Extend Guest network to another router

[MBrown2020]

Main router = RT-BE96U fw:3006.102.4
AP router = RT-AX86U fw:3004.388.9_2
*Both on Merlin Firmware

I want to use the RT-AX86U as a guest network node to share internet with a next door neighbor for her kids iphones and iPads to use while they are visiting. My main router is in the middle of my house and thus the guest network is not very strong towards the next door neighbor. I can wire(ethernet) the two routers together and want to use 2.4 & 5 Ghz under 1 SSID. I do not use the guest network myself. By using the RT-AX86U as a node I can get it like 50ft closer to my neighbor and hopefully have a better signal. I only what them to have access to the internet and nothing on my network.

What is a good way to achieve this kind of a setup?

Thank you.

 

[bennor]

Generally the Guest Network Pro features found in the 3006.102.x firmware will not flow down to AiMesh nodes running 3004.x firmware. Asus has the following support document if you haven't seen it yet.
[Wireless Router] How to set up Guest Network features to Sync to AiMesh node?
From that support document is the following:

2. This feature can only be configured on the AiMesh router. Guest network is currently designed to allow the first set of each band (2.4G, 5G, 5G-1) available to the AiMesh node. Only one set is available for each band.

More Asus support documents...
[AiMesh] How to setup AiMesh system (Web GUI)?
[AiMesh] Can I set up wired connection between AiMesh routers (Ethernet backhaul)?
[AiMesh] What is Ethernet Backhaul Mode/Backhaul Connection Priority in AiMesh System and how to set up in different scenarios?
[Wireless Router] How to set up Guest Network on ASUS Router?
[Guest Network Pro] How to set up Guest Network?
[ExpertWiFi] What is a Self-defined Network (SDN) and how do you set up an SDN?

 

[bbunge]

Generally the Guest Network Pro features found in the 3006.102.x firmware will not flow down to AiMesh nodes running 3004.x firmware.

Not true. But, there are limitations...

Best if you took the AX86U back to Asus firmware. Factory reset the AX86U then set it up as an AiMesh node. Ethernet backhaul is great but leave the AiMesh settings at default. Do not enable Ethernet backhaul mode. I recommend using a 1 Gig lan port on the router and the 1 Gig WAN port on the AX86U.
Set up the guest WIFI on the router Do not use the same subnet as the router. Choose to use the 5 GHz or 2.4 GHz but you can't use both with the AX86U. I would recommend the 2.4 GHz as it has better range. Make sure the guest is ported to the AX86U and you can turn off the guest on the main router under the Guest AiMesh settings.

Hope it works for you!

Edit: FWIW I have run an AX86U as an AiMesh node with an AX86U Pro router and have done the above as a test. It worked! My only failing was getting the 2.5 Gig connection to work and that was likely related to my Ethernet cabling.

 

[Poul Bak]

Question: What if he forgets about AIMesh and use the RT-AX86U as a regular Access point? Will he be able to setup the guest network only on the access point?

 

[bbunge]

Question: What if he forgets about AIMesh and use the RT-AX86U as a regular Access point? Will he be able to setup the guest network only on the access point?

No. A guest WIFI could be set up on an Access Point but it would have access to the router LAN.

One way would be to set a guest WIFI on the router and disable the radio for that guest then set one LAN port on the router with a VLAN corresponding to the router guest then connect the AP to that LAN port. All. the traffic through the AP would go through the VLAN. Not sure if this is clear but I can see it working.

 

[agbommarito]

I've never used 3006, but I think the 96U can be set up to have one of the LAN ports be on a guest network with no access to anything else. Then set up the 3004 86U as a router and hardwire it to that LAN port. Of course everything connected to the 3004 86U would be double NATed, but the clients could have access to both 2.4G and 5G networks.

 

[Tech9]

Will he be able to setup the guest network only on the access point?

Guest network only? Yes!

RT-BE96U - Network (Guest) VLAN to LAN port -> RT-AX86U in AP Mode connected to this LAN port

The result will be all clients served by RT-AX86U will be on whatever network was set on RT-BE96U.

Of course everything connected to the 3004 86U would be double NATed

No.

 

[agbommarito]

Guest network only? Yes!

RT-BE96U - Network (Guest) VLAN to LAN port -> RT-AX86U in AP Mode connected to this LAN port

The result will be all clients served by RT-AX86U will be on whatever network was set on RT-BE96U.



No.

Tech9's method sets the 86U up as an AP, in which case there would be no double-NATing. What I suggested was setting the 86U up in router mode, in which case I think there would be double-NATing. The router mode would give more options for visibility and control for the "neighbor" network. But the AP mode is probably simpler.

 

[Tech9]

The router mode would give more options for visibility

In AP Mode the visibility will be on the Router.

 

[CaptainSTX]

No. A guest WIFI could be set up on an Access Point but it would have access to the router LAN.

One way would be to set a guest WIFI on the router and disable the radio for that guest then set one LAN port on the router with a VLAN corresponding to the router guest then connect the AP to that LAN port. All. the traffic through the AP would go through the VLAN. Not sure if this is clear but I can see it working.

It works. That is the way I have setup AP I needed to add to my network for thermostat that had trouble staying consistently connected. I have the radio on as I use the guest SSID for other IoT devices so I don't know what would happen if SSID disabled. Worst case you leave guest SSID enabled and don't share password with anyone.