The long-awaited firmware for Asus GT-BE98 Pro

[Gennadij]

https://rog.asus.com/networking/rog-rapture-gt-be98-pro/helpdesk_bios/

[Saltgrass]

Do you have any observations regarding its viability?  It does fix some things for me.

[jzchen]

I was somewhat excited to see the ZenWiFi BQ16 Pro make it to the ASUS US webpages lately.  Since WiFi 7 routers do not play well with 6E nodes I may want to replace one of my nodes with one.  I do hope they sell a 1-pack as I don't think I'll be able to find someone to split a 2-pack...

[Saltgrass]

I suppose since this firmware has the MLO available, then the comment in the FAQ may have some relevance.

AiMesh with WiFi7 MLO supported device and WiFi6E without MLO devices:

If MLO is enabled on AiMesh Primary router, the node without MLO will not broadcast 6GHz WiFi. If you want to disable MLO, please go to: http://www.asusrouter.com/MLO.asp

Then disable MLO.

[Wi-Fi 7 Wireless Router] What is MLO (multi-link Operation) and how it works? | Official Support | ...

[jzchen]

Yes thank you.  Disabling MLO is what I did for a while with the two prior "beta" BIOS.  I still could not get 6GHz on the AXE16000 to broadcast.  May be worth a shot with this version...

[thomwithah]

Thanks for sharing this. That said, it seems to be (at least partially) incorrect

I’m running the BE98 Pro on ( the latest current public firmware as of today 05-15-20204) 3.0.0.6.102_34491, ET12 on 3.0.0.4.388_24542, and GT-AXE16000 on 3.0.0.4.388_24329 all as part of a MESH system (with wired backhaul). I am able to use (and broadcast on) all bands on all devices as part of Smart Connect.

However, each device is limited to its own native SSID broadcast count limit. In other words, the mesh nodes can’t do as many SSIDs for things like guest networks (with MLO) as the BE98 pro. That said, they are all able to utilize all their bands for the same SSID and at least 1 additional. MLO can be even be used on the BE98 Pro as part of a MESH network while the other other devices don’t support MLO but are broadcasting the same SSID on all bands. 

Perhaps this is a change in firmware not yet reflected in the FAQs, or maybe the FAQ is relevant only with wireless backhaul without specifying it. I wonder if it would be the case with a BE98 Pro for both the primary and a node (or with the upcoming BQ16 Pro as a node) where one 6GHz band could be used for backhaul and the other for broadcasting and clients. 

[nunyabiziz]

I have the BE98 Pro as primary Aimesh and AXE16000 as secondary with MLO disabled. In this configuration I'm able to connect to 6GHz band on the secondary unit. Issue I'm currently experiencing is that Guest Network Pro SSID will not roam to the AXE16000. Wireless network connections are stable lack the handing off for devices not supporting the latest encryption

[s_vanhelsing]

I do own and use the GT-BE98 Pro since December 2023. My Galaxy S24 Ultra I got on release day stayed pretty much connected showing the “7” which was nice and fast. Since the ASUS 34491 firmware update this is not the case anymore. I lose connection many times during the day, it always says “connected without internet”. The internet and other devices are working fine meaning this is between the GT-BE98 Pro and the S24 Ultra and only right after the firmware update. Bummer…

[Silent_Scone]

I'd first try completely forgetting the network on the Galaxy if not having done so already, I've had this on several Android devices, albeit not on the BE98.

[MadHatter01]

Yes this firmware update did not help the Samsung S24 Ultra. Its worse then before. At least 10 times a day it does that connected but no internet. I will be in a game and suddenly no internet. Yes I have tried forgetting the AP and re adding it. Its only the S24 with issues.