Using Asus routers as VLAN-capable APs

[ramthrou]

I often recommend Asuswrt on all devices when AiMesh stability is priority.

I agree. Only use Merlin if needed for the extra features, in my case CakeQOS (which for the life of me I don't understand why Asus can't enable for use with the official FW, as it would be a big improvement, on a stable code base, not requiring any licensing fees that I know of.

 

[mnemonicj]

I've read through this post a few times and I have some questions. Thank you in advance for the guidance.
My intended setup:
Router: Ubiquiti Cloud Gateway Max
2 APs: 1 ASUS RT-AX86U, 1 ASUS RT-AX68U (APs will use ethernet backhaul)

1. Which firmware is recommended, Merlin or ASUSWRT?
2. Do I use AP mode for both routers or can I use AiMesh with the AP feature?
3. Is there a good reason the IOT guest network uses the "Router Only" setting? (I would like all of the guest networks to use both APs, if possible)

 

[Tech9]

1. You have to use Asuswrt-Merlin
2. Use AP Mode, read this thread carefully
3. You can't have any isolated guest networks if you don't do 1 and 2

 

[mnemonicj]

3. Is there a good reason the IOT guest network uses the "Router Only" setting?

My reason for this question is, what is the difference in the instructions for the two guest networks, where the IOT network has this step: "4. Set "Guest network on AiMesh" to "Router only", but the regular guest network doesn't? It is especially confusing if I don't use AiMesh.

 

[agbommarito]

1. You have to use Asuswrt-Merlin
2. Use AP Mode, read this thread carefully
3. You can't have any isolated guest networks if you don't do 1 and 2

To your question #3, "Router Only" is used to prevent any of the Asus AiMesh stuff from being activated. As Tech9 says, you have to use AP mode and avoid AiMesh like the plague.

 

[mnemonicj]

Thank you for the helpful instructions, scripts, and tips. I have successfully set up my Ubiquiti CGM and my two ASUS routers as APs running the scripts. This is probably the third time I have ever used SSH, so the detailed instructions were very helpful.

I was also missing the services-start file and after I created it in the text editor, saved it, and then rebooted the router, I couldn't get the script to run. I manually ran started the VLAN-GuestNetwork-AP.sh script, it executed without issue, and the VLAN redirection started working, so I knew it was a good script. Finally I thought to issue the command chmod a+x /jffs/scripts/services-start based on another site I found, rebooted the router, and it worked! chmod 0755 probably would have worked as well, based on later searches.

Some Questions:
1. If I want to change the WAN port on my RT-AX86U to the 2.5 Gbps port, do I need to define that in the script or is it even possible in AP mode?
2. Do you guys recommend turning off Smart Connect in the Wireless settings? I have heard it is not a well implemented feature and I don't know if that has changed or not.

 

[agbommarito]

Thank you for the helpful instructions, scripts, and tips. I have successfully set up my Ubiquiti CGM and my two ASUS routers as APs running the scripts. This is probably the third time I have ever used SSH, so the detailed instructions were very helpful.

I was also missing the services-start file and after I created it in the text editor, saved it, and then rebooted the router, I couldn't get the script to run. I manually ran started the VLAN-GuestNetwork-AP.sh script, it executed without issue, and the VLAN redirection started working, so I knew it was a good script. Finally I thought to issue the command chmod a+x /jffs/scripts/services-start based on another site I found, rebooted the router, and it worked! chmod 0755 probably would have worked as well, based on later searches.

Some Questions:
1. If I want to change the WAN port on my RT-AX86U to the 2.5 Gbps port, do I need to define that in the script or is it even possible in AP mode?
2. Do you guys recommend turning off Smart Connect in the Wireless settings? I have heard it is not a well implemented feature and I don't know if that has changed or notI

1) Near the top of the script is a section:

# port interface configuration
#
# the default values of "eth?" direct the script to try to auto-determine the correct
# interfaces from the Asus router NVRAM values
#
# replace the "eth?" will a real interface number to override the auto-determination
#
WANport="eth?" # WAN interface port

For your RT-AX86U, change "eth?" to "eth5" and move the ethernet cable between the CGM and the RT-AX86U to the 2.5G port. Everything should work as before.

2) I personally have never used Asus Smart Connect. The idea behind it is valid. But deciding what radio to connect to is mainly a function of the client. Even with the Ubiquiti APs that I have, the equivalent function to Smart Connect doesn't always do what I would like it to do. A Samsung tablet that I have always seems to connect to a slower, stronger 2.4G signal instead of the weaker, but still strong, 5G signal that is available.

 

[mnemonicj]

Thank you for the info. I saw that and considered it, but wasn't completely clear whether that part of the script was assigning the WAN port or just identifying the port used by that hardware. I updated it and it seems to work.