As the need for more powerful routers keep pushing the market further and further in terms of bandwidth and power, something that really can’t be improved is range and coverage. Sure many routers can be have more powerful signals than others but with standards governing just how much they can blast in the air, most if not all will be pretty much have the same level of coverage and signal strength in any given scenario. There’re technologies out there developed to address signal strength and improve coverage like beamforming and there’s also the more traditional way wherein you put in access points in key locations to provide coverage in that area. But as we mentioned, any home or business looking that utilizes wireless technology in their operations will more or less have gone through numerous product generations in order to keep up with their WIFI requirements.
ASUS has taken this situation and is bringing new life to their routers that some people may have retired in favor of their newer models. With the announcement of ASUS AiMesh, users of ASUS routers can now create their own Lyra-like Mesh network that provide coverage where its most needed but unlike traditional repeaters and access points where each device has their own SSID, mesh networks only need to configure a primary router and the paired nodes will automatically be configured and use the same SSID as the primary router leaving you with one unified WIFI network without the hassle of configuring and maintaining separate SSIDs individually.
Traditionally though, mesh networking solutions have been relegated to same-device solutions which means you need to buy sets to create your own mesh. The ASUS AiMesh removes this restriction and allows consumers to pair multiple supported ASUS routers, to form your own mesh network. All it takes is a simple firmware update and you’re ready to create your own mesh network with your ASUS routers.
The first routers with firmware updates that add AiMesh support are the ASUS RT-AC68U, RT-AC86U, RT-AC88U, the RT-AC1900, the RT-AC1900P, and the RT-AC3100. For our tri-band RT-AC5300, and ROG Rapture GT-AC5300, we’re in the beta testing stages, and later this year we’ll be rolling out updates for more of our routers.
If you have a supported ASUS router, it should be prompting you via ASUSWRT that a firmware update is available. Once updated, you’ll have a brand new AiMesh screen in your ASUSWRT screen and mobile app.
You’ll need to have some planning to do before creating your own AiMesh network though, its not just plunking them down in random spots and thinking it’ll just work. When creating your mesh network, you have to decide which will be your primary router (which usually is the most powerful) and then where to place your nodes. Its common practice that the your primary router be in the busiest position in the vicinity. After finding that location, you’ll need to have your nodes positioned in target locations as well. You also need to think about how the nodes communicate with your primary AiMesh router e.g. via wired or wireless. There needs to be a link between nodes to establish the single SSID and allow seamless connection for client devices transitioning between the nodes. You can utilizes any methods that fits your setup and you can freely mix connections e.g. wired to one node and then via the 5Ghz band for another node. It’s best to dedicate connections to each node so as not to interfere with the client connections but for average homes just looking to expand coverage, its not a requirement.
Support for AiMesh will be rolling out to more ASUS router products by 2018 but this generally extends the shelf life of every ASUS router supported by allowing them to serve a secondary purpose beyond their original functionality.
You can read more in the official AiMesh info page.
