RT-AC66U in media bridge mode + connect 2.4GHz devices?

[Blaq]

I have a RT-AC66U as my main router in the office. I would like to connect my bedroom to the office via 802.11ac; I'm contemplating buying a second RT-AC66U and running it in Media Bridge mode on the 5GHz band. I would then connect my devices to the bedroom router on the 2.4GHz band.

Is this supported? Or does the RT-AC66U only accept wired clients when in Media Bridge mode?

Thanks!

 

[wirednuts]

manual does not talk about it- http://dlcdnet.asus.com/pub/ASUS/wireless/RT-AC66U/E7415__RT-AC66U_Manual_English.pdf

in previous linksys routers with ddwrt, this was possible what you want to do... its a good question, because even if the router supposedly supports simultaneous bands it has to rely on it actually working right hardware wise, and firmware wise it also has to be well coded. many times you can get it to work, but it doesnt work well.

honestly though, i would be surprised if the rt-ac66u cant do it. very surprised.

 

[JackMDS]

It is not clear what is to you want to do.

When wireless is in Client Mode it is connecting like a driver-less Wireless card to the Wireless source and then provides an out put of the signal via cable through the switch's ports. The Bridge does not provide Wireless output.

If at that point you want to plug in another Wireless Router to provide Wireless service locally in the second location you can plug it (LAN to LAN via wire) to the Bridge, you can do whatever you want to do with this additional Wireless Router since its get a signal via wire that has Nothing Wireless with the 1st Wireless stage between the main Router and the Bridge.

 

[tracerbullet]

The Bridge does not provide Wireless output.

Actually - yes, it does.

I have pair of AC66U's myself. One setup as a router downstairs, one setup as a bridge upstairs.

The router downstairs runs wireless on both the 2.4 and 5GHz channels, and has a PS3, NAS, and Tivo connected to it via ethernet cable.

The bridge upstairs (meaning the router set into bridge mode of course) ties up the 5GHz channel to exclusively communicate with the router downstairs. It also at the same time has the 2.4GHz channel open, which runs wireless and can be connected to. The bridge also has a computer connected via ethernet cable and a printer connected via USB.

In fact I found it slightly annoying to have multiple 2.4GHz channels in the house so I actually went into the bridge setup and squelched the 2.4GHz SSID on it.

So, Blaq - your setup makes sense to me and yes it is supported.

*Note - I did put the "Merlin Build" firmware on my units, but my understanding is that he does very minimal tweaking to the stock firmware. Want to mention that just in case, though I doubt, it's an option exclusively with his firmware. When mine arrived, I saw that the firmware was out of date, and since I was going to tinker with it anyways I went ahead and gave his a try based on recommendations here). http://forums.smallnetbuilder.com/showthread.php?t=7715

 

[wirednuts]

It is not clear what is to you want to do.

When wireless is in Client Mode it is connecting like a driver-less Wireless card to the Wireless source and then provides an out put of the signal via cable through the switch's ports. The Bridge does not provide Wireless output.

If at that point you want to plug in another Wireless Router to provide Wireless service locally in the second location you can plug it (LAN to LAN via wire) to the Bridge, you can do whatever you want to do with this additional Wireless Router since its get a signal via wire that has Nothing Wireless with the 1st Wireless stage between the main Router and the Bridge.

i think he wants a wireless connection between the two routers (5ghz) and wireless to his clients (2.4ghz). this is usually possible on quality dual band routers.

 

[Railgun]

If your router will work ok on 5Ghz where it will be located, then your end device should work ok on 2.4GHz to the main router. No need to fire up 2.4 on the bridge.

If you cannot today, you may need to adjust the power on the 5GHz radios.

 

[bballkenn]

In fact I found it slightly annoying to have multiple 2.4GHz channels in the house so I actually went into the bridge setup and squelched the 2.4GHz SSID on it.

Even ASUS doesn't have an answer to this. I hate it so much. I try to keep my network hidden and now I am broadcasting another network.

If your router will work ok on 5Ghz where it will be located, then your end device should work ok on 2.4GHz to the main router. No need to fire up 2.4 on the bridge.

I think what he is trying to do is basically extend his network and have AC wireless capability. I have a wireless PCI card, dual band N, in my computer, and it basically doesn't do the AC capability of my router. Right now the only solution is a $100 PCI AC wireless card from ASUS or Netgear USB forget what its called, but its currently the fastest USB wireless adapter. Also with another AC router in bridge mode, you can connect multiple devices, such as Blu-Ray and WD Live Hub, which has poor wireless capabilities and boost them. You would be doing this via ethernet cable.

 

[Blaq]

If your router will work ok on 5Ghz where it will be located, then your end device should work ok on 2.4GHz to the main router. No need to fire up 2.4 on the bridge.

But in my urban condo, the 2.4GHz band is saturated with other people's networks. That's why I want to use 5GHz 802.11ac between the main router and the bedroom bridge. In the bedroom, however, I want my (802.11n) devices to connect to the bridge, not the faraway router which would give horrible speed compared to the ac-connected bridge.

 

[Blaq]

Actually - yes, it does.

I have pair of AC66U's myself. One setup as a router downstairs, one setup as a bridge upstairs.

Tracerbullet, thanks for confirming that it can work as I hoped!

 

[tracerbullet]

No problem!

But in my urban condo, the 2.4GHz band is saturated with other people's networks.

Ahh, this makes sense. I have a small house in a normal neighborhood, and while there's lots of networks around I was able to pick an uncrowded channel. I probably wouldn't have had a problem on any channel. What you want to do sounded silly at first, but sure, in a crowded place I can see having a router really close by being a good idea.

The Merlin's build adds an option to turn the router's lights off, and in a bedroom depending on placement that might be useful...

 

[wirednuts]

But in my urban condo, the 2.4GHz band is saturated with other people's networks. That's why I want to use 5GHz 802.11ac between the main router and the bedroom bridge. In the bedroom, however, I want my (802.11n) devices to connect to the bridge, not the faraway router which would give horrible speed compared to the ac-connected bridge.

this is exactly one reason why you are doing the best thing. it makes sense to use the 2.4ghz band for clients as well because many clients dont support 5ghz.

and, if you DO want to connect your clients to 5ghz, you COULD get a cheap 5ghz router and hard wire it to your bridged router. a refurb e2000 can probably be found for $30.