XD-5 wifi on old router

[FrenchChris]

Hi guys. Please be gentle with me... first post and pretty basic knowledge! My ISP is Virgin Media and I have their Hub3 as a modem. This is connected to an ASUS RT-AC66UB1 router which then connects to 3 x XD-5 nodes, all with Ethernet backhaul in a daisychain. Installed today, firmware updated, and it seems to be working ok.

I added the XD's as a couple of places around the house had poor WiFi coverage.

AC66U only has wifi5 whilst the XD is WiFi 6.

I only needed two of the nodes to work in previous dead zones so I set the 3rd one close to the router and modem in the lounge thinking that we would benefit from wifi6.

However, in this room the WiFi is still restricted to wifi5 even though in the other rooms it is wifi6. I can only assume that the router has priority over the node in this matter.

My question is could I simply turn off the WiFi radio on the router (I've seen the toggle on the app to do it but not sure if I want to until I know what will happen!), or is there a better solution, or should I just get a more modern router (it would only be a basic model due to cost).

Thanks in advance. Any assistance is much appreciated.

Chris

 

[Tech9]

I would remove this ancient hardware RT-AC66U B1 router and use the new ZenWiFi XD5 only. This is the simplest solution.

 

[FrenchChris]

Thanks Tech9. The only issue is that there are no additional LAN ports on the XD5 for other peripherals . I am effectively using the AC66U as a switch! I need to have at least 3 ports.

 

[degrub]

Just plug a 5 port switch into the LAN port on the XD5

 

[FrenchChris]

Thanks Degrub. As I am using Ethernet backhaul, there are no available ports.

 

[Tech9]

I am effectively using the AC66U as a switch

In this case your configuration for this RT-AC66U B1 has to be Access Point mode with Wi-Fi disabled. You can even remove the antennas for better aesthetics. It will act as 5-port Gigabit switch for your wired devices only, the way you want it.

ISP -> XD5 Router -> RT-AC66U B1 AP Mode (as switch only) -> XD5 Nodes

 

[FrenchChris]

Interesting. That ought to work. I will try it tomorrow! Thx

 

[Tech9]

This is the equivalent of adding a switch for extra LAN ports, but re-using what you already have. Test if AiMesh still works as expected. Possible complication will be AP Mode on RT-AC66U B1 not passing the VLANs used by AiMesh. If it works as expected though (I believe it will) - saves you some $15 for a new switch and the time to go get one.

 

[bennor]

As I am using Ethernet backhaul, there are no available ports.

You would plug the Ethernet switch into XD5 Router, then connect the XD5 nodes (by Ethernet backhaul) to that switch. Do as Tech9 suggested with the RT-AC66U B1. Should save having to buy a network switch.

 

[degrub]

Thanks Degrub. As I am using Ethernet backhaul, there are no available ports.