Migrating from RT-AC86U to RT-BE86U need advice

[Chris12]

Hi,

I'm currently using a RT-AC86U a my main router. Recently I bought a brand new RT-BE86U router, which will be replacing the old AC86U.
The AC86U is running the latest Merlin version available for that model, and I have flashed the new BE86U with Merlin version RT-BE86U_3006_102.4_0 (and after that did a factory reset via the GUI, which should be sufficient to remove any old Asus firmware/config isn't it?).

How can I easily setup the new router with the same kind of config as the AC86U has?
Is the best way to go configuring the BE86U completely from scratch? Or import the config backup file from the AC86U into the BE86U (and then check the settings).

I want to replace as much as 1:1 the old AC86U with the new BE86U, so same WiFi names etc. so the impact for other devices connected later on to the new router are minimal.
Or is this not a very good way to go, as the new router has far more options (like separate IOT wifi, Guest networks etc.) which I currently not use, but maybe worth to setup/investigate using?

My plan for now is:
- setup wifi networks with a -NEW prefix on the BE86U, so both routers can work besides each other.
- configure the new BE86U router with the same settings as the old AC86U router
- replace the AC86U router with the new BE86U router
- rename the wifi-networks (remove the -NEW prefix)

 

[Tech9]

Is the best way to go configuring the BE86U completely from scratch?

Yes. The only way.

Or import the config backup file from the AC86U into the BE86U (and then check the settings).

No. Not compatible.

 

[bbunge]

You may be better off with an AX86U Pro. Many still consider WIFI 7 in beta.

If you do not need WIFI 7, don't!

 

[Tech9]

I would also prefer RT-AX86U Pro unless 2.5GbE LAN ports as switch are important. Both have about the same wireless performance and not true 2.5Gbps capable hardware inside anyway. The AX-class model is cheaper and has 3004 firmware choice in case something doesn’t work as expected in 3006.

 

[Chris12]

Thanks for all the replies.

I managed to configure the router so all things works again (VPN/Airco Units/Domoticz/IPCams/etc.), except my Hosola solar converter who not seems to like neither wifi network and/or wifi settings.
But I will dive deeper into that problem tomorrow or later this week.

Let first see how the router is acting the upcoming days/week.

 

[Chris12]

Thanks for all the replies.

I managed to configure the router so all things works again (VPN/Airco Units/Domoticz/IPCams/etc.), except my Hosola solar converter who not seems to like neither wifi network and/or wifi settings.
But I will dive deeper into that problem tomorrow or later this week.

Let first see how the router is acting the upcoming days/week.

For the Hosola wifi to work, I just had to reset the wifi config, and re-add it again with the new wifi ssid. instead of editing the existing wifi settings.