ASUS GT-BE98 Pro x2 in Mesh/MLO Creating Hidden SSID for Each Band (At Least)

[Inspector58]

This is definitely not a Windows function as concluded in an earlier thread that was closed.

[Saltgrass]

Could you please give us some perspective as to what you are looking at and what you are using to show it?

Some networks may be created, especially if you are using mismatched AiMesh nodes.

If you are using Windows, can you remove any of the networks shown?

[Inspector58]

Sure, I'm using Netspot Professional on a ASUS ProArt P16 and my wireless network is made up solely of two GT-BE98 Pro Routers. I have hard reset and reconfigured these multiple times as I have been playing with the settings and these hidden networks have been generated every time. I create only one Wifi 7 network in mesh with MLO, never allowing the IoT or other networks to be created. I have also used the mobile Android app to setup the network with the same results. I'll be doing more research and testing as time allows.

[Inspector58]

Also, both routers are running the latest official firmware and have never utilized any other open source offerings.

[Saltgrass]

I suppose the bottom line for me is I can't see any possible hidden networks because they do not broadcast an SSID.  You have the Pro version of Netspot, so it is capable of seeing such networks.  

I forgot to look at Netspot and see if it mentions Wi-Fi 7 compatibility.

[Saltgrass]

So, you are doing what I have.  I have no networks created as you suggest. 

I am not using Netspot, so perhaps it is involved.

 

[Inspector58]

The hidden networks do not appear in the router internals or the phone app. You'll need other tools to see them.

[Saltgrass]

Have you tried turning something, like the router, off to see if they go away?

Would the support folks at Netspot know what they were?

[Inspector58]

Actually, I take that back. In your first screenshot, click on the second router labeled "living room" and then one the tabs to the right select "Network" and you should see the separate MAC addresses for each band. Those should match the hidden SSID's you would see with more advanced tools.

[Saltgrass]

When I look at the Mesh node, in the Network section, the same SSID is on all the radios.

Each radio does have its own MAC address and with Smart Connect, that is how it is set up.

This is what shows in Windows, in the Wi-Fi properties, on my current computer.