Use old router, ASUS RT-AX86U AX5700 for existing networks and new router, GT-BE98 PRO, for Wi-Fi 7 only

[hornedfrog]

I'd like to use my old router, an ASUS RT-AX86U AX5700 primarily to USE it's existing WiFi networks (2.4 Ghz, 5Ghz), along with adding a new router as the main router.


The new router is an ASUS ROG Rapture GT-BE98 PRO. I want to add Wifi 7 networks via this router and keep the old existing WiFi networks (2.4 Ghz, 5Ghz) on the old one. This new ASUS ROG Rapture GT-BE98 PRO router supports my LAN upgrade with much better ethernet speeds but doesn't outperform the old router on the existing WiFi networks (2.4 Ghz, 5Ghz)



Can I do this by converting the old router to an access point?


Can I do it without resetting the old router?


Advice appreciated. Cheers!

 

[Tech9]

Can I do this by converting the old router to an access point?

Yes. Disable the same bands on the main router.

Can I do it without resetting the old router?

Yes. AP Mode doesn't have much of configuration though.

 

[hornedfrog]

Yes. Disable the same bands on the main router.



Yes. AP Mode doesn't have much of configuration though.

Great, thank you.

 

[Tech9]

I'm a bit surprised high-end model like GT-BE98 Pro doesn't provide at least the same coverage as much older RT-AX86U, but you know your environment and needs better.

 

[hornedfrog]

Yes, I was very surprised, but it does not perform as well at 2.4 GHz or 5 GHz.
Perhaps a firmware update will address this or I need to configure it more carefully? Probably the latter!

 

[Tech9]

No idea. I would never purchase such a spider device for any purpose. If faster local LAN is needed a 2.5GbE or 10GbE switch is all you need. The ports don't have to be on an AIO router. Local traffic is switched, not routed.

 

[hornedfrog]

No idea. I would never purchase such a spider device for any purpose. If faster local LAN is needed a 2.5GbE or 10GbE switch is all you need. The ports don't have to be on an AIO router. Local traffic is switched, not routed.

I am setting up students on their preferred gaming world of Wi-Fi.

 

[Tech9]

There is no really gaming networking. There is gaming marketing.

 

[hornedfrog]

I live in a country that is a corporation

 

[user114514]

There are only three things you need to be aware of: use Ethernet backhaul, avoid band overlap, and use different SSIDs.

Using wireless backhaul is pointless unless you are just using one of the routers as a "wifi card".

Depending on your country, the second point may be easy - if channel 13 is available, even 40MHz can use control channels 1 and 13 to avoid overlap. For 5GHz you can use 36-64, 100-128 to get two non-overlapping 160MHz.

The third point is very important, the BE98 Pro and AX86U have different 802.11i/WPA AKMs for SSID, and there may be undefined behavior when STA roams across AKMs.

 

[hornedfrog]

There are only three things you need to be aware of: use Ethernet backhaul, avoid band overlap, and use different SSIDs.

Using wireless backhaul is pointless unless you are just using one of the routers as a "wifi card".

Depending on your country, the second point may be easy - if channel 13 is available, even 40MHz can use control channels 1 and 13 to avoid overlap. For 5GHz you can use 36-64, 100-128 to get two non-overlapping 160MHz.

The third point is very important, the BE98 Pro and AX86U have different 802.11i/WPA AKMs for SSID, and there may be undefined behavior when STA roams across AKMs.

Thank you for the details. I live in U.S.

For the setup:

Does it matter that I set it up from a configuration file from an old ASUS router?

Should I reset this as a new router?

Would the Wi-Fi 7 work better if I set this up fresh?

The Wi-Fi 7 network that I created after importing the configuration file from an old ASUS router never existed before.

 

[Tech9]

Does it matter that I set it up from a configuration file from an old ASUS router?

Don't do this! Different devices with different firmware.

Would the Wi-Fi 7 work better if I set this up fresh?

Setting up your new router fresh is the only available option.

 

[OzarkEdge]

For the setup:

Does it matter that I set it up from a configuration file from an old ASUS router?

Yes, it matters... generally speaking, only restore a saved configuration file to the same hardware and firmware that created it... disaster recovery.

Should I reset this as a new router?

To commission a new router, install the latest desired firmware, Hard Reset that firmware to its default settings, and then configure it from scratch.

FW Reset FAQ

Reset button/webUI Restore/node removal clears settings in NVRAM; reboot restores fw defaults from CFE

Hard Reset via WPS button/webUI Restore+Initialize also clears data logged in /jffs partition

When you update firmware, be prepared to do the same at the first sign of trouble... or just do it to be sure any troubleshooting is for a real issue and not because the new firmware was not reset to its default settings first.

Would the Wi-Fi 7 work better if I set this up fresh?

Let us know.

The Wi-Fi 7 network that I created after importing the configuration file from an old ASUS router never existed before.

How did that work out for you?

OE

 

[hornedfrog]

Don't do this! Different devices with different firmware.



Setting up your new router fresh is the only available option.

Okay, thanks. Then when already done, you’d reset it’s and set it up as new?

 

[hornedfrog]

Yes, it matters... generally speaking, only restore a saved configuration file to the same hardware and firmware that created it... disaster recovery.



To commission a new router, install the latest desired firmware, Hard Reset that firmware to its default settings, and then configure it from scratch.

FW Reset FAQ

Reset button/webUI Restore/node removal clears settings in NVRAM; reboot restores fw defaults from CFE

Hard Reset via WPS button/webUI Restore+Initialize also clears data logged in /jffs partition

When you update firmware, be prepared to do the same at the first sign of trouble... or just do it to be sure any troubleshooting is for a real issue and not because the new firmware was not reset to its default settings first.



Let us know.



How did that work out for you?

OE

Thanks for the details. I will read and reset.

Current WiFi 7 was setup as new in the router that’s had config file imported from the old router for initial setup. It’s inconsistent with speed.

 

[Tech9]

It’s inconsistent with speed.

No Wi-Fi guarantees speed. Best effort technology for convenience.

 

[degrub]

You were lucky anything worked by doing that.
Do what is suggested above - Factory reset (hard reset) after updating the firmware. Configure manually from the defaults.

 

[hornedfrog]

No Wi-Fi guarantees speed. Best effort technology for convenience.

Initial WiFi 7 speedtest fluctuations are large. Then it’s very fast and more consistent.

 

[hornedfrog]

You were lucky anything worked by doing that.
Do what is suggested above - Factory reset (hard reset) after updating the firmware. Configure manually from the defaults.

Thanks

 

[hornedfrog]

Okay, I updated the ASUS ROG Rapture GT-BE98 PRO Firmware and then did a Hard Reset.
It worked, and it seems to be working well/better so far.

Some findings:
After a HARD RESET:
The LAN Speedtest shows lower latency and less jitter.
The router had me setup an IOT Network. WPA2 I assume, for compatibility? I can't seem to turn this off now.
It set WPA3 security except on IOT (WPA2).

Wireless:
5GHz the new router, ASUS ROG Rapture GT-BE98 PRO, now greatly outperforms the old router, ASUS RT-AX86U AX5700, on the (5Ghz) WiFi network. IOT stuff @ 2.4GHz are still attached to the old one.
6Ghz WiFi 7 Network 1&2 Speed is improved and they show less speed fluctuation and jitter.
Wifi 7 Range has not improved.
I later disabled the 2.4GHz radio because of interference with my Logitech Bolt Receiver (Mouse, Keyboard)
IOT is only on 5GHz now which maybe useless? I can't figure out how to turn this off.
The other router, ASUS RT-AX86U AX5700 - setup in AP mode works as before.

I'm not sure what is a good Application to test LAN throughput from the router to the NAS, computers, etc.?
I used Speedtest APP to the WAN FOR REPORTED RESULTS.

Thanks for all of the help!