RT-AC68U - newbie questions

[Russ64]

I have my new AC68 up and running in AP mode and have setup with 2 SSIDs, performance is good but I have a couple of questions as I am new to this modern wireless technology:

1. the AC68 is 3x3 but I only see 2 radios - 2.4 and 5, does N 5G share the same radio as AC 5G?
2. it came out box with firmware 376.3602 and I immediately upgraded to Asus 378.4585 - what would be the benefits of going to Merlin 378.51 running in AP mode?

Thanks

 

[sm00thpapa]

There are only 2 radios in the router and they both run at 3 streams hence the 3x3 terminology. Not sure if Merlin's firmware will improve the router in AP mode but it's worth a shot. Merlin works hard and his firmware is really good.

 

[coldwizard]

...

1. the AC68 is 3x3 but I only see 2 radios - 2.4 and 5, does N 5G share the same radio as AC 5G?

2. it came out box with firmware 376.3602 and I immediately upgraded to Asus 378.4585 - what would be the benefits of going to Merlin 378.51 running in AP mode?

Thanks

(1)
Band refers to the number of radios, so Dual Band means you have 2 radios. The 3x3 refers to the "number of antenna" x "number of streams". You also need to be aware that the client (laptop, ipod, phone, etc) that you connect also controls the connection. For example a laptop with AC 1x1 WiFi connecting to a router with AC 3x3 will only run at AC 1x1 speeds.

(2) IMHO, there is no reason to use Merlin for AP mode only.

 

[Russ64]

Thanks for the fast replies - I think I understand now.
So if all my N clients can connect to 5GHz should I turn off the 2.4GHz radio?
In my apartment 2.4 is really crowded (about 10 other routers sharing the 3 non-overlapping bands) but there are only 2 of us in 5Ghz, so easy to keep apart.

 

[sm00thpapa]

If you have no 2.4GHz devices than just disable it.