3 Node Wi-Fi Mesh System with USB Ports?

nomisg on 05/10/2022 - 20:26
Last edited 05/10/2022 - 21:02 by 1 other user

So currently have a Orbi RBK50 router and node that is doing ok from my main house (220m2, solid brick). Then have Ethernet cat6 running to my studio about 20m away, where I'm running a AC68U on a separate wifi, which also provides good signal for outside.

I used to have an AC68U inside the house aswell, but after an extension and larger footprint of the house, it struggled, hence the Orbi RBK50. But I lost the USB/Nas functionality, which after 6 months, I and fam now really miss.

Only decent mesh system I can find with USB/Nas functionality and utpo 3 nodes is the ASUS XT8 starter pack and then buy an additional node. But that getting pricey $1000+ even when hunting for sales. and this kinda scared me : https://www.snbforums.com/threads/asus-zenwifi-xt8-slower-th…

I can sell the Orbi RBK50, that will soften the blow somewhat. But then I still have these 2 x AC68U lying around. Sell them too I suppose.

Any other ideas?

p.s. No desire to go down a standalone NAS system.

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  [Deactivated] on 05/10/2022 - 20:59

  Get your AC68U as the 3rd node. All/most Asus routers should be compatible with the airmesh. That's my plan anyway.

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  Boioioioi on 05/10/2022 - 22:20

  Even though you have two seperate Wireless networks, are they on the same LAN? In that case you should be able to plug the USB into the AC68U, and access it across both wireless networks. Think of the two wireless networks as doorways into the same network. Just run the mesh network in access point mode, and get the AC68U to do the actual routing and DHCP etc.

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  jv on 05/10/2022 - 23:18

  Why not just get a separate NAS ?

  p.s. No desire to go down a standalone NAS system.

  Oops…

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  bondi on 06/10/2022 - 09:57

  After using ASUS AX6600 Zen8 for a year, I find it is the best wifi6 3 band router on the market. It is a little expensive but you get what you want to achieved. I would not mind to sell it to you for second hand, so I would use TPLink X90 instead for the second best.

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  nomisg on 06/10/2022 - 22:03

  Thanks everyone, so seams like ASUS XT8 is the go and I can play with the AC68U's as additional nodes. Now to check OZB everyday for new deals on it :-)

  @Boioioioi I did try a version of your solution, but it was buggy.