What are your thoughts on the new AI router GT-BE19000AI?

[aublumberg]

Any insights if/when this will launch on Amazon US?

 

[bennor]

Any insights if/when this will launch on Amazon US?

Per Asus, they don't currently list Amazon:

https://rog.asus.com/us/networking/rog-rapture-gt-be19000ai/wtb/

However it is available and in stock (currently) at Best Buy and Newegg:

https://www.bestbuy.com/product/asus-rog-rapture-gt-be19000ai-tri-band-wi-fi-7-gaming-router-white/JJGGLQFZX9

https://www.newegg.com/asus-rog-rapture-gt-be19000ai/p/N82E16833320628

 

[Tech9]

With first Wi-Fi 8 devices expected to arrive in late 2026 I would wait. Enough beta testing.

 

[jzchen]

Hmm...

I moved the GT-BE98 Pro to the den and made it the primary router while changing the BE19000Ai to AP Mode with a static IP. After some thought why not add the BE19000Ai as an AiMesh node, (expecting AFC to stop working). Logged into the Ai router and went to settings, selected the third option for AiMesh node. It warns the router will be reset so it can be added as a node, and I continue. I go to the BE98 Pro and add it. It first backhaul's with 5 GHz, (strange as I have 10 Gb Ethernet Backhaul connected). I click Optimize and it switches to 6 GHz backhaul. I switch preferred backhaul to Ethernet just to check and it works, switch back to Auto and it moves back to 6 GHz.

What's the power output of the 6 GHz in the center of the antennae? I know Low Power is -3x dBM, and Standard Power is -3 dBm. Standard Power is still operational!

 

[Tech9]

changing the BE19000Ai to AP Mode

Is the additional board available in AP Mode or AiMesh Node configuration?

 

[jzchen]

Yes, but you need to set it up in router mode, then change the modes. So far I used the settings page to select AP mode, then now AiMesh Node mode. Not sure what the other factory resets do...

I realize I should wait about 24 hours before claiming Standard Power still works. It just has not reset it to Low Power mode until the 24 hour communique with the server either happens, or not.

 

[jzchen]

There's a free 3-node business license (so far it is free). I did not read the agreement carefully but I'm not using it for business, nor to make money, so I assume I qualify... So I got Portainer updated after they sent the license (practically immediately)....

 

[jzchen]

Unfortunately I've already found that Low Power mode has been restored as an AiMesh node. The 6 GHz LED actually turns a different color when Standard Power is on. Now it is matching the other WiFi LEDs colors, (most of the rest as well)... Power is definitely down at -27 dBm:

 

[jzchen]

Is the additional board available in AP Mode or AiMesh Node configuration?

Yes it is in both cases. There's a DNS name that still works if you set up Portainer in Router mode. It gets an IP address from your DHCP server. I try to find the actual IP in Edge's developer tools just in case the DNS gets deleted. Sometimes it is clearly listed on the Client list, sometimes not...