The new Wi-Fi standard 802.11ax, or Wi-Fi 6 for short, has yet to become widespread. There are practically no end devices on the market that work with this network, but manufacturers of electronic components have long certified their new models of Wi-Fi modules and are ready for mass production of devices with a wireless data exchange rate several times higher than the usual gigabit per second over the wire. In the meantime, the first routers working with Wi-Fi 6 appear, already offers its fans to purchase a ready-made Mesh solution for organizing wireless coverage over a large area or in a multi-storey private house. The ASUS AiMesh AX6100 kit has many interesting features, but the key one is the ability to organize Wi-Fi 6 wireless communication with the ability to transfer data at a speed slightly less than five gigabits per second.
Contents of delivery
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A distinctive feature of the ASUS AiMesh AX6100 kit is that it consists of a pair of absolutely identical full-fledged ASUS RT-AX92U routers, which, if desired, can be used not only as part of a Mesh system, but also separately. Looking ahead, we note that it is precisely this circumstance that the devices from the kit owe a full range of capabilities, which other Mesh models usually cannot boast of. It will also be possible to purchase one device in retail, which can be used as a stand-alone device or added as a Mesh network node. Well, we received for testing a set of two ASUS AiMesh AX6100 at once, which, in addition to the routers themselves, includes two power adapters, one Ethernet cable and a printed manual for initial setup. No more accessories are supplied with the new product.
Specifications ASUS AiMesh AX6100
| AiMesh AX6100 (2 Γ RT-AX92U) | |
| Standards | IEEE 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/ax (2,4GHz + 5GHz + 5GHz) |
| Memory | RAM 512 MB / Flash 256 MB |
| Antennas | 4 Γ external 2 Γ internal |
| WiFi encryption | WPA2-PSK, WPA-PSK, WPA-Enterprise, WPA2-Enterprise, WPS |
| Transfer rate, Mbps | 802.11n: up to 400 802.11ac: up to 867 802.11ax (5GHz): up to 4804 |
| Interfaces | 1 Γ RJ-45 Gigabits BaseT (WAN) 4 Γ RJ-45 Gigabits BaseT (LAN) 1 x USB 2.0 1 x USB 3.1 |
| Indicators | 3Γ WiFi 1 x Power 1 x LAN 1 x WAN |
| Hardware buttons | 1 x WPS 1 Γ Reset 1 Γ Power |
| Capabilities | Networking between routers in a Mesh network over Wi-Fi 6 802.11ax WAN+LAN4 802.3ad port aggregation for connecting to external networks up to 2 Gbps Seamless roaming Protection and parental control AiProtection Pro (in conjunction with TrendMicro) Firewall Compatible with Amazon Alexa and IFTTT MU-MIMO technology Adaptive QoS Three guest networks per band VPN server/client Print Server AiCloud Smartphone setup and control UPnP, IGMP v1/v2/v3, DNS Proxy, DHCP, NTP Client, DDNS, Port Trigger, Port Forwarding, DMZ, System Event Log |
| Food | DC 19 V / 1,75 A |
| Size mm | 155 Γ Γ 155 53 |
| Mass, g | 651 |
| Estimated price*, rub. | n/a (new) |
* Average price for "Yandex.Market" at the time of writing.
The official description of ASUS AX6100 says that this system is tri-band, although the technical specifications claim operation at frequencies of 2,4 and 5 GHz. The thing is that in this case there are not two Wi-Fi modules, as usual, but three. The first one serves to organize an 802.11ac network at a frequency of 2,4 GHz with a bandwidth of up to 400 Mbps. The second is for connecting in the same standard, but at a frequency of 5 GHz and with a speed increased to 866 Mbps. Well, the third module is necessary for the Wi-Fi standard 802.11ax at a frequency of 5 GHz at speeds up to 4804 Mbps. So it turns out that ASUS RT-AX92U routers have three full ranges of operation. The last module also serves to organize communication between the elements of the Mesh network, that is, to transfer data between routers. All Wi-Fi modules in routers from . The same manufacturer is also responsible for the SoC - Broadcom BCM4906, which has two ARM v8 Cortex A53 cores that operate at a frequency of 1,8 GHz. Each device received 512 MB of RAM and 256 MB of Flash memory.
A mesh network based on ASUS RT-AX92U routers is built according to the traditional peer-to-peer network scheme. It is based on two (or more) nodes - a router, the settings of which are completely duplicated. At the same time, one of them is connected to an external network, providing client devices with access to the Internet. The choice of a node for connecting a client device is carried out automatically - according to the signal level. Well, when a client device moves from the coverage area of ββone router to the coverage area of ββanother, the seamless roaming function works, which allows the user not to think about switching between nodes and not to lose data transfer speed. It is worth noting that other models of ASUS routers that have the corresponding function in their arsenal can be included in the Mesh network based on ASUS devices.
Pay attention to the following fact: regardless of whether you have client devices that work with Wi-Fi 6 or not, the connection between ASUS RT-AX92U routers in the Mesh network will still be built in the 802.11ax standard. Thus, the manufacturer got rid of the key problem of any traditional Mesh system, which is either a too low data exchange rate between cells when connected at a frequency of 2,4 GHz, or in a small coverage area when connected at a frequency of 5 GHz.
As mentioned above, ASUS RT-AX92U devices are full-featured routers, and therefore they are not equipped with a pair of Ethernet ports, like Mesh modules from some other manufacturers, but with four gigabit LAN ports and one gigabit WAN port. It is noteworthy that the WAN and LAN4 ports can be combined with the LACP 802.3ad protocol, obtaining a full-fledged two-gigabit connection to the external network. Also models ASUS RT-AX92U can boast of having two USB ports for connecting external drives and peripherals. One of the ports is 2.0 and the other is 3.1.
Appearance
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As in the case of other models, ASUS paid a lot of attention to the appearance of the new routers. The multifaceted plastic case of these devices looks really futuristic. Not aggressive like other models from the same manufacturer, but very modern and unusual. Well, folding multi-faceted antennas give the novelty the appearance of some fantastic communication device from films about the distant future. Four external antennas for ASUS RT-AX92U are non-removable. But, unfortunately, it is impossible to call a practical design for mounting external antennas. They cannot be rotated and directed in the right direction to improve the signal. Unlike other routers from the same manufacturer, ASUS RT-AX92U antennas can be either fully deployed or folded. In addition to external antennas, the design of the novelty includes two more internal ones.
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Three of the four sides of the ASUS RT-AX92U case are occupied by interfaces and indicators. The latter are concentrated on one side, which can be conditionally called the front. On the other, there are USB ports and a square WPS button for quickly connecting devices to a wireless network. Well, on the third side of the case, the manufacturer placed Ethernet ports, a connector for connecting a power adapter, a power control button and a recessed deep into the case, and even (just in case) a factory reset button painted red.
ASUS RT-AX92U routers can be installed on a shelf, for which there are fairly wide rubber feet on the bottom of the case. And you can hang them on the wall for a pair of appropriate mounts. We also note that the entire lower part of the case is a continuous ventilation grill for free air circulation inside the case.
connection ΠΈ work
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Even if you do not understand anything at all about routers, networks and their settings, connecting and commissioning the ASUS AX6100 kit will not take much of your nerves and effort. The developers really tried to simplify the initial setup of the device as much as possible for those who do not want to understand the nuances. You donβt even have to choose the connection type (router, access point or signal repeater) - the main connection type as a Mesh network node is already selected by default. All that is required is to confirm the start of automatic configuration by connecting to one of the routers through the appropriate Internet service, and then activate the search for a new node, the configuration of which will also take place automatically. Note that the entire initial setup of the kit can also be done from a smartphone running Android or iOS. To do this, you need to install the free branded ASUS Router application on it.
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The web interface of ASUS RT-AX92U routers has a look familiar to users of other models of ASUS network devices. On the first page, a network map is available with all devices connected to it and their network characteristics. Here you can see the connected Mesh nodes and manage them. Everything is intuitive, easy to learn, made in Russian and supplemented with tooltips. To change certain settings, it is not necessary to look for the desired menu item - just click on the desired node of the network map and select the characteristics that you want to change.
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Of the network features, we once again note three Wi-Fi ranges and the ability to create three guest networks within each of the ranges. If you have more than two Mesh network nodes, then it makes sense for each of them to specify a location - a living room, a corridor, a bedroom, and so on.
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More detailed network settings are hidden in the additional section of the menu. Here the user can make very fine adjustments to the device parameters, for example, by looking at the "Professional" tab for the wireless network.
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The wired connection settings are standard, but in the Internet connection settings, the user can control the port aggregation mode, choosing between increased fault tolerance, load balancing between channels, and double bandwidth. Also here are settings for the port forwarding function, DMZ and DDNS services, VPN pass-through technology and much more.
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Based on the ASUS RT-AX92U router, it is possible to create a VPN server, a print server and a file server. The organization of the latter is possible, firstly, using the UPnP protocol for the case of connecting set-top boxes, smart TVs and any other equipment that requires access to multimedia data. Secondly, access to USB-drives connected to the router is possible using the AiCloud 2.0 Internet service. The same service also serves to provide remote access to local computers via the Samba protocol.
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In terms of protection against malware and network attacks, ASUS RT-AX92U routers are the same as other models that have been in our test lab earlier. AiProtection technology, developed jointly with Trend Micro, provides protection for all client devices connected to the local network. All traffic passing through the router is analyzed and filtered. Infected devices are detected and blocked, and the module itself has a constantly updated database of malicious sites. In addition, AiProtection also performs the function of parental control. Access rights to different categories of potentially dangerous data can be configured individually for each client.
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Like other models of ASUS routers, the novelty has an adaptive QoS service that monitors and classifies all passing traffic automatically. The web interface allows you to view the current speeds of incoming and outgoing traffic, as well as learn about the current applications, protocols and sites used by each client.
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Among the additional features of ASUS RT-AX92U routers, it is worth noting the presence of a built-in gaming VPN client to work in the Game Private Network (GPN). The router also allows control using the Alexa voice assistant and the IFTTT service.
In general, the settings of ASUS RT-AX92U routers from the ASUS AiMesh AX6100 kit will satisfy the needs of not only any home user, but also those who cannot do without fine adjustments βfor themselvesβ. This is especially true for wireless networks.
Source: 3dnews.ru