TM-AC1900 Questions about QoS, AP use, and baseband.

[technima]

So I just got a TM-AC1900 and I want to use it as an AP. My first question is: 1) if the router is used in "Access Point Mode" with the DHCP server and NAT turned off, will T-Mobile's non-user accessible QoS optimizations for WiFi calling still be applied to the traffic and 2) do T-Mobile's firmware and baseband updates keep pace with the official ASUS RT-68U firmware and baseband updates?

Basically I'm trying to decide whether or not to load the ASUS RT-68U firmware and baseband. I don't need any of the extra functionality (like dual WAN) that the regular WRT, Merlin, or Tomato enable. I'm mostly worried about bugs and security holes and how behind the TM-AC1900's updates are.

 

[CaptainSTX]

So I just got a TM-AC1900 and I want to use it as an AP. My first question is: 1) if the router is used in "Access Point Mode" with the DHCP server and NAT turned off, will T-Mobile's non-user accessible QoS optimizations for WiFi calling still be applied to the traffic and 2) do T-Mobile's firmware and baseband updates keep pace with the official ASUS RT-68U firmware and baseband updates?

Basically I'm trying to decide whether or not to load the ASUS RT-68U firmware and baseband. I don't need any of the extra functionality (like dual WAN) that the regular WRT, Merlin, or Tomato enable. I'm mostly worried about bugs and security holes and how behind the TM-AC1900's updates are.

Using the stock firmware in the AP mode will support T-Mobil's WiFi calling. FYI based on the conversation I had with their tech support this feature only works or only works well when connected to the 2.4Ghz radio so don't add the 5 Ghz sign on to your phone.

Their have been no updated to the firmware for this router since I installed it after it was first introduced.

 

[technima]

Using the stock firmware in the AP mode will support T-Mobil's WiFi calling. FYI based on the conversation I had with their tech support this feature only works or only works well when connected to the 2.4Ghz radio so don't add the 5 Ghz sign on to your phone.

Their have been no updated to the firmware for this router since I installed it after it was first introduced.

I'm sorry if I wasn't clear, but I'm not really asking if WiFi calling works in AP mode or not. I already know that WiFi calling does work in AP mode on both 2.4Ghz and 5Ghz; I don't know what T-Mobile tech support told you. Unless they were talking about the QoS optimizations, which still doesn't make sense. And AP mode doesn't affect the ability to perform WiFi calls. My question is do T-Mobile's imbedded QoS optimizations still kick in when the router is placed in AP mode?

By the way, how long have you had your router?

 

[CaptainSTX]

I'm sorry if I wasn't clear, but I'm not really asking if WiFi calling works in AP mode or not. I already know that WiFi calling does work in AP mode on both 2.4Ghz and 5Ghz; I don't know what T-Mobile tech support told you. Unless they were talking about the QoS optimizations, which still doesn't make sense. And AP mode doesn't affect the ability to perform WiFi calls. My question is do T-Mobile's imbedded QoS optimizations still kick in when the router is placed in AP mode?

By the way, how long have you had your router?

I put it into service Sept 2014.

Running in AP mode I'm not sure that any QOS settings would be applied. However it is not necessary in my case as my FIOS connection at 75/75 has more than enough bandwidth for two people in a small home.

As has been reported on this site and I can confirm AC capable routers tend to have improved WiFi performance over older N only WiFi. Most of my connections to this router/AP and other ASUS hardware is by Ethernet. WiFi is used primarily for phones and tablets. A couple of phones and one tablet connect to the TM-AC1900 using AC Wifi and get great speeds.

The router has worked well with the T-Mobil flavor of firmware and since I am only using it as an AP I haven't bothered replacing the boot loader so I could switch to Merlin's firmware.

I got the router for free and I have no complaints. The TM-AC1900 is plugged into a UPS so I have never had to reboot it to fix a problem. I use three ASUS routers (two as APs) one running the latest Merlin. one running Tomato and this one and they all are equally reliable.

 

[technima]

I put it into service Sept 2014.

Running in AP mode I'm not sure that any QOS settings would be applied. However it is not necessary in my case as my FIOS connection at 75/75 has more than enough bandwidth for two people in a small home.

As has been reported on this site and I can confirm AC capable routers tend to have improved WiFi performance over older N only WiFi. Most of my connections to this router/AP and other ASUS hardware is by Ethernet. WiFi is used primarily for phones and tablets. A couple of phones and one tablet connect to the TM-AC1900 using AC Wifi and get great speeds.

The router has worked well with the T-Mobil flavor of firmware and since I am only using it as an AP I haven't bothered replacing the boot loader so I could switch to Merlin's firmware.

I got the router for free and I have no complaints. The TM-AC1900 is plugged into a UPS so I have never had to reboot it to fix a problem. I use three ASUS routers (two as APs) one running the latest Merlin. one running Tomato and this one and they all are equally reliable.

Thanks for the reply. I guess I'm going to be replacing the firmware and bootloader so that the router will remain up to date since that is mostly what I'm worried about.