Properly setting up my ASUS RT-AX86U Pro as an extender for smart home

[brettdotcom14]

so right now i have this connected to my main router via cable and set up with an access point because i couldnt figure out how to make it just an extender. If i dont make it an extender a lot of smart devices i have wont work with alexa since its a different network name

i tried to name them the same as main router but then they blended together and it didnt seem to connect to my asus router at all. i would have poor signal because its connected still from my main router.

is there a proper way to do this or just leave it as an access point?

thanks

[jzchen]

What is the primary router brand/model?

[brettdotcom14]

its from optimum. altice gr140ig

[jzchen]

Access Point is probably the better option since the other router is not ASUS and you can't create an AiMesh.  I checked the specs and Repeater Mode (aka Range Extender Mode is available on the RT-AX86U Pro).  This would be WiFi backhaul no Ethernet, is that what you want?

Try turning on WiFi Agile Multiband on both channels (2.4 GHz and 5 GHz).  See if that improves the distribution of clients as it should...

[brettdotcom14 · Accepted solution]

yes that is what i want. one more question...i am putting it into repeater mode now and its asking me what to name the SSID. do i name them the same as the main router or different? cause right now they have them different

thanks for the help

[jzchen]

Just to clarify repeater mode uses WiFi as backhaul (which if not obvious) takes bandwidth from clients' use.  If you need the Ethernet cord removed then that is the only difference.  For WiFi Agile Multiband to work the SSIDs and passkeys should be the same.

[Saltgrass]

If this is going to involve a Smart Home, are there requirements either physically or Security wise that would need the use of an IoT network for those smart home devices?

Most of my cameras like the IoT network more than the normal SSID.