BE98 Pro / BE96U Mesh, MLO iPhone 16 pro

[adamhodge]

I'm curious what the optimal configuration for this is.  I'm trying to use the 96U as a mesh node.  When I turn MLO on, my IOS devices do not roam properly.  They rarely move to the 96U.  Even when they have a 6ghz connection from the 98, they will only pick a 5ghz connection with the 96.  The phones are actually closer to the 96 when it should move over there.  Much of the time, they will not roam to the 96 at all.  If I turn off the MLO stuff, they seem to roam fine and pick the 6ghz.  It seems MLO is broken or not yet working with the latest iOS devices OR I don't know what I'm doing to get it configured.  Any help is appreciated....

[jzchen]

Are they wired or work with wireless backhaul?  Latest firmware, I hope?

[adamhodge]

Everything latest firmware including all devices, iphone.  Wired backhaul showing 10G connection.

[jzchen]

Under General -> AiMesh -> System Settings, if not already toggled, try toggling ON Ethernet Backhaul Mode, then check again.  It may be reserving the 6 GHz for AiMesh backhaul (since the BE98 Pro has 2).  This should release the bandwidth, but if you disconnect the ethernet connection may lead to the node dropping.

[adamhodge]

Ethernet backhaul is already on.  I do not have the option to toggle.

[jzchen]

Actually I can tell that from that Ethernet Backhaul Mode is not toggled on.  (I'm honestly not sure if the mode is available in the app, because I use both app and Web GUI just depending on whether I'm on my phone or computer).

When Ethernet Backhaul Mode is toggled ON the Backhaul Connection Priority field will have Ethernet ONLY in the field.  You may want to try changing AUTO to the Ethernet First (the specific 10 Gbps port that is connected as uplink).  If that fails to change the check box on the BE96U node then do please find and try the Ethernet Backhaul mode on the web interface...

[Saltgrass]

First, could you share a picture of your Wireless, MLO tab to show how you system is configured.  Make sure and hide any personal information.

"When I turn MLO on, my IOS devices do not roam properly. "

What standards are you using to determine what is properly?  Are you having any specific issues with your current configuration and the operation of the iPhone?

As far as I can tell, the iPhone 16 Pro does not have any indications of what radio is being used.  On my system, it just shows MLO.  It does show which Mesh node it is attached to.  As far as I can tell, the highest bandwidth for the iPhone is 2400 Mbps. which considering my MLO system will do up to 5765 Mbps, in some cases, is not a big draw on the system.  The most important thing may be to maintain at least one good connection.

[adamhodge]

You can use the ASUS app on the iphone, click devices, and it is sorted by node.  This is how you know what mesh node any device is connected to...You can also use the admin web in the aimesh menu.  If you open the device on the app it will show the radio.

[Saltgrass]

I did some testing today.  I installed the phone app and found where the radio is shown.

I was using just the primary router and when I was in the same room, it showed the 6 GHz radio and -54 dBm for signal strength.

When I went one room away, it dropped to the 5 GHz radio.

When I was as far as I could go, it was still 5 GHz but the signal strength was -86 dBm.  I believe it should have dropped to the 2.4 GHz radio, but it did not.

At no time, did the app show the iPhone 16 Pro being connected to more than one radio at the time, which Windows does.  So, there is no way I can verify the phone is actually using the MLO technology.

[jzchen]

As far as I know the default Roaming Assistant is set to -70 dBm you should have jumped to your node?