RT-BE88U - Any way to set Wi-fi 2,4 Ghz network into legacy mode (b/g/n)?

[Marsi4eg]

I'm currently using Merlin 3006.102.6 fw on my BE88U. That's annoying that wi-fi settings was separated to 2 different locations, and the new interface of basic settings lacks the "Wireless mode" setting that usually contained options like "auto", "bg only", "n only" etc. The problem is I can't connect an old device - PSP to the network, it just doesn't see it. It's probably because the network operates automatically in n+ax mode or something like that, while PSP is 802.11b device.

How can I enable legacy 2,4 modes with this "new" wi-fi network settings? Maybe there's an NVRAM parameter leftover that could be changed properly and commited?

Thanks

 

[bbunge]

While I do not have a BE class router and I've tried to look at the BE88U User Guide, which was not at all helpful, Here are a couple of recommendations. I have learned that some older 2.4 GHz clients do not like 40 MHz bandwidth and WPA2/WPA3-Personal. So, set the 2.4 GHz to 20 MHz. If you feel that you need to use WPA2/WPA3-Personal set a Guest WIFI that uses just WPA2-Personal or if necessary WPA. You should not need the "legacy" mode you mentioned above.
I apologize if I am assuming your settings incorrectly...

 

[Marsi4eg]

Unfortunately all these steps don't help and that settings were already set to make everything similar to like it was on AC66U. But the PSP just don't see the network in the list, and says "Network not found" if I try to use saved/manually created network profile. That was also the case on AC66U if you manually set 2,4 Wi-fi to "n+ac" mode. But if you set some legacy mode, - the network starts to be visible on PSP.

BE88U in latest firmwares for some reason doesn't have (missed) the option that was called "Wireless mode", so there's no chance to do this from Web UI. Neither on "Network" page and on "Wi-fi--Professional" page.

I don't know if it's an error in firmware or Asus removed that setting consciously

 

[ColinTaylor]

How can I enable legacy 2,4 modes with this "new" wi-fi network settings? Maybe there's an NVRAM parameter leftover that could be changed properly and commited?

To enable 11b the following used to work on the old AX routers. Whether it's even supported on the BE models I don't know.

Determine which variable is being used for 2.4 GHz by looking for ofdm. It's probably wl0_rateset.

# nvram show | grep wl._rateset
wl0_rateset=ofdm
wl1_rateset=default

Then change it from ofdm to default and restart the wireless subsystem.

nvram set wl0_rateset=default
service restart_wireless

 

[bennor]

Also make sure to set the encryption to WPA, not WPA2/WPA3, if possible.

Another option, while not optimal, is to use (or buy/find) an old router that has older 2.4 GHz B/G options in AP mode with it's own SSID WiFI and connect it to the RT-BE88U. Or perhaps use Wireless extender that has more configurable 2.4 GHz settings. Or if one has a ISP wireless router in front of their RT-BE88U check that ISP router's WiFi options to see if the PSP would connect to that ISP router if one is just looking for internet access only.

 

[Marsi4eg]

To enable 11b the following used to work on the old AX routers. Whether it's even supported on the BE models I don't know.

Determine which variable is being used for 2.4 GHz by looking for ofdm. It's probably wl0_rateset.

# nvram show | grep wl._rateset
wl0_rateset=ofdm
wl1_rateset=default

Then change it from ofdm to default and restart the wireless subsystem.

nvram set wl0_rateset=default
service restart_wireless

Thanks! Checked these variables, and them both already set to default. Also checked wl0_nband that was set to 2 as a leftover from the disable 802.11b setting in WebUI. Changed it to 1, commited and restarted wireless but nothing happened.

Meanwhile, I noticed an odd behavior - when the wireless is being restarted, first few seconds after network was initialized, the PSP sees and can successfully connect to the network, but after a few seconds it stops to be visible, so hardware supports working with such old clients, but some settings being applied after wireless re-initialized and something still disables visibility to b-devices.

 

[ColinTaylor]

Thanks! Checked these variables, and them both already set to default. Also checked wl0_nband that was set to 2 as a leftover from the disable 802.11b setting in WebUI. Changed it to 1, commited and restarted wireless but nothing happened.

Meanwhile, I noticed an odd behavior - when the wireless is being restarted, first few seconds after network was initialized, the PSP sees and can successfully connect to the network, but after a few seconds it stops to be visible, so hardware supports working with such old clients, but some settings being applied after wireless re-initialized and something still disables visibility to b-devices.

You could try this if you can determine the physical interface name of your 2.4 GHz radio (it's eth6 on my router):

nvram get wl0_ifname
wl -i eth6 down
wl -i eth6 rateset 1b 2b 5.5b 6 9 11b 12 18 24 36 48 54
wl -i eth6 up

No idea whether it will work.

 

[KevTech]

May help to turn off wifi 7 for the 2.4 network.

Click on the Network tab then select your 2.4 network and disable wifi 7 mode.

 

[killweav]

I have a BE92U. They separated the Wifi into two places because the wireless page now deals with low level parameters based on the radio more than the specific network or SSID that you wish to set up. The network page is where you set up the higher level details and multiple SSIDs can be set up on each radio. Turn off Wifi 7 and disable MLO for that SSID on the network page. Ensure WPA is set to WPA2, not mixed. In the wireless page set MU-MIMO to disabled and channel to 20Mhz. Also specify the channel being used just to set a baseline. If you want you can turn B mode on and set it to long. Turn off roaming assistant. Wifi Agile Multiband, all this to establish a base line. Essentially putting the radio into as legacy mode as possible. It might also be an issue with the PSP. Can you put your phone into hotspot mode and see if PSP connect to that? Just as a test.

If any of that works you can slowly enable back what you feel comfortable to narrow down what might the the parameter.