Replacement options for my RT-BE86U

[Tech9]

- you have the router very well shielded by your computer case
- penetrating walls on diagonal is the most challenging situation
- Adaptive QoS doesn't work on Asus BE-class routers at the moment
- dual-band BE-class routers have similar to AX-class Wi-Fi performance
- don't invest heavily in AiMesh, it has very limited network planning tools
- don't choose a router based on number of LAN ports available on it

 

[sneak]

- you have the router very well shielded by your computer case
- penetrating walls on diagonal is the most challenging situation
- Adaptive QoS doesn't work on Asus BE-class routers at the moment
- dual-band BE-class routers have similar to AX-class Wi-Fi performance
- don't invest heavily in AiMesh, it has very limited network planning tools
- don't choose a router based on number of LAN ports available on it

That's lame. Instead of the router config saying something is enabled, it should indicate the feature doesn't work.

 

[Tech9]

it should indicate the feature doesn't work

You sound like this is your first ever Asus router.

 

[sneak]

You sound like this is your first ever Asus router.

What about Merlin?

 

[Tech9]

Whatever Trend Micro, AiMesh, AiCloud, etc. something else closed source is broken in Asuswrt base is broken in Asuswrt-Merlin as well. Sometimes one of the two firmwares may work better since the base used for stock Asuswrt and Asuswrt-Merlin is different. Your new BE-class router released in late 2024 may start working close to advertised sometime in late 2026. You have to be patient.

 

[sneak]

Whatever Trend Micro, AiMesh, AiCloud, etc. something else closed source is broken in Asuswrt base is broken in Asuswrt-Merlin as well. Sometimes one of the two firmwares may work better since the base used for stock Asuswrt and Asuswrt-Merlin is different. Your new BE-class router released in late 2024 may start working close to advertised sometime in late 2026. You have to be patient.

I meant why isn't this noted in Merlin firmware? There's obviously an ability to put a note there. Features have been added and modified. Much more extensive tweaks have been made than simply putting in a note that says it isn't functional.

 

[Tech9]

With 2Gbps ISP service you most likely don't need any QoS. Asus doesn't have recommendations based on ISP service plan, but you can find some from other manufacturer. Ubiquiti for example doesn't recommend using Smart Queues (similar to Traditional QoS, FQ-CoDel) above 300Mbps and App Prioritization (similar to Adaptive QoS, DPI engine) above Gigabit. If you have fiber ISP with low latency or good quality cable - don't worry about it.

 

[sneak]

With 2Gbps ISP service you most likely don't need any QoS. Asus doesn't have recommendations based on ISP service plan, but you can find some from other manufacturer. Ubiquiti for example doesn't recommend using Smart Queues (similar to Traditional QoS, FQ-CoDel) above 300Mbps and App Prioritization (similar to Adaptive QoS, DPI engine) above Gigabit. If you have fiber ISP with low latency - don't worry about it.

I don't care about it and only ever enabled it to see if I'd notice a difference (I didn't) but was opposed to it being possible to enable it when it doesn't do anything.. including without notice to the user it doesn't function. I was also thinking I probably won't benefit from it (because my speed is actually 1020/100) and I'm the only one using the connection.

 

[Tech9]

Don't stress out too much. It's a $250 device for RPi-like router, 2.5GbE switch and dual-band AP. There is nothing much to be disappointed about at this price point. It hurts way more when you get $700 home router and find it has the same issues.

 

[sneak]

Don't stress out too much. It's a $250 device for RPi-like router, 2.5GbE switch and dual-band AP. There is nothing much to be disappointed about at this price point. It hurts way more when you get $700 home router and find it has the same issues.

It's a fair point but I'm basing it off principles, not price. I would care more at $700, sure or if I needed the advertised feature.. but the principle is that it's advertised as having X featureset and then it doesn't, but nobody is informed of this information. It takes a person on an enthusiast forum to point it out.

 

[Tech9]

It's a fair point but I'm basing it off principles, not price.

Agree, but you are from the old disappearing generation of people with principles. Me too.

 

[degrub]

They are following principles. The principle of selling enough units to keep the lights on and bills paid. Get product out the door with basic function. The software will catch up later as they figure out what customers really need, not what the engineers wanted to perfect. Enthusiasts, beta testers, knowledgeable people are a very small minority in the sea of customers that buy the unit and don't really need the features that are time consuming to get working. Ruthless prioritization software development.