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发帖数: 2469 | 7 辣鸡 挣扎没用的
https://www.smallnetbuilder.com/wireless/wireless-reviews/33208-asus-aimesh-
reviewed?start=3
Conclusion
I really like the overall premise of AiMesh - the idea that you should be
able to add more routers to the router you already have and like, instead of
needing to chuck it out and invest in a completely different mesh kit.
If you've currently got one AiMesh-capable ASUS router that you're really
happy with, adding a second in AiMesh mode instead of just using any old Wi-
Fi extender isn't the worst idea. The comparison below brings together the
results from configurations that provided lower latency for all STAs than
the the solo RT-AC1900P.
If you don't have the option of Ethernet backhaul, you'd best stick to only
adding only one AiMesh node (2 nodes WiFi bkhl). The results show lower mean
application latency for all STAs with worst case latency of a bit over 850
ms for the most remote downstairs bedroom STA B.
Mean application latency comparison - best cases
Mean application latency comparison - best cases
If you have the option of Ethernet, my tests (3 nodes Eth bkhl No bndstr 5
GHz) show you can move up to two additional AiMesh nodes, but you'd best
force your devices to all connect on 5 GHz. Doing all this and maybe with a
little bit of good luck, I was able to keep all latencies for all STAs below
400 ms.
The bottom line is that the data show that AiMesh, at least in its current
form, isn't up to managing STAs and backhaul connections when both use the
same pair of radios in each mesh node. And worse, AiMesh doesn't use
Ethernet backhaul effectively. So even if you don't need the (Wi-Fi) mesh
part of AiMesh and use Ethernet to connect all its nodes, it will give you
worse performance than manually converting the routers to APs and
configuring them yourself.
There are still some experiments I could have tried. For example, I could've
tried dropping the 2.4 GHz transmit power to its absolute minimum and
running the 2.4 GHz-only tests again. AiMesh is also clearly not really up
to intelligently managing multiple-link backhaul; so I could also have tried
pulling the downstairs RT-AC68U upstairs, and setting it up somewhere with
a direct link to the RT-AC1900P router instead. I also could have introduced
a tri-band router (or two) into the mix, to see if AiMesh could effectively
use a second 5 GHz radio for dedicated backhaul.
But I didn't do any of those things because the tests I did run, which have
provided the most detailed examination of AiMesh performance you'll find
anywhere, show there are much better, less frustrating and less expensive
options for Wi-Fi mesh systems.
Testing I've done for another publication has shown Orbi, eero, and Plume "
Superpods" were able to handle the same four STAs using Wi-Fi backhaul (
which is why you buy a mesh Wi-Fi system in the first place) and produce
comparable mean application latencies. While these compeing system's ain't
cheap, neither is the AiMesh configuration I tested. But they have the
advantage over AiMesh of not requiring Ethernet connection to provide as
good or better results.
Platform Configuration Price
ASUS AiMesh
- RT-AC1900P (x1)
$135
- RT-AC68U (x2) $280
NETGEAR Orbi RBK53 One router, two satellites $520
eero eero + two Beacons $398
Plume Superpod (x4) $460
Table 1: Wi-Fi mesh system pricing (click links for latest prices)
And if your spouse is a believer that good Wi-Fi should not clash with the
home decor, then AiMesh is likely to lose that battle.
Which do you think will have higher SAF?
Which do you think will have higher SAF?
So again, If you don't already own an ASUS router and you're in the market
for a multiple access point system, there are frankly better options. If you
have or plan to deploy wired Ethernet backhaul to your access points,
purpose-built wired access points such as Ubiquiti UAP-AC-Lite, TP-Link EAP-
225v3 or other APs reviewed in the 2x2 AC Access Point Roundup series are
both less expensive and higher performance than AiMesh routers.
If you can't or don't want to use Ethernet backhaul and just want mesh, mesh
Wi-Fi systems such as eero with a pair of Beacons still cost at least a
little less than most AiMesh options, and tend to be more stable, easier to
live with, and higher in Spouse Acceptance Factor. |
