Question about XT8 setup in AP mode

[ArbitRabbit]

Given endless firmware issues with my XT8 with it switching to 2.4ghz backhaul, I am planning to stick to 42095 Firmware. But since I do not want to keep exposing an out of date firmware to the internet, I was thinking of a different setup. Basically

Modem -> PfSense Appliance -> XT8 over Ethernet (in AP mode) -> XT8 in AP mode over dedicated wireless backhaul (I have two nodes - so main router and two nodes)

Does anyone know if dedicated wireless backhaul work in AP mode?

 

[OzarkEdge]

Given endless firmware issues with my XT8 with it switching to 2.4ghz backhaul, I am planning to stick to 42095 Firmware. But since I do not want to keep exposing an out of date firmware to the internet, I was thinking of a different setup. Basically

Modem -> PfSense Appliance -> XT8 over Ethernet (in AP mode) -> XT8 in AP mode over dedicated wireless backhaul (I have two nodes - so main router and two nodes)

Does anyone know if dedicated wireless backhaul work in AP mode?

AP is wired.
Repeater/extender is wireless.
AiMesh node is wired or wireless.

So, for example:

modem <wire> non-AiMesh router <wire> AiMesh router in AP Mode <wire/wireless> AiMesh node

OE

 

[tgl]

I've been running two XT8 units in AP mode with wireless backhaul. Whatever was the current firmware release in December was entirely not reliable, but once I found the advice here to downgrade to 42095, they've been okay. Since I'm not relying on them for security, I'm not too concerned about running an old firmware release.

The other thing I learned the hard way: do not use DFS frequencies (so, no 160MHz channel width for you). Maybe you can get away with that if you are many miles from any airport or weather radar. I'm not.

I have found that 42095 has got issues with client roaming. I had a lot of problems with access to local wired machines whenever my laptop roamed from one XT8 to the other; it seemed that the units failed to update local-net routing info promptly. Eventually I used the AIMesh feature to "bind" the laptop to only one of the two XT8s, and then that was okay.

On the whole, I'm thoroughly disappointed with ASUS' software quality and am working on migrating to different wireless hardware. But you can make this use-case work if you want to.

 

[WRCLVR]

Does anyone have the zipped 42095 firmware for the XT8? I have the 43061 firmware and have had all kinds of disconnect issues esp streaming over fiber optic 1GIG service and disconnects on vpn as well. Main computer use is Teams calls and corporate vpn use daily.

Bought mine in August Last year and finally came here as last resort. Asus no longer has the 42095 available on their website is why im asking.



Thanks to any one that can help

 

[costica1234]

42095 firmware link for XT8.

 

[WRCLVR]

42095 firmware link for XT8.

Thanks hugely, sir !!