"Add a Network" not working on RT-BE86U

[AsusUser999]

I just got the RT-BE86U and I couldn't add networks after the initial setup process. The "Add a Network" buttons in the Network section of the firmware didn't work.

In Main Network, it came up with a message saying the rules were at maximum and in Guest Network Pro the button did nothing at all. I'd created an IoT network in setup, so I deleted that to free up some space and... still it wouldn't create a new one.

So I switch to Merlin (I did a reset to factory after flashing it, as recommended to get rid of any excess rules)... and it was the same. Slightly different message "Your rules have reached the maximum".

I looked at each of the rules that were exposed by Merlin and I had 1 DHCP rule and 0 in any other section. Then I ran iptables -L -v -n and iptables -t nat -L -v -n via SSH and it came up with a lot of rules but nothing that looked like a hangover for guest/IoT networks etc.

Then I found that I could create a new network using the preset types on the right side of the Network area (Guest Network, Kids Network, MLO Network etc). All these seem to be guest-type networks though, not Main ones.

Strange... so I asked the AI about it and it suggested it's a fw bug. It seems strange to me that an obvious bug like that wouldn't be spotted and fixed by now though? So I searched the forums here - nothing. And now, as a last resort, I'm posting this to see if anyone else has come across this. Thanks in advance.

 

[AsusUser999]

P.S. I'm considering swapping it for the later RT-BE92U which apparently has fewer bugs. I bought the 86U for its CPU power for encryption but on a 250Mbps connection the 92U may have enough grunt? We don't have any Wifi6E or 7 devices yet, so the 6G channels would be unused and we'd have fewer 5G channels with the 92U... I have a couple of weeks to decide before the return window closes on the 86U. I do use 2 older XD4N nodes for AiMesh with wired backhaul, which seem fine with the 86U and should be even better with the 92U, so I'm torn. Any input appreciated.

 

[Dr.Cheeks]

I have a RT-BE92U and see the same behavior: you cannot add 'another' Main Network, pressing the button leads to "Your rules have reached the maximum". This occurs both in the most recent Asus and Merlin firmwares (I did not check further).

It seems to me to be 'intended', but also 'bad UI'... why give the button 'Add network' if you cannot (it seems) have >1 'Main Network'.

Also, perhaps it doesn't matter. I briefly added an additional Guest Network, with the setting 'Use same subnet as main network'... and that seemed to behave exactly as a 'additional Main Network' would ('full access to LAN & WAN').

Note I have very limited expertise in the more technical aspects on routing, iptables, and the such, so perhaps the above doesn't help much

 

[Ripshod]

The only way to have more than one "Main" network is to split bands. As @Dr.Cheeks has pointed out there are workarounds.

 

[Dr.Cheeks]

The only way to have more than one "Main" network is to split bands. As @Dr.Cheeks has pointed out there are workarounds.

Ahh, so because my Main Network already has assigned the 2.4, 5 and 6 Ghz bands, there can be no other Main Network. Or in other works: suppose I want a '2.4 Ghz only' Main Network, then I have to remove the 2.4 band from the 'primary' Main Network. Right?

In my setup I wanted the 'primary' Main Network to just have everything (all bands) available, so the devices could themselves work-out what works best for them at any given time. They're probably better at that then me trying to force them into something ;-)
Still, I did have some old device that couldn't connect to this 'all bands available' network. And when I create a separate '2.4 Ghz only' network (with "Use same subnet as main network") that did work. (I don't want to take out the 2.4 band from the 'primary' Main Network, because devices connected there should have 'all the opportunities', also in places where 2.4 Ghz may give better results then 5 or 6 Ghz, e.g. behind some walls, as I understand).

Well, whatever. Fascinating stuff.