to start with?

Having your SSID strategy mapped out before the actual install should make install a breeze (and let me collect a beer from @OzarkEdge : -)

On one extreme one SSID/password for everything (router, Devolos and all radio bands). The other extreme is a separate SSID/password for everything (each and every radio band, router and Devolos). Both are valid. (Most anything in-between is also valid.) Both have pros and cons. Both can be modified later as needed.

You could try to use existing SSIDs/passwords as much as possible to avoid having to reconfigure/login in all your client devices. Or you could go with an all new naming convention to force everything to reconnect all brand new.

Glad to hear you're replacing (rather than augmenting) your Plusnet router. A single router setup is simpler.

Cheers!

 

[Windsor-tg]

Thanks all for your comments. As also mentioned by @CaptainSTX, I have read in past forum threads that there are historical issues with the 86U router and specifically with the 2.4 Ghz band. With that known issue, I guess it will be best to have separate SSID/password for each band.

Is there something I can do whereby any of my devices will automatically switch to the strongest wireless signal? As I mentioned previously, I sometimes find that a device (e.g. iPhone) will automatically connect to a weaker wireless signal and so I have to manually switch the phone to a stronger signal.

 

[Klueless]

Paralysis by analysis : -)

Wireless access points offer hints as to their uh suitability. Those hints are codified into standards. Different generations of equipment may or may not support all those standards and different vendors may implement those standards slightly different.

Ultimately it's up to the client device to decide. Again, different generations, different vendors (and older iPhones have a reputation for being a bit uh recalcitrant?)

I think I'd start by making sure your Develo access point devices/firmware are/is up-to-date?

 

[CaptainSTX]

I have read in past forum threads that there are historical issues with the 86U router and specifically with the 2.4 Ghz band.

After using the AC86 for a period of time and determining the 2.4 Ghz radio is stable you can always change back to using a single SSID. Just keep in mind if you have a problem with certain devices staying connected it may be an issue with the 2.4 Ghz radio.

Also if your AC86 was manufactured in 2019 it may not be subject to the problem that I and others had with routers manufactured in 2018.

 

[Klueless]

The new router arrived yesterday.

It's been a couple of weeks. How did the setup go?

Once you get started I think you're gonna be surprised at how easy it was. I'm bettin' ten minutes or less : -)

Did I win my beer?

 

[Windsor-tg]

set up went well thanks. I have a seperate SSID for 2.4 and 5 Hz band.
I do find at times that my devices (laptop and iPhone) do not always connect to the wrongest wireless signal and so I have to manually change this.

I have not upgraded yet to the Merlin firmware. Should I look to do this?

 

[AndreiV]

I have not upgraded yet to the Merlin firmware. Should I look to do this?

Take a look through the Merlin website , it has all you need to know to make that decision.

https://www.asuswrt-merlin.net

 

[Klueless]

set up went well thanks. I have a seperate SSID for 2.4 and 5 Hz band.

So ... setup was a "non-event"? Did I win my bet (took less than 10 minutes)?

What did you do with the APs? Same SSIDs as Asus or different?