Thoughts on GT-AXE11000 as AP

[Smokindog]

Current network is

• RT-BE96U main node
• Wired APs
  • 3xRT-AX88U (non-pro)
  • RT-AX86S
  • 2xRT-AC3100 (garage and shop nodes)

NO AIMESH and no plans to give it another try!!!!

I'm considering the use of an ASUS ROG Rapture GT-AXE11000 given it's current $200 price point. One of my AC3100 APs will be retired, an AX88U will be moved to replace the AC3100, and the AXE11000 will replace the AX88U.

I've spent the past couple days looking at AXE11000 posts. Probably missed it but don't see any specific "long term review" of the platform.

Looking for input from any long term users!

TIA

 

[Tech9]

At some point you may want to look at proper APs with native VLAN support and PoE.

 

[jzchen]

I run the AXE11000 as a router in our other house. I use a TP-Link range extender there to extend all three bands. It's been running for a couple of years on Frontier Fiber 1 Gb service. No issues really...

 

[jzchen]

AiMesh works fine for AX(E) and AC routers. You could set your new AXE11000 as AP and add the rest as nodes. Of course if you've been traumatized you don't have to trust me....

 

[Tech9]

AiMesh on the same channels with 7x different model and firmware routers blasting up to 30dBm per radio will be amazing... RF noise pollution. I just don't understand why @Smokindog continues buying consumer routers for APs when Ethernet infrastructure is available. This flat network design with home routers has serious limitations from the start. And it's not even cheap to justify the inconveniences. Wi-Fi 6 class SMB APs with VLAN support and PoE start from around $100. Invest once in proper Gateway and Switch and go from there.

 

[jzchen]

@Tech9 The "garage and shop nodes" gave me a clue. This is not an ordinary home/house....

 

[degrub]

@Tech9 The "garage and shop nodes" gave me a clue. This is not an ordinary home/house....

But it all depends on the actual spacing ( 2.4GHz can be strong enough at quite a distance if clear air) and the attenuating materials of construction as we have seen on many threads. Detached garages are fairly common, at least in the US , even in cities. Shop buildings are more common in more rural / city edge environments. What we don't have is the layout in this case, only the evidence OP cited of one or more small buildings + residence successfully served by the existing older hardware - all on existing hardwired LAN connections !
i think this says anything may work. And no attempt/need to make it work better or fine tune power levels to cut down RF interference between the AP radios. We also don't have any information about the bands in use - maybe all are 5 GHz only which can reduce the interference easily. That is the way my 4 AP system is set up inside of 3000 sqr ft house.

 

[Tech9]

This is not an ordinary home/house....

It doesn't matter much unless the APs are very far apart and don't see each other. AIO routers and dedicated APs with high power radios see each other from greater distance and still wait to transmit data when they operate on the same channel.

 

[Smokindog]

AiMesh works fine for AX(E) and AC routers. You could set your new AXE11000 as AP and add the rest as nodes. Of course if you've been traumatized you don't have to trust me....

Thanks but IMO AiMesh offers more troubles than benefits. Managing individual wired APs is more flexible and stable. Plus you get more options for your APs to fit the individual needs.

 

[Smokindog]

Thanks but IMO AiMesh offers more troubles than benefits. Managing individual wired APs is more flexible and stable.

But it all depends on the actual spacing ( 2.4GHz can be strong enough at quite a distance if clear air) and the attenuating materials of construction as we have seen on many threads. Detached garages are fairly common, at least in the US , even in cities. Shop buildings are more common in more rural / city edge environments. What we don't have is the layout in this case, only the evidence OP cited of one or more small buildings + residence successfully served by the existing older hardware - all on existing hardwired LAN connections !
i think this says anything may work. And no attempt/need to make it work better or fine tune power levels to cut down RF interference between the AP radios. We also don't have any information about the bands in use - maybe all are 5 GHz only which can reduce the interference easily. That is the way my 4 AP system is set up inside of 3000 sqr ft house.

THX but I wasn't asking for overall design help, got that all under control. My question was specific to the AXE11000 and it's longer term evaluation as a stable node, specifically as a wired AP. THX again.

 

[Tech9]

This router is the same hardware generation like your RT-AX88U and RT-AX86S. There is a chance they'll all reach End-Of-Life at approximately the same time. There is a reason behind this clearance price. Since none support VLAN - without custom scripting you can't have even simple Guest Network isolation in AP Mode. If this is okay for your current and future needs - your call.