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Forum Discussion
RAX80 behind RAX200
I have 3 areas with soundproofing construction techniques implemented that cause enough interference that wireless does not penetrate well enough from one area to the next to be useful, but some weak signal does show in each area outside the main. I need wireless in each area, preference being all interconnected and broadcasting the same WIFI network SSID so that mobile devices (cells, laptops, etc) can traverse from one area to the next seamlessly to the end user. I have a RAX200 setup and working connected to a cable modem and two RAX80 currently unboxed and firmware updated but not configured. I have ethernet trunk lines in place that can connect the RAX80's to the 200 in the two "remote" areas. What configuration options do I have to deploy these in the manner described?
7 Replies
I wouldn't go that route unless you didn't have an option. The RAX line aren't mesh setups.
If you want roaming options, look to the Orbi line of products. Plus you can add in satellites as needed for extra coverage.
- Thanks, but I already have the gear described. Is there a way to make this work with these three RAX devices?
Sure you can hook them up and run them with the same ssid's. Make sure the 2 RAX80's are in ap mode.
It isn't going to be seamless like the orbi setup but it'll work. Devices might tend to be a bit sticky and not transition from one router to the next though. That's where the orbi system works well versus just using the same ssid for a router-ap setup.
Your thread came up for me 6+ years later with my own dealing with the RAX80. I am using it in the way you indicated here, but not in adjacent rooms. I have my RAX80 in a detached garage patched into my network via MOCA / coax arrangement. It works well. To get my setup I followed some stuff I found on topic online, probably like you. But what I wanted to mention here was use of Android phone apps to evaluate connection and signal strength. So I was using a little app called 'WiFiAnalyzer' and another called 'iPerf' and these would permit me to walk around my place looking at radio (SSID) strength for picking my channels (1st app) and then check gain / loss of signal on roaming basis (2nd app) once I had trial AP settings. Use of this required me to go into the Android using so-called 'developer options' and boost the wifi pinging rate (a battery drain) while I did all this. So a fair amount of hoops involved, but satisfying in the end, compared to buying the next overpriced thing from BestBuy. Here's my question for you -> now that the RAX80 is at end of service (patches, etc.) and it's not accessible to opensource projects like WRT due to the Broadcom chip, how do you plan to continue using these planned obsolescence devices? Are they working for you NOW as originally planned in 2020? If so, I would keep using them until they die. But I'm curious your plan. Cheers!
That looks like it probably worked well for you. I do use WifiAnalyzer but have not used iPerf; I will need to look into that. Unfortunately, I did not take the time to be as precise as you and took the lazy man approach. Since I placed the ethernet backhaul into the design of my soundproof basement and up to my other 2 floors, I have that to rely on. I replaced my RAX gear with a mesh system (asus ZenWifi 30000) and that solved for my needs. I think fine tuning signal strength would still provide benefits. I still have my RAX gear collecting dust on a shelf. It is good gear even now, but I should probably sell it off at some point.
