Upgrade 3-Router WLAN with new ASUS routers

[rsbrux]

My current WLAN consists of 3 routers, including an ASUS RT-AC68U serving as gateway and DHCP server. It is daisy-chained to two older models from other vendors:

cable modem
|
RT-AC68U (stock firmware)
|
old D-Link router (stock firmware)
|
older TP-Link router (Gargoyle)

I would like to upgrade the configuration to something like this:

cable modem
|
new ASUS router (WPA3 personal and traffic monitoring)
|
new ASUS router (ditto)
|
RT-AC68U (ASUSwrt-Merlin)

in order to support (AI)mesh routing.
I need 5 LAN ports on the last router, which is why I installed Gargoyle on the TP-Link and plan to install Merlin on the RT-AC68U.
I am assuming that the newer models have better performance than the old RT-AC68U, which is why I plan to move the RT-AC68U to the end of the chain.

1. Is that true that the WAN port used as a LAN port on the RT-AC68U in the AP mode will have lower performance than the remaining LAN ports?
2. What is the minimum ASUS router anyone would recommend for the 2 new routers (they only need at least 3 LAN ports each).
3. Should I plan on running Merlin on the new ASUS routers as well?

Any comments on other options, pros & cons are most welcome!
Thanks in advance for any feedback.

 

[ColinTaylor]

1. Is that true that the WAN port used as a LAN port on the RT-AC68U in the AP mode will have lower performance than the remaining LAN ports?

No.

 

[Tech9]

Any comments on other options, pros & cons are most welcome!

For a brand new system and Ethernet infrastructure available I wouldn't invest in AiMesh at all. What's the budget and location?

 

[rsbrux]

This is a home network. We have several WLAN-only clients and Ethernet doesn't cover our home completely.
In particular we have a long terrace which requires 2 WiFi routers or APs for coverage due to a large concrete building core element which prevents coverage from a single point.
I want AI mesh to enable seamless hand-off between routers when walking around both indoors and outdoors. I am not particularly cost sensitive but would still like to have an economical solution.

 

[rsbrux]

After sifting through the ASUS website, it looks as though RT-BE58U would be a good match for my situation, but it isn't supported by Merlin. The nearest models supported by Merlin appear to be RT-BE86U, RT-BE88U and RT-BE92U, which cost about twice as much. Do I need to fork up the extra money in order to be able to put Merlin on the new routers, or can I expect the old router running Merlin to play nicely with the new routers running stock firmware?
I forgot to mention that another reason I am planning to base the new network completely on ASUS routers is that I am interested in the Network Monitoring / Network Analyzer features.

 

[degrub]

Take a look at Ubiquiti Wifi 6 APs, OC200 controller (to facilitate roaming properly and manage all devices from one ), a one of the smaller gateway routers. You can search the threads here for Ubiquiti also. @Tech9 has been having good experience with the system.

 

[Tech9]

I want AI mesh to enable seamless hand-off between routers

Well... AiMesh won't do that for you. It's a basic system with very limited control and false advertising involved. Deco, Eero, Nest do mesh and roaming better. If you want close to the best possible roaming go for controller managed Omada. The best I've seen with clients tracking and dynamic AP power adjustment. UniFi is good as well because of total AP control available.

I am interested in the Network Monitoring / Network Analyzer features

Excellent wired and wireless network, client, app control without breaking the bank - UniFi. Gateways start from $130. All done in house without data sharing to 3rd party companies. Per IP traffic available on your old RT-AC68U is removed in newer Asuswrt-Merlin versions and you have to use TrendMicro services after data sharing agreement. Examples:

Network, Application and Traffic:

Network, Traffic and Bandwidth:

Network, connections Geolocation:

Client, individual Application and Traffic:

 

[Tech9]

Want more visual network control? - Arista Firewall (Untangle):

Not free for full features though and needs additional x86 hardware.

 

[rsbrux]

@Tech9 Many thanks for all the information! The stock firmware of my ASUS RT-AC68U has required a Trend Micro connection for a few years already, but after reading https://www.mbreviews.com/trend-micro-aiprotection-asus/ I am not worried about that.
I also tend to prefer ASUS (Tawan) to both TP-Link (China) and Ubiquiti (U.S.).
However, I am alarmed by your statement that AImesh can't deliver seamless hand-off.
The reviews I have found in the DACH region (Germany, Austria & Switzerland, I live in Switzerland) consistently mention TP-Link Deco and ASUS Zen WiFi as the best mesh routers, but fail to mention Ubiquiti. I also don't find much from TP-Link Omada or Ubiquiti Unifi at local retailers, and what I do find seems pretty expensive (more than double what you mentioned). What I do find is Ubiquiti Amplifi, for example Afi-R for CHF 150 (approx. USD 180). I would presumably need to trash my RT-AC68U and get 3 AFi-R.
What do you think?

 

[Tech9]

However, I am alarmed by your statement that AImesh can't deliver seamless hand-off.

Nothing delivers seamless transition between APs. The client decides where to connect and AiMesh has limited options to encourage the client to switch to another AP. UniFi and Omada are not home mesh systems. They are in business oriented hardware with less false advertising and higher reliability. You can read and trust any reviews you like, make sure they are not paid or sponsored.

 

[Tech9]

What do you think?

Your old RT-AC68U is a e-waste and it will affect negatively an AiMesh system with new routers. About the price - some say you get what you pay for. Ubiquiti may be expensive, Omada is usually cheaper, both in wired APs configuration are way above anything on the consumer market.

 

[rsbrux]

Thanks for all your informative posts! It sounds as though I have misunderstood the purpose of mesh. All 3 of my routers / APs have wired Ethernet connections. Will I have any advantage from using mesh?

 

[Tech9]

The consumer marketing invented wired mesh. Mesh is always wireless configuration. AiMesh is Asus marketing name of wireless Repeaters and wired Access Points. Over time they added extra features to it, but still quite limited and with mixed compatibility levels between devices running different firmware. You better run your routers in AP Mode. Roaming will work in exactly the same way.