Asus RT-AC88U - overkill router? 1024-QAM?

[VirtualLarry]

http://www.asus.com/us/Networking/RT-AC88U/

It seems as though they are claiming 2.1Gbit/sec data rates over 5Ghz, and 1Gbit/sec data rates over 2.4Ghz, using their "NitroQAM" 1024-QAM technology. But in order to actually get those rates, wouldn't all of your client devices ALSO have to support 1024-QAM tech.?

Are there any client adapters out there that do?

This seems to be yet another proprietary WiFi extension feature. If it really is a standard, then I hope that it gets adopted widely, as I would love to see 1Gbit/sec data rates, with 2.4Ghz transmission characteristics (longer range than 5Ghz). But I'm not holding my breath.

 

[JackMDS]

As oppose to Enthusiasts (Started in the Extreme Overclocking era) who are Obsessed with Singular Max Speed. Serious Network people are more concerned about general Bandwidth availability.










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[VirtualLarry]

As oppose to Enthusiasts (Started in the Extreme Overclocking era) who are Obsessed with Singular Max Speed. Serious Network people are more concerned about general Bandwidth availability.

I'm sorry Jack, that doesn't answer my question. My understanding of QAM (quadrature amplitude modulation), and 1024, is that there are 1024 "symbols" (in a 2D signal graph) that can be interpreted as carrying data. Like the 26 letters of our alphabet.

My understanding is that both the router/AP, and the client devices, need to be able to speak this extended "alphabet", in order to take any advantage of this technology.

It's interesting, and if I could get semi-inexpensive client adapters or gigabit ethernet bridges, I might get one of these routers. But if it's mainly a pie-in-the-sky "up to" technology, then I probably won't.

My understanding as far as bandwidth availability goes, is that with more dense data-coding on the airwaves, it takes less airtime to transmit the same amount of data, thus freeing up the channel for more clients to use.

Edit: Maybe you did answer my question, Jack. I looked at that page again, and the "NitroQAM" graphs say "4x4" on them. Which is obviously referencing the multi-antenna MU-MIMO features of this router, and refers to the aggregate bandwidth with multiple client devices, and not a single stream. So it goes from 4x4 800Mbit/sec (aggregate) to 1000Mbit/sec (aggregate), a 1.25X improvement.

I initially thought that they were claiming that NitroQAM (1024) boosted standard 2.4Ghz N300 to N1000, with a single client. Obviously, now, not so.

Sigh. My dreams of 1Gbit/sec wifi over standard 2.4Ghz channels, have been shattered. Thanks Jack, for bringing me back down to earth.

Edit: And another thing, if there are only three non-overlapping channels in 2.4Ghz wifi, then how can this router claim 4x4? There aren't enough channels to go around! Unless they are referring to regulatory regions other than the US.

 

[VirtualLarry]

Just as a note, my internet speed is rated at 50/50Mbit/sec. I have an Asus router, an RT-N12/D1, flashed with Tomato firmware, handling routing, and an Engenius AC1200 AP/router, handling AP duties on my Gigabit LAN. The Asus router only has 10/100 ports on it, and the CPU gets pretty overloaded, so I was contemplating doing a "big" upgrade. None of my client devices support NitroQAM (1024) or MU-MIMO. Most of my laptops and tablets are only N150, and 2.4Ghz-only. Although, my desktops have RealTek 8812AU USB3.0 AC1200 adapters that work really well under Win10.

 

[Zstream]

Just as a note, my internet speed is rated at 50/50Mbit/sec. I have an Asus router, an RT-N12/D1, flashed with Tomato firmware, handling routing, and an Engenius AC1200 AP/router, handling AP duties on my Gigabit LAN. The Asus router only has 10/100 ports on it, and the CPU gets pretty overloaded, so I was contemplating doing a "big" upgrade. None of my client devices support NitroQAM (1024) or MU-MIMO. Most of my laptops and tablets are only N150, and 2.4Ghz-only. Although, my desktops have RealTek 8812AU USB3.0 AC1200 adapters that work really well under Win10.

I purchased these two Asus routers and did some testing and I did not need the extra power or bandwidth. I'd think this dual core would be nice.

http://www.microcenter.com/product/454481/RT-AC1200_Dual_Band_80211ac_Wireless_Router

I went with this http://www.microcenter.com/product/454481/RT-AC1200_Dual_Band_80211ac_Wireless_Router as I did not need the extra "humph" and purchased an AP to help.

I have 100dl/5up internet and I have my Lan connected to a GB switch for file transfers.

 

[Puffnstuff]

I see that this is an old thread, however, I'm using an RT-AC88U and the stock firmware wouldn't obtain an IPv6 address on Comcast cable for me until this latest iteration version 3.0.0.4.380.7627 which I flashed to over the weekend. For the first time this router is stable and doesn't require a bi-daily reboot which I had to schedule to keep it working right.

 

[razel]

Just curious. Off that official ASUS firmware, are you able to still flash ASUS Merlin or Advanced Tomato? It's hit and miss so far whether you can flash non-official firmware after the FCC law last year.

In my experience a Linksys EA6500v2 with post FCC firmware cannot be flashed to Advanced Tomato or DD-WRT, but a Netgear R7000 can. My extra play router, a ASUS RT-AC56, has Merlin installed. Tempted to update with post FCC official ASUS but didn't want to chance it.

 

[Puffnstuff]

Just curious. Off that official ASUS firmware, are you able to still flash ASUS Merlin or Advanced Tomato? It's hit and miss so far whether you can flash non-official firmware after the FCC law last year.

In my experience a Linksys EA6500v2 with post FCC firmware cannot be flashed to Advanced Tomato or DD-WRT, but a Netgear R7000 can. My extra play router, a ASUS RT-AC56, has Merlin installed. Tempted to update with post FCC official ASUS but didn't want to chance it.

Merlin flashes just fine and you can go back and forth as you wish. IDK if tomato is available for that model so I can't comment to it.

 

[Puffnstuff]

I'm now running the stock Asus 3.0.0.4.380_7743 firmware which works great for me and no issues at all with dropped Wi-Fi clients or IPv6 connectivity to Comcast. I've been running over a week on this version without any reboots and while I miss the extra features of Merlin I'll stick with the stability and consistency of the stock firmware.