Replacing RT-AC3100 with RT-BE88U for ESP based IOT Network

[lokester]

Long time user of Asus Routers/Merlin Firmware. Currently using RT-AC3100 flashed with latest (and EOL) version of Merlin.

My Wifi needs are simple, 2 phones, 4 Tablets, 2 Alexa devices, and 40+ ESP based IOT devices flashed with Tasmota firmware.
PC's and Streaming Devices are all connected via copper.

I am aware of the Wifi connection issue between Asus Routers and "cheap" ESP wifi IOT devices,
and therefore, don't want this thread turning into a debate about that issue. The simple fact is that if not for my
40+ ESP based IOT devices I could get by with the generic router provided by my ISP.

Reason I want to stick with my ESP 2.4 ghz Wifi IOT devices running Tasmota:
- Connectivity stays within my local intranet and no need to connect to an unknown server located who knows where on the internet
- My IOT devices communicate via MQTT to my local MQTT broker running on a local Raspberry Pi.
- Tasmota is very versatile with regards to IOT and home automation - ie Smart Plugs, Smart Switches, Temperature Monitoring, Lights, etc.
- With 40+ devices, not sure what I would replace them with and still be able to confine them to my local intranet.

Reason I want to stick with Asus Routers with Merlin FW:
- I am familiar with Merlin and many of the scripts it brings to the table
- I manually assign IP addresses to my IOT devices (and other devices) using /jffs/configs/dnsmasq.conf.add
- I use OpenVPN Server on my Router to allow external connections to my Home Automation IOT needs.
- Asus and Merlin have a great support group (i.e. this forum) for help

On my RT-AC3100 Router with 1GB Internet Service, ALL my ESP devices connected in 2.4ghz mode 11n (having them on a hidden Guest SSID)
This setup has been rock solid for years. Speedtest download results of the 2.4 band is 22 mbps

Enter the RT-BE88U thinking I can someday isolate the IOT devices from the internet (Guest network, VLAN, etc). But as others have experienced, I am having to put the ESP devices in mode 11g for reliable connections. SpeedTest dowload speeds have dropped to 8 mbps. I also read on another post that I may be impacting my neighbors Wifi as well?

With an eventual GOAL of placing the ESP based IOT devices in a layer isolated from the internet while keeping my 2.4ghz traffic back to at least what I had with the AC3100;
Is the BE88U a viable choice for me? I do have a couple of AC68u devices that I have on each end of the house with CAT5e links if needed. (i.e. Ap, mesh nodes ??)

If the answer is NO, I can accept that too. Thanks for taking the time to read this LENGTHY post.

 

[Tech9]

I wouldn't touch the working well system. End of support doesn't necessarily mean immediate end of life. Phones, tablets and Alexa devices are perhaps happy with what they have. This new router has user configurable VLANs, but your old routers are not compatible AiMesh nodes. You are going to pay extra money and bring home extra trouble. The new 3006 Asuswrt-Merlin is still in beta.

 

[lokester]

@Tech9, thank you for taking the time to read my post and providing solid advice. As bad as I wanted the new router to work for me, all the signs were telling me my devices were just not a good fit for it.

 

[Ripshod]

@Tech9, thank you for taking the time to read my post and providing solid advice. As bad as I wanted the new router to work for me, all the signs were telling me my devices were just not a good fit for it.

All the signs? If I hadn't changed my main wifi last night these esp based devices would be well over 48 hours connected.

If you want I'll post the same in a couple of days. All I've done is disable wifi 7 on the guest wifi, set WPA2-Personal, and assigned manual IPs. Everything else is default.

 

[lokester]

@Ripshod. glad you are having success. I had my wifi config set with the same settings you mentioned. Are your devices flashed with Tasmota FW ? Are they ESP8266 or ESP32 devices?
For now, I went ahead and returned the BE88U router. Will look in to upgrading again in a year or so.