Why is it recommended to have identical routers for AiMesh

[Spartan]

Correct me if I am wrong please, but I read that it is best to have the same routers or at least hardware capabilities when creating an AiMesh.

For example, if one has an ASUS ROG Rapture GT-BE98 as the main router and an AX86U Pro as the node, would the AX86U Pro impact the performance of the GT-BE98?

Let's say the GT-BE98 was located on the first floor of my house and the AX86U Pro was downstairs in the living room. My laptop which is right next to the router upstairs connects to the WiFi 7 / 6 GHz band wirelessly, how would the AX86U Pro affect anything in this scenario?

Please educate me

 

[bbunge]

You are correct, mostly. While AiMesh routers of different generations can be connected, it is known that the older routers with fewer channels and lower bandwidth in 5 GHz can limit the newer routers capability. You are, however, allowed to beta test combos of BE and AX routers and report to the group.
I will stick with AX to AX....

 

[tgl]

I have not used AIMesh in a year or two, but when I was using it there was a problem with the GUI only being prepared to handle/configure radios that are present on the primary node. If your secondar(ies) have a different set of radios you'd be out of luck. This is not a huge problem if your primary is strictly better than your secondary, but you have to keep an eye on it. I don't know if they've fixed that problem in newer releases.

 

[Spartan]

I have not used AIMesh in a year or two, but when I was using it there was a problem with the GUI only being prepared to handle/configure radios that are present on the primary node. If your secondar(ies) have a different set of radios you'd be out of luck. This is not a huge problem if your primary is strictly better than your secondary, but you have to keep an eye on it. I don't know if they've fixed that problem in newer releases.

This is what concerns me because my main router is WiFi7 with a 6GHz band while the node is only 5GHz, the most important thing is that the main router which is sitting next to my laptop is giving me the full speed, the node is just for mobile devices downstairs to connect to so speed is not that important.

I guess I will tell in a few hours as the ASUS RT-BE92U will be delivered in a few hours.

 

[Spartan]

So I connected my RT-AX86U Pro as the node and the main router, which is now the RT-BE92U still have the WiFi 7 / 6 GHz working just fine

@bbunge