GT-BE98 AiMesh Issue

[broncogr]

I can confirm that with the GT-BE98 current firmware and a GT-AX6000 acting as an AiMesh node there is an issue.
If the system is set to use ethernet backhaul mode or the 5GHZ-2 is set to anything other than a dedicated backhaul, no clients can connect wirelessly to the GT-AX6000 node.
Functionality is restored by using the default AiMesh settings
I have sent feedback to Asus regarding this

[Saltgrass]

I believe, but not certain, that a network used for Wireless Backhaul will be locked out from use by other devices.  There may be a setting somewhere to override this, but I am not aware of one.  Possibly something regarding Smart Connect may be available.

If this is happening in your situation, your 5 GHz devices will not be able to connect to the Mesh node.

[broncogr]

There is a setting to override this in the 5Ghz-2 configuration.

As I noted above, I am using wired backhaul so the 5Ghz network is available but if you enable the override, then neither 2.4Ghz nor 5Ghz clients are able to connect to the node.

More info regarding the latest GT-BE98 issues with 33001 firmware can be found here

(24) GT-BE98 WIFI 7 | Page 17 | SNBForums

[Saltgrass]

I am sure you understand, there are many settings and even different ways of doing the same thing.  It might be helpful to attach a picture of the settings to which you refer.

I am having a problem understanding the relation between your Ethernet Backhaul and some override setting.  I have the 98 Pro version and I don't run smart connect.  Some of the options will change depending on your exact configuration, could you explain the "override" setting?

You have two 5 GHz networks on the Router and one on the Mesh node.  Lets say, the mesh node will translate the one 5 GHz it has to 5G-1 on your router.  So, the 5G-1 would not be available but the 5G-2 would be.

This all can get very confusing.

[broncogr]

Under settings wireless

under AiMesh System Settings

[jzchen]

I’m not sure why for 5 GHz ASUS decides that channel 2 is for backhaul but for 6 GHz channel 1 is for backhaul, but I do believe, if for example in this case, 5 GHz-2 is included in SmartConnect.

This will reveal the option noted as dedicated backhaul vs backhaul and fronthaul (for 5 GHz-2).

I do not believe the problem is with the GT-BE98.  The problem is with the node.  I hope that ASUS releases a BIOS update for the GT-AX6000.  The reasoning is that nodes should have some level of autonomy.  So ASUS can release mid and base level routers, without continually updating the GT-BE98 database of node capabilities.  With autonomy in mind the AX6000 is the one having issues connecting to clients.  A possible workaround is flashing various GT-AX6000 BIOS in the hopes one corrects this issue.

[Saltgrass]

The override option is only available if all nodes are connected through Ethernet backhaul so I can't even enable the setting.  I assume the Wireless backhaul is meant to augment the Ethernet backhaul?  So, in your case, you may need to use it for both backhaul and fronthaul, that should allow it to continue working.

Have you noticed the settings in this attachment?  I am running an AXE16000 as the mesh node, so more choices than the AX6000.

[broncogr]

The ethernet backhaul option is meant to free all radios of both the master and the node of having to deal with backhaul duties,

Edit: That is what the issue is, if its enabled for both wireless backhaul and fronthaul, no clients can connect on either the 2.4Ghz or 5Ghz bands of the node....

[jzchen]

This poses an interesting question to me.  Since you are forced to leave Ethernet Backhaul mode OFF as well as leave dedicated backhaul mode ON, does that mean you have a hidden broadcast, (from both router and node(s)?  If so it should be of the format SSID_dwb.  And per research in the past I’ve read that this SSID_dwb (is supposed to) allow client access, it’s just a hidden network.  Have you tried accessing it?  (Should have the same Shared Key I believe since I believe you have it SmartConnected)…

[Saltgrass]

Are you being required to enable the override option if you set up the Backhaul on the other section?