ASUS ZenWiFi XD6 (AX) MESH system: full setup

ASUS ZenWiFi XD6 (AX) MESH system: full setup

Quick Setup

If at the first start you are asked for a login and password, then reset the router to the factory configuration using the “Reset” button. Also keep on hand the contract from the provider. It is necessary to connect to the Internet. Next, I will talk about setting up via the Web interface. If you have already downloaded the application to your phone, then you should not worry because everything is done in the same way.

  1. Click “Create a new network” so that the device itself selects your connection type. “Advanced Settings” must be pressed if you manually want to select an alternative operating mode (Access Point, Repeater, Media Bridge, AiMesh).
  1. Here we are warned that both nodes should be located next to each other.
  1. If the system can determine your type of connection, then you will see the lines that need to be filled in. We will then write off the information from the contract.
  1. If the router cannot do this but asks a question about the login and password, and if there is such information in the contract, then we answer “Yes.” If it is not there, then we click “No.”
  1. If you answered “No,” then automatic and static IP settings are available.
  1. If you answered yes, then you can then configure PPPoE, PPTP, and L2TP.

NOTE! The type of connection can also be specified in the contract or by calling the technical support of your provider.

  1. Next, enter the name and key from the Wi-Fi.
  1. By the way, you can separate networks into separate 2.4 and 5 GHz, but this is not very convenient.
  1. If you already have an adapter with 802.11ax support, you can immediately update or download the driver. If there is no such network Wi-Fi card, then it is not necessary to uncheck the box since this standard is fully compatible with all previous generations.
  1. Enter the name and password from the admin panel of the router.
  1. The system will find a new firmware-click “Update”.
  1. We are waiting for the system to be updated. If you were connected to Wi-Fi, then you will need to reconnect to the new network.

Firmware capabilities

Let me briefly talk about the capabilities of the ASUS firmware. At the first start, we get to the main one (aka “Network Map”). Here we can see the external IP as well as immediately look for clients that can be connected both via Wi-Fi and cable. You can also quickly change the network name and password here.

Let me remind you that you can change the encryption method to WPA3. To be more precise, it is better to use WPA2/WPA3-Personal.

On the status tab, monitor the CPU and memory usage. All additional buns of the firmware itself are turned off by default, and they need to be additionally configured.

Adding an AiMesh Node

If the second module was not added automatically, then go to the “AiMesh” section and click on the “Add AiMesh node” button. If the second module does not connect, then reboot it by unplugging it from the outlet and plugging it back in.

NOTE: During the initial setup, the second module can connect for an extended period of time, ranging from 5 to 10 minutes.I do not know how it is connected.

Let me remind you that both additional modules and any modern ASUS router with support for this function can act as a node. If you are connecting a router or a node that was not out of the box, then be sure to reset its system to factory settings before adding it. Everything is done in the same way through the “Reset” button.

If you rearrange the nodes, then after that on the main one, be sure to click on the “Optimization” button so that the system itself selects a new wireless connection scheme.

You can also give a name to each node here for convenience. At the bottom right, you can monitor the connected devices.

Guest WiFi

A guest network is a separate network that guests or outsiders can connect to. They may also have internet access. But by default, they cannot access the main network. That is, they are limited in terms of connecting to the local grid. Everything is configured in the same way as in the case of a regular Wi-Fi router.

air protection

This feature allows you to protect you and your loved ones from various Internet threats. By default, the function is disabled, so it should be activated. Next, you can enable blocking of dangerous and malicious sites. There are also functions to block DDoS attacks and infected local devices.

By clicking on the “Scans” button, you can see recommendations that will improve your protection. The next three tabs are attack monitors, so you’ll always be aware of what’s going on.

Parental control

Everything is very simple. Select the child’s device and then the content that will be blocked. To prevent the blocking from being so tough, to the right, you can set up a schedule for when certain rules will be enabled.

QoS and customization for gamers and workers

It allows you to set the traffic priority from gaming to streaming. By default, game traffic takes precedence. Let’s look at two more points:

  • Traditional QoS: Here you can set the priorities for the services.
  • Bandwidth limitation: if you have a lot of devices at home, then the speed can be divided.

History of Web surfing (following relatives)

We find it on the third tab. We just activate the function and see who goes where. True, the router monitors all activity—that is, if the phone from the services somehow contacts the servers on its own, then this will also be displayed here. It is possible to sort by client.

Setting up IP TV

Go to “Local Network”, then to “IPTV”. Usually, it is enough to connect the set-top box to a free port and specify this port in the “IPTV STB port selection” line. If the contract specifies additional data, such as a profile or DHCP routes, then they must also be specified below.

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