Adding a 3rd Router to Aimesh Network (but not as a node)

[Deleted member 96408]

Hi all...I currently use an AX11000 as my main router and I have an RT-AC86U as an Ai-Mesh node. I read where I could have a dedicated gaming router (3rd router in my case) so I purchased a RT-AX1800S for that specific task. My problem is that I do not understand how to add this 3rd router to my current network, but not as a node to the Ai-Mesh network) so I can use it exclusively for VR Gaming.

Thank you all in advance

 

[degrub]

0) What is your setup ? 1) ISP router LAN ---> ASUS AX11000 WAN port ? or 2) is the AX11000 WAN port connected to an ISP modem or 3) ISP modem/router in Bridge mode ?

What issue are you trying to solve ?

You can add it as an AP attached via a long ethernet cable back to the AX11000 or as a router attached to a LAN port on the AX11000 or as a router attached to the ISP modem/router either in LAN or DMZ

Assuming you are using cables and not wireless for the lowest latency.....

1) Simple - Get a long ethernet cable (cat6) and connect the WAN port of the AX1800s to a LAN port on your main router (double NAT), OR
2) Get the same cable and plug it into the DMZ port of your ISP router if it has one. Beware, as that will put that router directly exposed to the internet the same as the ISP router ( if you have). Configure accordingly. You could also connect to a LAN port if available. OR
3) Get the same cable and plug one end into a LAN port on your AX11000 and the other end into a LAN port on the new AX1800. OR
4) Get the same cable, plug one end into the AX11000 LAN port and the other end into your PC LAN port. Lowest possible latency. OR
5) Using the same cable, plug one end into the DMZ port of the ISP router and the other into the LAN port on your PC. Make sure your PC firewall is correctly configured as your PC will be exposed to all the bad guys on the internet trying to get in.

If you are thinking to use wireless for all the connections - forget it . You likely have too much RF signal in the house and adding another WIFI source will only make it worse with overlap. You would have to set the AX1800 in Media Bridge mode to act as a wifi extender with all those issues. Otherwise, it will have to be another node on your AiMesh.

So what did this other site say about how to install the additional wifi router ?

 

[Tech9]

I currently use an AX11000 as my main router

Why don't you dedicate one of the 5GHz radios to the VR set? GT-AX11000 has 2x 5GHz radios. This RT-AX1800S is not needed and being the cheapest AX-class Asus router one can find - perhaps not good for gaming. Folks with VR sets usually look for Wi-Fi 6E/7 routers with 6GHz radios. What you need is dedicated Access Point.

 

[Deleted member 96408]

Why don't you dedicate one of the 5GHz radios to the VR set? GT-AX11000 has 2x 5GHz radios. This RT-AX1800S is not needed and being the cheapest AX-class Asus router one can find - perhaps not good for gaming. Folks with VR sets usually look for Wi-Fi 6E/7 routers with 6GHz radios. What you need is dedicated Access Point.

Yes, I do, I'm asking HOW to do that, step by step. Perhaps I'm not understanding but 2 of my routers are WiFi 6, the AX11000 & 1800s. Sorry, I just don't know enough to figure it out, you would think that with 35Years experience in IT including 23 years as a Consultant / Software Developer I would know this stuff..

 

[Tech9]

Just use one of the available on GT-AX11000 5GHz radios with the VR set as a single client. If the VR set is too far from it - you can use the new router in AP Mode with the VR set as single client. Ethernet connection from the main router to the new router is needed for this. Another AX router may not help since it will share the available bandwidth with other routers on the same channels, your own or used by neighbors' around. Folks with VP sets use AXE routers with 6GHz band to avoid this. Not sure why did you buy this RT-AX1800S in first place. Definitely not the right device for your needs.