Opinions of a couple setup options

[bcm00re]

Option 1:
ASUS RT-AX86S as my main router with an ASUS RT-AC1750 B1 (aka - RT-AC66U) setup to be AiMesh AP to help with coverage (and maybe take some of the workload off the main router).

Options 2:
ASUS RT-AX86S as my main router but with its wifi turned off and it be covered by a couple Linksys LN1301 (MX4300) routers setup to be APs.

Some specs on above routers:
Linksys LN1301 has 2.4GHz (2x2), 5GHz_1 (2x2), and 5GHz_2 (4x4) radios with a 1.4Ghz quad-core processor along with 2gb DDR3 RAM and 1gb flash
RT-AX86S has 2.4GHz (3x4) and 5GHz (4x4), radios with a 1.8GHz dual-core processor along with 512mb DDR3 RAM and 256mb flash
RT-AC1750 B1 has 2.4GHz (3x3) and 5GHz (3x3) radios with 1GHz dual-core processor along with 256MB of RAM and 128MB of flash

I am currently using the two Linksys LN1301 in a mesh. Officially mesh isn't supported, but folks found how to get them to do it -- and I am using a wired backhaul. Before I bought those two LN1301s for cheap, I was using just the AX86S alone. My concerns with it were the memory was almost maxed out (even though I'm not running a VPN or doing anything fancy/special). That said I wasn't looking to replace it, but when that Linksys with those specs hit the market for just $20 each I couldn't pass up getting a a few (I actually have three). I started using them just to try them out and with the mesh was getting better coverage than that lone ASUS. Lately though my network has been kind of quirky so that along with the fact the firmware in the LN1301s is almost 2 years old (and yes it's the latest available from Linksys) has me wanting to switch to something with recent firmware. To be clear I am running stock firmware on all of them -- both ASUS' had updates late last fall. Anyhow, I welcome any and all inputs folks have -- please chime in and ask any questions if you have any!

 

[Tech9]

You never mentioned any network segmentation goals. In this case for a flat network I would probably use the RT-AX86S on stock Asuswrt as wired router only and a couple of Linksys LN1301 in Bridge Mode (the way AP Mode is called on Linksys devices) with 2.4GHz radio enabled and whatever works better in your place 5GHz radio enabled. In theory 5GHz-2 on the Linksys units is the better one.

Why ASUS on stock Asuswrt? This router was offered as budget model and has low amount of RAM just enough to run stock firmware. If Asuswrt-Merlin is used it has to be in light configuration with no custom scripts. No USB attached drives will help a lot with memory utilization as well.

Why Linksys in Bridge Mode? Because they look much nicer than the ASUS with sticking out antennas and perhaps Qualcomm hardware and drivers offer somewhat better compatibility to clients than Broadcom. At least this is my own experience, I personally use Qualcomm hardware for years.

 

[ColinTaylor]

RT-AX86S has 2.4GHz (2x2), 5GHz (2x2), and 6GHz (2x2) radios with a 1.8GHz dual-core processor along with 512mb DDR3 RAM and 256mb ROM

This is incorrect. The RT-AX86S is:

2.4GHz (3x3), 5GHz (4x4), and 6GHz (2x2) radios with a 1.8GHz dual-core processor along with 512mb DDR3 RAM and 256mb Flash

 

[bcm00re]

@ColinTaylor
Thank you for setting me straight -- I updated my original post. Evidently I found some bad info when I searched; I thought it didn't look right (didn't remember it having 6GHz) and meant to circle back after getting the specs on the other Asus but then forgot.

@Tech9
Thanks for the info! You know back when I was using the AX86S I had a USB drive attached. I have since just installed that drive in my HTPC and made it a share -- so I guess RAM usage should look better this time around. Back when I upgraded to the AX Asus, I was doubling the memory in my AC Asus so I thought I'd get some more headroom (but really didn't gain much). As far as network segmentation, I will have the guest network enabled for whatever wifi I use. I connect my security cameras and other IoT devices to it and have it available for those visiting. I have a lot of Rokus for my TVs and connect those to main network 5Ghz (or LAN) when I can. My HTPC is on 24/7 and runs an Emby server.

 

[Tech9]

Back when I upgraded to the AX Asus, I was doubling the memory in my AC Asus so I thought I'd get some more headroom (but really didn't gain much).

No. RT-AX86S may have 512MB RAM, but it runs different firmware. After boot it actually has less available RAM than RT-AC66U B1 with 256MB RAM. You can't make this assumption for two totally different devices. About USB storage - it takes some RAM for running the service and the rest available for buffers. You can see the router at 97% RAM utilization in result, it may become unstable.

As far as network segmentation, I will have the guest network enabled for whatever wifi I use.

In this case you don't have 2x options anymore. Your only option is ASUS RT-AX86S as main router and RT-AC66U B1 as node. In this configuration you have one Guest Network per band propagated to node option. Not great, the ancient AC router will limit the channel choice on your AX router, it will also slow down the entire network stealing more airtime, but may serve your needs for some time.

 

[bcm00re]

@Tech9
Well darn...I had totally forgotten that I'd loose guest network when running LN1301s as APs. Sadly it appears that really does foil that plan! I have a really old Ubiquiti AP (that's only 2.4ghz); would there be a way to add it and make it a guest network that's effectively isolated from my main network?

I guess when meshing with Asus the network gets dumbed down to to lowest common denominator? While disappointing I'm not certain I would notice it in day to day use. Don't recall noting a speed difference (beyond running a speed test) when going from the AC to AX router.

All that said, I might have to look into 3rd party firmware support for my LN1301s. I have no experience at all in that area because I just haven't had a need in the past. I've been wary of their stability to be honest, and not sure it would make my firmware more secure. I have read that Merlin is great but believe it's only for Asus routers.

 

[bcm00re]

Or maybe I make my life easier and just pick up a pair of ASUS ZenWiFi XD6 units (for just $80) assuming I can make them both AiMesh APs with my AX86S as the main router. Thoughts? I believe this in an older Asus model, but I see now it just got a firmware update last month so perhaps it might be better to have the XD6 unit as the main router? Still looking for thoughts on this, but I should probably try the two Asus routers I already own in AiMesh first before spending money.

 

[Tech9]

I have a really old Ubiquiti AP (that's only 2.4ghz); would there be a way to add it and make it a guest network that's effectively isolated from my main network?

I see two potential issues with this idea. First, Ubiquiti APs do have stand-alone mode, configuration is done via UniFi App, but I don't know how old yours is and if setting it up is the same way. You have to find out. Second, to broadcast Guest Network on it you need this network isolated on LAN port. This is not an option in factory Asuswrt, potentially can be done in Asuswrt-Merlin with custom script. You have to identify the physical port interface and bridge it to the virtual guest network interface.

ASUS ZenWiFi XD6... Thoughts?

I personally wouldn't touch anything from ZenWiFi series.

 

[CaptainSTX]

You never mentioned any network segmentation goals. In this case for a flat network I would probably use the RT-AX86S on stock Asuswrt as wired router only and a couple of Linksys LN1301 in Bridge Mode (the way AP Mode is called on Linksys devices) with 2.4GHz radio enabled and whatever works better in your place 5GHz radio enabled. In theory 5GHz-2 on the Linksys units is the better one.

Why ASUS on stock Asuswrt? This router was offered as budget model and has low amount of RAM just enough to run stock firmware. If Asuswrt-Merlin is used it has to be in light configuration with no custom scripts. No USB attached drives will help a lot with memory utilization as well.

Why Linksys in Bridge Mode? Because they look much nicer than the ASUS with sticking out antennas and perhaps Qualcomm hardware and drivers offer somewhat better compatibility to clients than Broadcom. At least this is my own experience, I personally use Qualcomm hardware for years.

I think you are underestimating the capabilities of the AX86S, I bought one on Amazon for a sale price of $29 to replace my AC86 which I had problems with initially and never trusted. I ran a fair number of addons and both a VPN server and client on the AX8S and never had any problems with stability. When I had the opportunity I did upgrade to an AX88 Pro as I wanted two 2.5 gig ports and made the AX86 into node.

 

[bcm00re]

I think you are underestimating the capabilities of the AX86S, I bought one on Amazon for a sale price of $29 ...

Wow, how in the world did you get it so cheap? Even used they go for considerably more than that!