Bad ping when in use - best router upgrade (currently running cake on older asus equipment)

[darrude]

Hi All, with the help of this forum years ago, I decided to buy an ASUS AX82U router modem and AX82 mesh node, install merlin and set up Cake. Since then my Kids have been happy with the interent performance (we only get a 20meg connection). However, I don't know if it is because it is getting old now, or maybe I've just got too many smart devicices connected I'm getting a lot of drop outs, sometimes devices just won't connect and occasionally the 5Ghz just stops broadcasting alltogther.

What would be the best set and forget system that would allow something like CAKE for bufferbloat, and ideally not slow down when using the USB HDD function (I am prepared to go seperate NAS if needed.

Also the current system is in the loft so a ceiling mounted node I guess would be a lot better than it sat in a cold / hot loft on loft insulation, but wired back haul is easily achieved (as it is currently). I was looking at Ubiquiti but not sure if it would be overkill for somebody usless like myself.

 

[Tech9]

I was looking at Ubiquiti but not sure if it would be overkill for somebody usless like myself.

Based on limited information provided - Ubiquiti UniFi is perhaps not your best choice. The hardware matching your 2x RT-AX82U routers is about $500, it will be very reliable and set-and-forget with multiple clients support, but USB ports (your attached storage) and WPS (your many smart devices) are not supported since both are considered security weakness in SMB products. This means you'll need a real NAS (extra cost, significant) and to avoid WPS only connection IoT devices (perhaps some of yours need to be replaced). Otherwise Smart Queues (FQ-CoDel based QoS, similar to Traditional QoS in ASUS) and App/Device Prioritization (DPI engine based QoS, similar to Adaptive QoS in ASUS) are available and work quite well for low throughput/quality ISP lines.

In case you have like $1000 budget and want new UniFi system and NAS - let me know, I'll list balanced price/performance UniFi components for you (Gigabit, Wi-Fi 6). The NAS box will be your choice, Ubiquiti have UNAS 2-bay option ($200), QNAP/Synology have reasonable price 2-bay options (starting from around $200). Drives extra or existing ones, if compatible.

 

[degrub]

List all of the LAN and wifi clients just so we get an idea of how many of each and how and where connecting, please.
Example - 2 pcs wired to lan, 5 tablets on 5 GHz, 10 smart bulbs on 2.4 GHz, etc. Just rough numbers . IOTs are low bandwidth, but there are limits to the number of clients that can connect to a radio.

Is your ISP connection DSL, Cable Co, or LTE (cell) ?

The radio failures could be from degraded power supply - either on the wall wart AC/DC converter or on the router main board. Could also be the radio itself. If you can find a cheap AC/DC converter that has a matching DC plug tip and polarity, you could try replacing it and see if that helps. Otherwise , .....

 

[Tech9]

Or just another victim of Smart and Auto...

 

[darrude]

List all of the LAN and wifi clients just so we get an idea of how many of each and how and where connecting, please.
Example - 2 pcs wired to lan, 5 tablets on 5 GHz, 10 smart bulbs on 2.4 GHz, etc. Just rough numbers . IOTs are low bandwidth, but there are limits to the number of clients that can connect to a radio.

Is your ISP connection DSL, Cable Co, or LTE (cell) ?

The radio failures could be from degraded power supply - either on the wall wart AC/DC converter or on the router main board. Could also be the radio itself. If you can find a cheap AC/DC converter that has a matching DC plug tip and polarity, you could try replacing it and see if that helps. Otherwise , .....

Thank you for this, I will look into it, however it has seemed a bit hit and miss since we bought it. I did put merlin on it more or less straight away, for the Cake QoS, I did wonder if this might be to blame? but I can certainly try the powersupply from the other device (I've disconnected the other node as my eldest is away for 4 months and only needed for his bedroom, I can't say I've notice any reliability difference)

Currently (I'm home alone) and have disconnected any many smart plugs as possible we have:

4 cable connections (CCTV, Alarm, TAdo heating & garage door opener).
33 devices on 2.4GHZ, mainly smart plugs / bulbs / door cams but also my phone.
5 devices on 5GHz, fire sticks / tv / work laptops / personal laptop. I told the kids to connect playstations / computers firesticks, tv to this network, so it'll go up in use when the kids / wife at home.

I'll swap the power adapter over tomorrow and check. the drops outs are strange though, I can get a good month with no issues then a week of constant reboots. I guess a dodgy power supply and the ever changing environment of the loft could influence this.

Its a DSL connection, but we are due to get fibre to premisis in the near future.

No other wifi near us, closest house is a short walk away.

 

[darrude]

Or just another victim of Smart and Auto...

I'm not sure what this means? I did wish I'd bough zigbee devices from what Ai said to me. is it possibly too many wifi devices?

 

[Tech9]

I'm not sure what this means?

Set manually your router's 2.4GHz band to 20MHz channel bandwidth at Ch.6, 5GHz band to 80MHz channel bandwidth at Ch.36. Authentication for both bands WPA2-Personal. For IoT compatibility settings use ASUS FAQ below. Test for stability and disconnections again.

[Wireless Router] How to improve compatibility of IoT device with ASUS WiFi 6(802.11 ax) router? | Official Support | ASUS Canada

I would also disable the default Smart Connect and separate the bands for better control where the clients connect. Some more reading and understanding how Wi-Fi works and adjusting the defaults to more fail-safe values may save you quite some time, money and frustration.

 

[darrude]

Based on limited information provided - Ubiquiti UniFi is perhaps not your best choice. The hardware matching your 2x RT-AX82U routers is about $500, it will be very reliable and set-and-forget with multiple clients support, but USB ports (your attached storage) and WPS (your many smart devices) are not supported since both are considered security weakness in SMB products. This means you'll need a real NAS (extra cost, significant) and to avoid WPS only connection IoT devices (perhaps some of yours need to be replaced). Otherwise Smart Queues (FQ-CoDel based QoS, similar to Traditional QoS in ASUS) and App/Device Prioritization (DPI engine based QoS, similar to Adaptive QoS in ASUS) are available and work quite well for low throughput/quality ISP lines.

In case you have like $1000 budget and want new UniFi system and NAS - let me know, I'll list balanced price/performance UniFi components for you (Gigabit, Wi-Fi 6). The NAS box will be your choice, Ubiquiti have UNAS 2-bay option ($200), QNAP/Synology have reasonable price 2-bay options (starting from around $200). Drives extra or existing ones, if compatible.

I have no issues buying a dedicated NAS, actually thinking about getting one. The WPS isn't an Issue. If the upgrade is worth it, no slow downs when the network is busy, then I think I'd pay for the upgrade to be honest. I'm sick of the kids moaning, and the wife refuses to change them, so it'll lhave to be the wifi!

The Asus routers weren't cheap and they haven't been that relaiable for me to the point this month I've thought next year they are getting changed (a shame as when they work they are brilliant, far better than the mesh system I have before which was about £800.

Right, I've just made a desicsion as I'm typing this, as we should be getting full fiber 1.6gbps at some point next year, so I'm going to go Ubiquti next year so we are all set for that. I'd rather buy decent stuff once than mess with cheaper stuff and have to replace. if you have recommendations then please let me know. Is 6ghz worth it for future proofing. We have no close by neighbours so zero interferrence from other networks.

just looking on there website now, I was planning on upgrading our CCTV as well... I'm now wondering if i could switch all at the same time... I think I have some reasearch to do!

I used to have a QNAP nas. is it sill QNAP / synology that the main ones to go for? if you have any recommendations again I'd really appreciate it.

 

[Tech9]

If the upgrade is worth it

I'm not sure this specific version of Asuswrt-Merlin is the best firmware for your AiMesh setup. When troubleshooting stability issues test with current original firmware only. If still not good - then think about replacing your equipment.

I'm going to go Ubiquti next year so we are all set for that

Ubiquiti can give you almost full house control from a single screen, Access and Protect products are top notch, but you have to increase the budget to thousands for such integration project. I can help you with Network part, you have to decide for the rest.

 

[degrub]

Pulling the router/AP out of the attic and into conditioned space should help with 1) avoiding condensation and dust, 2) extend the life of the equipment in general if air temperatures exceed 40 C in summer. Find a convenient location for easy physical access and put an open shelf on the wall as a start. Or maybe in a closet to pass the appearance test. This should only be for the gateway device and ISP gear. Depending on how fiber is being delivered, you may have an ONT device with a LAN port or an integrated ONT/Router from the ISP. Either way, you can guide the ISP into installing it where you want to terminate their service. So plan ahead and consult with them for what they are able to accommodate. i ran underground conduit to a wall penetration point where i wanted the ISP ONT termination. LAN cable from there up to my wiring closet with all my gear. Took less than an hour for the tech.

If you need to keep LAN connection point in the attic, just use a passive switch, preferably rated for 50 C if you can find one. Otherwise, just cheap Gbit/s switch that you can replace as needed.

Anything over 300 - 500 Mbit/s ISP service is probably wasted. Similar to you, i ran 37 Mbit/s DSL with a family of 5, two work from home and 3 students including a gamer. Worked just fine. Switched to Gbit/s fiber as the cost was cheaper than DSL from the ISP.

You may or may not have to add an AP with Ubiquity depending on your exact house layout. There is a planning utility on their website that will generate heat maps for RF coverage. The more house construction details you can supply the better it can predict.

Once you identify predicted good AP locations, you can run any additional LAN connections as all APs will need to be hardwired.
Users will also benefit if they have a LAN port on their PC, particularly anyone gaming as you want low latency. Follow Tech9's advice.