Linksys E Series WiFi 6 Easy Mesh Router: E9450, E8450 and E7350

[xiaofan]

Linksys Singapore now offers three E series AX router now (in 2022/2023): E9450, E8450 and E7350
https://www.linksys.com/sg/for-home/products/wifi-routers/

1. Linksys E9450 AX5400
Linksys SG site for E9450
https://www.linksys.com/sg/support-article/?articleNum=317547

News:
https://www.hardwarezone.com.sg/tec...e-linksys-s-new-wi-fi-6-e9450-easymesh-router

Linksys E9450-SG launch, now exclusive to SingTel.
https://www.linksys.com/support-article?articleNum=318830
Looks like PS5 mini.

Singtel user guide for E9450
https://www.singtel.com/content/dam...routers/singnet/Linksys_E9450_Setup_Guide.pdf

Setup guide:


2. Linksys E8450 AX3200

The good thing about this router is that it is officially supported by OpenWRT.
https://openwrt.org/toh/views/toh_available_16128_ax-wifi

3. Linksys E7350 AX1800

This low end AX router has OpenWRT snapshot release.
https://openwrt.org/toh/views/toh_available_16128_ax-wifi

 

[xiaofan]

SingTel 11.11 offer at S$11 per month for new sign up and recontract of 1Gbps plan at S$39.9 per month, 24 month contract.

At S$264, this is a good offer for the E9450.

https://www.singtel.com/personal/products-services/broadband/eform/linksys-wifi6

 

[xiaofan]

Setup guide from Linksys.

https://www.linksys.com/sg/support-article?articleNum=317499

The Linksys E9450 WiFi 6 Router’s default mode out of the box is child mode. To configure the router’s internet settings manually, you must change the mode on the router to parent node.

It does support SingTel VLAN if you are using ONT.

 

[xiaofan]

Hands on review
https://www.techgoondu.com/2020/10/26/hands-on-linksys-e9450-easymesh-router/

 

[xiaofan]

FAQ
https://www.linksys.com/sg/support-article?articleNum=317469

* Can I add a USB drive to the USB port on the router?

No. The USB port is currently reserved for future use.

* Can I add a Linksys Velop or Mesh router as a child node to extend my Wi-Fi?

No. Linksys Velop and Mesh routers are not supported.

* What other products can I add to extend my Wi-Fi?

Currently, you can only add another Linksys E9450 as a child node

 

[miloaisdino]

Setup guide from Linksys.

https://www.linksys.com/sg/support-article?articleNum=317499

The Linksys E9450 WiFi 6 Router’s default mode out of the box is child mode. To configure the router’s internet settings manually, you must change the mode on the router to parent node.

It does support SingTel VLAN if you are using ONT.

linksys just using the reskinned stock broadcom firmware
which means technically can setup iptv on the same lan subnet as internet users similar to aztech..

 

[xiaofan]

linksys just using the reskinned stock broadcom firmware
which means technically can setup iptv on the same lan subnet as internet users similar to aztech..

I see. No wonder this looks very different from the other Linksys Smart WiFi FW from the EA series and WRT series.

 

[cochran]

this will work together with the velop mesh?

 

[kashix]

Hands on review
https://www.techgoondu.com/2020/10/26/hands-on-linksys-e9450-easymesh-router/

$399 for a mediocre ax router .... lol ... no thx ... topup a bit get AX88 better

Or get AX82U and save $40 lol better performance!

Posted with iPhone 11 Pro Max (Midnight Green) HardwareZone Forums app

 

[xiaofan]

$399 for a mediocre ax router .... lol ... no thx ... topup a bit get AX88 better

Or get AX82U and save $40 lol better performance!

It will of course not selling well at the S$399 SRP. But SRP is just SRP and the real street price will be lower. I expect it to be below S$359 price of Asus RT-AX82U.

For example, Asus RT-AX88U SRP is S$599 but the real selling price is S$459 without promotion.

And SingTel has 11.11 offer for the E9450 at S$11 per month for 24 month (new sign up or recontract of 1Gbps at S$39.9 per month) which is a good deal. Of course the SingTel 11.11 promotion for Asus RT-AX86U at S$15 per month for 24 month is also a very good deal (seems to be for recontract only for 1Gbps at S$39.9 per month).

 

[kashix]

It will of course not selling well at the S$399 SRP. But SRP is just SRP and the real street price will be lower. I expect it to be below S$359 price of Asus RT-AX82U.

For example, Asus RT-AX88U SRP is S$599 but the real selling price is S$459 without promotion.

And SingTel has 11.11 offer for the E9450 at S$11 per month for 24 month (new sign up or recontract of 1Gbps at S$39.9 per month) which is a good deal. Of course the SingTel 11.11 promotion for Asus RT-AX86U at S$15 per month for 24 month is also a very good deal (seems to be for recontract only for 1Gbps at S$39.9 per month).

It was $599 for long time until promo prices then pricing adjusted. Very hard for Linksys, their products not as good liao and the review is really just so-so. Really no advantage to pick this over Asus.

Posted with iPhone 11 Pro Max (Midnight Green) HardwareZone Forums app

 

[hellsoul]

Anyone has any idea whether this router supports Ethernet Backhaul for the mesh? Meaning, can I get another mesh node (maybe of different brand) to wire it back to this router and run as a single SSID mesh?

 

[giraffey]

Anyone has any idea whether this router supports Ethernet Backhaul for the mesh? Meaning, can I get another mesh node (maybe of different brand) to wire it back to this router and run as a single SSID mesh?

Mesh softwares would only work within the same brand. But this is just the software to make things a bit more “automated” and “seamless”. But, you can still use different wireless routers/ap and set them with the same ssid and password

 

[xiaofan]

Anyone has any idea whether this router supports Ethernet Backhaul for the mesh? Meaning, can I get another mesh node (maybe of different brand) to wire it back to this router and run as a single SSID mesh?

Yes it is possible to use Ethernet backhaul, but you can only add a second unit of E9450 to form a mesh now, not other brand, not even other Linksys routers. Please read the above mentioned FAQ.

 

[hellsoul]

Mesh softwares would only work within the same brand. But this is just the software to make things a bit more “automated” and “seamless”. But, you can still use different wireless routers/ap and set them with the same ssid and password

ya, I read somewhere that can set up as the usual AP with same SSID. But seems like there may be issues with disconnections while moving around the house. Thinking of how to avoid this.. hmm

 

[hellsoul]

Yes it is possible to use Ethernet backhaul, but you can only add a second unit of E9450 to form a mesh now, not other brand, not even other Linksys routers. Please read the above mentioned FAQ.

saw the faq site too, seems like they have not add support for Velop or other mesh nodes as child node other than the exact same model. Sigh, not sure to get the Singtel deal for this router or not.

 

[xiaofan]

saw the faq site too, seems like they have not add support for Velop or other mesh nodes as child node other than the exact same model. Sigh, not sure to get the Singtel deal for this router or not.

It will not be compatible with existing Linksys Velop.

Supposedly EasyMesh is the way to go for vendor neutral Mesh solution, but it is still early in the adoption so EasyMesh product from different vendors may not be compatible as of now.

https://www.wi-fi.org/discover-wi-fi/wi-fi-easymesh
*****
1. What is Wi-Fi EasyMesh?

Wi-Fi EasyMesh is a certification program that defines multiple access point home and small office Wi-Fi networks that are easy to install and use, self-adapting, and add multi-vendor interoperability. This technology brings both consumers and service providers additional flexibility in choosing Wi-Fi EasyMesh devices for home deployment.

Wi-Fi EasyMesh uses a controller to manage the network, which consists of the controller plus additional APs, called agents. Establishing controllers to manage and coordinate activity among the agents ensures that each AP does not interfere with the other, bringing both expanded, uniform coverage and more efficient service.

2. How is Wi-Fi EasyMesh different from other mesh networks?

Wi-Fi EasyMesh removes the need to stay within a single-vendor ecosystem to provide the benefits of multiple AP (also called “mesh”) networks. Using standardized technology gives service providers and consumers more choice and flexibility.
*****

 

[xiaofan]

EasyMesh solution from other vendors. Supposedly certified product should be able to work together. But it is still early in terms of adoption.

D-Link
https://www.hardwarezone.com.sg/tech-news-d-links-covr-1102-easymesh-singapore
https://www.dlink.com/en/latest-news/d-link-introduces-wi-fi-certified-easymeshtm-system-covr-1102

TP-Link (the following product is for service providers)
https://service-provider.tp-link.com/home-wifi-system/hc221-g1/

Netgear
https://kb.netgear.com/000061556/Why-should-I-buy-the-NETGEAR-Mesh-WiFi-6-System

Asus: none as of now

 

[cscs3]

I would stay away for Linksys due to their poor after sales support. Especially their firmware support team.

 

[xiaofan]

New E8450 AX3200 Easy Mesh -- Edit -- this is not correct -- it is not an Easy Mesh capable router
https://www.linksys.com/sg/p/P-E8450/

FAQ, unfortunately it does not say it can form a mesh with E9450.
https://www.linksys.com/sg/support-article/?articleNum=317344

Edit to add: I was confused by the wrong description from Hachi.Tech, this is not an Easy Mesh router.