Using USA Asus Router

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bfam55

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#315744 12-Aug-2024 08:57

Hi all,

I am looking at getting an ASUS RT-AX88U/86U Pro. However I cannot find them for sale in NZ, only pb tech have the non pro version, however I ideally want the Guest Network Pro feature which looks like only the Pro of that model has.

Only place I can really find it for sale is Amazon US. Will buying it from there and using a power adapter be fine for use in NZ on normal fibre? So far my research shows that the USA channels are identintical to NZ across all the bands apart from 2.4ghz it is only 1-11 whereas NZ allows 1-13.

Has anyone purchased a router overseas like this and run any issues into getting it working in NZ? Does the 1-11 band have any limitation here or would it be unnoticed?

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#3270718 12-Aug-2024 09:11

While it's not ideal, we have bought some Wi-Fi devices in from the USA for our own use and have had no hassles. We have had some devices warn (in their web portal) that they are operating outside of their designed region but this has not prevented them working.

The only time I've seen this actually cause a problem in the past was when a client's router was set to automatically assign itself a channel (based on scanning the area and picking a channel with the lease congestion) and it would sometimes pick Channel 13. This became a problem when the client bought a laptop from a popular local computer retailer that had been parallel imported from the USA and the Wi-Fi radio was firmware limited to channels 1-11. Once we finished scratching our heads and worked out what the issue was, we fixed their router to a channel in the 1-11 range and everyone moved on with their lives.

There was a cost to the client as it involved two chargeable site visits to solve that little mystery. This would have been in the region of 8-12 years ago.

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michaelmurfy

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#3270734 12-Aug-2024 10:01

What are you wanting to achieve that other solutions, eg, Ubiquiti with their routers can't offer?

I personally never rated ASUS as making great routers.

Have a look at this: https://www.pbtech.co.nz/product/NETUBI2207/Ubiquiti-UniFi-Express-UX-Compact-UniFi-Cloud-Gate then perhaps pair it with another UniFi access point if you wanted more coverage. That platform is far better and feature rich than Asus and can do what you're after.

Or, have a look at the Synology range of routers (eg: https://www.pbtech.co.nz/product/NETSYN6600/Synology-RT6600AX-Router-11AX---25Gbps-Backhaul ) that can do that also.

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nztim

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#3270740 12-Aug-2024 10:25

USA ISM bands have less 5GHZ airspace than NZ so you are actually shooting yourself foot, 6GHZ has more than NZ allows so you are at risk of getting a door knock from Radio Spectrum Management

Any views expressed on these forums are my own and don't necessarily reflect those of my employer.

richms

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#3270747 12-Aug-2024 10:51

nztim:

USA ISM bands have less 5GHZ airspace than NZ so you are actually shooting yourself foot, 6GHZ has more than NZ allows so you are at risk of getting a door knock from Radio Spectrum Management

Any records of a door knock for wifi? I only know about the dect phone issues from a few years back that got them out of the office to visit.

Richard rich.ms

bfam55

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Wannabe Geek

#3270749 12-Aug-2024 11:01

michaelmurfy:
What are you wanting to achieve that other solutions, eg, Ubiquiti with their routers can't offer?

I personally never rated ASUS as making great routers.

Have a look at this: https://www.pbtech.co.nz/product/NETUBI2207/Ubiquiti-UniFi-Express-UX-Compact-UniFi-Cloud-Gate then perhaps pair it with another UniFi access point if you wanted more coverage. That platform is far better and feature rich than Asus and can do what you're after.

Or, have a look at the Synology range of routers (eg: https://www.pbtech.co.nz/product/NETSYN6600/Synology-RT6600AX-Router-11AX---25Gbps-Backhaul ) that can do that also.

I am looking at upgrading my existing home network. I have started adding a few smart devices and looks like the network is getting overloaded especially from the IP Cameras (running a homebridge setup which uses local RTSP streams off 3 cameras). Ideally I would like to create another network to offload these IOT/Cameras, I am partially doing that now with the current router on a basic guest network.

I currently have an ASUS AC58 router which does not look that flash at all compared to AX routers.

No reason in particular I am looking at ASUS just purely as thats what I am familiar with now and the Guest Network Pro seems to be suitable for what I need however will look into different options.

michaelmurfy

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#3270751 12-Aug-2024 11:02

"Guest Network Pro" is nothing fancy. The Synology / UniFi can both do this also.

I'd actually recommend the Synology over ASUS and it's available in NZ too, and even Hyperfibre capable.

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richms

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#3270806 12-Aug-2024 11:24

If you are using cheap IP cameras with a 2.4GHz single chain radio on it, then no amount of fancy routers will solve the fact that the band is overused and not suitable for high bandwidth things like streaming video.

IMO you are better to get a separate 2.4GHz radio for your cameras so their channel hogging doesn't affect your other 2.4GHz IOT gear, and stick one network on ch1, and the other on ch11.

If you go for unifi gear, you get more control over things like minimum RSSI which can help with it seeing weak neighbour networks and holding off transmission rather than just trampling over them.

Richard rich.ms

bfam55

4 posts

Wannabe Geek

#3270822 12-Aug-2024 12:22

richms:
If you are using cheap IP cameras with a 2.4GHz single chain radio on it, then no amount of fancy routers will solve the fact that the band is overused and not suitable for high bandwidth things like streaming video.

IMO you are better to get a separate 2.4GHz radio for your cameras so their channel hogging doesn't affect your other 2.4GHz IOT gear, and stick one network on ch1, and the other on ch11.

If you go for unifi gear, you get more control over things like minimum RSSI which can help with it seeing weak neighbour networks and holding off transmission rather than just trampling over them.

Okay, I am very new to the UniFi world. What exactly devices would you recommend to have this setup? Those above gateways, 1 or 2 + Extra AP?

With the original listed gateway, does that function as a router and be plugged into the ONT box? Or am I needing something else?

michaelmurfy

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#3270841 12-Aug-2024 12:51

@bfam55 If you're just wanting a more basic setup (eg, just a router) then just go with the Synology router linked above.

Else, with UniFi you can expand it however you want. The above UniFi router has built in WiFi then you can add a UniFi switch, and additional access points if required. We don't really know your setup so can't recommend past what you're really asking for with the OP.

freitasm

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#3270853 12-Aug-2024 14:44

The Synology is very easy to use. Your system can have up to five different networks with up to 15 different Wi-Fi SSIDs (for a total of 200 clients).

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bfam55

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#3270871 12-Aug-2024 16:28

freitasm:

The Synology is very easy to use. Your system can have up to five different networks with up to 15 different Wi-Fi SSIDs (for a total of 200 clients).

What sort of devices do you have connected to your 'Streaming network'. Any RTSP Cameras etc, if so how many? Any issues with conjestion?

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nztim

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#3270873 12-Aug-2024 16:36

richms:

nztim:

USA ISM bands have less 5GHZ airspace than NZ so you are actually shooting yourself foot, 6GHZ has more than NZ allows so you are at risk of getting a door knock from Radio Spectrum Management

Any records of a door knock for wifi? I only know about the dect phone issues from a few years back that got them out of the office to visit.

Wi-Fi 6E is too new and probably little to no parallel imported gear in NZ

However, The Wi-Fi 6E standard is 5925-7125MHZ but RSM in New Zealand has only opened up 5925-6425MHZ meaning gear not officially sold in NZ is possible to run on frequencies outside the allowed range, this could/might/maybe lead to an RSM inspector knocking at the door.

Any views expressed on these forums are my own and don't necessarily reflect those of my employer.

freitasm

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#3270875 12-Aug-2024 16:38

bfam55:

What sort of devices do you have connected to your 'Streaming network'. Any RTSP Cameras etc, if so how many? Any issues with conjestion?

The Streaming network is for content requests only - Amazon Fire TV, Chromecast with Google TV, Xbox, Panasonic TV. It's separate because it uses a different DNS 😉.

The IoT network is used by Ring cameras, Philips Hue lights and plugs, D-Link cameras and plugs, Amazon Echo devices, outdoor Wi-Fi lights and Amazon Kindle devices.

The Primary network is for laptops, desktops, phones and NAS.

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