Upgrade from RT-AC68u to RT-AX86u

[Tech9]

RT-AC1900P was BestBuy exclusive model for US/Canada. Not sure if it was made available in other countries.

 

[Nortonics]

Right. I'm probably in the best potential area to find such an animal - Minneapolis suburbs, home of Best Buy. I've located one for sure, and two others possibly. Waiting to see if I can get clear pictures of the backs to be sure.

 

[Tech9]

I wouldn’t recommend buying this router in 2023, but it fits your requirements, matches your existing equipment and may solve your range issue for $50 or less plus a little CPU speed upgrade. In this case - why not? Older tech, but with proven reliability. RT-AC68U is perhaps the most reliable and still popular Asus router. I call it the golden standard.

 

[Nortonics]

Tech9, you have been very helpful with your previous posts.

I would value your opinion of the ASUS AC3100/RT-AC88U (the 8-port version) as a possible alternative for the RT-AC1900P that we discussed earlier in this thread. Would this router get the same sort of praise you referenced with the RT-AC1900P? Would be used as the primary router in my meshed system. Still playing thoughts in my head...

 

[Tech9]

ASUS AC3100/RT-AC88U (the 8-port version)

Both RT-AC1900P and RT-AC88U have the same CPU. RT-AC88U has better radios and 2x more RAM. Both routers will NOT receive 388 base firmware and will have limited support from now on. RT-AC88U is un upgrade to RT-AC1900P, but only if it comes VERY cheap. I would replace RT-AC1900P with this one only if the upgrade cost is up to $50. New RT-AC88U in 2023 - not a good option. This is old already obsolete hardware.

Would be used as the primary router in my meshed system.

I would rather get another RT-AC1900P used for $50 and run AiMesh with 2x identical routers. At least we know RT-AC1900P is a very reliable router.

 

[Smokey613]

The RT-AC1900P is a very capable, very reliable unit. I used 2 for awhile before “upgrading” to a pair of RT-AC86U. I have since moved on to non Asus hardware.

My 2 RT-AC1900P units are still in service providing excellent service for 2 of my neighbors.

 

[Tech9]

The RT-AC1900P is a very capable, very reliable unit.

Not so capable in 2023, but very reliable indeed. I had one in my collection and it was my favorite Asus router - very good looking, runs almost everything and compatible with almost everything. Slow and steady wins the race. Some newer Asus routers run fast, but trip and fall before the finish line.

 

[doczenith1]

As a case in point, I have an AC86U that coded back in May 2022 but I was able to hit it right away with the defibrillator (fan) and bring it back to life. Translation...I noticed this in the log and saw the cpu temp in the GUI get into the mid 90's C. Prior to this I seem recall the cpu temps hanging out in the low 80's. With the fan we're in the low 60's.

May  9 18:27:01 kernel: thermal cooling_device1: turn off CPU#1
May  9 18:27:01 kernel: IRQ6 no longer affine to CPU1
May  9 18:27:01 kernel: IRQ28 no longer affine to CPU1
May  9 18:27:01 kernel: IRQ29 no longer affine to CPU1
May  9 18:27:01 kernel: IRQ30 no longer affine to CPU1
May  9 18:27:07 kernel: process 2565 (vpnserver1) no longer affine to cpu1
May  9 18:29:41 kernel: thermal cooling_device1: turn on CPU#1
May  9 18:29:41 kernel: CPU1: Booted secondary processor
May  9 18:39:01 kernel: thermal cooling_device1: turn off CPU#1
May  9 18:39:01 kernel: IRQ6 no longer affine to CPU1
May  9 18:51:45 kernel: thermal cooling_device1: turn on CPU#1
May  9 18:51:45 kernel: CPU1: Booted secondary processor
May  9 18:57:00 kernel: thermal cooling_device1: turn off CPU#1
May  9 18:57:00 kernel: IRQ6 no longer affine to CPU1
May  9 18:58:40 kernel: thermal cooling_device1: turn on CPU#1
May  9 18:58:40 kernel: CPU1: Booted secondary processor
May  9 18:59:00 (wg_manager.sh): 21032 Clients ^[[97m0^[[95m, Servers ^[[97m1
May  9 19:02:49 kernel: thermal cooling_device1: turn off CPU#1
May  9 19:02:49 kernel: IRQ6 no longer affine to CPU1

I rebooted and it did start working properly again. I immediately ordered an AC Infinity 140 mm fan and placed it behind the router with a red rubber band to keep it in place. My buddy wasn't so lucky. His 86U died and needed to be replaced. If you decide to get an AC86U verify that it works and then immediately add a cooling solution.

P.S. I still use an AC1900P for my camper router in the summer tethered to an Android phone.

 

[Nortonics]

Man, you guys are insistent! Your knowledgeable input is starting to sink into this thick skull... Okay, so tell me about the RT-AX88U - AX6000, 8 port. Does this newer router suffer any particular problems? I've read on here about some temperature concerns with numerous people opting for assorted additional cooling techniques. What about a used one?

 

[Tech9]

Okay, so tell me about the RT-AX88U - AX6000

Very good router with active support and still available new in stores. Similar hardware and performance to popular RT-AX86U. If you buy it used check 5-8 LAN ports. This model has reported issues with the additional internal switch. Big size router - takes much more space than vertical design routers.

 

[L&LD]

The RT-AX88U is a much older design that was superseded by the RT-AX86U (about two years ago). Try not to listen to users that don't employ Asus routers in their network and know little about them.

Both were dominated by the GT-AX6000 (around 6 months ago).

The 'pro' model is great marketing but hardly proven yet vs. the most balanced (hardware) router Asus has given us so far, the GT-AX6000.

If you need more than 4 ports, just buy a $20 switch instead. Don't base your decision with how many onboard ports a router has. Rather, base it on how fast they are (GT-AX6000 has 2x 2.5GbE ports for a true 2.5GbE network experience, both wired and wireless, with additional 2.5GbE switches.

 

[Nortonics]

Well Tech9, ya did me in. I'm now the owner of an AX-88U AND an AX86U in addition to my previous two AC68U's. Found a local gentleman with both and picked 'em up for a song & a dance.

Will work on exchanging things out and fiddling around over the next week or so. I sure wish there was a simple (or simpler) method of configuring the new gear without having to basically start over from scratch, as my present configs are quite involved and detailed. Oh well, I guess it will give me the chance to go over everything with a fresh mind. Yet I have this feeling I best get ready for some hair pulling sessions too.

Thanks again for your responses (other members too) - I think...

 

[Tech9]

This is a big performance jump over what we discussed originally. Happy networking!

Run stock Asuswrt 388_22525 firmware on both. It's newer and more stable than currently available Asuswrt-Merlin 388.1 firmware.

 

[Nortonics]

You read my mind. I have downloaded both and wondered about what to pick. I've never run Merlin before. I like a few things about it, but I also like the familiarity of regular Asuswrt over the past 10 years. I will take your suggestion and stick with it for now, and perhaps start following Merlin a little closer in case I may want to try it later. I'm going to rethink my entire class C private network in theory on paper first, and perhaps implement some changes based on past experiences and potential additions in the future. I don't want to reinvent the wheel more than I already have if possible.

 

[Tech9]

Asuswrt works better with AiMesh. You want Asuswrt-Merlin if you need more complicated VPN configurations or you want to run custom scripts. Everything else is available in 388 stock Asuswrt firmware including VPN Fusion - selective routing for VPN connections. Use stock Asuswrt for now.

 

[OzarkEdge]

Well Tech9, ya did me in. I'm now the owner of an AX-88U AND an AX86U in addition to my previous two AC68U's. Found a local gentleman with both and picked 'em up for a song & a dance.

Will work on exchanging things out and fiddling around over the next week or so. I sure wish there was a simple (or simpler) method of configuring the new gear without having to basically start over from scratch, as my present configs are quite involved and detailed. Oh well, I guess it will give me the chance to go over everything with a fresh mind. Yet I have this feeling I best get ready for some hair pulling sessions too.

Thanks again for your responses (other members too) - I think...

Me, I would use your new found hardware with minimally configured ASUSWRT for a short while to vet/prove the new hardware first before layering on your customizations... divides/simplifies the troubleshooting chore, if any.

OE

 

[Nortonics]

OE, I like the way you're thinking. Spent a few hours this morning reading here on the forum to learn what others have done, and possible areas I'm thinking of trying. The more I read, the more I said to myself that I've got a great system as it's presently configured (only took me 10 years to create it) so why introduce unneeded changes that could possibly induce frustration and swearing?

My conclusion is pretty simply what you've indicated. Take plenty of screenshots of my present configurations and slowly build out the system area by area, working through any problems before going onto the next step.

It's hard to believe that someone hasn't come up with some sort of an application that could probe the entire & current ASUS environment and create a detailed list of configuration details from A to Z Maybe something at the Linux level. Wouldn't it be outstanding to be able to export such a list at one system level and be able to import it at a different system level?! I keep thinking back to my career in Cisco networking where we could pretty much cut & paste most of that detail when upgrading infrastructure hardware. Sure would make life easier rather than trying to take screenshots of everything.

 

[Tech9]

With used routers keep the configuration on stock firmware and close to default for some time to make sure the hardware is working properly. Keep in mind whatever worked best for your AC68Us may not be the best setting for your AX86/88 routers. Things have changed quite a bit for 10 years.

 

[Nortonics]

T9, I can't thank you enough for pushing me toward the AX series routers!

I spent a few hours yesterday swapping out my two AC68U's with the AX88U and AX86U combo. Was as straight forward as anyone could hope for - absolutely no problems at all. And MAN, my network is SMOKIN' now!! I can hardly believe how much faster and smoother everything runs. My Blue Iris NVR system LOVES it too. And my WiFi coverage now covers my entire property with room to spare. I'm betting I will have full 5G coverage all the way out to the fire pit in the back yard. Interestingly my Internet speed test went up by 150 megs too, from ~ 220 to 373! And that's on a supposed Spectrum 300 meg plan - go figure. I am just tickled pink with the overall service improvement across the board. And that AX88U is just loafing along...

Thanks again, brother!

 

[Tech9]

T9, I can't thank you enough for pushing me toward the AX series routers!

You're welcome, but I actually never did that. You're lucky somewhat stable 388 firmware is available now. Don't get too excited. If everything is working - don't touch. Keep it simple. When a new firmware becomes available - wait for 1-2 weeks and read the feedback in release threads before you update.