Mixing AiMesh models. Is the system limited by the unit with the least functionality?

[SDGTR]

I have an XT8 system with one main XT8 and two others as nodes. I'm considering either adding two XD5 units as nodes or one XT12 as the main router and using my current main XT8 as just another node. What I'm wondering is if by adding a lower-end unit like an XD5 the entire system will drop to the functionality the XD5 is capable of or whether the XT8s will still keep the same functionality and features they have now (dedicated 5G backhaul, etc..).

Same with adding an XT12 as the main router. Will the entire system be limited by the XT8s' features or will I get the full functionality of the XT12?

 

[tgl]

AIUI, the main problem with asymmetrical AIMesh setups is that the AIMesh GUI will only show you control settings for radios that exist on the primary node. So, avoid setups where the remotes have radios that don't exist on the primary: the best-case scenario is those radios do nothing, and the worst-case is they do something you don't want.

I'm not entirely sure about cases where remotes lack radios that exist on the primary, but I suspect that those settings are simply ignored by the remotes.

 

[SDGTR]

AIUI, the main problem with asymmetrical AIMesh setups is that the AIMesh GUI will only show you control settings for radios that exist on the primary node. So, avoid setups where the remotes have radios that don't exist on the primary: the best-case scenario is those radios do nothing, and the worst-case is they do something you don't want.

I'm not entirely sure about cases where remotes lack radios that exist on the primary, but I suspect that those settings are simply ignored by the remotes.

So basically if I use an XT12 as the main and the XT8s as the nodes or an XT8 as the main and XD5s as nodes, I should be OK and still have the settings and features for the higher end units?

 

[tgl]

Not clear which "settings and features" you have in mind. Using an XT12 as primary is not going to give the XT8s abilities they didn't have otherwise.

 

[SDGTR]

Not clear which "settings and features" you have in mind. Using an XT12 as primary is not going to give the XT8s abilities they didn't have otherwise.

Just for one example, the XT8 has a dedicated 5G backhaul. The XD5 does not. If I thrown an XD5 as a node into a system of XT8s will the entire system lose the dedicated 5G backhaul or will that only affect the XD5s?

 

[tgl]

Just for one example, the XT8 has a dedicated 5G backhaul. The XD5 does not. If I thrown an XD5 as a node into a system of XT8s will the entire system lose the dedicated 5G backhaul or will that only affect the XD5s?

I doubt it'd break backhaul from the other XT8 nodes. Whether the system is bright enough to configure the XD5 as "backhaul on your only 5GHz radio" rather than "backhaul on the 5GHz-2 radio you don't have", I dunno --- you'd have to experiment. I would not bet lunch on it working, but maybe it will.

 

[Johno]

I have an RT-AX86U with two RT-AC68U as AiMesh nodes and smart Wifi enabled on the AX86U. If I do an iPerf speed test using my iPhone whilst near the 86, I get about 860Mbps max on the 5Ghz connection. If I'm connected to one of the AC68s, I get max of around 420Mbps on 5Ghz. That suggests that the AiMesh uses the fullest capability of the mesh node that your client device is connected to.

 

[Tech9]

You are getting excellent speeds @Johno, don't be in a rush to upgrade.

Any recommedations for a cheap AiMesh AX router with good range

My AiMesh setup consists of an RT-AX86U with two RT-AC68Us as nodes. My broadband will at some point be upgraded to full-fibre with 1Gbps download speeds, but the RT-AC68Us are only capable of a max of around 420Mbps download so I wanted to replace them with AX routers so that I get similar...

www.snbforums.com

Wait and see after the ISP plan upgrade if you really need to spend more money on upgrades right now.

 

[Johno]

You are getting excellent speeds @Johno, don't be in a rush to upgrade.

Any recommedations for a cheap AiMesh AX router with good range

My AiMesh setup consists of an RT-AX86U with two RT-AC68Us as nodes. My broadband will at some point be upgraded to full-fibre with 1Gbps download speeds, but the RT-AC68Us are only capable of a max of around 420Mbps download so I wanted to replace them with AX routers so that I get similar...

www.snbforums.com

Wait and see after the ISP plan upgrade if you really need to spend more money on upgrades right now.

Thanks - sound advice. My main reason for wanting gigabit FTTH would be for backing up my NAS to the cloud but my understanding is that the BT FTTH offering will be only 200Mbps upload so nothing approaching near gigabit speeds.

BTW, I see from your sig you're using a Netgate router - can I enquire as to which model? I've been toying with the idea of building my own PFSense router using one of those Protectli network appliance boxes and PFSense SE.

 

[L&LD]

'2000Mbps upload' is greater than 'gigabit speeds'.

 

[Johno]

'2000Mbps upload' is greater than 'gigabit speeds'.

Thanks, just corrected that typo

 

[L&LD]

I don't see that correction...

 

[Johno]

I don't see that correction...

 

[L&LD]

Yes, now you've corrected it!

 

[Tech9]

can I enquire as to which model

At home I use the older Netgate 5100, now discontinued. At business places I have newer Netgate 6100 units.

Current Netgate desktop models are listed here:

Desktop Appliances

Netgate is the official provider of pfSense® Plus products, the world's leading open source driven firewall, VPN, and router solution. Browse our collection of high-performance and affordable security gateway appliances running pfSense Plus and TNSR® software.

shop.netgate.com

 

[tgl]

FWIW, I recently bought a Netgate 4200, and I quite like it.

 

[dfunked]

Where are you seeing 200Mb upload speeds with BT FTTP? On openreach lines it's 110Mb for the typical 900Mb down package and 115Mb for the newer 1.6Gb down package that only EE are offering at the moment.

 

[Johno]

Where are you seeing 200Mb upload speeds with BT FTTP? On openreach lines it's 110Mb for the typical 900Mb down package and 115Mb for the newer 1.6Gb down package that only EE are offering at the moment.

I saw it mentioned in another forum, but after checking for myself, I see you're correct. Some FTTP services offer 200Mbps upload but they're much more expensive business packages.