VLAN tagging in Access Point Mode TUF-AX6000

[Mosman]

Hey team,

I am trying to find out how to make the TUF AX6000 deal with VLAN tagging after putting it into Access Point Mode. A lot of web pages, such as https://www.asus.com/support/faq/1049415/, get quite close but just fall short in providing the answer that I need. Also the IPTV settings as mentioned on https://www.snbforums.com/threads/vlan-id-settings-for-tuf-ax6000.88190/ don't bring a solid hint.

My objective is to have 5 different VLANs that are already set up in my switch connected to each an individual SSID with proper VLAN tags (so 5 SSIDs with their own passwords etc.). In the standard router settings I can navigate to LAN > IPTV and adjust the ISP profile to manual in order to assign 3 VIDs to the interfaces: internet \ LAN Port 4 \ LAN Port 3 (this IPTV is not available in Access Point mode). But this falls short of the 5 SSIDs that I want to assign to individual VLANs.

Can anyone clarify how to configure Asus TUF-AX6000 as a proper Access Point?

[jzchen · Accepted solution]

Probably the closest thing that I could find would be a different model router line, one of the ExpertWiFi series such as the EBR63.  Hopefully you can return or exchange for that model...

[Mosman]

Yeah, I am slowly reaching that conclusion as well. After more careful reading I noticed the Asus page actually mentions VLAN configurability for the GT-AX6000 and not the TUF-AX6000. Originally I bought this specific model for its compatibility with OpenWRT though, but it would have been splendid if it could actually function as a proper Access Point as well 😑Time to start browsing for 2nd hand Access Point perhaps.. It is time to start saving a bit more fund$ for the long haul.

[jzchen]

I'm sorry as I have only used ASUSwrt myself.   I have been searching around regarding you hope to create 5 SSIDs with VLANs.  My research led to this router being capable of 6 guest networks 3-2.4 GHz, and 3-5 GHz.  Regarding setup in OpenWrt I found this video (specifically a Netgear router), but seems like it applies and he's welcoming questions:

https://youtu.be/5TtlAXeaGUM?si=Ko5oq7WghWfb00rO

Sorry I don't have the answer personally...

Do you already have OpenWrt installed?  (Seems a little complicated setting up/connecting the serial port).

[Mosman]

Yeah, there may be a few workarounds that I could try. At the moment it however seems more trouble than it's worth. A proper Access Points will have all the functions that I need right out of the box.

The compatibility with OpenWRT was pretty much intended for future use, when Asus would no longer provide Firmware updates. Configuring VLAN tagging through a lot of loopholes and hacks is unfortunately unfeasible due to time constraints.

[jzchen]

It may be this feature called Guest Network Pro that fits what you need?

https://www.asus.com/support/faq/1049414/

Updated this month (so I have high confidence of accuracy).  There is always a list of models at top that you can expand to show all.  One caught my eye as I do not believe it is very expensive:  RT-AX57 Go.  It is a travel router, non-Pro, yet it appears to run ASUSwrt 5.0 aka 3.0.0.6.xxxxx firmware.  I thought I saw it on sale recently as well although please do not hold me to that as I am getting old and memory loss is in the family history....

EDIT-  A newly released RT-BE58 Go seems like a good option as well (if within budget.  I wonder if they sell this model here in the US)...

[Mosman]

I think you are correct. At the moment it appears more convenient to buy a full-fledged Access Point though. Messing around with routers that are not optimally configured to make the best use of my network setup is a bit of a headache.