Optimizing Wi-Fi Network Using Two ASUS TUF AX4200 Routers with Ethernet Backhaul: Channel Analysis and Manual vs. Auto Mode Configuration

[deed]

Hello!
I recently faced the need to optimize my Wi-Fi network at home. I’m using two ASUS TUF AX4200 routers located in different rooms, about 15 meters apart, connected via Ethernet backhaul to create a stable Mesh network.

I downloaded the Wi-Fi Analyzer app to analyze channel congestion and found that, in the current auto mode, the router is using channel 3, which, according to the analysis, has very poor signal quality (one star).

This raised a few questions:

1. Should I switch the router from auto mode to manual channel configuration if Wi-Fi Analyzer shows that other channels are less congested?
2. How do I properly select a channel to minimize interference, especially since I’m using two routers?
3. Could Ethernet backhaul affect channel selection, or does it not matter?
4. What other settings should I configure to improve signal quality and network stability?

I’d appreciate any advice or recommendations from those who have dealt with a similar situation or have experience setting up ASUS routers in a Mesh network.

Thanks in advance!

 

[bbunge]

Hello!
I recently faced the need to optimize my Wi-Fi network at home. I’m using two ASUS TUF AX4200 routers located in different rooms, about 15 meters apart, connected via Ethernet backhaul to create a stable Mesh network.

I downloaded the Wi-Fi Analyzer app to analyze channel congestion and found that, in the current auto mode, the router is using channel 3, which, according to the analysis, has very poor signal quality (one star).

This raised a few questions:

1. Should I switch the router from auto mode to manual channel configuration if Wi-Fi Analyzer shows that other channels are less congested?
2. How do I properly select a channel to minimize interference, especially since I’m using two routers?
3. Could Ethernet backhaul affect channel selection, or does it not matter?
4. What other settings should I configure to improve signal quality and network stability?

I’d appreciate any advice or recommendations from those who have dealt with a similar situation or have experience setting up ASUS routers in a Mesh network.

Thanks in advance!

The WIFI Analyzer app may not be telling the whole story. But, it is fun to look at to make sure your WIFI is working.
Trust your router to select the best WIFI channels. Ok, I've fiddled with channels and bandwidth for years and every time I've changed a setting some client does not work and I have to reconnect it.
With Ethernet backhaul on AiMesh, I would recommend to use Dual Band SmartConnect, WPA2-Personal, Auto channel on both bands, no DFS, 20 MHz on 2.4 GHz and 80 MHz on 5 GHz. This will give you the best range and compatibility with older clients.
As for AiMesh, leave the settings at default. I recommend not using Ethernet Backhaul Mode and not using the 2.5 Gb ports for backhaul unless you have a tested CAT5e or better cable. If the node acts wonky go back to a 1 Gb port on each end. And let the clients connect to the router or mesh node. Give the network time to settle in after changing things.
As for DFS, if you are in an area that does not get hit by RADAR, try turning it on and see if you have issues.
Pushing 160 MHz will lower the range of the 5 GHz signal. I know everyone is pushing high bandwidth but my network works just fine at 80 MHz with rock solid connections.
Best of luck!

 

[tgl]

I tend to treat "auto" channel selections with suspicion: I've seen too much gear that makes poor choices, probably because the marketing department made the engineers tune it for flashy numbers rather than reliability. Trust but verify, to quote an old political slogan. If you leave the routers on auto, do they select non-overlapping channels? Do they constantly bounce around to different channels in a probably-vain search for clear air? If their choices don't look sane to you, it's probably because they aren't.

It's hard to give advice more specific than that with so little info about your situation. Do you have lots of wifi-using neighbors nearby? If so you're going to be constrained by what they're doing, and you should probably assume that the 2.4GHz band is a lost cause.

In a multi-AP setup it's usually worth turning the APs' transmit power down, counterintuitively enough. This encourages clients to roam to the nearer AP, whereas if you leave it on "high" they may well stick to the further AP because they can hear it just fine. Sadly, the further AP can't hear them so well, because clients invariably have transmit power much less than an AP's maximum. That leads to lousy performance due to retransmissions, as well as frequent dropped connections. You'll need to experiment to see what a good setting is for your particular situation, but I'd start out lower not higher.

I'm bemused by @bbunge 's recommendation to turn off ethernet backhaul mode. You really don't want the routers deciding to use wireless backhaul.

 

[Tech9]

I downloaded the Wi-Fi Analyzer app to analyze channel congestion and found that, in the current auto mode, the router is using channel 3, which, according to the analysis, has very poor signal quality (one star).

Wi-Fi Analyzer app doesn't show channel utilization and "congestion". Mostly useless tool. AiMesh uses the same channels for all "meshed" routers and has very limited network tuning options. Use fixed channels on both bands, non-DFS range on 5GHz and it is what it is. Don't play too much with Asuswrt settings because you are only getting closer to the need to reset your system and start over.

 

[deed]

I have a lot of networks in 2.4ghz, but it is used only for smart devices in all other cases 5ghz there are only 3 of me 3 routers

 

[tgl]

Right. So, pay no attention to which 2.4GHz channel it's choosing, because there are no good choices there. In 5GHz band, though, it's not cool that the two routers are both choosing the same channel, especially if there's no competition. Is the upper band (149-161) allowed for wifi where you live? If so, force one router into that band. If not, you could at least make them choose different primary channels within 36-48.

 

[deed]

Is it worth setting 20 MHz for 2.4 Ghz and 80 MHz for 5 Ghz? or leave 20/40 MHz for 2.4 GHz and 20/40/80/160 for 5 GHz

 

[tgl]

40MHz in 2.4G is a disaster: you have to contend with twice as many conflicting signals. It doesn't help that several of your neigbors appear not to have gotten that word. Use 20MHz only.
In 5GHz, 20/40/80 is usually the safe choice. The trouble with 160MHz is that that requires overlapping into DFS frequencies, which might be okay if you're not near any incumbent users of those frequencies, but if you are your results will be very unstable.