Can I use only the 5GHz-2 band on the XT8 when using it as an AiMesh node?

[Sola]

Hi,

I'm using the AX86U dual-band router as the main mesh router and the older XT8 tri-band as a mesh node.

As you may already know, the XT8's 5GHz-1 band does not support 160MHz. In my setup, the 5GHz-2 band is unused for backhaul since the AX86U is a dual-band router. Can I use the 5GHz-2 band instead of 5Ghz-1 on the XT8 when it’s functioning as an AiMesh node?

Thanks for the help.

[Saltgrass]

It has been my experience that the setup will select which 5 GHz radio is wants.  Do you show any other type of options?  In my situation, I have two 6 GHz radios.

[jzchen]

I'm afraid ASUS doesn't give you much/any choice on selecting backhaul channel.

If you want to tap that backhaul channel for devices you'd need to connect router and node via Ethernet.  Then go and change one of two settings:

Enable using the backhaul designated channel as both fronthaul and backhaul.

or

Enable Ethernet Backhaul Mode (under AiMesh -> System Settings (if I'm not mistaken).

You may want to swap the two and make the XT8 the router and see if you are happier with the performance overall if you can't wire them, (which I suspect is the case).