Best Practice/Settings for Current ASUS BE Firmware....

[jzchen]

I still believe IoT Network is something separate. This is what GUI description says as well. People tend to isolate IoT devices from their Main Network and ASUS somewhat automated the process. If ASUS means something else by setting up IoT Network - it's rather strange.

I am afraid this is only made clearer if you watched the BE98 Pro from release date. (People complained that ASUS used the highest paying customers as beta testers. All the while ASUS was trying to compete with TP-Link to be first to market to be open minded about why they did it). At first MLO was not there.

When MLO was released, it enforced WPA3-Personal and AES+GCMP256. For me, it was somewhat a mere inconvenience that I had poor network signal on the ground floor but perfectly fine with the GT-AXE16000 covering the upper floor. BUT with this requirements in mind they asked for a Legacy/IoT SSID on the next page of the setup. (See how they tried there, adding "Legacy").

I have been operating under that mindset for the past year and a half I guess. Then I started seeing complaints/concerned posts about these hidden SSIDs that were (suddenly to me) being made....

I guess the IoT SSID request is now superfluous as the Main SSID can be made compatible with all WiFi generations, and as shown I have deleted the IoT SSID to check....

 

[Tech9]

ASUS is still figuring out the setup process and trying to make it user-friendly. Changes between firmware releases can be confusing. On my system whatever is in Networks menu has nothing WiFi related. You create a Network and give it properties (like Firewall Zone, DMZ, Hotspot, custom, etc). Then in WiFi menu you assign SSID to a Network, tell which Radios on which APs you want it on, give it properties (like Standard, Hotspot, IoT, custom, etc). Most SMB gear is following this logic. ASUS is trying to stick to AIO logic and Network means both LAN and WLAN. They have to decide which way to go at some point - consumer or professional oriented. Current in between situation is neither.

 

[jzchen]

ASUS is still figuring out the setup process and trying to make it user-friendly. Changes between firmware releases can be confusing. On my system whatever is in Networks menu has nothing WiFi related. You create a Network and give it properties (like Firewall Zone, DMZ, Hotspot, custom, etc). Then in WiFi menu you assign SSID to a Network, tell which Radios on which APs you want it on, give it properties (like Standard, Hotspot, IoT, custom, etc). Most SMB gear is following this logic. ASUS is trying to stick to AIO logic and Network means both LAN and WLAN. They have to decide which way to go at some point - consumer or professional oriented. Current in between situation is neither.

One definitely gets what you pay for with Ubiquiti/Unifi. And thank you for sharing "hey, if you're sick of this hop on over". I have looked at a couple of their 10 Gb managed switches in my current quest to upgrade/fix my network. And my friend said he asked the development team when they will be releasing a line of ROG switches. (Not sure how that went for him to be honest. He did not mention any about their response)...

ASUS probably made the Network page that way due to confusion about Guest Networks. You can see both Main SSID(s) and GNP or SDNs all together and configure them. SmartConnect is no longer a check box. Simply check each band you want to add to Smart connect into one SSID. (More than one and you automatically get smart Connect. Choose a single channel and it is not smart connected. This makes sense, at least to me). I like it, but it probably would have been easier to swallow if the Smart Connect Rule tab was moved there as well, vs way at the bottom where people started thinking ASUS abandoned it.

"Network" is a broad term to be fair to either company. You could put a main tab as Network and everything under it, but kind of pointless...

 

[Tech9]

And thank you for sharing "hey, if you're sick of this hop on over".

Not really, most SMB hardware follows this logic with separate Network and Wi-Fi. Single pane of glass systems like UniFi and Omada just followed with integrated Wi-Fi devices. I had pfSense gateway before with Ruckus APs and since it wasn't integrated in one UI - this was the only option. I believe ASUS future AIO routers will naturally evolve to what is now ExpertWiFi UI and will also follow the common logic. The fact the product is AIO doesn't mean the Gateway, Switch and Access Point inside have to be threated differently.

 

[jzchen]

@GJJ You are running a RT-BE92U correct? (I checked your post but just to be sure). Any nodes? USB memory or USB 3.0 device connected?

I actually have my 2nd one of those. The first one, as an AiMesh node, (meaning not loaded with work), died one day while I was out having lunch.

 

[GJJ]

@GJJ You are running a RT-BE92U correct? (I checked your post but just to be sure). Any nodes? USB memory or USB 3.0 device connected?

I actually have my 2nd one of those. The first one, as an AiMesh node, (meaning not loaded with work), died one day while I was out having lunch.

Yes, I have an RT-BE92U and it is in a relatively simple physical setup.

It is not in a mesh configuration (small house), so therefore it is the primary and only AP in the house. (No extenders either.)

There are no devices connected via USB. I have also switched these features off in fw as I don't have any plans to use them.

The wifi devices I have in the house include N (WiFi4), AC (WiFi5), AX (WiFi6 and 6E) and BE (WiFi7).
Initially I only had the washing machine (N) and the smart bulbs on the IOT SSID/network. I have blocked the smart bulbs from the IOT SSID, but I am now thinking I should replace them with dumb bulbs to stop them even trying to connect. This might be causing me grief with the washing machine and I am only using the smart bulbs as dumb bulbs anyway.
As per your suggestion at the start of this post, I'm thinking of expanding the IOT SSID to use the 2.4 and 5GHz radios instead of just the 2.4GHz radio and migrating all remaining N and AC devices over to the IOT SSID.

GJ

 

[Tech9]

I have an RT-BE92U

There is a long model specific discussion thread and users report issues with this model regardless of configuration. Some gave up trying and replaced it with something else resulting in instant improvements.

 

[GJJ]

There is a long model specific discussion thread and users report issues with this model regardless of configuration. Some gave up trying and replaced it with something else resulting in instant improvements.

I know, but rightly or wrongly, I'm not ready to give up yet.

GJ

 

[jzchen]

I know, but rightly or wrongly, I'm not ready to give up yet.

GJ

I somehow managed to reproduce some pretty dismal results. I doubt you'll be able to trump it!

 

[degrub]

Hey, those are close to my old DSL service

 

[Tech9]

I somehow managed to reproduce some pretty dismal results.

It it on 2.4GHz band? May be normal for the environment. I do better with 30-40Mbps up/down to 1-stream N client and 20MHz channel. If the link speed is full 72Mbps can eventually see ~50Mbps throughput.

 

[jzchen]

Hey, those are close to my old DSL service

I forgot my own concern... I had set up an iPhone as Dual WAN fail over with fall back. Unplugged it and have 3/4 of my service back after isolating 6 GHz and connecting there:

 

[jzchen]

It it on 2.4GHz band? May be normal for the environment. I do better with 30-40Mbps up/down to 1-stream N client and 20MHz channel. If the link speed is full 72Mbps can eventually see ~50Mbps throughput.

Unfortunately I just started plugging away at a solution before confirming what exactly I was connected to. I (EDIT) had everything Smart Connected. So I separated 6 GHz for my phone as it is the only 6 GHz capable device in the household. I do not think this "USB noise" harms Ethernet so I was immediately suspecting I was connected to the GT-BE98 Pro. It is on an entertainment tower with a UPS tower at the side on the floor. (I hope they improved shielding on V2.0. This was the one sent to me no strings attached for full disclosure).

 

[Tech9]

before confirming what exactly I was connected to

No worries. With 14x APs and perhaps 30+ Smart Connected radios I perfectly understand the challenges to tell what exactly your device is connected to.