Have been given these 2 (Asus RT-AC86U & Asus Zenwifi CT8) for home network (from different people) with the intention of using for home mesh using aimesh.
Nothing fancy, just a couple of laptops/tablets/phones. Ethernet as backbone.
Does it matter (performance/feature wise) which one is the main device?
Does it matter?
Better to use good 802.11ac gear than crappy 11ax.
not a fancy setup. rather mesh than swapping AP
Have been given
OP isn't a choosy beggar.
and this is ozbargain.. freebie vs $500 ax mesh
yep - from the past…. haven't been to the future as yet…. :)
Does it matter (performance/feature wise) which one is the main device?
I have no experience with this combo, but I suspect it makes no difference. They have the same RAM. One is dual and one is quad core, but the processors are so lightly loaded on routers that it shouldn't matter in the slightest.
I reckon better have the more powerful processor wise as the main router so CT8.
thanks for comments.
Ended up using CT8 as main router
1/ suited being in kitchen next to modem - simple plain container with no antennae sticking up/visible
2/ location of 86u in office made sense with the 2 USB
interestingly the initial interface & setup process with the CT8 as primary device was easier than the 86U
its only been 12 hr but liking the "mesh" wifi. Nice to move from front of house to back without flicking between AP
1/ suited being in kitchen next to modem - simple plain container with no antennae sticking up/visible
Fair enough.
2/ location of 86u in office made sense with the 2 USB
That makes less sense. The 2 USB are there to share things across your network (eg. NAS). Performance WILL suffer for any device that isn't connected wirelessly to the 86u.
AC wifi, are you from the past?