WiFi 7 routers (including WiFi 7 routers without 6GHz band support)

[Apparatus]

How to best use the TP-LINK WiFi 7 Archer 900 BE24000 and the eb810v WiFi 7 BE22000 router?

Price of Archer 900 at Shopee is $859.14

https://shopee.sg/TP-LINK-BE24000-Q...de&xptdk=3cf592d9-2676-47e3-b47b-bd15ec0b34de

I'm comparing to the eb810v WiFi 7 router provided by SH

PROS

1) Quad-band with higher wireless speed at 24Gbps vs tri-band 22Gbps (eb810v)
2) Has 1x10GE WAN/LAN port + 1×10G SFP+/RJ45 Combo WAN/LAN vs 1×10GE/SFP+ Combo WAN port, 1×10G LAN port (eb810v). Note that the SFP+ port is not in use for the eb810v so effectively it has only 1x10GE WAN and 1x10GE LAN ports
3) Has HomeShield vs No HomeShield (eb810v)
4) Has EasyMesh for both

CONS

1) No VLAN for both
2) More expensive for the Archer BE900
3) Looks like TP-LINK has no support for 5G tethering via its USB port...only 3G/4G unlike ASUS which supports 4G/5G tethering
4) EasyMesh don't support ethernet backhaul for both, read below
https://www.tp-link.com/au/support/faq/3749/
https://community.tp-link.com/en/home/forum/topic/593722?sortDir=ASC&page=1

The advantages I can see in the Archer 900 (similalry for the DECO BE85/95 using Deco Mesh) over the eb810v is that it has support for SFP+ which opens up a slew of devices having SFP+ ports. Too bad the SFP+ port in the eb810v is not in use. Using a switch with SFP+/RJ45 ports allows the 2nd Archer 900 router (node) to connect using AOC via the SFP+ ports of both router and switch. Also, the 2x10G WAN/LAN ports can be used as LAN ports. This allows the 2nd router (node) to set as AP and connect to the switch using ethernet backhaul via its SFP+ LAN port with AOC. The other LAN port on the 2nd router (node) can connect downstream to your 10G PC using RJ45 CAT 6a/7 cable

Set Up

ONT === RJ45 ===> 10G WAN Archer 900 router
Archer 900 router 10G SPF+ LAN ===> 10G SPF+/RJ45 switch === AOC ===> 10G SFP+ LAN Archer 900 node (set as AP)
Archer 900 node 10G LAN RJ45 ===> 10G PC
Switch === RJ45 ===> 10G LAN eb810v (set as AP)

Both the Archer 900 node and eb810v can be set as APs using ethernet backhaul to the switch. Seamless roaming should be there since both routers are using EashMesh. No need the use of PoE here.

The presence of HomeShield in the Archer 900 adds minimal security although having paid HomeShield Pro will offer greater protection

Please comment whether the above set up is possible. Thanks

 

[Singrish]

Anyone tried using a quad band and tri band asus router to set up AImesh in wired backhaul mode?

Xiaofan suggested BE98 & BE96 which is cheaper than two BE98. My only concern was i read about issues with AImesh when both routers are different band.

Just that I wasn’t sure if the issued was cos they were using wireless backhaul or even if wired also cannot.

 

[xiaofan]

Anyone tried using a quad band and tri band asus router to set up AImesh in wired backhaul mode?

Xiaofan suggested BE98 & BE96 which is cheaper than two BE98. My only concern was i read about issues with AImesh when both routers are different band.

Just that I wasn’t sure if the issued was cos they were using wireless backhaul or even if wired also cannot.

Wired backhaul should be okay.

Or you can just use 2 x RT-BE96U when it is available, you do not really need ROG GT-BE98 since you can use Ethernet backhaul.

The newly launched ZenWiFi BQ 16 quad-band is another choice at S$899 for 1-pack (dual-pack should be available soon).

 

[Singrish]

Wired backhaul should be okay.

Or you can just use 2 x RT-BE96U when it is available, you do not really need ROG GT-BE98 since you can use Ethernet backhaul.

The newly launched ZenWiFi BQ 16 quad-band is another choice at S$899 for 1-pack (dual-pack should be available soon).

Was told ZenWifi performance not as good compared to two actual routers in AImesh mode

 

[xiaofan]

Was told ZenWifi performance not as good compared to two actual routers in AImesh mode

This is indeed true for comparable ZenWiFi model and non-ZenWiFi models.

However, Asus ZenWiFi BQ16 (quad-band BE25000) is quite a bit cheaper than GT-BE98 (quad-band BE25000, S$1099). Not so sure about the launching price of RT-BE96U triband BE19000 in Singapore but it may well be similar to BE16 at S$899.

 

[Singrish]

This is indeed true for comparable ZenWiFi model and non-ZenWiFi models.

However, Asus ZenWiFi BQ16 (quad-band BE25000) is quite a bit cheaper than GT-BE98 (quad-band BE25000, S$1099). Not so sure about the launching price of RT-BE96U triband BE19000 in Singapore but it may well be similar to BE16 at S$899.

Not that i got tons of money to spare but if BQ16 is inferior then must think twice if the money saved is worth.

 

[xiaofan]

Not that i got tons of money to spare but if BQ16 is inferior then must think twice if the money saved is worth.

Good point.

As of now I do not recommend to buy any true WiFi 7 routers from retail because of the high cost.

The following is what I write in the first post this thread.
4. Note: as of now in Apr 2024, other than the above three Telco bundled plan if you subscribe to their 10Gbps plan. I do not recommend buying any local version of WiFi 7 routers due to high cost and lack of compatible WiFi 7 clients.

5. Take note that I do not recommend other ISP users to buy these three models of ISP bundled TP-Link 10G capable WiFi 7 router from Carousell as the main router, due to the fact that you will likely not get firmware updates out of the specific ISP which bundles the router.

 

[Singrish]

Good point.

As of now I do not recommend to buy any true WiFi 7 routers from retail because of the high cost.

The following is what I write in the first post this thread.
4. Note: as of now in Apr 2024, other than the above three Telco bundled plan if you subscribe to their 10Gbps plan. I do not recommend buying any local version of WiFi 7 routers due to high cost and lack of compatible WiFi 7 clients.

5. Take note that I do not recommend other ISP users to buy these three models of ISP bundled TP-Link 10G capable WiFi 7 router from Carousell as the main router, due to the fact that you will likely not get firmware updates out of the specific ISP which bundles the router.

Unless top up for MR’s BE98 & buy BE96

 

[xiaofan]

Unless top up for MR’s BE98 & buy BE96

No problem to top up S$150 for MR's ROG GT-BE98 if you are okay with paying S$74.99 per month for MR 10Gbps Gamer plan with ROG GT-BE98 bundle.

As for Asus RT-BE96U, I will not recommend it in this year since the price is expected to be high (> S$800). Same for the S$899 Asus ZenWiFi BQ16.

 

[Singrish]

No problem to top up S$150 for MR's ROG GT-BE98 if you are okay with paying S$74.99 per month for MR 10Gbps Gamer plan with ROG GT-BE98 bundle.

As for Asus RT-BE96U, I will not recommend it in this year since the price is expected to be high (> S$800). Same for the S$899 Asus ZenWiFi BQ16.

Im not a gamer just that i have a feeling even with the top up and $74.98 monthly the cost will be cheaper than buying BE98 off the shelf.

 

[-Sora-]

Assuming you don't care for the gamer plan,

normal 10Gbps plan with referral code from friend= $54.99/mth + $50 for Tp-link BE805,

vs GAMER 10Gbps with Asus ROG GT-BE98 router plan= $74.99/mth + $150.

$20 * 24 + $100 = $580 (Total difference)

With the difference being this big its kind of hard to justify getting the Asus even though probably everybody is willing to pay maybe a $100-$300 premium for Asus.

 

[xiaofan]

Im not a gamer just that i have a feeling even with the top up and $74.98 monthly the cost will be cheaper than buying BE98 off the shelf.

Take note there may be MR subscribers who use this as a chance to offload the ROG GT-BE98 to offset the S$74.99 monthly fee.

I am not good at finding lobangs and I am not going to predict the offload price of GT-BE98 in Carousell. But you can do the math with different assumptions to see which is the best way to go for you.

 

[xiaofan]

About the router if no wifi 7 device can turn on MLO or off?

Better turn off in that case.

 

[xiaofan]

2.4ghz and 5ghz the channel put auto or?

It will depend on your environment. Usually I put 2.4GHz as auto (no point optimizing as there are too many interferences) and 20MHz channel bandwidth. For 5GHz I use WiFi analyzer to choose the best channel. I have two wireless router now, one use CH60 (20/40/80 MHz channel bandwidth, sometimes I enable 160MHz as well) and the other CH153 (20/40/80 MHz channel bandwidth). But I will check the things from time to time to see if things change or not.

I will suggest you use Auto first to see how it goes.

Reference:
1) Apple: Recommended settings for Wi-Fi routers and access points
https://support.apple.com/en-us/102766

2) Intel: Guide to Configure Wi-Fi Channels and Channel Widths to Improve Network Connection
https://www.intel.com/content/www/u...989/wireless/intel-killer-wi-fi-products.html

 

[Singrish]

It will depend on your environment. Usually I put 2.4GHz as auto (no point optimizing as there are too many interferences) and 20MHz channel bandwidth. For 5GHz I use WiFi analyzer to choose the best channel. I have two wireless router now, one use CH60 (20/40/80 MHz channel bandwidth, sometimes I enable 160MHz as well) and the other CH153 (20/40/80 MHz channel bandwidth). But I will check the things from time to time to see if things change or not.

I will suggest you use Auto first to see how it goes.

Reference:
1) Apple: Recommended settings for Wi-Fi routers and access points
https://support.apple.com/en-us/102766

2) Intel: Guide to Configure Wi-Fi Channels and Channel Widths to Improve Network Connection
https://support.apple.com/en-us/102766

Hmm can’t say i agree with their advice to use single SSID. I did that long ago and my iphone kept “sticking” to the 2.4ghz band. Could tell cos of the speed.

Am currently using two dual band routers in asus AImesh mode. Both routers’ 2.4 band use one SSID and both router’s 5ghz use another one SSID.

I have no disruption issues moving between master bedroom and living room. Node in master bedroom hands off seamlessly to the main mesh unit in living room and vice versa.

And since both routers’ coverage is sufficient for whole flat, it never has to connect to 2.4ghz band. My IPcam which are stationery and only support 2.4 ghz are the only devices using 2.4.

 

[xiaofan]

Hmm can’t say i agree with their advice to use single SSID. I did that long ago and my iphone kept “sticking” to the 2.4ghz band. Could tell cos of the speed.

Am currently using two dual band routers in asus AImesh mode. Both routers’ 2.4 band use one SSID and both router’s 5ghz use another one SSID.

I have no disruption issues moving between master bedroom and living room. Node in master bedroom hands off seamlessly to the main mesh unit in living room and vice versa.

And since both routers’ coverage is sufficient for whole flat, it never has to connect to 2.4ghz band. My IPcam which are stationery and only support 2.4 ghz are the only devices using 2.4.

Yes this is a topic where people may have different opinions.

Your current configuration works for you -- so you can stick to it.

On the other hand, I will still suggest people to give Single SSID (Band Steering / Smart Connect) a go to see if it works for them or not.

Asus Smart Connect configuration:
https://www.asus.com/sg/support/faq/1012132/

I myself use the following strategy.

1) Asus RT-AX86U -- only 5GHz band, 2.4GHz band disabled.

2) Another wireless AP (seperate network) -- 2.4GHz/5GHz single SSID. I have used different APs in this network and I do not see many issues: TP-Link Deco M1, Singtel Mesh Router, Huawei AX3 Quad Core global version, Asus RT-AX82U and now ZTE BE7200 Pro+. But yes sometimes clients will switch to 2.4GHz when the signal is weak, but that is okay.

 

[Singrish]

Yes this is a topic where people may have different opinions.

Your current configuration works for you -- so you can stick to it.

On the other hand, I will still suggest people to give Single SSID (Band Steering / Smart Connect) a go to see if it works for them or not.

Asus Smart Connect configuration:
https://www.asus.com/sg/support/faq/1012132/

I myself use the following strategy.

1) Asus RT-AX86U -- only 5GHz band, 2.4GHz band disabled.

2) Another wireless AP (seperate network) -- 2.4GHz/5GHz single SSID. I have used different APs in this network and I do not see many issues: TP-Link Deco M1, Singtel Mesh Router, Huawei AX3 Quad Core global version, Asus RT-AX82U and now ZTE BE7200 Pro+. But yes sometimes clients will switch to 2.4GHz when the signal is weak, but that is okay.

Indeed no right or wrong. I guess if one has a huge house with insufficient mesh units resulting in devices dropping from 5ghz to 2.4ghz often when going from place to place then single SSID makes sense.

I suppose 6ghz range is even shorter than 5ghz but since mine is just 4 room flat with one unit in living room & another in master bedroom, my iphone will hopefully be able to be on 6 ghz all the way with seamless handover just like what’s happening on 5ghz now.

 

[Apparatus]

Indeed no right or wrong. I guess if one has a huge house with insufficient mesh units resulting in devices dropping from 5ghz to 2.4ghz often when going from place to place then single SSID makes sense.

I suppose 6ghz range is even shorter than 5ghz but since mine is just 4 room flat with one unit in living room & another in master bedroom, my iphone will hopefully be able to be on 6 ghz all the way with seamless handover just like what’s happening on 5ghz now.

If need seamless roaming then routers and client devices need to support 802.11 k/v/r. Of course the number of nodes must also be proportional to the size and complexity of the house

 

[vblues]

Based on @xiaofan recommendation I ordered this and it's finally delivered. Was expecting it to be a huge box but luckily it's quite small.

The supersized lugguage I brought is definitely more than enough to fit this in.

 

[xiaofan]

IPv6 配置 IPv6（WAN）turn on or off?

Since you use MyRepublic and it has no IPv6, just turn it off.

For other users:
If you are using M1/Starhub, turn it on.
If you are using Singtel ONT, turn it on to see if it works or not, if not working, turn it off (Singtel 6rd is not good, Singtel native IPv6 through DHCPv6 is not fully deployed so it may or may not work)
If you are using Singtel ONR, use AP mode and then no need to touch IPv6 settings.
If you are using MR/VQ/WC/SIMBA, turn it off as they do not support IPv6.