Question on Asus mesh setup

[hairymonster]

If they're in AP mode, they won't work as a mesh right? i.e. when I move from one part of the house to another the switch and handover from one XT8 to the other will not be seamless?

Not true. It will still be seamless. Whatever mesh system in the market is in fact ap mode. Just that mesh system is configured automatically without the need of networking knowledge.

I configured a pair of xt8 to be in ap mode before. For your information, after configuring the first xt8 as ap, the second xt8 will automatically sync to the first as mesh ap node. I was not able to manually configure the 2nd node as ap.

Feel free to meddle with your equipment but I think what you have is good enough. No point broadcasting the 3rd band, even if you could.

 

[Apex]

Yup that was what I was trying to say lol

So basically using the AX55 as a router for the two XT8 AiMesh nodes negates the use of the third band, which essentially makes having a tri-band AiMesh system redundant.. even though my AX55 purely just routing with the radio off. Not sure if switching to a tri-band router will solve this (but kinda pointless buying a tri-band router for this...

I also read older threads that mentioned that as long as AiMesh is used (even if it's ethernet backhaul), the 5.2GHz band disappears. Not sure if that was a firmward thing that was fixed, or an inherent issue here. If so, then changing to a tri-band router won't solve this

I use my XT8 on ethernet backhaul pretty sure I get 3 WIFI network (as I set different name for each).

 

[Gymrat76]

I use my XT8 on ethernet backhaul pretty sure I get 3 WIFI network (as I set different name for each).

Are you using a different router or just XT8's in the setup? I think then the issue is that AX55 is only dual band

 

[Apex]

Are you using a different router or just XT8's in the setup? I think then the issue is that AX55 is only dual band

I use Asus router (but didn’t add the router as mesh with xt8).

than I configure xt8 in ap mode in mesh mode.

Yah I think is because ax55 is added as one of the mesh node.

I Sold my xt8 because the web interface kept having issue for me.

 

[Gymrat76]

Guess I can try it following this: https://www.asus.com/support/FAQ/1043044/

If I setup both XT8's in AP/AiMesh mode, I'll still be able to do ethernet backhaul between the 2 XT8? The diagram shows them as wireless connect

 

[hairymonster]

Guess I can try it following this: https://www.asus.com/support/FAQ/1043044/

If I setup both XT8's in AP/AiMesh mode, I'll still be able to do ethernet backhaul between the 2 XT8? The diagram shows them as wireless connect

Yes. You can. Point to note. Since your xt8 comes in a pair, the 2nd xt8 will sync to your first xt8 (ap node). You do not have to do anything. Just wait for the blue light to turn white.

Make sure you set the ip of the first xt8 to be within the subnet of the main router.
For example main router is @ 192.168.1.1. Then your xt8 will be 192.168.1.2 as an example. Subnet is 255.255.255.0. Gateway is 192.168.1.1. Dns 1 and 2 you can put 192.168.1.1. Set the same ssid for both 2.4 and 5ghz same encryption pw and leave wireless channel to auto.

Have fun.

Edit: once sync completes, connect xt8 (ap) to 2nd xt8. From lan to wan port.

 

[Apex]

Guess I can try it following this: https://www.asus.com/support/FAQ/1043044/

If I setup both XT8's in AP/AiMesh mode, I'll still be able to do ethernet backhaul between the 2 XT8? The diagram shows them as wireless connect

BOTH XT can still support Ethernet backhual if you Connect it correctly. I remember i encounter some issue until I moved the XT node 2 cable connect directly to XT node 1

https://www.asus.com/us/support/FAQ/1035140/

 

[Apex]

BTW i think another way is

- use your XT8 as the main router.

01. make sure XT8 and AX55 are all no longer in AImesh
02. Setup and use XT node 1 as Aimesh router
03. Configure XT node 2 as Aimesh node
04. Verify if you can configure the 3 WIFI network.

- If the network coverage is good enough can keep AX55.


05. Otherwise add AX55 as Aimesh node 3.
- Verify if you lose 2nd 5ghz wifi configuration
- if disappear after adding AX55 means Tri + dual band wifi = UI lock at dual band configuration by design

 

[Gymrat76]

BOTH XT can still support Ethernet backhual if you Connect it correctly. I remember i encounter some issue until I moved the XT node 2 cable connect directly to XT node 1

https://www.asus.com/us/support/FAQ/1035140/

Thanks. I don't see a way to connect both XT8s by ethernet directly due to location? All the LAN ports terminate at my DB closet where my ONT and AX-55 will be. There's no way for me to connect both AiMesh nodes directly...

 

[hairymonster]

Connecting via ax55 lan to xt8 Wan port works the same.

 

[jonleelk]

Thanks. I don't see a way to connect both XT8s by ethernet directly due to location? All the LAN ports terminate at my DB closet where my ONT and AX-55 will be. There's no way for me to connect both AiMesh nodes directly...

The router needs to connect directly to the ONT, regardless it is in or not in an AiMesh, WiFi on or off. Once the XT8 is in AP mode, u have limited controls.

Another person in another thread is doing something similar, just that his old Asus router cannot form AiMesh, thus only using as a wireless router in the DB. By setting the Mesh router to AP mode, he also claims missing out on many features.

Unless u want to get another XT8 to join the existing 2 XT8 AiMesh, and place the XT8 router in the DB. Triband mesh is meant for those unable to run Ethernet back haul. Or run another Ethernet cable to where your XT8 router is to enable it to connect to the XT8 node Via the DB.


Dual band will be sufficient for most homes if Ethernet back haul is possible.

 

[kimura]

Is it true that there is issues in wired backhaul for XT8? My home is wired in some areas so not sure wise to use them.

 

[Gymrat76]

The router needs to connect directly to the ONT, regardless it is in or not in an AiMesh, WiFi on or off. Once the XT8 is in AP mode, u have limited controls.

Another person in another thread is doing something similar, just that his old Asus router cannot form AiMesh, thus only using as a wireless router in the DB. By setting the Mesh router to AP mode, he also claims missing out on many features.

Unless u want to get another XT8 to join the existing 2 XT8 AiMesh, and place the XT8 router in the DB. Triband mesh is meant for those unable to run Ethernet back haul. Or run another Ethernet cable to where your XT8 router is to enable it to connect to the XT8 node Via the DB.


Dual band will be sufficient for most homes if Ethernet back haul is possible.

Thanks. After reading up I think I'll leave it as-is. I don't think I'll need the additional bandwidth anyway. Would've been nice if I could get it done natively without all the extra configuration

 

[Gymrat76]

Is it true that there is issues in wired backhaul for XT8? My home is wired in some areas so not sure wise to use them.

So far no issues for me at all. I read about it but I think it was earlier firmware versions perhaps and already fixed.

The Web ui for the XT8's allow connection priority for backhaul, auto, ethernet or wireless. On Auto it selects the best signal and uses it, but I've set it to 'ethernet' for mine

 

[jonleelk]

Thanks. After reading up I think I'll leave it as-is. I don't think I'll need the additional bandwidth anyway. Would've been nice if I could get it done natively without all the extra configuration

That‘s why u could have save some $ and get a dual band Mesh.

 

[Gymrat76]

That‘s why u could have save some $ and get a dual band Mesh.

It was a housewarming gift by friends, so it's all good

 

[jonleelk]

I will check again when I am there the next time. Currently I can only confirm ONT is in the DB riser, router and starhub TV box at the TV console, and unlikely there are 2 network points at the TV console as this is a HDB 2BR BTO.

Update.

Went to in-law's place on Sun. All the above are still correct ... router connected through the only data point at the TV console to the ONT in the DB riser... but Starhub added moca converters to connect the starhub TV box to the ONT directly using the SCV cables.

 

[cheekies]

haha yes I have no issues. I'm just 'kiasu' cos I have two XT8's that are capable of tri-band but I'm not able to fully utilize it.

In the AX55 webui, when I go under AiMesh and select each mesh, > management > Enable Radio button, I can see that all 3 bands are activated. But there doesn't appear to be any activity at all on this band

Both the SSID for 5ghz1 and 5ghz2 are the same,is that why you can't find your third band aka 5ghz2 ?

 

[Gymrat76]

Both the SSID for 5ghz1 and 5ghz2 are the same,is that why you can't find your third band aka 5ghz2 ?

I think the issue is that I can only select dual band, as my main router is dual band. So there's no option on the main router UI for me to configure the 3rd band