Hi all, looking for advice on how to upgrade my current setup of (apparently failing) AC86U as main router + AC88U as an AiMesh node with a focus on stable operation of WiFi-enabled smart home devices (i.e. slow 2.4hz clients).
I'm currently at around 40 WiFi clients (most being at 2.4hz) and experiencing issues with clients disconnecting and failing to connect back over prolonged periods of time. Basically waking up daily to a non-working smart home setup. The issue potentially is due to failing AC86U (which seems to be flaky on 2.4hz radio side), but not really sure as the issue is intermittent. I tried setting up the wireless settings normally recommended for Asus routers in noisy environments (e.g. https://forums.whirlpool.net.au/archive/9yz4q4z3) but that did not help much. Ended up with a single AC88U as a main router (no AiMesh) on latest Merlin beta firmware which seems to be the most stable setup for me yet, but still testing.
Wondering if upgrading to AX88U or jumping the ship in favor of small enterprise WiFi equipment (no ideas where to look at in this field) may help. Main goals are:
1. STABLE operation with up to 100 WiFi client concurrently (most will be slow 2.4hz devices - as mentioned above I now have only 40 but would like to have sufficient headroom)
2. Adequate support of fast 5hz AC devices
3. 8 LAN ports (now have only 4 LAN ports used on a main router but would like to have some headroom again)
4. AX support would be good as a futureproof feature but is on the lower end of priority list - have only 1 device supporting WiFi 6 currently
5. Staying with Asus would be also good as I'm used to them, having gone through several generations of Asus home network products
6. Coverage is a non-issue as my AC88U (with no AiMesh setup) seems to cover the whole area I need quite reliably
I'm currently at around 40 WiFi clients (most being at 2.4hz) and experiencing issues with clients disconnecting and failing to connect back over prolonged periods of time. Basically waking up daily to a non-working smart home setup. The issue potentially is due to failing AC86U (which seems to be flaky on 2.4hz radio side), but not really sure as the issue is intermittent. I tried setting up the wireless settings normally recommended for Asus routers in noisy environments (e.g. https://forums.whirlpool.net.au/archive/9yz4q4z3) but that did not help much. Ended up with a single AC88U as a main router (no AiMesh) on latest Merlin beta firmware which seems to be the most stable setup for me yet, but still testing.
Wondering if upgrading to AX88U or jumping the ship in favor of small enterprise WiFi equipment (no ideas where to look at in this field) may help. Main goals are:
1. STABLE operation with up to 100 WiFi client concurrently (most will be slow 2.4hz devices - as mentioned above I now have only 40 but would like to have sufficient headroom)
2. Adequate support of fast 5hz AC devices
3. 8 LAN ports (now have only 4 LAN ports used on a main router but would like to have some headroom again)
4. AX support would be good as a futureproof feature but is on the lower end of priority list - have only 1 device supporting WiFi 6 currently
5. Staying with Asus would be also good as I'm used to them, having gone through several generations of Asus home network products
6. Coverage is a non-issue as my AC88U (with no AiMesh setup) seems to cover the whole area I need quite reliably