Unable to add RT-AC68U to mesh - what can this be?

[Mastiff]

This is just weird. I have an RT-AC88U as the main router in my AI Mesh (in access point mode, because my Windows Server takes care of all DHCP, DNS and so on), and I have a couple of the same router as nodes. I was trying to add an RT-AC68U to the mesh because I need one that can fit into a small, waterproof cabinet on the outside. But it just won't play ball! I first tried with Merlin and cable. No dice. So I flashed both the mesh router and the one I wanted to have as a node with the standard Asus firmware and tried again. First cabled, then over wireless. Still nothing. I replaced the network cable in case there was somethign wrong with it, and that didn't change anything either.

Finally I tried to add a spare RT-AC88U (I love those routers for stability, the 8 LAN ports and range, so I have spares that will last me a lifetime!) and that worked without a hitch. Does anybody have an idea what this can be?

 

[bbunge]

Standard recommendation is to use Asus firmware on the node, connect router LAN port to node WAN port with a good Ethernet cable. Should also work with an AP vs. a router. May have to enable WPS if it is disabled.

At times I have had to try several times to add my AC66U_B1 as a mesh node. (AC66U_B1 has the same hardware as AC68U)

 

[Mastiff]

OK, thanks! So I'm doing it the right way, maybe just not enough times... Did you reset the node between tries or just fire up the search again?

 

[forum_dyskusyjne]

With AIMESH WiFi connection, the MAX distance of 3m between Router - Node. Po połączeniu umieść węzeł w miejscu docelowym.

 

[Mastiff]

The distance was about 30 centimeters. They were standing on the same shelf.

 

[Mastiff]

I think I'll give it up. I have had it running while working at my home office, and every time it comes to 90 %, counts the last ten in a few seconds and fails. At least 20 attempts now, every other time wired and wireless. There has to be something weird about this device.

 

[forum_dyskusyjne]

Try send log to Asus and describe problem...

 

[Ronald Schwerer]

I've had similar issues adding (re-adding) some 68U's as nodes. I've been running AiMesh with several 68U's for many years, so I'm familiar with setting them up. But recently, after a firmware upgrade to most recent ASUS firmware and factory reset, I just couldn't get it to be found. Tried everything including wired. No go. My old, last ditch trick finally did it. On the node (only) I fell back to old firmware (I happened to have Merlin 384.19 handy) and it paired first time I tried. Since this is a frequently mentioned problem with the RT-AC68U, I suspect there is some inherent incompatibility in newer firmware with these routers and AiMesh setup.

 

[Mastiff]

@Ronald Schwerer Thank you very much! That worked! I found that version on the Merlin site and it was in on my first attempt!

Edit: Upgrading to the latest firmware after pairing seems to work without a hitch, so it is only the pairing itself that is messed up. I'll just try to remember that and keep the old firmware on my disk for when I need to do that!