Asus activates function to make old routers mesh network

Asus has announced a feature to use old routers as nodes in a mesh network for better Wi-Fi coverage. The system is called AIMesh and works best on triband routers, which have a band left to communicate with other nodes.

The system currently works with the Asus RT-AC68U, RT-AC86U, RT-AC88U and RT-AC3100. The manufacturer is still testing for the RT-AC5300 and ROG Rapture GT-AC5300. Plus, support for more routers will be coming in the course of this year, Asus says.

After a firmware update, the option for AIMesh is in the AsusWRT interface for managing the Wi-Fi network. It is then possible to add a new router to the mesh network via the Asus Router app or via AsusWRT.

The connection between nodes can work over a 5GHz connection if the router has one available or over a wired network. Asus has put the necessary firmwares for routers online on an AIMesh page. The system is immediately usable.