Asus vs Unifi vs ?

[2301]

"I don't know why you have 2x 5GHz radios enabled when the units are wired."

Simple, some devices connect to lower 5GHz channels, some to higher (above 100) channels. The devices are free to chose which band will connect as joint SSID is used, and it is working fine.
As Asus removed this options I decided to change the brand and as I have very few 6e and 7 devices my concern is the 5 GHz band, as already mentioned.

 

[Tech9]

So let me see... you have not really needed configuration with 2x 5GHz bands, got mad on Asus because of some firmware limitation and want to spend $680 on a new UniFi system which has 1x 5GHz band and 1x 6GHz band? Whatever was using your 2x 5GHz bands will be forced to use 1x 5GHz band and your very few 6GHz capable devices may eventually use 6GHz band... I'm sorry, but this plan doesn't make sense to me. I like UniFi, but can't recommend impractical solutions.

If you want to replace AiMesh with UniFi - sure, it works better, go ahead. If you want to replace your AiMesh for the reason above though - better spend $680 somewhere else. Find which one of your 5GHz band works better and disable the other. Problem solved for free.

 

[tgl]

As for the MIMO question --- very few clients are 4x4 MIMO, it's mostly 2x2. Now in principle a 4x4 AP can talk to two separate 2x2 clients concurrently, but that requires the AP and both clients to support that mode --- and again, very few clients do so. Maybe this will be better in a few years, but right now the only real use of a 4x4 radio is if you are doing wireless backhaul to another AP with a 4x4 radio. (Then you get 2X the backhaul bandwidth, which reduces the performance penalty of wireless backhaul ... but it's still less good than wired backhaul.)

Bottom line is that 4x4 radios today are mostly about inflating the marketing numbers for APs.

 

[ddrum2000]

I have one on its way

I will have 2 x GT-AX6000. Since both are Merlin capable, would you recommend both routers (main and satellite) use the merlin firmware or only the main router?

 

[Tech9]

I recommend starting with original Asuswrt on both routers. First, you come from different platform and have to get familiar with the GUI and available features. Second, your test brand new routers with original firmware only. Third, you flash 3rd party firmware only if you need something more than what's available in original firmware. Fourth, for better user experience go with small steps and keep it simple.

 

[ddrum2000]

I recommend starting with original Asuswrt on both routers. First, you come from different platform and have to get familiar with the GUI and available features. Second, your test brand new routers with original firmware only. Third, you flash 3rd party firmware only if you need something more than what's available in original firmware. Fourth, go with small steps and keep it simple.

Thanks for the feedback. I'm pretty familiar with running an alternative firmware on my routers and have for several years (tomato, dd-wrt, then voxel for my current orbi). I'm not worried about the action of installing them or setting up the router but rather just looking for some pointers from the community since I would be new to the Merlin firmware and Asus routers.

 

[Tech9]

You have my recommendations already. What you are going to do with your routers is entirely your choice.

 

[ddrum2000]

You have my recommendations already. What you are going to do with your routers is entirely your choice.

Thanks all of your thoughts so far, I do appreciate it but I don't think you answered my question about Merlin vs stock for the satellite. After rereading again, if so I missed it. Thanks.

 

[degrub]

Start with stock firmware to make sure it works for your situation. Reflash to Merlin or whatever after confirming and go from there.

 

[ddrum2000]

Start with stock firmware to make sure it works for your situation. Reflash to Merlin or whatever after confirming and go from there.

Thanks

 

[2301]

So let me see... you have not really needed configuration with 2x 5GHz bands, got mad on Asus because of some firmware limitation and want to spend $680 on a new UniFi system which has 1x 5GHz band and 1x 6GHz band? Whatever was using your 2x 5GHz bands will be forced to use 1x 5GHz band and your very few 6GHz capable devices may eventually use 6GHz band... I'm sorry, but this plan doesn't make sense to me. I like UniFi, but can't recommend impractical solutions.

If you want to replace AiMesh with UniFi - sure, it works better, go ahead. If you want to replace your AiMesh for the reason above though - better spend $680 somewhere else. Find which one of your 5GHz band works better and disable the other. Problem solved for free.

A bit of misunderstanding here.
I really need and like the 2 x 5GHz bands with single SSID, the devices can freely choose the lower or higher channels. The problem is that on latest firmware Asus does not allow anymore to use a joint SSID for both 5GHz bands. But allows a single SSID in triband (2.4, 5-1 and 5-2), go figure!

 

[Tech9]

I really need and like

There is no UniFi solution for you then. I don't see any UniFi APs with split 5GHz band.

 

[tgl]

The UniFi answer to this is "buy more APs, they're cheap". If you want to broadcast the same SSID on two different 5GHz channels, two APs will get the job done, and you can even spread them apart a bit to cover a greater area.

 

[Micgang]

A bit of misunderstanding here.
I really need and like the 2 x 5GHz bands with single SSID, the devices can freely choose the lower or higher channels. The problem is that on latest firmware Asus does not allow anymore to use a joint SSID for both 5GHz bands. But allows a single SSID in triband (2.4, 5-1 and 5-2), go figure!

I noticed this limitation on my 92u as well. I just roll with it. Ironically I recently bought and installed a Cloud Gateway Ultra, which I love. This is for my home network in a 2 story colonial with finished basement. I don’t have any UniFi APs yet so am using my Asus ax92u and ax86u in AP mode with the single SSID. Based off of Tech9’s comments I’m leaning towards 2 UniFi 6Mesh nodes when the time is right (maybe Black Friday?)

 

[2301]

recently bought and installed a Cloud Gateway Ultra

You're able to run both 5-1 and 5-2 GHz from Cloud Ultra?

 

[Micgang]

You're able to run both 5-1 and 5-2 GHz from Cloud Ultra?

sorry, the cloud gateway ultra is acting as my router only. The Asus APs are in a mesh controlled by Asus firmware/app, set in AP mode. My goal is to replace the Asus APs with Unifi APs so the Cloud Gateway Ultra can manage everything.

 

[Tech9]

You're able to run both 5-1 and 5-2 GHz from Cloud Ultra?

It takes literally 5 seconds in Google to check what device Cloud Gateway Ultra is.

 

[Kasel]

Hi everyone, I decided to ask here instead of starting a new thread, as my question is very similar to this topic.

I live in a 150 sqm (≈ 1,600 sq ft) single-level apartment (layout attached). It’s time to upgrade my old ASUS RT-AC66U B1.

Here’s some info:

• Current ISP plan: 300 Mbps (planning to upgrade to 1 Gbps, the maximum available)
• Router is located in a wardrobe (behind a mirrored door, which probably causes some interference) and is connected to my Synology NAS and one surveillance camera managed by the NAS
• All other devices use Wi-Fi
• Current speeds: BR1 & BR2: ~200–250 Mbps; BR3: ~100–150 Mbps (worst spot according to the app)
• Walls: drywall on brick
• I don’t usually tweak settings or use VPNs — just basic functionality
• The cheaper, the better
• Theoretically, I can mount the router on the wall for better coverage (though my wife might not be thrilled about another hole in the wall )

I’d appreciate advice on whether I should:

a) Simply buy a new ASUS router (RT-BE86U or RT-BE92U — is tri-band really worth it?), or
b) Switch to the UniFi ecosystem, e.g., UDR7 or UE7 + USW-Flex-Mini, or another setup?

Thank you!

 

[Tech9]

You have to choose between cheaper and better. Won’t get both. For proper multi-AP UniFi setup you need Ethernet wires to the AP locations. If single home router is enough - get another. UDR7 is the only AIO UniFi device comparable to home router.

 

[Kasel]

For proper multi-AP UniFi

I understand that cheaper ≠ better. A multi-AP setup will certainly perform better, but it is above my budget (US $350–400 max; I can get the UDR7 in my country for about US $320).
So I believe that a single home router is the primary choice in my case. The question is: which setup will perform better — new Asus routers (are they still reasonably reliable?), the UDR7, the UX7 + USW-Flex-Mini, or some other setup (for example, older models in a mesh with a wireless backhaul)?