Upgrade from Asus RT-AX88U (RT-BE88U / ROG Strix GS-BE18000 / ROG Rapture GT-BE19000AI)?..

[JarleH]

Hi

Been running a Asus RT-AX88U as main router with a RT-AX1800U as access point (AP for better range wifi). I had to do something because the main router could not cover the whole house, so set up a second cheap router as AP. What I have noticed lately, is that my work computer has the last 2 weeks started to disconnect from wifi in on second floor in the house (I guess this is a laptop issue, not router), also wife has experienced disconnects at one place on the second floor a few times.

For a long time, I have been thinking of upgrading to the Asus RT-BE88U, but never go around to it. When I looked for options now, the ones I found that are interesting are as follows:
1 Asus RT-BE88U
2 Asus ROG Strix GS-BE18000 (more 2.5GB ports, newer)
3 Asus ROG Rapture GT-BE19000AI (very new, also got its own little 'secondary AI/docker/apps device', but 2x the price of the BE88U / BE18000)

One of the main reasons to upgrade is better wifi (range, signal strength), newer hardware and minimum at least a few 2.5GB ports.

So;
1 Are there any other routers that should be on this list?
2 Which ones have better wifi then the old, and how would people rank these (I know 19000AI is spanking new, and may have issues still)?
3 The reason for going for the Asus ROG Rapture GT-BE19000AI is to put more 'home server' features on the router, instead of other PC / device.

Open for advices...

 

[degrub]

Going from AX series to BE series is not likely to increase range or signal strength. Those are primarily limited by country regulation.
If you have or can reasonably install either CAT 6 or use coax RG6 with MOCA ( unused existing or shared with OTA TV) you will have to\he ability to start using SMB grade APs that have better control over TX power and can be placed where you need more signal without significant overlap that causes issues with consumer level gear like ASUS which is really designed to be blast it out with one set of radios only.

Your existing system is basically the sweet spot for consumer gear now. WIFI 7 is a work in progress ( remember all the issues with WIFI 4 - N ?) .

 

[JarleH]

Going from AX series to BE series is not likely to increase range or signal strength. Those are primarily limited by country regulation.
If you have or can reasonably install either CAT 6 or use coax RG6 with MOCA ( unused existing or shared with OTA TV) you will have to\he ability to start using SMB grade APs that have better control over TX power and can be placed where you need more signal without significant overlap that causes issues with consumer level gear like ASUS which is really designed to be blast it out with one set of radios only.

Your existing system is basically the sweet spot for consumer gear now. WIFI 7 is a work in progress ( remember all the issues with WIFI 4 - N ?) .

I have cat6a installed in the house, to most rooms. Which brands / models are you referring to?

 

[degrub]

Take a look at Ubiquity and TP LINK OMADA for a start. i recall that Ubiquity has some APs that are wall mount and somewhat innocuous. Use 5GHz band only to further limit signal extent if needed.

 

[JarleH]

Take a look at Ubiquity and TP LINK OMADA for a start. i recall that Ubiquity has some APs that are wall mount and somewhat innocuous. Use 5GHz band only to further limit signal extent if needed.

If going TP-Link, I guess also going TP-Link router is the way?..

 

[Piotrek]

If going TP-Link, I guess also going TP-Link router is the way?..

I usually prefer complete solutions (Gateway, controller, switches, APs), but it's not necessary.
For various needs in my installations I used Ubiquiti, Tp-Link Omada, Mikrotik etc.
My latest choice is UCG-Fiber and a few U7 Lite APs.
@Tech9 uses UCG-Ultra and U6 Mesh.
Of course, pick your gateway and APs etc. based on what you actually need.

 

[degrub]

Roaming is better with a controller that coordinates between APs. i'm using CISCO SMB AC class APs for my home. The APs coordinate amongst themselves with one acting as the controller. Otherwise, you can do a mixed system - ASUS router and brand X APs. The advantage of staying within one ecosystem is more straightforward management of the network. But, you can start mixed and grow into to it if you want. If you are using VLANs to isolate certain devices/users, then single vendor is simpler, but mixed can work. @Tech9 thoughts ?

 

[Tech9]

@Tech9 thoughts ?

Not sure in this case. Seems like @JarleH prefers ASUS hardware and I can't recommend any in BE-class. They all have unresolved issues and aggressive false advertising involved. I personally would do UCG-Max with U6-Mesh or U7-Pro Wall on stands. I like upgrades in reliability and user experience and not specs on paper. The ASUS models above are insane waste of money in my books, but everyone is free to make own decisions.

 

[Tech9]

It actually makes me sad to see how people stick to single vendor, pay crazy money based on aggressive marketing or just select totally wrong hardware for the task. Two GT-BE19000AI gaming spiders from ASUS for $1800 may not provide better experience than Deco XE75 AXE5400 2-pack for $150. The latter is set-and-forget good quality Qualcomm Wi-Fi 6E home mesh set. It will self-adjust the mesh, has super easy control with phone app. Place it where it needs to be, turn it on... use the rest of the money for vacation.

 

[tgl]

It's not silly to choose a single-vendor solution when you are installing multiple APs. You will not get great roaming behavior unless the APs provide 802.11k/v roaming support, and as @degrub said, that is not going to happen across APs from different vendors. But @Tech9 is also correct that it's possible to choose totally wrong gear for this. The mantra for multiple-AP installations is "use lots of low-power APs". Top-dollar "gaming" APs are overkill, maybe even counterproductive.

 

[Tech9]

It's not silly to choose a single-vendor solution when you are installing multiple APs.

For multi-AP SMB class system - definitely single vendor with integration if possible. It doesn't mean though over the counter consumer mesh set with >5 satellites, nodes, pods (whatever they are called) is a good idea. Home mesh sets work best with up to 3 units and the user has to be aware of capabilities and limitations. There is a person in another thread with 5 wired XT12 units... waste of money for limited capabilities result.

 

[JarleH]

Not sure in this case. Seems like @JarleH prefers ASUS hardware and I can't recommend any in BE-class. They all have unresolved issues and aggressive false advertising involved. I personally would do UCG-Max with U6-Mesh or U7-Pro Wall on stands. I like upgrades in reliability and user experience and not specs on paper. The ASUS models above are insane waste of money in my books, but everyone is free to make own decisions.

I have been focused on Asus due to my Asus routers have been very good for years, and able to run Merlin.
This one? https://www.prisjakt.no/product.php?p=13770235

Which mesh boxes?

And how are TP-Link in comparison? Their 'top router' is even more expensive then Asus.

 

[degrub]

Be very wary of the water....

 

[Tech9]

AX Wifi 6E being fine for my use

I resurrected my AX5400 also Wifi 6E

Both of your ASUS routers are Wi-Fi 6, not Wi-Fi 6E.

but one is a home router and the other an Enterprise grade router

Yes, users with not enough knowledge can hurt themselves badly with it.

 

[JarleH]

I have been focused on Asus due to my Asus routers have been very good for years, and able to run Merlin.
This one? https://www.prisjakt.no/product.php?p=13770235

Which mesh boxes?

And how are TP-Link in comparison? Their 'top router' is even more expensive then Asus.

@Tech9 any chance you can comment on this? I got used to Asus routers and have had close to no problems with them. Also nice we can use Merlin firmware. Top TP-Link routers are even more costly then Asus.
The one I linked, its the one you advice to try? Which mesh boxes are best to combine with it?

 

[degrub]

@Tech9 any chance you can comment on this? I got used to Asus routers and have had close to no problems with them. Also nice we can use Merlin firmware. Top TP-Link routers are even more costly then Asus.
The one I linked, its the one you advice to try? Which mesh boxes are best to combine with

Upgrade from Asus RT-AX88U (RT-BE88U / ROG Strix GS-BE18000 / ROG Rapture GT-BE19000AI)?..

Hi Been running a Asus RT-AX88U as main router with a RT-AX1800U as access point (AP for better range wifi). I had to do something because the main router could not cover the whole house, so set up a second cheap router as AP. What I have noticed lately, is that my work computer has the last 2...

www.snbforums.com

Yes , that is the gateway he mentioned.
Stay on wifi 6 based gear for the APs. As pointed out earlier, nothing to gain on range or bandwidth at this point.

 

[degrub]

Use the Ubiquity wireless planner with a plan view of your building. Knowing the materials of construction of the walls will make the prediction more accurate for placement of APs. If appearance is a real issue, you can look at the "in wall" type APs rather than desktop/ceiling mount although the coverage may be reduced somewhat.

 

[Tech9]

@Tech9 any chance you can comment on this?

In your specific case I would recommend sticking to what you know and are comfortable with. Ubiquiti UniFi and TP-Link Omada are different ecosystems and require specific devices. Don't look at TP-Link consumer products, they are different line of products. Don't look at single devices from UniFi line of products because they don't make complete system. Get an All-in-One ASUS router, just don't overpay for futureproofing and specs on paper. What is the most expensive is usually not the best price/performance ratio.

Use the Ubiquity wireless planner with a plan view of your building.

There is no one size fits all solution. Based on questions asked I don't think SMB gear is the right way to go in this particular use case. One router and one node from ASUS is more than enough.

 

[degrub]

Then staying with the existing ASUS hardware should be more than enough. Little, if any, benefit changing over to the troubled wifi7 BE class gear. Only if changing due to EOL/EOS , then ok. Otherwise, i don't believe that the client experience will change.

 

[Ripshod]

Then staying with the existing ASUS hardware should be more than enough. Little, if any, benefit changing over to the troubled wifi7 BE class gear. Only if changing due to EOL/EOS , then ok. Otherwise, i don't believe that the client experience will change.

I have to agree with this. I moved from RT-AX88U to RT-BE88U and to be frank the only gain is Guest Network Pro and VLANs which I'm not currently using to the full.
There's also agreement that the 6GHz band is not worth it.
Stick with what you have - it's working and still has some mileage in it. See what the future brings.