Asus Modes of operation

[ldw]

I have an ASUS RT-AC56R at home and in the Administration tab it talks about 4 modes of operation: Router, Repeater, Access Point and Media Bridge. I'm confused on the differences between Router, Access point and Media Bridge... (I understand Repeater I think) the conditions under which each should be used and what the differences in behavior would be. The router is set to Router mode and the upstream connection is to a docsys3 cable modem... I think this is correct but would appreciate someone with more knowledge confirming.

At Church I have a similar setup with an ASUS RT-AC66U. The Administration tab likewise has the same choices. That device is also set to Router mode but the upstream device is a docsys3 cable modem + router from the cable company so it provides an ip address of 192.168.0.1 when the ASUS connects to it rather than the public IP address on the cable. If my reading is correct I should be setting that one to Access Point mode, not Router. But things seem to be working without a problem so perhaps I should leave well enough alone.

If you don't have an ASUS router to look at, here's what it says in each of the modes it offers:
Router Mode: In wireless router/ IP sharing mode, RT-AC56R connects to the Internet via PPPoE, DHCP, PPTP, L2TP, or Static IP and shares the wireless network to LAN clients or devices. In this mode, NAT, firewall, and DHCP server are enabled by default. UPnP and Dynamic DNS are supported for SOHO and home users. Select this mode if you are a first-time user or you are not currently using any wired/wireless routers.
Repeater Mode: In Repeater mode, RT-AC56R wirelessly connects to an existing wireless network to extend the wireless coverage. In this mode, the firewall, IP sharing, and NAT functions are disabled.
In Repeater mode, the DHCP-assigned IP address changes. Install and use the Device Discovery Utility to get the wireless router's new IP address.
Access Point Mode: In Access Point (AP) mode, RT-AC56R connects to a wireless router through an Ethernet cable to extend the wireless signal coverage to other network clients. In this mode, the firewall, IP sharing, and NAT functions are disabled by default.
In Access Point (AP) mode, the DHCP-assigned IP address changes. Install and use the Device Discovery Utility in order to detect the wireless router's IP address.
Media Bridge Mode: RT-AC56R can be configured in Media Bridge mode.The Media Bridge mode provides the fastest 802.11ac Wi-Fi connection for multiple media devices simultaneously.To set up the Media Bridge mode, you need two RT-AC56R: one configured as the Media station and the other as a router.Configure one RT-AC56R as a router and another RT-AC56R as an 802.11ac Media Bridge to provide a simultaneous 802.11ac Wi-Fi connection for your media devices such as computer, Smart TV, game console, DVR, or media player via Ethernet cable.Change to Media Bridge mode to provide a simultaneous 802.11ac Wi-Fi connection for your media devices.
In Media Bridge mode, only wireless devices connect to the P-AP. Client devices need to be connected to the Media Bridge with a network cable.
In Media Bridge mode, the DHCP-assigned IP address changes. Install and use the Device Discovery Utility to get the wireless router's new IP address.

Thanks,
ldw

PS: If there is ASUS documentation on this and its use please point me to it. I've not been able to find any.

 

[Emulex]

Access point is Router minus the routing - ie adding a second ASUS RT-AC56R via ethernet would use Access point mode!
Repeater mode is similar ot Access point except using wireless as the connectivity.

Not sure what media Bridge mode is - something new to me.

You would use Access point mode if you are having the DHCP/NAP/ROUTING handled by your cable router.

If you want to handle the routing yourself , you would disable routing on the cable router or DMZ the ASUS and run it in routing mode.

Running both in routing mode makes a double-nat, painful for gaming or voip!

 

[ldw]

Thanks for the help Emulex...

What happens if I have two RT-AC66U's attached to the Cable modem/router, both connected by ethernet, both as APs? Let's say that the cable modem produces a network with addresses 192.168.0.x. Will the two AP's then be extensions of that same network? Or will they create their own... 192.168.1.x and 192.168.2.x ... for example.

ldw

 

[Emulex]

They will both be on the same dhcp segment the cable modem produces ie 192.168.0.1 and 192.168.0.2.

They cannot create their own network unless you 1. Set it up as so or 2. setup routing aka double-nat.

So yeah that will work to cover more area of the house!

 

[JackMDS]

The router is set to Router mode and the upstream connection is to a docsys3 cable modem... I think this is correct but would appreciate someone with more knowledge confirming.
.

This the most common use of a Wireless Router it is used when the Internet comes through "simple Modem" DSL, FIOS, Cable.

"upstream connection is to a docsys3 cable modem", is commonly called WAN Port.

At Church I have a similar setup with an ASUS RT-AC66U. The Administration tab likewise has the same choices. That device is also set to Router mode but the upstream device is a docsys3 cable modem + router from the cable company so it provides an ip address of 192.168.0.1 when the ASUS connects to it rather than the public IP address on the cable. If my reading is correct I should be setting that one to Access Point mode, not Router. But things seem to be working without a problem so perhaps I should leave well enough alone.

.

In this situation if the Asus is set the Router it creates Double NAT (Routing) which might result in a problematic Internet experience.

Under such situation it is preferable to use the Second Router configured as an Access Point.

Using Wireless Routers (or Modem/Wireless Router) as a Switch with an Access Point - http://www.ezlan.net/router_AP.html

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This is very old page but it explains the different Mods in a simple functional terms.

http://www.ezlan.net/Wireless_Modes.html

 

[ldw]

Thanks to both Jack and Emulex for your help. Now that I understand when to NOT use a router, and when to use and Access Point ... it leads me to another question.... which I'll post in a separate thread.

Thanks again!
ldw