How to force backhaul to 5GHz ?

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How to force backhaul to 5GHz ?

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How to force backhaul to 5GHz ?
How to force backhaul to 5GHz ?
2024-05-08 14:27:36 - last edited 2024-05-09 02:30:58
Model: Archer AX55  
Hardware Version: V3
Firmware Version:

Hi there,

 

I have an Archer AX55 as well as two RE605x extenders.

 

Right now it seems like my two extenders are using 2.4GHz for the backhaul (which, to be extra clear, is a wireless backhaul), which means most of my house is going much slower than both what the AX55 and the extenders can deliver. Any way to fix this without entirely disabling 2.4 or segregating the two bands? I do have quite a few devices that only operate in 2.4.

 

(I can see that the backhaul is 2.4 both from the Tether app, by going to the extender device and seeing it's connected at 2.4, and by the fact that everything connected to the extenders is much slower than when connected directly to the AX55, even when standing next to it and checking that the test device is indeed connected to the extender).

 

 

 

Thanks!

 

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#1
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Re:How to force backhaul to 5GHz ?-Solution
2024-05-08 19:44:32 - last edited 2024-05-08 19:58:20

  @eplante 

 

I have a similar network with one additional AX55 as a satellite router.  My extenders are RE700X models.  I do have an RE605X (V1) which only supports OneMesh and not EasyMesh and has been removed from the network.

 

I initially used Smart Connect, then later disabled it while using the same SSIDs on both bands, and now use separate SSIDs on each band.  This allows me to configure each device for the desired band.  The GUIs of the routers and the extenders do not reveal which band (or if both bands) are used for backhaul.  You can see hidden SSIDs on both bands using an app such as WiFi Tool and I suspect that each band is being backhauled separately.

 

WRT speed issues, one must remember that the speed will be roughly halved each time the signals pass through an extender.  Since using separate SSIDs and disabling Smart Connect, my devices sucha s PCs and iPhones are operating quite well.

 

 

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Re:How to force backhaul to 5GHz ?
2024-05-08 16:04:14 - last edited 2024-05-08 16:05:04

  @eplante 

 

Did you try the High Speed mode in RE605X Advanced setting - details.

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Re:How to force backhaul to 5GHz ?
2024-05-08 16:59:32

  @terziyski I didn't specify that these are set up as a onemesh/easymesh network - so that setting doesn't apply. 

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Re:How to force backhaul to 5GHz ?
2024-05-08 18:18:17

  @eplante 

 

Which FW release do you have on AX55 v1 and do you have its Smart Connect feature on ?

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Re:How to force backhaul to 5GHz ?
2024-05-08 18:27:57

  @terziyski firmware is 1.3.2 Build 20240325 rel.56896, Smart Connect is indeed on.

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Re:How to force backhaul to 5GHz ?
2024-05-08 18:43:47

  @eplante standing next to the Archer, I get 200-300 mbit. Standing next to one of the extenders, I get 30-50. :( They are both in the "ideal range" with strong signal to the router, according to the location assistant in the tether app.

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Re:How to force backhaul to 5GHz ?
2024-05-08 18:59:32

  @eplante 

 

When Smart Connect is on the RE will decide which band is best for a particular client device (Band steering) - you can't interfiere this process.

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Re:How to force backhaul to 5GHz ?-Solution
2024-05-08 19:44:32 - last edited 2024-05-08 19:58:20

  @eplante 

 

I have a similar network with one additional AX55 as a satellite router.  My extenders are RE700X models.  I do have an RE605X (V1) which only supports OneMesh and not EasyMesh and has been removed from the network.

 

I initially used Smart Connect, then later disabled it while using the same SSIDs on both bands, and now use separate SSIDs on each band.  This allows me to configure each device for the desired band.  The GUIs of the routers and the extenders do not reveal which band (or if both bands) are used for backhaul.  You can see hidden SSIDs on both bands using an app such as WiFi Tool and I suspect that each band is being backhauled separately.

 

WRT speed issues, one must remember that the speed will be roughly halved each time the signals pass through an extender.  Since using separate SSIDs and disabling Smart Connect, my devices sucha s PCs and iPhones are operating quite well.

 

 

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Re:How to force backhaul to 5GHz ?
2024-05-08 19:51:05
My qualm is not with its choice for a client device though - it's with the choice of 2.4GHz as the backhaul! It causes everything served by those extenders to be painfully slow.
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#9
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Re:How to force backhaul to 5GHz ?
2024-05-08 19:54:04 - last edited 2024-05-08 20:00:17

I got your point but most probably there's no setting that can change this even that you're with the latest FW v1.3.2 for AX55 v1.

Here should come the Easymesh ethernet backhaul but I suppose it's too early for the RE605X to support it - details.

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Re:How to force backhaul to 5GHz ?
2024-05-08 19:57:27

  @jra11500 

oh but the UI does show you what the extenders connect to and at what speed - AND I'm now seeing that one extender is connecting to the Archer, and the second one is connected to the first - which is not ideal. I might move things around a bit so that they both connect to the Archer. See the below screenshot that states that this particular RE605x is connected to the Archer at 2.5 GHz.

 

Looks like I'll have to resort to turning off Smart Connect and move to using a separate SSID for 2.4 - a pain, as it's mostly embedded device with quirky ways to configure wifi.

 

 

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