How to Separate SSIDs on the SR213/White Max Hub

[JimM1]

@Chunk88 You will find that there is NOTHING in Asus that is budget or cost friendly in the slightest, if anything they are the most expensive no matter what, but you get everything nothing is extra or ever needed, it is there way off doing. The Forum is NOT in the business to recommend A versus B, you need to go look make your mind up and then you can get a Yah/Nah, if you wish to go look Asus ZenWiFi AX (XT8) review | TechRadar starting point but check out other options etc!

[Chunk88]

Thanks

by budget I just meant there is a Miriad of options on the Asus website and if it works seamlessly I'm happy to pay so just meant if less isn't necessarily more then just one that will work correctly but if more is more then a point where seamless functionality is available I'll pay it, trouble being I don't have a clue what I'm looking at so the options and functions are lost on me so happy to receive recommendations from the knowledgeable out there that's all. 

[Chrisee]

@Chunk88 if you simply want more flexible wifi there is another option which I use myself which is to disable the Sky hub's wifi and connect a third party WiFi mesh system running in access point mode to provide WiFi in your home. This avoids the need to program a new router as the Sky hub fulfills this function. Depending on the speed you need these systems need not be expensive. My own TP-Link Deco system delivers over 500Mb/s in my main living area droppping to 150Mb/s in the most distant bedroom on the third level and costs under £100 for a three unit sytem. Faster systems cost more pretty obviously..

Deco like most of its competitors allows a separate guest network which can be set to only use the 2.4GHz band if you want.  

[Chunk88]

Ah ok thank you Chrisee

ive read so much over the last few days I think I understand less than when I started😂

So Asus units can fully replace the router and WiFi output due to the protocol thing but other mesh systems can be utilised alongside retention of the sky router?? Is that correct, do you shut if the WiFi from the sky router and utilise your units WiFi or does the mesh system just amplify the Sky?  My requirements are fairly basic I think, I just need to be able to separate the 2.4 & 5 outputs and improved WiFi range would be a very welcome bonus.

[FLC]

@Chunk88 

Which way you go will be largely governed by whether or not you have a telephone service. If you do, you're stuck with adding mesh units. These create their own WiFi network entirely separate from the Sky router.

If you don't then you're able to replace the router entirely, which would be preferable IMO. In that scenario I would look first to the ASUS RT-AX82U. There's every chance that will be sufficient, given how hopeless the WiFi is on the Max router.

If you still need additional coverage, that router has mesh facilities built in. So you can just add as many points as you need. The XD5 aren't as eye-wateringly expensibe as the XT8 & probably good enough.

I currently run the DSL version of the AX82U as I don't have FTTP available. I run that with a single XD5 & that gives coverage throughout a '70s 3-bed semi. Although I can split the SSID, I've found no need to, as all 2.4 devices connect without issue.

It's generally more economical to buy a set of XD5 if you need them, work out how many you need & then sell any surplus units.