is it required Smart Connect enabled in order to have Wifi 6 enabled?

[jpthsd]

Hello,
I have AiMesh with AX-86U (1 main and 1 node). I split 2.4 & 5ghz into two different SSID xxxx-2.4 & xxxx-5ghz. It's been reliable AiMesh, Wifi .. Does splitting 2.4/5Ghz to two different SSID make WiFi6 not working (as I heard Wifi6 needs both 2.4 & 5Ghz to work)? Do i need to enable 160Mhz to have Wifi6 enabled or my current configuration/setting below is Wifi6 already enabled? Beside, does it also need to enable Smart Connect for Wifi6 to work?

It's been awhile I hadn't been much into wifi things since AX86U's so reliable/smooth until Wifi 7 came out and then maybe time to upgrade 6E,, wondering do I even have wifi 6 since AX86U is wifi6 router....??LOL


Thank you very much for everyone's input/help and advice!

Regards,
Jake

 

[Tech9]

Smart Connect and 160MHz bandwidth enabled are not required for Wi-Fi 6 to work.

 

[OzarkEdge]

Does splitting 2.4/5Ghz to two different SSID make WiFi6 not working (as I heard Wifi6 needs both 2.4 & 5Ghz to work)?

No. Smart Connect is band steering... nudges willing clients to the better band/connection when using same SSIDs.

Do i need to enable 160Mhz to have Wifi6 enabled?

No. WiFi6 is AX and WPA3.

160MHz bandwidth requires using DFS bands that are subject to RADAR interference... if detected, router is required by law to vacate DFS bands, dropping to 80MHz max bandwidth.

Beside, does it also need to enable Smart Connect for Wifi6 to work?

No, but try it... if your clients cooperate, its more elegant.

It's been awhile I hadn't been much into wifi things since AX86U so reliable/smooth until Wifi 7 coming out and thinking maybe time to upgrade 6E and wonderin do I even have wifi 6 since AX86U is wifi6 router....

AX is WiFi6.

WiFi7 is BE and adds 6GHz band... weaker penetration/range. Keep using your WiFi6 gear.

OE

 

[Tech9]

so reliable/smooth until Wifi 7 came

Don't do the mistake replacing your working well 2x RT-AX86U with 2x RT-BE86U. Your routers run on more mature and stable firmware and dual-band Wi-Fi 7 won't give you any significant improvements in user experience on mobile devices. Your return of investment will be somewhere between minimal and zero. Dual-band Wi-Fi 7 routers have the same band restrictions as dual-band Wi-Fi 6 routers.

 

[bbunge]

You do not need WPA3 for AX.
Using Dual Band SmartConnect does have advantages by allowing clients to connect to the best WIFI band present at that time. Clients can change bands if needed. Using auto channel allows the router and node to choose the best WIFI channels based on your environment. I recommend and use 2.4 GHz at 20 MHz, 5 GHz at 80 MHz with both on auto channel but no DFS, WPA2-Personal and Dual Band SmartConnect. My backhaul is Ethernet with the AiMesh settings all on defaults.
As @Tech9 said, save your money and stay with the AX routers. If you want to spend on a new router get an AX86U Pro.

 

[jpthsd]

Thank you very much for everyone's advice/response!

Yes!! My AiMesh AX86U network runs latest stock fw and very smooth and reliable ..... ..the oldest AX86U I bought in 2021 and second one was in 2022.!!