ASUS ZenWiFi AX XT8 - 5Ghz-2 Backhaul

[Dodgydrains]

Really not sure if this has been asked before. If so I could not find anything.

I factory reset my units after the latest firmware update (3.0.0.4.386_43170).

After completing setup, the 5GHz-2 was automatically set as follows:

Authentication Method: Open System
Hide SSID: No

Is this normal behaviour?

I remember after the first time I setup it up, it gave a long string of letters and numbers for the 5GHz-2 SSID and password.

Also, is there a way to know if the units are using 5GHz-2 as backhaul?

Thanks

 

[Raven76]

When I had set up my 4 XT8 (with firmware 42095) I've had the SAME "issue" (not sure if it is): 5ghz-2 "open" (no password) and with SSID enabled (even the name was strange... some sort of Asus F0 or Asus D0, I don't remember).
But anyway the mesh system worked well, so I decided not to reset again and I simply:
- Renamed the Network Name
- Hide SSID to ON
- Set up a password

... and all the nodes continued to connect to the mesh system without any problem...


Look in the page of AiMesh: if nodes are connected with green line they are on 5Ghz-2 (on asus router app, you will see even better). The nodes don't use 5Ghz-1: only 5Ghz-2 or 2.4Ghz

 

[Dodgydrains]

Thanks for the information.

I have also done the same as you:

- Hide SSID to ON
- Set up a password

Had I not checked anyone could have connected to the open network. Surely Asus should make sure this is protected?

Seems to be working fine after hiding SSID and setting a password.

 

[Raven76]

Had I not checked anyone could have connected to the open network. Surely Asus should make sure this is protected?

... that a strange behaviour, indeed! Not sure if it is a bug or not...
I didn't even tried to connect to the 5ghz-2 network... but if it is dedicated to backhaul, perhaps the router doesn't allow it?!

 

[Dodgydrains]

... that a strange behaviour, indeed! Not sure if it is a bug or not...
I didn't even tried to connect to the 5ghz-2 network... but if it is dedicated to backhaul, perhaps the router doesn't allow it?!

I managed to connect and do a speedtest on it. Gave over 350mbps

 

[asususer2008]

What is the best channel settings for the WiFi backhaul? I’m having slow WiFi on a 1gb fiber connection. Get full speed at the router on Ethernet with laptop.

 

[Dodgydrains]

What is the best channel settings for the WiFi backhaul? I’m having slow WiFi on a 1gb fiber connection. Get full speed at the router on Ethernet with laptop.

Check under the AiMesh tab to see the connection quality. Mine is the one third from top. I left the 5GHz-2 channel on Auto:

Channel bandwidth: 160MHz
Control Channel: Auto

 

[Raven76]

I managed to connect and do a speedtest on it. Gave over 350mbps

doh!... ok... probably then it is a bug!

 

[Dodgydrains]

I set this up again but this time hard factory reset using the method below rather than the app/browser or pin factory reset:

https://www.asus.com/support/FAQ/1039078

This time, there was the option to set SSID name and password for 5GHz-2 as well as the usual 2.4GHz and 5GHz-1 option.

The option to set separate SSID and password for 2.4GHz, 5GHz-1 and 5GHz-2 was also there. It added _dwb to the end of the 5GHz-2 SSID, but kept the same password I set.

Looks like the hard factory reset method from above link is different to the other methods?

 

[Raven76]

I set this up again but this time hard factory reset using the method below rather than the app/browser or pin factory reset:

https://www.asus.com/support/FAQ/1039078

This time, there was the option to set SSID name and password for 5GHz-2 as well as the usual 2.4GHz and 5GHz-1 option.

The option to set separate SSID and password for 2.4GHz, 5GHz-1 and 5GHz-2 was also there. It added _dwb to the end of the 5GHz-2 SSID, but kept the same password I set.

Looks like the hard factory reset method from above link is different to the other methods?

So the network name is like ASUS_DWB? Or ASUS_5G_DWB?

 

[Dodgydrains]

The network name was 'mynetworkname-dwb'

 

[logix_71]

Hello, I don't want to open a new thread ...

What is your opinion? What are the best WIFI-Settings only for the Backhaul?

I have no other ax-devices and no WIFI 6 networks in the neighborhood.
The "5GHz-2" works for me only as backhaul.
I set it to "AX-Only".

In my opinion, the following settings are only intended for connecting multiple devices.

Roaming assistant - disable ?
AMPDU RTS - disable ?
Optimize AMPDU aggregation - disable ?
Airtime Fairness - disable ?
Universal Beamforming - disable?
OFDMA/802.11ax MU-MIMO - disable ?
(This is the biggest question, but as I know, this WIFI 6-feature is only used to optimally connect multiple devices such as cell phones and laptops)

Is this correct?
What is with the other settings?

The system is already very sensitive anyway.
With these settings I would like to try to keep the error rate as low as possible.

Do you have any other suggestions for me?

Sorry for my bad English.
Greetings from Germany

 

[Dodgydrains]

Are you connecting each of your nodes via Ethernet or wireless back-haul?

If via wireless the the 5GHz-2 is used as dedicated back-haul.

 

[logix_71]

Yes, I use the 5GHz-2 as wireless back haul.
And yes, it´s a dedicated line, but I have (nearly) the same setting options as in the 5GHz-1 Band.
I don't know why Asus is doing this.
Probably if you want to use the device as a 3-band-router with a Ethernet-back haul.

 

[Dodgydrains]

If you use the Ethernet back-haul, then all 3 bands are available to use to connect devices.

5GHz-2 has 160MHz which is best for back-haul. Not sure if Asus can allow 5GHz-1 at 80MHz to be used as back-haul in the future? Leaving the user the option of 5GHz-2 at 160MHz to connect your devices.

 

[logix_71]

Sorry, I think you understand me not correct.
Probably because of my poor English. Sorry for that.

I use the 5GHz-2 as wireless back haul.
And for this, I have a setting page.
Wireless -> professional

Since I'm only using AX for this backhaul, I want to disable all useless options.
For that, I would like to ask the forum for advice

 

[Dodgydrains]

What are you trying to achieve by changing wireless mode to AX?

 

[logix_71]

I cannot lay an ethernet cable to my home media center.
I only bought the system for this WIFI-Bridge and I need the best possible throughput that I can get.

 

[Dodgydrains]

I get the best throughput by not touching anything in the professional section. Just changed 5GHz-2 'Hide SSID' to yes and 'Channel Bandwidth' to 160MHz. This is with firmware 43170.

 

[logix_71]

Hello again...
160 MHz is no option for me.
I live in the near from the Munich Airport.
DFS always force the device to 80 MHz.
(unfortunately, I didn't realize the problem before buying the XT8)


I found this thread now:

Asus ZenWifi XT8 - wifi speeds after latest firmware update

A week ago i took delivery of the twin pack of XT8's. After doing much research and watching countless videos and reading several reviews i'd decided that this route would hopefully give me the stable network i so desired. I unboxed and configured the kit and was up and running in 10 minutes -...

www.snbforums.com

This is very helpful for me.
He "optimized" the settings also.

In addition, there appears to be a firmware problem.
I will now also try a firmware downgrade.

Congratulations that everything is going so well for you.
This forum is full of problems with these devices and I myself have a love-hate relationship with the XT8.

The biggest bad investment in the last year.
But now will I learn to live with this devices