[Official Release] AiMesh Firmware v3.0.0.4.384.20308 for All Supported Products

[visortgw]

Silly question, is it ok to run both 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz on the same SSID?

I am doing that now on multiple networks without any problems.

 

[maxbraketorque]

Silly question, is it ok to run both 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz on the same SSID?

It is possible to do it, and many people do it, but its not always the best way to set up a home wifi network. Devices that come and go from the network (phones, laptops, etc) will mostly end up on the 2.4 GHz band because that's what will come into range first. IMHO, its better to set up separate SSIDs for 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz, and then use the network preferences on your computer to preferentially connect to the 5 GHz network. Unfortunately, Android does not allow setting preferred wifi networks, so I just exclude the 2.4 GHz network from my phones.

 

[Ken Atkinson]

For Smart Connect to work surely both id's need to be the same. I've not switched smart connect on yet was waiting until i'm happy mesh is stable before throwing something else into the mix.

 

[RandomName23]

It is possible to do it, and many people do it, but its not always the best way to set up a home wifi network. Devices that come and go from the network (phones, laptops, etc) will mostly end up on the 2.4 GHz band because that's what will come into range first. IMHO, its better to set up separate SSIDs for 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz, and then use the network preferences on your computer to preferentially connect to the 5 GHz network. Unfortunately, Android does not allow setting preferred wifi networks, so I just exclude the 2.4 GHz network from my phones.

It is absolutely okay to use the same SSID for both bands, in fact some mesh systems like Orbi won't even let you specify a different SSID. Aimesh does let you, one of the reasons I much prefer it over other systems. If you're router supports Smart Connect I recommend giving it a try. I've been using it with the default settings and have not once ended up on the 2.4 Ghz band in my home for devices that support 5 Ghz. With my old router that didn't support Smart Connect I would frequently end up on the 2.4 band even when I was in range to receive a 5 Ghz signal and my speeds were crap so I did what others indicated and setup separate SSIDs so I could force my devices to the band I wanted. So in the end I think it depends on your needs and capabilities of your router.

 

[maxbraketorque]

It is absolutely okay to use the same SSID for both bands, in fact some mesh systems like Orbi won't even let you specify a different SSID. Aimesh does let you, one of the reasons I much prefer it over other systems. If you're router supports Smart Connect I recommend giving it a try. I've been using it with the default settings and have not once ended up on the 2.4 Ghz band in my home for devices that support 5 Ghz. With my old router that didn't support Smart Connect I would frequently end up on the 2.4 band even when I was in range to receive a 5 Ghz signal and my speeds were crap so I did what others indicated and setup separate SSIDs so I could force my devices to the band I wanted. So in the end I think it depends on your needs and capabilities of your router.

I think your last sentence captures the key points. With my dual router setup, there is no place in my home or yard where 2.4 GHz provides faster wireless speeds than 5 GHz (2.4 GHz RSSI can be and often is better but not speed), so I only use 2.4 GHz now for my wireless cameras.

 

[Adam]

Is anyone getting weird issues, where it looks like the stronger AP just dropped you (almost as if its radio is going through a reboot) and you are in dead air for a minute or so? My cell phone data usage went way up, since these drops kept happening.
My 3 x RT-AC68U got almost unusable, and I had to reboot the main router and the nodes after a couple of days of use. I'm not sure if that might have been due to extensive use of IPTV or what, but it was running into issues with the DHCP server (My android phone telling me that the network was full). Even after a total wipe/factory restore it was doing that. Finally, I've plugged in a different router, and changed the whole AUS setup to AP AiMesh. Now it's finally stable.
This was on the same SSID for 2.4 and 5 GHz, and pretty much on default setup.

 

[Volfi]

Silly question, is it ok to run both 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz on the same SSID?

Depends.. Around my appartment are 20+ active networks on 2.4GHz, but only two on 5GHz (108 and 161 channels). Having seperate SSIDs means I can "force" my devices to stay on 5GHz (channel 36, 80MHz width), and only few legacy ones are given passwords for 2.4GHz band.

This gives me better network stability.

 

[Ken Atkinson]

My GUI showing firmware update available for AC88U running 384_20308 , not in a position to update at the moment , product webpages not updated for new version yet either.... wonder whats fixed/added ?

 

[Flying Dutchman]

Most likely KRACK vulnerabilities are solved.

In another thread I read that the servers are being synchronized at the moment, so new firmware will become available within 24 hours.

 

[Ken Atkinson]

Most likely KRACK vulnerabilities are solved.

In another thread I read that the servers are being synchronized at the moment, so new firmware will become available within 24 hours.

Cool thanks , can't update for a day or so anyway, but think will switch on smart connect when i update as mesh seems pretty stable

 

[mlippold]

Updated to 20379 from 20308 and all is well on my RT-AC5300 (non-mesh setup).

 

[Mike Gates]

Is there anyone experiencing issue while trying to reach AiMesh fireware downloading page? Each time I clicked the firmware downloading link, e.g. https://www.asus.com/Networking/RTAC68U/HelpDesk_BIOS/
it always be redirected to
https://www.asus.com/us/Networking/RTAC68U/
no matter what kind of browsers I was using. This started to happen after I upgraded my two AC68U routers to AiMesh.

 

[mlippold]

Is there anyone experiencing issue while trying to reach AiMesh fireware downloading page? Each time I clicked the firmware downloading link, e.g. https://www.asus.com/Networking/RTAC68U/HelpDesk_BIOS/
it always be redirected to
https://www.asus.com/us/Networking/RTAC68U/
no matter what kind of browsers I was using. This started to happen after I upgraded my two AC68U routers to AiMesh.

Looks like you left off the /us in that URL.

Try this:
https://www.asus.com/us/Networking/RTAC68U/HelpDesk_BIOS/

 

[RandomName23]

Has anyone been able to get email notifications to work from the Aiprotection section? I have hits in the 2 way intrusion detection but never receive any emails.

 

[Junkbot]

Just wanted to post on this thread as it is most current:

Is it possible to disable 2.4Ghz?

2.4Ghz is way too congested in my area, and I want to be courteous to my neighbors and use 5Ghz only. When I set up AiMesh, I can turn off 2.4Ghz antenna on the ROUTER (the 2.4Ghz LED on the ROUTER turns off), but the 2.4Ghz light does not turn off on the NODE. I can also connect to the 2.4GHz SSID on my phone.

Currently, the main can't disabled wifi in Node.

I guess this is a similar problem where you cannot configure some things in the node directly.

 

[RandomName23]

Is there a way to reboot the aimesh nodes from any UI, either web or iOS? Also, does anyone else have this problem where when they reboot only the main aimesh router they get slow speeds on the aimesh node until the aimesh node has been rebooted at which point full speeds are reestablished?

 

[OzarkEdge]

My Asuswrt AX86U.46061 | AC86U.45956 AiMesh with SB6141 cable modem is on the ground/middle level. The house router covers 3x1650 sf; the detached garage node covers 1750 sf; both cover a 2 ac lot; brick construction. The 77' 2.4Nx3/5.0ACx4 backhaul link rates are 216/975 Mbps max. Smart Connect node band steering is enabled. Roaming Assistant node steering is disabled.

My install notes:
o AiMesh = router/AP + node(s) = root node + remote node(s)
Use the highest spec router as the root node.
A root node in AP Mode is wired to a non-AiMesh router.
Mixing nodes, star()/daisy chain(-) topologies, and wired(||)/wireless(|) backhauls is permitted.
o Asuswrt: AX86U, AC86U, AC68U, N66U B1, Core Temp
o Reset FAQ, Reset Button/webUI Restore, WPS Button Hard Reset
o Lessons, Insights, Speeds, Beam Forming, Roaming/Secrets, Smart Connect, Troubleshooting/Addendum, WiFi6, WiFi6E, Log Codes, Instant Guard
o Use a UPS to protect network power and firmware upgrades
o Install a WiFi Analyzer app to monitor ambient WiFi

o Power OFF router and modem (power cycle/drain)
o Wire router WAN to modem (blue label*) and router LAN to PC
o Power ON router, wait for it to settle
o Hold router Reset button until Power LED flashes slowly, wait (firmware defaults)
o Power ON modem, wait
o Browse to router.asus.com (192.168.50.1 or 192.168.1.1) and login to router webUI (default credentials admin, admin)
o Perform router Quick Setup for firmware check/upgrade
See version link for release notes.
o Perform router webUI Restore w/Initialize, wait (firmware defaults w/data purge)
Reset Button/webUI Restore clears settings in NVRAM; reboot restores firmware defaults from CFE.
WebUI Restore w/Initialize also clears logged data in /jffs folder.
o Power OFF router (open WiFi OFF*) and modem

o Repeat above for node
o Disconnect node and place near router (77' works here)

o Wire router WAN to modem (blue label*) and router LAN to PC
o Power ON router, wait
o Power ON modem, wait
o Perform router Quick Setup and configuration:
Disable Smart Connect and set different SSIDs and fixed, least congested, non-DFS channels (avoids band contention and Auto/DFS control channel disruption; allows manual band steering/segmenting of clients; and simplifies roaming/troubleshooting). Otherwise, enable SC and set same SSIDs.
Smart Connect is not supported on AC1900/AC68/AC66 B1 (set different SSIDs).
- set 2.4 WLAN to ssid-24; N only; 20 MHz; control ch 1,6,11 (1,5,9,13); WPA2/WPA3-Personal (AES)*

- set 5.0 WLAN to ssid-50; N/AC/AX mixed; 160 MHz; control ch 36-48; WPA2/WPA3-Personal (AES)*
- do not hide SSIDs (speeds client connection)
- confirm ALL bands/WLANs are broadcasting normally
- enable WiFi Agile Multiband and Target Wake Time
- disable Roaming Assistant per band to let clients decide when to roam
Otherwise, enable RA per band and increment RSSI threshold +5 dBm until stationary clients boot and connect to the near node
- confirm Airtime Fairness per band is disabled (incompatible with some clients)
- disable Universal (Implicit) Beamforming per band (proprietary/problematic)
- set router LAN static IP (192.168.1.1) and DHCP server IP pool of dynamic and manually-assigned/reserved IPs (192.168.1.10-254 leaves static IPs *.0-9 for client use)
- disable UPnP unless needed*
- set WAN DNS and DNS-over-TLS (DoT) servers 1,2 (Quad9 9.9.9.9, 149.112.112.112, dns.quad9.net)*
- disable SIP Passthrough (SIP ALG)
- confirm all firewalls are enabled*
- confirm Login Captcha is enabled*
- set USB Mode 2.0 to shield 2.4 WLAN from USB 3.0 EMI
- set local Time Zone and DST (2nd Sun Mar, 1st Sun Nov)
- confirm Telnet, SSH, and Web Access from WAN are disabled*
- confirm Auto Firmware Upgrade is disabled*
- set Guest1 WLANs to ssid-24-guest/ssid-50-guest, WPA2/WPA3-Personal (AES)*, disable intranet access*, sync to all nodes
Guest1 IPs will be *.101/102.*.
Guest2,3 WLANs do not sync to nodes.
Guest WLANs in AP Mode are NOT isolated from intranet.*
- enable AiProtection*
Administration\Privacy\Withdraw will disable all Trend Micro features.
- disable Media Server and Network Place Share on all nodes, or not
o Reboot router, power ON node, wait
- search/add node (must be reset to firmware defaults)
- confirm WPS is disabled after adding node*
- leave wireless node Backhaul Connection Priority set to Auto
- set wired node Backhaul Connection Priority to Ethernet/WAN first
- if all nodes are wired, enable Ethernet Backhaul Mode to release all WiFi for client use
o Use router hard switch and node soft switch to turn OFF their LEDs
o Log a QoS Internet Speed test
o Power OFF/ON router and browse to GRC Shields UP! to test WAN port security*
*security-related

o Deploy node(s) ~equidistant, high, in the clear, and within range (-68 dBm) of the router's 5.0 signal, even if using a wired backhaul (alternate backhauls enable self-healing); or daisy chain a node within range of another node's 5.0 signal; wait
Remove any close radio devices/interference.
The Wireless Log lists backhaul detail per node MAC. Adjust channel and backhaul distance/path for max RSSI power and Tx/Rx link rates per band. Tighten and face antennas \ | / (tilted donut pattern; 3 dBi coverage).

o Install a wired backhaul from router LAN to node WAN for full-duplex Ethernet; other scenarios
o Relocate wireless node to adjust signal coverage/overlap for given Tx power to affect roaming/node steering (not too near/far/many) before adjusting Roaming Assistant thresholds
o Adjust Smart Connect rules to affect node band steering (not likely)

o Confirm the integrity of all cabling (Cat5e or better); wire stationary clients
o Reboot network infrastructure/clients to clear lingering conditions
o Configure client wireless properties to improve band steering; forget wireless connections to clear lingering conditions and only create connections needed; update OEM drivers
o Disable Private Addresses on Apple clients with connection issues
o Disable unneeded WiFi Direct APs in other devices
o Avoid ASUS Router app (mobile platforms are fragile/insecure)
o Avoid voice control of router
o Let a new network settle and use it awhile before adding to it

To upgrade firmware:
Run WinMD5 to verify firmware file MD5 checksum value.
- Save router configuration to file for reverting to current firmware
- Upload each node
- Upload router (stop here for dirty upgrade)
- Remove/eject any USB storage
- Delete node(s) to automatically reset to firmware defaults
- WebUI Restore w/Initialize router to reset to firmware defaults
- Configure router from scratch (clean upgrade)
- Mount/scan any USB storage

ASUS AiMesh uses performance routers with features including Asuswrt and Asuswrt-Merlin firmware, and ASUS AiProtection (no subscription required); extends coverage; improves roaming; centralizes management (no account required); maintains wired/wireless backhauls, and backup hardware; and can be incrementally deployed/upgraded.

OE

 

[Quad80]

I just noticed the other day that the mesh seems to be showing up as individual clients on my client list, one for each wifi band, but under the same IP address. It didn't do this before, I haven't updated to the new firmware that was just updated, and I didn't change any settings. It didn't do this when I first set up the mesh, but for some reason it just started doing it. Is anyone else seeing this? Screenshots are attached, one from desktop, one from app, since both are showing this behavior.

 

[RandomName23]

I now have two RT-AC68Us configured for AiMesh with WiFi backhaul. They are about 95' apart on one level spanning 3 interior walls/kitchen and 2 exterior brick walls. This is to upgrade an RT-AC68U and RT-N66U in extender/repeater mode. The old setup worked but the roaming, multiple SSIDs, and management were not very elegant. Plus I need to push the RT-N66U over the hills and through the woods to Grandma's house.
o Set DNS servers (OpenDNS 208.67.222.222, 208.67.220.220)

Just curious why the decision to use OpenDNS vs the built in trend micro? I have been using software at the client level but have been thinking about doing it at the router level.

 

[OzarkEdge]

Just curious why the decision to use OpenDNS vs the built in trend micro? I have been using software at the client level but have been thinking about doing it at the router level.

My use of OpenDNS precedes my use of ASUS routers. I did not realize there was a Trend Micro option... but even so, I like to spread the love around. OpenDNS is reputable and it's not Google.

I only mentioned OpenDNS here to provide context... it's currently in my router and in my notes!

OE