Yes, this is a problem, the model is no longer for sale. So I am not sure which other model to go for in the AX line.
Also, AI mesh with backhaul, need more info on this. Is it just the APs are LAN connected?
Not sure my cheap AP support AI mesh.
AImesh backhaul is just another LAN device(s). Both of your routers run AImesh in WIFI 6 AX mode as does my GS5400 without complaint.
I have my smart switch configured to never change physical port cabling where each physical port is a unique assigned default VLAN as port number x 10 unless overridden in an actual configuration:\
Port 1 - free port for back end LAN
Port 2 - Internet gateway incoming port
Port 3 - bare metal router incoming WAN port
Port 4 - bare metal router outgoing LAN port
Port 5 - Proxmox server incoming WAN port
Port 6 - Proxmox server outgoing LAN port
Port 7 - Primary router incoming LAN port in AP mode/outgoing LAN port in AImesh mode (one and the same)
Port 8 - Aimesh outgoing back haul LAN port in Aimesh mode
All you need to understand is that each VLAN number creates a completely isolated bridge without touching any of the network devices or cables.
1) In standard configuration with the bare metal router leading and Promox server behind it:
VLAN 20 - Ports 2, 3 bridged to isolate Internet access by bare metal router's WAN port
VLAN 1 - Ports 4,5,7,8 bridged to isolate the internal primary network's LAN from its WAN network and which also supports the unalterable switch management GUI on native VLAN1
VLAN 60 - Ports 6,1 bridged to isolate the internal secondary network's LAN from its WAN network2
2) In maintenance/debug configuration with the Proxmox server's Opnense router VM first and the bare metal router behind it:
VLAN 20 - Ports 2,5 bridged to isolate Internet access by the Promox server's WAN port
VLAN 1 - Ports 6,3,7,8 bridged to isolate the internal primary network's LAN from its WAN network which also supports the unalterable switch management GUI on native VLAN1
VLAN 40 - Ports 4,1 bridged to isolate the internal secondary network's LAN from its WAN network
Note the primary home router AP and the secondary AImesh node always remain on native VLAN 1 regardless of the other reconfigurations where they connect to the LAN of whoever bridges with Internet gateway port.
If you don't have an independent front end router or you run the Internet gateway directly into the primary home router in router mode then you just plug everything into the back of the router. In that case use a smart switch only if you want to be able flip the order of who is the big boss router.
This architecture totally isolates choice of primary router, from the APs, and from the application server(s). You will never be dependent upon a single vendor again and you mix and match them at will.
All of this is done with what was $30 smart switch needing no partner switch in PortVLAN mode (802.1q not necessary as none of this escapes the switch). The price went down but unconstitutional tariffs drives it up. Mileage should not vary, but price might.
