[Maylyn - Networking] ASUS RT-AC86U

maylyn

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ASUS RT-AC86U has finally arrived @ our shores, it was first debuted in China in early Jul and one is able to find it @ JD.com, taobao etc. Sporting a new BCM4906 ~ 1.8GHz dual core 64bit CPU from Broadcom. Armed with 256MB Flash and 512MB RAM and looking almost like an ASUS RT-AC68U. Is it the successor to it? Let's find out ^^

The ASUS RT-AC86U box (Front/Back)

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What's inside

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Correction over my first post. it's due to the renaming by the USB-IF organisation

When USB 3.0 became USB 3.1 Gen 1

Recently however, the USB-IF organisation published an article where they announced that USB 3.0 connectors capable of 5Gbps (SuperSpeed) would now be classified as USB 3.1 Gen 1. While the new USB 3.1 connectors, capable of 10Gbps (SuperSpeed+) would now be classified as USB 3.1 Gen 2.

USB 3.0 is now called USB 3.1 Gen 1 (Speed up to 5Gbps)
USB 3.1 is now called USB 3.1 Gen 2 (Speed up to 10Gbps)

1x USB 2.0, 1x USB 3.1 Gen 1, 1x LED On/Off button, 1x WAN, 4x LAN

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Also introducing AMAS (beta) for ASUS RT-AC86U first as well.

What is AMAS?

It's ASUS Multiple Access-Point System

Hi Everyone,

This is Wilson from ASUSTek, product manager of ASUS networking, and today we are happy to invite all ASUS router users to do AMAS beta test.

AMAS (Temporarily name) is ASUS Multiple Access-Point System, the core feature is to combine ASUS powerful routers to form a whole home coverage WiFi system with centralized control.

By ASUS internal tests, we found single ASUS performance router could provide extreme WiFi coverage for almost every standard house in north America. However, there might still some dead-zones in specific environment(e.g. concrete wall or large yard), so we design a powerful software upgrade for ASUS router buyers, by software upgrading, you can combine more than one ASUS performance routers to form a WiFi system.

When applying AMAS, don’t worry about losing any fancy and advanced features, such as AiProtection, Adaptive QoS…etc. all features will be supported, just the way you are!

There will be more ASUS routers support AMAS in the future, this beta test, ASUS releases RT-AC68U(Series product), RT-A1900P, RT-AC86U first. (Note: System must be the same regulation, do not combine different WiFi region models.)


Change log:
- Unlock RT-AC68P (RT-AC68U_9.0.0.4_382_16443-g9d1d1ee)
- Modify AMAS node on boarding process, allow secondary report available to primary.(RT-AC86U_9.0.0.4_382_16475-g37003b6)

For beta firmware and beta test guide, please download from:
https://drive.google.com/open?id=0ByEpTc0fDkeqLU9fbUlCSGhhaEU

It's open to anyone whom is willing to give it a spin and contribute.

The official thread is @ https://www.snbforums.com/threads/o...em-beta-firmware-for-rt-ac86u-rt-ac68u.40745/

Please post your findings and observations @ the official thread so the official ASUS TW HQ AMAS team can follow up accordingly.
 
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maylyn

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AMAS (ASUS Multiple Access-Point System) Overview

Setting up (Images in sequence)

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maylyn

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FAQs

1. How many AMAS routers could be added in a system?

We suggest less than 5 nodes, basically 2 nodes will provide extreme coverage for
different house types.

2. What models are going to be supported?

RT-AC68U, RT-AC1900P, RT-AC86U will be supported first, and we are planning to
support GT-AC5300, RT-AC5300, RT-AC88U, RT-AC3200 in near future.
Later, RT-AC87U, RT-AC66U series, RT-AC1750, BlueCave, Lyra and DSL-AC68U will join
this family as well.

Notice: For RT-AC87U, early version RT-AC66U (A1), RT-AC3200 will be limited support
with some functions due to chipset vendor limitation.
If you want to be early an adopter of up-coming model, please contact us.

3. Should I choose Lyra or AMAS?

If you are already ASUS router customer, AMAS will be the best choice, if you are new
adopter to ASUS, and want to have a life-style WiFi system with easy app control, Lyra
might fit.

4. Will AMAS work with Lyra?

It will be supported later.

5. Dose AMAS support WiFi roaming and band steering?

Yes, it supports ASUS in-house design roaming and band steering features.

6. Dose AMAS support primary router as AP mode(Bridge)?

Early Alpha currently.

7. May I combine wireless and wired connection between AMAS routers?

Yes.

8. Dose AMAS support IPTV?

Yes

9. Will AiProtection and adaptive QoS work by applying AMAS?

Yes

10. Does AMAS support dual-wan?

Yes, both Ethernet WAN and dongle WAN.

11. Dose AMAS support full functional VPN?

Yes, PPTP, OVPN server and PPTP, L2TP, OVPN client.

ASUS RT-AC86U in AMAS action :)

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maylyn

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Updated with AMAS setting up overview and FAQs
 
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maylyn

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Correction over my first post. it's due to the renaming by the USB-IF organisation

When USB 3.0 became USB 3.1 Gen 1

Recently however, the USB-IF organisation published an article where they announced that USB 3.0 connectors capable of 5Gbps (SuperSpeed) would now be classified as USB 3.1 Gen 1. While the new USB 3.1 connectors, capable of 10Gbps (SuperSpeed+) would now be classified as USB 3.1 Gen 2.

USB 3.0 is now called USB 3.1 Gen 1 (Speed up to 5Gbps)
USB 3.1 is now called USB 3.1 Gen 2 (Speed up to 10Gbps)

Article ~> http://www.usb.org/developers/ssusb

Connectivity options as follows.

It's USB3.1 Gen 1

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daniel_83

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sadly for me

asus router looking more and more ah beng and low class :(
 

xonix

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Basically that Asus version of the mesh network. They do handover good?

Beta just dropped this week only, must wait for those beta testers to post results and feedback here :s13:
 

alertz

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AMAS sounds promising....meaning we can reuse previous routers for a mesh network if i understand correctly?
 

xonix

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AMAS sounds promising....meaning we can reuse previous routers for a mesh network if i understand correctly?

Check the FAQ pdf in the Google drive link, only certain models are or will be compatible.
 

maylyn

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AMAS sounds promising....meaning we can reuse previous routers for a mesh network if i understand correctly?

Yes, ASUS is progressively rolling out to almost of their current ASUS routers less that those that are mentioned with limitation with the chipsets in used etc.

ASUS RT-AC86U and ASUS RT-AC68U will be the first two models to support AMAS first.

You can always refer to the AMAS official thread over @ smallnetbuilder forums. ASUS TW AMAS team are actively monitoring that thread.

Thread @ ~> https://www.snbforums.com/threads/o...em-beta-firmware-for-rt-ac86u-rt-ac68u.40745/
 
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maylyn

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Basically that Asus version of the mesh network. They do handover good?

No one can claim that theirs can handover 100% flawlessly, seamlessly and instantaneously. This includes Cisco AiroNet, Aruba, Ruckus, Ubiquiti etc and bare in mind all those i have mentioned are enterprise grade of cos all of these are more than capable to to handle hundreds/thousands connections per node/in between the nodes etc etc depending on the implementation and scale.

I can't totally comment whether that ASUS AMAS can do handover good or not good yet as it's still in the works hence beta phase and fine tuning is always ongoing.

The aim of AMAS is to extend this functionality to ASUS routers is that we are not sacrificing our features in ASUSWRT whom users are using it well and without getting any other mesh WiFi solutions out there to replace their ASUS routers and find that it's not serving them well.

From ASUS TW Wilson Deng's introduction on AMAS.

For all WiFi systems on market, you will need to buy 3 in 1 pack or 2 in 1 pack at one time,
and it cost lot of money. AMAS supported ASUS routers, on the other hand, you can buy one
first, and try to find is there any room in your house you want to extend, if so, then you can
buy another one to join AMAS network.

ASUS care about all our customers and new customers.
When applying AMAS, don’t worry about losing any fancy and advanced features, such as
AiProtection, Adaptive QoS…etc. all features will be supported, just the way you are!
 
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qrsy2k

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With the comex coming tml and the price for this is $299. Do u guys think this is a good choice? Wanted to use this as wired AP to my current AC88U and in the future set it up as AMAS
 

shawn_sboi

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Is this better than AC68U? Gonna upgrade so thinking of either AC68u or this. Will Merlin create a firmware for this new AC86u?
 
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shawn_sboi

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Managed to get the answers thanks to maylyn!

So for specs wise, AC86U is definitely far superior than AC68U which was release in 2013.

For Merlin firmware on AC68U. He have said that it won't be supported in near future. But uncertain about later.

So those who wants to use Merlin with this AC86U may have to think through.

Source: https://www.snbforums.com/threads/rt-ac86u-hit-the-fcc.38770/page-2
 
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