egnor
New Around Here
RT-AC88U running Asuswrt-Merlin 386.1_2, with factory reset after upgrade.
Summary: It's difficult to adjust wifi settings in repeater mode, and often the settings don't "stick", even when it should be possible to adjust them. How can I control repeater mode wifi settings?
[Thanks for providing this great, configurable, friendly, well supported firmware!]
I understand that in repeater mode, the radio used for uplink to the "parent" AP has to be set to whatever channel the parent has chosen, which means "downstream" service from that radio must be on the same channel. However, the other radio should be free to operate on any channel. (For example, if the parent connection uses 2.4G, the 5G radio ought to be able to use any channel it likes for downstream service. And if you're a lucky duck with three radios, you could use one for uplink and freely configure the other two.) Also, non-channel AP settings ought to be adjustable (e.g. "roaming assistant", MU-MIMO setting, etc).
However, in the ASUS and Merlin "repeater mode", wifi setting panels are hidden (the sidebar icon is removed). The only directly available settings are a "mini panel" ("Network Map" > router icon) that only includes SSID and authentication method.
Even though the links were removed, appropriately abridged wifi setting panels are still accessible by direct URL ([IP]/Advanced_Wireless_Content.asp and [IP]/Advanced_WAdvanced_Content.asp), and settings may also be adjusted via ssh login by writing "nvram" variables directly and/or other methods.
But, even using hidden URLs, the settings don't persist well. For example, this device is configured in repeater mode, using a 2.4G uplink:
Since uplink uses 2.4G, the 5G radio ought to be fully configurable; here are the current settings in the "hidden" page:
Note the control channel is "Auto" and reporting 48. If I attempt to change it to (for example) 36 and click "Apply", the usual settings-apply/radio-reset process happens. After getting a cup of coffee and coming back, I see this:
This is indistinguishable from before -- nothing has changed and my edit has been reverted. Even more confusing, if I go to the 2.4G settings, where channel ought to be locked to the uplink channel, it says "Auto" and "Current Control Channel: 10" even though uplink is actually using channel 11! This makes me suspect that these hidden panels are not working properly (which might be related to why they're hidden).
As for "nvram" over ssh, is there a guide to the variables that may be set? Or is it a matter of reading through them all, correlating with control panel settings, and taking some stabs? Is that more likely to work? Or is there a different terminal-based way of making these settings?
In general, the treatment of wifi settings is somewhat inconsistent across AiMesh (settings mostly replicated from the root node, a few configurable in dedicated mesh-node settings panels), repeater mode (settings mostly unavailable, except in hidden pages that don't work), and WDS (settings are fully available, it's up to you to make sure channels are compatible).
Related old threads for reference: [some of these are about stock firmware or adjacent issues]
www.snbforums.com
www.snbforums.com
www.snbforums.com
www.snbforums.com
www.snbforums.com
www.snbforums.com
www.snbforums.com
Thanks in advance for any advice!
Summary: It's difficult to adjust wifi settings in repeater mode, and often the settings don't "stick", even when it should be possible to adjust them. How can I control repeater mode wifi settings?
[Thanks for providing this great, configurable, friendly, well supported firmware!]
I understand that in repeater mode, the radio used for uplink to the "parent" AP has to be set to whatever channel the parent has chosen, which means "downstream" service from that radio must be on the same channel. However, the other radio should be free to operate on any channel. (For example, if the parent connection uses 2.4G, the 5G radio ought to be able to use any channel it likes for downstream service. And if you're a lucky duck with three radios, you could use one for uplink and freely configure the other two.) Also, non-channel AP settings ought to be adjustable (e.g. "roaming assistant", MU-MIMO setting, etc).
However, in the ASUS and Merlin "repeater mode", wifi setting panels are hidden (the sidebar icon is removed). The only directly available settings are a "mini panel" ("Network Map" > router icon) that only includes SSID and authentication method.
Even though the links were removed, appropriately abridged wifi setting panels are still accessible by direct URL ([IP]/Advanced_Wireless_Content.asp and [IP]/Advanced_WAdvanced_Content.asp), and settings may also be adjusted via ssh login by writing "nvram" variables directly and/or other methods.
But, even using hidden URLs, the settings don't persist well. For example, this device is configured in repeater mode, using a 2.4G uplink:
Since uplink uses 2.4G, the 5G radio ought to be fully configurable; here are the current settings in the "hidden" page:
Note the control channel is "Auto" and reporting 48. If I attempt to change it to (for example) 36 and click "Apply", the usual settings-apply/radio-reset process happens. After getting a cup of coffee and coming back, I see this:
This is indistinguishable from before -- nothing has changed and my edit has been reverted. Even more confusing, if I go to the 2.4G settings, where channel ought to be locked to the uplink channel, it says "Auto" and "Current Control Channel: 10" even though uplink is actually using channel 11! This makes me suspect that these hidden panels are not working properly (which might be related to why they're hidden).
As for "nvram" over ssh, is there a guide to the variables that may be set? Or is it a matter of reading through them all, correlating with control panel settings, and taking some stabs? Is that more likely to work? Or is there a different terminal-based way of making these settings?
In general, the treatment of wifi settings is somewhat inconsistent across AiMesh (settings mostly replicated from the root node, a few configurable in dedicated mesh-node settings panels), repeater mode (settings mostly unavailable, except in hidden pages that don't work), and WDS (settings are fully available, it's up to you to make sure channels are compatible).
Related old threads for reference: [some of these are about stock firmware or adjacent issues]
Repeater on differnet channel?
2x AC68U w/ Merlin 384.19 The repeater drops for a few seconds and the log shows channel adjusted. meanwhile the main router is set to channel 1 and the log there shows no changes. Jan 22 16:51:00 acsd: selected channel spec: 0x1007 (7) Jan 22 16:51:00 acsd: Adjusted channel spec: 0x1007 (7)...
www.snbforums.com
can't change 2.4GHz channel via ssh in repeater mode
Hey all, Hoping somebody can help me. I have 2 rt-ac5300, one set in repeater mode since ai-mesh was giving me trouble. both are using the latest stock firmware (3.0.0.4.384_81219). On the repeater setting the 5GHz channel worked, but the 2.4GHz channel is not being changed. I tried on the...
www.snbforums.com
Repeater mode
Repeater mode in Merlin I don’t have Merlin installed , but I like to know can I get to WiFi settings and advanced setting in Repeater mode ? To change channel and adjust roamasst etc.. I just realized under “ASUSWRT – Official” settings do exist but links to them are removed You can get to...
www.snbforums.com
Is there anyway to get my repeater to use a different channel?
My repeater is using the same channel as the main router and so is my Roku4 (which is another story /me shakes fist), but since I can't convince the Roku4 to not be stupid, can I change the channel that the repeater uses? I don't see it in the web settings.
www.snbforums.com
RT-AC66U-B1-- Repeater Control Channel for 2.4ghz
I've run into an unusual issue, and can't seem to find a way to resolve it. I am using an AC66U-B1 (aka RT-AC 1750), which is the version of the 66U's that uses the same processor as the 68U's. I've had lots of prior experience with the older 66U's when used as Repeaters and never have I run...
www.snbforums.com
Repeater Mode Channel Selection for 2.4GHZ and 5GHZ Networks
Hi Everyone, I'm using a Asus RT-AC66R I have a quick question regarding repeater mode: After I've set up the two repeating networks: SSID: test2.4g SSID: test5.0g When I try clicking the "2.4ghz" at the top of the page, the page keeps refreshing between Advanced_Wireless_Content.asp and...
www.snbforums.com
lock a 2.4ghz channel on repeater mode.
Hey everyone! I wonder with someone can help me with this. I have a n66u running merlin's 38_1 fw in repeater mode connect using a 5Ghz network to a ac66u, with same fw, working as router. This ac66u provides a 5ghz network with ssid "abc5g" on channel 157 (40mhz) and a 2.4ghz network...
www.snbforums.com
Thanks in advance for any advice!
