Media Bridge Question (ASUS RT-AC66R )

dDave · Jan 2, 2014

Hello everyone.

Very soon I am planning to upgrade my home network by adding a media bridge. I've never done this before so I have a few questions.

Here's how I'm hoping I can set up the new network. Bear in mind that I have in my possession two ASUS RT-AC66R routers. (I bought another one the other day in anticipation of this upgrade)

The internet comes in the storage room in the basement at one end of the house. I want to have my modem and the first router in this room. Directly above this room I have a TV room set up and want to wirelessly stream to a Roku 2 I recently acquired.

About 35 feet across the basement I want to set up the second router in media bridge mode in the gaming room.

If I have the second router set up in media bridge mode I know it says right on the option on the router that I can connect devices via ethernet (that's good, I need that), what about wirelessly though? It makes no mention of this. If I set up a media bridge does that boost the range of my wireless network on top of allowing me to connect via ethernet?

^That's the question I really need answered.

My house is rather long so I know that there will be some devices that would only be in range of the bridge and not the first router (which is at one end of the house). What I'm hoping is that I can use the bridge to boost the signal while simultaneously connecting a couple desktops via ethernet. If absolutely necessary then I can get a few wireless cards for the desktops and scrap the whole ethernet idea, I need the extra range more than anything.

Unfortunately, I don't really have the option to run an ethernet cable from the first router to the second one (to configure the second one as an access point instead.)

Thoughts?

bill001g · Jan 2, 2014

Media bridge mode is just that it is a bridge from the ethernet port to the wireless. It is acting as a client only.

I forget if the ac66 has repeater mode as default...i tend to load dd-wrt on my asus stuff.

I would avoid running it in repeater mode it will degrade your performance at least 50% and likely much more. Another router running in AP mode plugged into the bridge asus would be a expensive way to get a quality repeater. Because you can set the AP to different channels that the bridge you won't take the repeater pentaly.

You could also try power line converts to connect the routers and run the second asus as a AP.

I would avoid using it as a repeater unless you have no other option. The performance and stability when repeaters are involved is horrible.

RealBeast · Jan 2, 2014

I recommend the highly regarded Merlin firmware HERE, which will allow you to do the bridge in AC and then run a separate local 2.4GHz wireless network. I did it with a pair, so I know that it works. There are other useful features and "fixes" to the ASUS firmware. HERE are the latest release notes.

I assume that you bought your ASUS RT-AC66R routers at Best Buy, as they are the same as the AC66U only with the R designation for Best Buy. From Merlin's latest release notes:

"NOTE: all the "R" versions (for example RT-N66R) are the same as their "U" counterparts, they are just different packages aimed at large
retailers. The firmware is 100% compatible with both U and R versions of the routers."

And I am in total agreement with bill001g that repeaters are to be avoided whenever possible, slow and unreliable.

dDave · Jan 4, 2014

K, so I want to avoid repeater mode, got it.

After obtaining the blueprints for my home and examining them carefully I believe it's actually possible (though quite troublesome) to run ethernet from the first router to the second one. (it involves running a cable through the attic and getting it to two basement rooms) I have ordered a very long CAT6 cable to get the job done within the week. I'll update you guys on how it goes.

If I set up the second router in access point mode will I be able to plug ethernet directly into it to feed to my desktop? If not then I assume it'll be ok to have a 5 port workgroup switch before the access point so I can connect like that?

RealBeast · Jan 4, 2014

dDave :

Yes, the other LAN ports (you will use one for the connection to the main router) are available as full gigabit ports, but you can also add a gigabit switch if you need more ports. Good choice -- running a cable. It may seem painful now, but it will make your life easier for years to come. I've demolished huge areas of walls and ceilings to run cable, and was always glad I did.

dDave · Jan 9, 2014

Figured I'd update on this. I've run the CAT6 cable for the full distance between where I will have my two routers. This was no easy task and required some pretty creative solutions for running the wire from the attic all the way to the basement and across a hallway, I got it done though. Now I have cable going between my two routers though.

As of right now I haven't actually changed my network over to the new setup. I still need to run ethernet from the TV room (where the first router will be) to the storage room below (where the modem will be). Haven't quite figured out how I'm going to do this but I should be able to get it done.

dDave · Jan 10, 2014

Switched the entire network over last night (since my last update). All seems to be well. I can get speeds of up to 16mbps where I was only getting 2-3 before. I can now stream HD movies and I get good coverage over the whole house. I'd call this project a huge success even if it was quite troublesome to get it done.

Thanks for all the help!

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