Guest Network Pro not broadcasting on XT8 nodes (GT-AX11000 Pro + XT8 mesh setup)

[Seth Harman]

How do I fix that ?? Just pick guest network not custom ?? Meaning how do I change the instance !

I think it's an either/or thing, so if you want regular Guest Network and not Guest Network Pro I think you have to revert to the 3004.xx firmware branch.

 

[jksmurf]

Um -- this says: Guest network is currently designed to allow the first set of each band (2.4G, 5G, 5G-1) available to the AiMesh node -- It doesn't say it doesn't work with 3004 nodes - I don't see that mentioned anywhere !

on the tutorial it shows a BE router being synced with an AX older node and it's assumed only the 6Ghz band wont be synced from that photo lol - So I'm a bit confused ! ??? Can @RMerlin clear this up

As @bennor said many threads on this issue exist. I have been equally confused trying to chase it down but it’s an ASUS issue not an RMerlin one. Long story short, 3006/3004 Main/Nodes works but with limitations.

I strongly suggest you read my thread linked below. It has many screenshots of the setups, what gets propagated to nodes and what does not. I have 3006 GNP with 3004 nodes. I also asked ASUS specifically what the story was, please see that thread for their response.

5Ghz GUEST Network not propagating to AiMesh nodes?

What is the latest wisdom on getting the 5Ghz (Guest Wifi) band to actually work on the GNP Nodes, using AiMesh (in addition to the 2.4Ghz band). I do not wish to create APs atm. My Guest Network (GNP) is working, but clients (iPhones and iPads) all seem to be served 2.4Ghz only (on Guest) and...

www.snbforums.com

 

[Seth Harman]

@jksmurf I remember your thread and your findings. The issue is having only a single WiFi band propagating out to the AiMesh nodes in a mixed 3006.xx/3004.xx setup is going to be a deal-killer for a lot of people, especially people with IoT devices that specifically need 2.4GHz but you want to run 5GHz on the nodes. As well, how it operates isn't officially documented as you found out the hard way. This is where clarity really becomes critical in these threads for anyone that runs across them later... If you want to use Guest Network put everything on 3004.xx firmware, if you want to use Guest Network Pro put everything on 3006.xx firmware. Mixing the two is going to produce an environment that doesn't operate like either.

 

[jksmurf]

especially people with IoT devices that specifically need 2.4GHz but you want to run 5GHz on the nodes.

Exactly.

 

[Tech9]

Ok but at least aren’t we supposed to have basic guest network functionality.

Basic Guest Network like in 3004 firmware is available. It has pre-defined VLANs and 3004 nodes understand what it is. I remember playing with managed switch and assigning LAN ports to pre-defined in 3004 AiMesh Guest Networks. Sort of home made AiMesh wired node. If you start customizing Guest Networks in 3006 with the new Pro functionality though - they can't be propagated to 3004 nodes. You need nodes on 3006 with GNP support. The cheapest one compatible is RT-AX57 Go model for around $100.

 

[Seth Harman]

Basic Guest Network like in 3004 firmware is available. It has pre-defined VLANs and 3004 nodes understand what it is. I remember playing with managed switch and assigning LAN ports to pre-defined in 3004 AiMesh Guest Networks. Sort of home made AiMesh wired node. If you start customizing Guest Networks in 3006 with the new Pro functionality though - they can't be propagated to 3004 nodes. You need nodes on 3006 with GNP support. The cheapest one compatible is RT-AX57 Go model for around $100.

Yes, but as jksmurf discovered it doesn't function exactly the same way as Guest Network did under 3004.xx because only a single WiFi band shows up at the nodes in a mixed firmware setup, so saying it's available and the 3004 nodes understand what it is has a rather significant caveat attached.

 

[Tech9]

I believe the more mix-and-match the more weirdness will be discovered. The reason I told @ComputerSteve current state of AiMesh is low compatibility. If building a new system - all ASUS 3006 GNP compatible devices (<3) or something else (>3).

 

[Seth Harman]

I believe the more mix-and-match the more weirdness will be discovered. The reason I told @ComputerSteve current state of AiMesh is low compatibility. If building a new system - all ASUS 3006 GNP compatible devices (<3) or something else (>3).

I think in his case he's also got the option of reverting the main router to 3004.xx and everything related to Guest Network will work the way he wants it to/is used to it working.

 

[Tech9]

Agree, but newer 3006 firmware also contains critical security fixes and locking the router on 3004 forever doesn't seem to be a good option long term. I would rather use the IoTs on the main network and have better secured gateway to Internet.

 

[jksmurf]

If building a new system - all ASUS 3006 GNP compatible devices (<3) or something else (>3).

Max no of nodes suggested by ASUS is 5. https://www.asus.com/support/faq/1044191/

Max possible is 9, apparently. https://www.snbforums.com/threads/aimesh-router-node-maximum.80318/#post-783332

Tech9 may be correct from real world experience if he’s done the testing. As he often says, more is not necessarily better.

 

[Seth Harman]

I was in this situation with RT-AX57U nodes after 3006.xx came out for my main router and had the opportunity to get a couple of RT-BE58Us cheap so I just upgraded the nodes. Upgrading them is certainly a better idea, if possible, than downgrading the main router firmware.

 

[Tech9]

Max no of nodes suggested by ASUS is 5

I know, but in wireless configuration all using the same channels means all waiting for each other to receive transmit data. The wired option up to 9 makes it even worse since it still uses the same channels. This is the reason I say <3 is okay, >3 better explore other options and wired. Most home "mesh" systems are sold in up to 3-pack for a good reason.

 

[Seth Harman]

You'd have to have a pretty extreme scenario to need more than 3. In fact, having 3 in a normal-sized house may actually be making performance worse due to the WiFi overlap.

 

[Tech9]

opportunity to get a couple of RT-BE58Us cheap

But... according to ASUS this model doesn't support GNP either.

 

[Seth Harman]

But... according to ASUS this model doesn't support GNP either.

One of my many issues with their webpages that cover the subject as they do, in fact, properly support GNP (Edit for clarity: operating as AiMesh nodes). What they don't support is wired VLAN (that's apparently limited to Pro models) so I had to use managed switches to deal with that need.

The evidence seems to point to Asus hardware that supports 3006.xx doesn't necessarily have Guest Network Pro as a feature if you're using it as the main router, but if you're using it as a node as long as it has 3006.xx firmware and the main router does feature Guest Network Pro it will function properly as a node and you'll get all the bands/SSID/wireless VLANs you've configured on the main router.

 

[bennor]

But... according to ASUS this model doesn't support GNP either.

Correct, the RT-BE58U supports Smart Home Master not Guest Network Pro.
[Wireless Router] What is Smart home master?

Product GS7, GS-BE18000, GS-BE7200X, ROG STRIX GS7 Pro, RT-BE50, RT-BE55, RT-BE58U, RT-BE82U, RT-BE92U, TUF-BE3600, TUF-BE6500, TUF-BE9400, ZenWiFi BD4 Outdoor, ZenWiFi BQ16, ZenWiFi BQ16 Pro, ZenWiFi BT10, ZenWiFi BT6, ZenWiFi BT8, ZenWiFi BT8P
....
Notes:
1. Smart Home Master is supported on WiFi 7 ZenWiFi series and select other WiFi 7 models.
2. This feature requires upgrading your ASUS router to firmware version 3.0.0.6.102_34946 or above.

There is the following from 2024.
FAQ: Everything you need to know about multiple SSIDs, Smart Home Master, and Guest Network Pro

What are Smart Home Master and Guest Network Pro?​

Both Guest Network Pro and Smart Home Master offer you a rich set of tools for setting up multiple SSIDs. Smart Home Master is supported on the latest ASUS ZenWiFi mesh WiFi systems and select ASUS WiFi 7 models. You’ll find Guest Network Pro on the latest ROG WiFi 7 routers and select ASUS WiFi 6 models.
.....
Guest Network Pro offers two additional options:

• Guest Portal. Create a captive portal for digital marketing. This applies to small businesses more than homes, but it’s a flexible feature with considerable potential. Whenever anyone connects to this network, they’ll have to interact with a webpage that you design. It’s a chance to market your brand to these users.
• Guest Network. Provide scheduled or one-time access to the network. With Guest Network, you can give your friends and family access to the internet without giving them full access to every device connected to your network.

PS: There doesn't seem to be much if any detailed information on the Smart Home Master support for AiMesh.

 

[Tech9]

I'm actually more impressed by "Engineered for Always-On Connection". This is a truly remarkable feature, huge leap ahead of previous "Engineered for On/Off Connection" generation. ASUS perhaps removed the Reboot Scheduler from firmware.

 

[Seth Harman]

@bennor Again, we really need to be explicit about this because Asus has created such a mess of this subject: Asus saying "this router supports Guest Network Pro" or "this router supports Smart Home Master" is them specifically talking about it being used as the main router. So far, from experimentation on my own and confirmation from other people, it appears the only requirement for AiMesh nodes to work "properly" under Guest Network Pro is they need to be running the 3006.xx branch firmware.

Here's a screenshot from inside the AiMesh tab on my main router. I'm running Guest Network Pro with two separate wireless VLANs (ID 52 and 53). All of the clients connected on 2.4GHz below are connecting to VLAN ID 53 SSID (IoT network) and all the 5GHz clients except one are connecting to the main wireless network.

 

[Tech9]

General statement "AiMesh Compatible" potentially sells more routers. If you have existing ASUS routers and you know in advance they are not fully compatible with the new ASUS router you are planning to purchase - you may choose to replace all of them with non-ASUS equipment as a set. Most of the average users may not even notice the 3006 to 3004 limitations. People around here asking questions after the purchase is quite common situation. Many are past the return window, if there was even return option.

 

[Seth Harman]

It may have been purposeful from a sales perspective, but from a support perspective they screwed this one up badly. The crowd around here tends to be fairly dialed-in and it took us quite a lot of digging to get even a little bit of clarity on what works with what, and I don't think we've figured it all out yet.