Mesh APs can link to a router through a MoCA splitter, and they don’t need to be downstream of the primary AP.
Mesh APs can link to a router through a MoCA splitter, and they don’t need to be downstream of the primary AP.
I possess an ASUS Zen WiFi Mini AX mesh setup running in Access Point mode. This means it isn’t functioning as a router; instead, I’m connected to an Edgerouter-X for QoS and ISP failover. The system includes one unit (model SD4R) with two Ethernet ports—WAN/LAN and LAN—and two additional units (model SD4N) each having a single LAN port. To update configurations, I connect to the SD4R, which I’ll refer to as the "main AP."
Currently, my network setup looks like this:
Two ISP modems → Edgerouter-X → MoCA Adapter → 1:4 coax splitter (one with a terminator cap, one for Ethernet switch, two for other APs) → One SD4N AP per room.
I’m considering moving the main AP to another room on the same coax splitter, so that the APs aren’t downstream from it anymore. This would change the flow:
Two ISP modems → Edgerouter-X → MoCA Adapter → 1:4 coax splitter (one for main AP, one for Ethernet switch, two for other APs) → One SD4R/SD4N AP per room.
I’m curious about whether this adjustment is necessary. The current layout already gives solid 5 GHz coverage in the room without its own AP. I want to know if it’s practical to relocate the main AP to a different location within the same splitter, so that each AP operates independently.
What have I verified and why am I sharing this? I reviewed the ASUS manual, which shows a diagram for wired connections with downstream placement. But it doesn’t specify whether this setup is mandatory for all configurations—especially when using Access Point mode. I found some discussions online about mixed AP placements, but they differ from what I’m seeing. So I’m unsure if this approach is standard or just my case.
I’m not sure why I’m posting this. It would take a long time to move the AP to another room and I’d like an immediate answer for the community or online. ASUS doesn’t seem to have a forum that covers all their products, except for ROG and ZenPhone. Also, it would be helpful to know how to connect reliably to my ScreenBeam MoCA adapters so I can monitor signal stats. I’ve tried connecting the device directly to my PC’s Ethernet port using the instructions, but the device page doesn’t load at all.
DongKnows.com highlights points that match your initial idea. However, your second point raises clarity on whether it only applies when the mesh system operates in router mode rather than AP mode. It seems the explanation focuses on router behavior, which may be covered in ASUS's FAQ but doesn't address AP versus router settings directly. Your interpretation about AI Mesh being just node connections is accurate and unrelated to configuration modes.
AiMesh is built for router operation exclusively, supporting both wired and wireless backhaul options. Setting it in AP mode can disrupt the mesh functionality. Think of it as converting the network into a collection of distributed APs. According to the referenced site, the product has evolved through multiple generations; updated releases may now support mesh capabilities even when operating in AP mode, though this might require experimentation.
I’ve set up the entire system in AP mode already. The last time I removed a node from a wired connection linked only to the main AP device’s LAN port, that node automatically reconnected via Wi-Fi to the closest AP. From what I know, switching to AP mode shouldn’t break mesh functionality significantly. So far, I’m confident it works as long as the mesh relies on either a direct wireless path or a wired route to the LAN-only port. I’m unsure if mesh in AP mode depends solely on a wireless connection or also needs a physical hub-and-spoke setup, similar to the AiMesh FAQ and my manual example of wired links. Without someone else testing all three scenarios—using ASUS hardware that supports AIMesh only mode—I’ll need to verify myself by checking connections and hardware capabilities. This post aims to clarify when mesh applies in AP mode and what AIMesh actually does. Thanks.
Yes, all other APs don't need to be downstream from the main AP. I verified this by relocating my primary ISP modem to a basement area without an AP. The setup now looks like: one ISP modem connected via Edgerouter-X, then an Ethernet switch, followed by a MoCA adapter, a 1:4 coax splitter (with two splitters for additional APs), and finally two APs per room. For my mesh hardware, the main AP (SD4R) must be reachable by the other APs so they function properly.