Click here [dd-wrt.com] for a guide on installing DD-WRT
Download the latest DD-WRT builds from here [dd-wrt.com]
If you are not interested in using custom firmware yet, these routers support mesh with the stock firmware, but the USB port is disabled.
The stock firmware is relatively new, but is speculated to not receive many, if any, updates, so it may be best to wait until custom firmware support is merged and more mature before messing with installing custom firmware.
How to enable mesh:
- Setup your Main router completely.
- Plug your child node using the wan port to the main router lan port, wait for a solid purple light on the child node before proceeding.
- Log into your main router web admin.
- Click on CA at the bottom right.
- Click on Connectivity and CA Router setup.
- Click on both Add Wired and Add Wireless nodes buttons. Wait for the Add wireless button to re-enable.
- Click Done adding Child Nodes and then Apply.
- Now the child node light should start flashing purple and turn into a mesh mode when it turns blue.
- Disconnect Ethernet and wait for blue light again.
- Move node to desired location.
How to set up as access point:
- Disable DHCP (optional).
- Set the device to Bridge Mode under Connectivity tab.
- Connect cable from your router to a LAN port.
- Get some nail polish and a round sticker to cover the annoying flashing right light.
- Click the 'CA' at the bottom of the page to see the detailed configurations of wifi.
to unbrick and flash new firmware
run flashimg
run flashimg2
rename stock firmware to tortuga.img
Top Comments
Mind you that I only have 100Mbps Spectrum internet but I do stream/direct play 4k videos from a Plex media server to several Amazon Firestick 4k devices without issue. Overall IMO you would be hard pressed to find such relatively decent hardware for so cheap; especially a Mesh network.
It wasn't all smooth at first mind you. I kept getting disconnects; especially with the streaming IP cameras. But I discovered by disabling Express Forwarding all my streaming issues went away. (CA>Connectivity>Administration>Express Forwarding)
I'm guessing that Cisco's/Linksys' proprietary Express Forwarding routing protocol was causing havoc with the IP cams streaming capabilities. Also, disabling Node Steering seemed to make things more stable as well; mesh nodes no longer disconnect from the router when Node Steering is disabled. (CA>Wi-Fi Settings>Advanced>Node Steering)
Of course, user experience can vary so feel free to experiment. if the routers are giving you problems, try turning these features off and see if it works
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As of now, the 3rd one hasn't been delivered. The other 2 had been flashed with Lytr's openwrt build and used as AP behind my main router (RT-AX86U) with MOCA. Coverage and speed are excellent.
As of now, the 3rd one hasn't been delivered. The other 2 had been flashed with Lytr's openwrt build and used as AP behind my main router (RT-AX86U) with MOCA. Coverage and speed are excellent.
I'm always debating if I need replace the Asus AiMesh with this, but the AP way shed some light.
1. AP can only by Cat Cable, not wireless?
2. Then Linksys will be the main SSID?
3. Then both AX86U's AiMesh and LinkSys' "Mesh" no longer work, right? (b/c Ax86U won't SSID, and LinkSys is only an AP, not main router)
Thanks,
as of now, the 3rd one hasn't been delivered. the other 2 had been flashed with lytr's openwrt build and used as ap behind my main router (rt-ax86u) with moca. coverage and speed are excellent.
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I currently have a 2900sqft house (basement included) and I'm currently running an Archer C4000 tri-band router, with approximately 35-40 devices (smart light switches, Alexas, phones, laptops, etc.) linked.
The router is on the main floor and we constantly run into weak signals on the 2nd floor so I figured I need a mesh system. Can I grab 2 of these and add them to my existing router or would I need to ditch it and rely on say 3 of these instead?
I'm used to flashing and all that tech stuff from years ago so I can figure my way through this, but how reliable will these be once all set up? I don't want an angry wife and kids if WiFi is spotty. Any guide to properly get something set up is much appreciated.
It's a tough pill to swallow. I had spent countless hours troubleshooting my network bc of this companies crappy firmware and lack of support.
You can verify you aren't overlapping by using an app like wifiman, analiti if on android or airport utility if on iPhone.
The 12w everyone else said is what it is, however using a single router the speed dropoff through my walls was significant on 5ghz leaving me with a slower 2ghz band. These have better antennas than my devices and putting them distances apart gave me full speed across a wider range.
https://forum.dd-wrt.com/phpBB2/v...p?t=337154
However, at $20 each, the better solution may be to simply buy two and set them up as a mesh (one as your router, one as a node), so that they use the 6 GHz channel as wireless backhaul (communicating with each other) leaving the 2.4 and 5 GHz channels free for your devices.
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