[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

[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

[Author]

Posts