DSL-AC68U – Support setup as AiMesh RE node/child (Beta)

[UK Sentinel]

ASUS have kindly given myself access to the first beta for the DSL-AC68U to now act as a Child/Node within an Aimesh configuration.

‘Note: this is a beta so normal beta T&C’s apply’

DSL-AC68U/R beta firmware that could support setup as AiMesh RE(child) node now finally available. Feel free to share on your forum.

In order to setup as RE node, reset to default is a must. Then could setup via target WiFi router(AiMesh CAP)’s Web UI or via ASUS Router app. Thanks.

DSL-AC68U_8.0.0.4_919_0-gd3b2011_DSL_1.0.4.9.trx.zip

https://www.asuswebstorage.com/navigate/a/#/s/22B748FCE9444B669810BCBD8AEC3D8DY

Feel free to post comments via this forum/topic and I can pass them back to ASUS

Edit: some are reporting Ethernet backhaul for AiMesh does not work with this firmware

Share the knowledge

In a completely sane world, madness is the only freedom (J.G.Ballard).

Liked by:

You need to login in order to vote

[Juicenut]

Re-posted from snbforums —

Was waiting for this to put a spare DSL-AC68U to good use. Seems to have an issue with the connection quality between the node and the router however — it shows as just 1 bar on the 5Ghz band (for the backhaul). It also seems to be using a different channel (52) that is different to the other access points (was set manually to 149).

Existing network — a DSL-AC68U as my main router (connected to TPG here in Australia) and a RT-AC68U as a node (running wirelessly). Has been working ok – but the distance/walls between them and where the node needed to be (to hardwire some devices) was a bit far at times.

Loaded the beta firmware onto the spare DSL-AC68U – seemed to sync fine and it was up and running. Placed it in-between the existing node and the main router. Noticed some devices dropping off the network, streaming audio issues (an Arlo baby camera) and devices (like my iPhone) getting kicked off the network. Turned off Airtime fairness, set the channels to manual, turned off beam forming, played around with the Roaming assistant settings (set both 2.4 and 5Ghz to -70) with moderate success. Still some issues with streaming and stability however. Then noticed that no matter how close the DSL-AC68U was to the main node – still 1 bar. Literally 2 feet from it…

Reset the 2 nodes and re-added them – same issue. Wondering if there’s any other reset process I should be following, if the channel the new node is on should actually match the rest of the network or if there’s some known issue(s) with the beta firmware at this time.

Hopefully just some small tweaks required! Any advice is appreciated.

Share the knowledge

You need to login in order to vote

[UK Sentinel]

The firmware is a Beta, so maybe a little buggy (not tried it myself)  previously with the RT-A68U – did this show full signal strength for 5Ghz Backhaul?,

For  both (x2) DSl-AC68U one for primary and the other for Child/Node. if so, does both DSL have same firmware version running ? (beta’s as this may be issue) ?

All setting on Primary should follow down to Nodes/Child so maybe add DSL-AC68U as first node and then add the RT-AC68U after if all seems to be working well ?

Also try enabling Smart Connect on Primary as this may get around Dual Band limitations/use same SSID etc.

Edit: 2nd Nodes/Child used to be problematic so will be interesting to see if latest Firmware fixes this – if not I can have a chat with ASUS for guidance ;-)

 

Share the knowledge

In a completely sane world, madness is the only freedom (J.G.Ballard).

You need to login in order to vote

[Grisu]

better would be to use LAN backhaul.

If not possible the channels must be the same on master and node, otherwise it cannot connect over WiFi. But this should be done from node itself, nothing you could do.

If it is shown paired in Aimesh then it will be on same channel.

Maybe your master router has 2x 5G bands in use and child takes one for Aimesh.

Does your DSL-AC68U even support ch. 149+ which you can see in standard router mode?

Share the knowledge

Liked by:

You need to login in order to vote

[Juicenut]

Thanks for the feedback.

Yes – with the RT-AC68U it had full bars on the 5Ghz backhaul while showing 1 bars 5Ghz backhaul for the DSL-AC68U when just feet apart. Looking at the available WiFi networks – the 5Ghz mesh network had 3 showing, 2 on channel 149 and the other on channel 52. I don’t seem to have Smart Connect available on the DSL-AC68U — perhaps that’s just the 86U?

I was running firmware version 9.0.0.4.384_56087-ga1d12f2 on the main DSL-AC68U and didn’t think of running both DSL’s on the same version (which I should have picked up on). So – removed both nodes, put the beta on the main router also and re-connected the two nodes. Same thing – 1 bar 5Ghz backhaul for the DSL-AC68U node.

I then noticed that there’s a newer stable version of the firmware – released 25/07/19 – Version 3.0.0.4.384_80766 that had a line in the release notes of “Fixed Aimesh Issues” plus a bunch of other fixes. So have now loaded that on to the main DSL router and have re-added the nodes (again). Have noticed now in the 5Ghz wifi options that the channel selection dropdown does not go as high as it did on the earlier firmware version. Could previously go to 149+. The 5Ghz backhaul link quality is now full bars when very close to the main router – so off to a good start. Have now moved it into place and has dropped a bar – but seems to be working.

Wired backhaul would be great – however cabling here is a challenge.

Will continue testing the beta firmware on the second (node) DSL-AC68U — while running the current stable release on the main DSL.

Main reason to have the network running smoothly right now is to have a baby monitor (Arlo Baby) steaming audio without any hitches – otherwise I get the death stare from my wife. :/ Before running with the 2nd node (DSL-AC68U) had some devices dropping out (with successful reconnects) and full drops and needing to reconnect. Sonos also was dropping out – alternatively complaining that bandwidth was a problem (which it shouldn’t have been) and other connectivity errors. Seemed to be a combination of roaming assistant settings plus poor connectivity. Hoping that the additional node would help. Could be a chance that the node connectivity issues aren’t anything to do with the beta firmware and all to do with the existing setup…

Fingers crossed the stability has improved. Over the last 45 mins of running the audio streaming has been pretty good. Will update any findings going forward.

Share the knowledge

You need to login in order to vote

[UK Sentinel]

Good news and well spotted about the released 25/07/19 – Version 3.0.0.4.384_80766 firmware update, it does seem to imply the latest release (Stock) for DSL-AC68U fixed issues.

This sort of setup always requires tweaking, give us an update in a couple of days as this thread/topic is getting a lot of views currently and I am sure others are watching with interest ;-)

Share the knowledge

In a completely sane world, madness is the only freedom (J.G.Ballard).

You need to login in order to vote

[Daniele728]

Hey there, yesterday I was trying to setup aimesh system using 2x DSL-AC68U, first as modem/router and the second as node; I spent hours with no result. I was thinking to push RT firmware on second DSL in order to can use it as node but I read in this thread there is a beta version that allow DSL version works as node. Am I right? Is enough to flash the beta firmware into the second DSL? it has been already updated and factory resetted.

Thank you, it could save me a lot of time instead of flash RT firmware.

Share the knowledge

You need to login in order to vote

[UK Sentinel]

@daniele728

Load the latest beta on the DSl-AC68U you plan to use as node and then load the latest DSl-AC68U stock firmware upon the Main (Primary) DSl-AC68U – (Version 3.0.0.4.384_80766)

No need to flash RT firmware for AiMesh node any more for DSL-AC68U (old news)

and prey ;-)

Share the knowledge

In a completely sane world, madness is the only freedom (J.G.Ballard).

Liked by:

You need to login in order to vote

[Daniele728]

I will try as soon as come back from holiday. Thanks you very much 🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼

Share the knowledge

You need to login in order to vote

[Grisu]

I think GNUton released an alpha build with full Merlin-Aimesh support.

https://www.snbforums.com/threads/dsl-ac68u-asuswrt-merlin-builds-for-dsl-routers.55985/page-16#post-509947

If I am right there will be Aimesh master AND node support for DSL-AC68U.

Share the knowledge

You need to login in order to vote

[Daniele728]

Hey there, what is the difference between the beta posted previously?

Thanks ;)

Share the knowledge

You need to login in order to vote

[Grisu]

this previous beta is from Asus

GNUton’s alpha is based on Merlin 384.13 who recently added Aimesh for RT-routers.

And Merlin for RT added Aimesh-node support too, not only for master, so I suppose GNUton did the same without asking him.

 

Try it and report back ;-)

Share the knowledge

You need to login in order to vote

[UK Sentinel]

GNUton is an individual (coder) whom has tried and done a good job in joining code from both the DSL-AC68U (from ASUS) and code from another coder called RMerlin whom converts ASUS RT firmware and adds extra features (improvements) etc.

The beta I released with AiMesh node option for the DSL-AC68U on my forum is directly from ASUS Team (no mods) or third party changes .

Share the knowledge

In a completely sane world, madness is the only freedom (J.G.Ballard).

You need to login in order to vote

[UK Sentinel]

@Grisu – I think you are Mr GNUton ;-)

Share the knowledge

In a completely sane world, madness is the only freedom (J.G.Ballard).

You need to login in order to vote

[Daniele728]

OK very clear, I will try the ASUS one considering the master has the ASUS stable version.

Thanks guys 🙏🏼

Share the knowledge

You need to login in order to vote

[Author]

Posts