[Official Beta] AiMesh beta firmware for RT-AC68U/RT-AC86U/RT-AC5300/RT-AC88U

[Trial_Master]

Ok, then obviously it’s Secret ASUS Business and you can’t tell us, that’s OK, wouldn’t want you to break your confidentiality agreement!

But we were all USED to 192.168.1.1, we could type it in our sleep, now the whole foundations of our world have been shaken, or something like that ...

(Actually I came to using ASUS routers a few years ago after MANY years of using Billion brand, so out of habit I still always still make my router IP/ gateway 192.168.1.254, so I am already a heretic around here).

StephenH

That's funny I change my gateway to192.168.1.254 as well. I also came from Billion via Draytek.

I use router.asus.com now, it's easy and all my friends have ASUS due to me recommending and setting up for them so it's easy for me without needing to remember subnets. I deliberately changed some so they could VPN between sites and not have conflicting subnets.

Sorry for going off topic.

 

[arthurlien]

arthurlien, now that dirtyclyde has determined seemingly that enabling Telnet on AIMesh Main Router/AP also enables it on AIMesh Nodes, can you comment on this? Will same apply to SSH for Nodes? If not now win future? Or are there any bigger plans you can talk about? (And I understand you may not be able to).

StephenH

The stability is more important, we need to focus on it.

我從使用 Tapatalk 的 ASUS_Z012DA 發送

 

[drabisan]

arthurlien, now that dirtyclyde has determined seemingly that enabling Telnet on AIMesh Main Router/AP also enables it on AIMesh Nodes, can you comment on this? Will same apply to SSH for Nodes? If not now win future? Or are there any bigger plans you can talk about? (And I understand you may not be able to).

StephenH

I'm not sure I understand your question.
I only have ssh enable on router but I can ssh to node. It works with the same password as router.

Is that what you are asking for?

 

[Stephen Harrington]

I'm not sure I understand your question.
I only have ssh enable on router but I can ssh to node. It works with the same password as router.

Is that what you are asking for?

Yes it is, thanks! I thought I had tried it and it didn’t work on the Nodes, but I’ll try again when I get home in a couple of days. Thanks for letting us know.

StephenH

 

[Stephen Harrington]

That's funny I change my gateway to192.168.1.254 as well. I also came from Billion via Draytek.

I use router.asus.com now, it's easy and all my friends have ASUS due to me recommending and setting up for them so it's easy for me without needing to remember subnets. I deliberately changed some so they could VPN between sites and not have conflicting subnets.

Ha! Yes, that is pretty much my reasoning as well ... since I know I’ll end up supporting it I tell friends/family what to buy and then I only have one router gui to remember.

StephenH

 

[hotsauce2007]

Engineer is looking the issue as CPU 100% load now.

Thanks

I am using the AIMESH ROUTER in AP mode now and everything looks fine, except by the fact that the wifi sometimes drops and we loose the connection for a while, also the node1 and nod2 keeps showing offline/online and something they disappear , right now isan´t showing any one and the wifi is working normally

=]

 

[Stephen Harrington]

Thanks

I am using the AIMESH ROUTER in AP mode now and everything looks fine, except by the fact that the wifi sometimes drops and we loose the connection for a while, also the node1 and nod2 keeps showing offline/online and something they disappear , right now isan´t showing any one and the wifi is working normally

=]

Hi. I think you are using various AC68 variants and all on wired backhaul, is that correct? When you say “drops” do you mean wifi completely turns off across all AIMesh Nodes including the Main, and for how long are we talking? How often? Can you clarify for us all?

My 4 unit AIMesh setup is still in bench test mode and reading comments such as yours makes me want to hold off actually putting them out into service around the house (all will be wired backhaul) to replace the existing old N AP’s ... if Wifi is dropping out then I’d be worse off not better off, especially in terms of friction within the household. Perhaps the stability is not there yet, and arthurlien has stated above this is the focus for ASUS. What do others think about how ready AIMesh is for real world usage, bearing in mind it is still beta and all that implies.

StephenH

 

[avaholic]

Thanks Arthur. Yes, I have that printed out and was following it to the letter. Unfortunately, the main router node still cannot see either of the node units after clicking search.

Can you confirm whether the AiMesh functionality works if you have configured a totally different LAN network on the main router? As I mentioned, my network uses a 10.x.x.x internal network not the 192.168.1.x network that is the default when you reset the units. Please note that I also have tried setting up AiMesh prior to making ANY other changes besides WiFi settings on the main router and still received the same results.

Well I finally have these routers talking to one another. Unfortunately, like several others users, I too am experiencing continuous dropped wifi connections while connected to any of the 3 routers, either the main or the 2 aimesh satellites. Note that I have the satellites connected via ethernet backhaul. (Main LAN to Satellite WAN. Satellite LAN to other Satellite WAN.) There is too far a distance between the routers for only wifi connectivity that's the reason I wanted to setup a stable/solid mesh network...

Arthur - can you please clarify the MAC address settings for the AC68U? Are the 1st 2, (eth0 and 2.4 ghz wifi) supposed to be the same while the 5 ghz wifi is different? Several users have said they set all 3 MAC addresses differently while other posters have stated 1 and 2 are the same while 3 is different. Mine are set the first 2 the same and the 3rd different so perhaps this is why the wifi is continually dropping??

When I say continually dropping, I mean my Amazon FireTV Stick will be playing normally while connected to the Main router and then just drop for no reason for several minutes. It will come back after that but it happens over and over. Same while using a Roku TV connected to one of the Satellites via wifi. It works then it drops. I'll mention that I tested each of the 3 routers by themselves first and found them to be perfectly stable and basically providing the same bandwidth. So all 3 routers work properly by themselves, its only when connected using aimesh that I have issues.

 

[avaholic]

Avaholic, thanks for your long description of your issues. This is probably firming up in my mind that I won’t be rolling out my own 4 x AC68U’s as the main house wifi just yet, but keep playing in my man cave.

I had thought the Mac Address thing was settled - that in a stock AC68U the 1st and 2nd address were the same and the 3rd was different, +4 in hex. That is what I did on my 4 converted TM-AC1900’s. And all unique of course. As I’ve only been playing so far I can’t judge whether I’m getting dropouts, as I’m not streaming stuff through them, so no help there ...

StephenH

Hey Stephen,

Yes, unfortunately its just not stable enough for production use. I commend Asus for providing this beta firmware and am confident that they will get it stable **hopefully** in the near future. But at this point, I only have one AC68U in use.

And yes I understand that is what a stock AC68U has the MACs set to. But I'm wondering since I'm connected via ethernet backhaul if that's why I'm having dropped connections. With eth0 and 2.4 wifi using the same MAC one would logically think there would be some traffic collisions somewhere..?? I'm just wanting some clarification from Asus on how best to configure these things so I can create a great AiMesh network.

 

[Deleted member 22229]

Not to be off topic BUT. Asus should be focusing on fixing the mess with there official firmware for all there other routers before spending any resources on this fantasy build. There are many other mesh systems that actually work to be had.

 

[avaholic]

Not to be off topic BUT. Asus should be focusing on fixing the mess with there official firmware for all there other routers before spending any resources on this fantasy build. There are many other mesh systems that actually work to be had.

I only spent $40 ea for 3 - T-Mobile AC1900s that I converted to be full Asus AC68Us. The closest thing available now that would allow me to make advanced setting changes like a different network subnet, port forwarding, etc. is the Netgear Orbi (which actually isn't even mesh) for $350.

I'm sure that Asus has plenty of dev teams and are not only concentrating on this beta firmware. I've used Asus routers for many, many years and have always found them to be stable and work very well. Perhaps you should try Merlin's firmware?

I'm more than happy to accept your gift of one of 'many other mesh systems that actually work' if you're offering...

 

[Deleted member 22229]

I only spent $40 ea for 3 - T-Mobile AC1900s that I converted to be full Asus AC68Us. The closest thing available now that would allow me to make advanced setting changes like a different network subnet, port forwarding, etc. is the Netgear Orbi (which actually isn't even mesh) for $350.

I'm sure that Asus has plenty of dev teams and are not only concentrating on this beta firmware. I've used Asus routers for many, many years and have always found them to be stable and work very well. Perhaps you should try Merlin's firmware?

I'm more than happy to accept your gift of one of 'many other mesh systems that actually work' if you're offering...

Understood. And Merlin can only work with what Asus sends down the pipe. Just saying i really don't expect this fantasy project to ever be stable and work as intended. Sorry that's Asus history. They will continue and release alpha/beta firmware until they abandoned the project and leave all of you hanging. Because there are better ways to do mesh but they want more sales. What better way to generate revenue then having people buy multiple Asus routers per home. Good Grief.

 

[Trial_Master]

I disagree. Aimesh is working great here. ASUS now give you a choice, buy their dedicated mesh solution if starting out or if you already have some of their gear use AiMesh.

 

[Deleted member 22229]

I disagree. Aimesh is working great here. ASUS now give you a choice, buy their dedicated mesh solution if starting out or if you already have some of their gear use AiMesh.

I bid you good luck. I really mean that !!!

 

[avaholic]

I disagree. Aimesh is working great here. ASUS now give you a choice, buy their dedicated mesh solution if starting out or if you already have some of their gear use AiMesh.

Trial - Can you comment on my issues several posts above #548? Which routers are you using? How are yours configured? MAC addresses, eth backhaul, etc?

 

[Trial_Master]

I have an RT-AC88U as router and RT-AC68U as node. I just followed set up instructions in PDF, haven’t touched MAC addresses and units are connected wirelessly.

 

[Trial_Master]

I bid you good luck. I really mean that !!!

It is beta. Maybe revisit it when it’s released into offical firmware?

 

[arthurlien]

Well I finally have these routers talking to one another. Unfortunately, like several others users, I too am experiencing continuous dropped wifi connections while connected to any of the 3 routers, either the main or the 2 aimesh satellites. Note that I have the satellites connected via ethernet backhaul. (Main LAN to Satellite WAN. Satellite LAN to other Satellite WAN.) There is too far a distance between the routers for only wifi connectivity that's the reason I wanted to setup a stable/solid mesh network...

Could you tell me how to fix the issue as Node add? I tried different subnet in AiMesh Router and it still can add the AiMesh Node.

For the wifi connectivity unstable issue, could send the feedback with system log and setting by Feedback function for me?

我從使用 Tapatalk 的 ASUS_Z012DA 發送

 

[avaholic]

Could you tell me how to fix the issue as Node add? I tried different subnet in AiMesh Router and it still can add the AiMesh Node.

For the wifi connectivity unstable issue, could send the feedback with system log and setting by Feedback function for me?

我從使用 Tapatalk 的 ASUS_Z012DA 發送

Hi Arthur. I'm not sure what you mean by "Could you tell me how to fix the issue as Node add?'

I've been testing this evening with only 2 routers. 1 main and 1 node unit. I too have successfully connected the node unit while the main unit was using a different subnet so that functionality appears to work properly.

I think the issue I was having using all 3 routers was connecting them via ethernet backhaul. Just connecting 2 of the AiMesh units via WiFi has been stable for over an hour now. No dropouts yet... Knock on wood. Unfortunately, to reach the back rooms of my house, I'll have to be able to use ethernet backhaul for the connection so maybe that'll be more stable in a later update.

Can you please comment on the MAC address question? Are the 1st 2, (eth0 and 2.4 ghz wifi) supposed to be the same while the 5 ghz wifi is different? Several users have said they set all 3 MAC addresses differently while other posters have stated 1 and 2 are the same while 3 is different. Mine are set the first 2 the same and the 3rd different. Would having the eth0 and 2.4 MACs the same cause the issues I was having with ethernet backhaul?

 

[DummyPLUG]

Hi Arthur. I'm not sure what you mean by "Could you tell me how to fix the issue as Node add?'

I've been testing this evening with only 2 routers. 1 main and 1 node unit. I too have successfully connected the node unit while the main unit was using a different subnet so that functionality appears to work properly.

I think the issue I was having using all 3 routers was connecting them via ethernet backhaul. Just connecting 2 of the AiMesh units via WiFi has been stable for over an hour now. No dropouts yet... Knock on wood. Unfortunately, to reach the back rooms of my house, I'll have to be able to use ethernet backhaul for the connection so maybe that'll be more stable in a later update.

Can you please comment on the MAC address question? Are the 1st 2, (eth0 and 2.4 ghz wifi) supposed to be the same while the 5 ghz wifi is different? Several users have said they set all 3 MAC addresses differently while other posters have stated 1 and 2 are the same while 3 is different. Mine are set the first 2 the same and the 3rd different. Would having the eth0 and 2.4 MACs the same cause the issues I was having with ethernet backhaul?

I got 3 AC68U up and running for a week, all using ethernet backhaul which got some cisco switch in between.
The main using as AP had the same MAC for WAN(eth0?) and 2.4G, the remain 2 work as node had different MAC for wan and 2.4G. All 5G are with different MAC.
The ethernet cable for backhaul are connect to the wan port for all of them.

As a note all of them, keeps trying to access some Asus server so I had block all of them, but seems no side effect for AImesh.