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If you’re looking to use Asus standard routers or an AiMesh system in a business environment, that works. But there’s now a better choice.
The networking vendor today announced its all-new ExpertWiFi series of routers and access points geared toward small and medium business applications.
The new product line is built based on the company’s existing AiMesh hardware.
Asus ExpertWiFi: The familiar AiMesh hardware with a twist
Asus says the new product line includes new Wi-Fi broadcasters (routers and access points) that can work together using its well-known AiMesh feature to scale up Wi-Fi coverage.
Furthermore, ExpertWiFi hardware supports up to 12 mesh nodes — up from 10 of the existing consumer-grade hardware.
At launch, the new ExpertWiFi family includes three options: The EBM68 2-pack mesh set, the EBR63 standalone router, and the EBA63 business access point.
You can get any of these to use as a standalone device of their default role, or you can use them all together to create a sizeable seamless Wi-Fi mesh system.
But, just like the case of any AiMesh hardware, it’s best to use multiple units of the same device in a system. In the case of the EBA63, a router is required, and the EBR63 will be a good choice initially.
ExpertWiFi’s initial hardware: Preliminary specifications
Of the three, the EBM68 is tri-band Wi-Fi 6 mesh hardware. Most importantly, its 5GHz-2 band features UNII-4 (5.9GHz) to work better as the backhaul band — similar to the case of the ZenWifi XT8 or ZenWiFi Pro XT12.
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| ASUS ExpertWiFi EBR63 | ASUS ExpertWiFi EBM68 | ASUS ExpertWiFi EBA63 | |
| Availability | Standalone router | 2-pack mesh set | Standalone access point |
| Antennas | 4 x external antennas | 6 x internal antennas | 4 x internal antennas |
| Operating Frequency | 2.4 GHz, 5 GHz |
2.4 GHz, 5 GHz (5.9 GHz supported) |
2.4 GHz, 5 GHz |
| WiFi Data Rate | 2.4 GHz: up to 574 Mbps 5 GHz: up to 2402 Mbps |
2.4 GHz: up to 574 Mbps 5 GHz-1: up to 2402 Mbps 5 GHz-2: up to 4804 Mbps |
2.4 GHz: up to 574 Mbps 5 GHz: up to 2402 Mbps |
| Network Standards | IEEE 802.11a, IEEE 802.11b, IEEE 802.11g, IEEE 802.11n, IEEE 802.11ac, IEEE 802.11ax, IPv4, IPv6 | IEEE 802.11a, IEEE 802.11b, IEEE 802.11g, IEEE 802.11n, IEEE 802.11ac, IEEE 802.11ax, IPv4, IPv6 | IEEE 802.11a, IEEE 802.11b, IEEE 802.11g, IEEE 802.11n, IEEE 802.11ac, IEEE 802.11ax, IPv4, IPv6 |
| Memory | 256 MB Flash, 512 MB DDR3 RAM | 256 MB Flash, 1 GB DDR4 RAM | 256 MB Flash, 512 MB DDR4 RAM |
| I/O Ports | 1 x Gbps WAN, 4 x 1 Gbps LAN, 1 x USB 3.0, 1 x USB 2.0 |
1 x 2.5 Gbps WAN, 3 x 1 Gbps LAN, 1 x USB 3.0 |
1 Gbps LAN |
| Buttons | Power Switch, Reset Button, WPS Button | Power Switch, Reset Button, WPS Button | Reset Button |
| DC Power Adapter | AC Input: 100~240 V (50~60 Hz) DC Output: 12 V with max 2 A current |
AC Input: 100~240V (50~60 Hz) DC Output: 12 V with max 3 A current |
AC Input: 100~240V (50~60 Hz) DC Output: 12 V with max 1.5 A current |
| Package Contents | ASUS ExpertWiFi EBR63 RJ-45 cable Power adapter Quick Start guide Warranty card |
ASUS ExpertWiFi EBM68 RJ-45 cable Power adapter Quick Start guide Warranty card |
ASUS ExpertWiFi EBA63 RJ-45 cable Power adapter Quick Start guide Warranty card |
| Dimensions | 8.86 x 4.16 x 6.04 in (225 x 105.7 x 153.5 mm) (with antennas) |
6.57 x 3.03 x 7.32 in (167 x 77 x 186 mm) |
6.3 x 6.3 x 16.53 160 x 160 x 420 mm |
| Weight (each unit) |
TBD | 1.78 lbs (808 g) | TBK |
Professional “pristine white” design and built-in VLAN and captive portal
Asus says its new “ExpertWiFi series features a minimalistic and professional aesthetic, with a “pristine white exterior” designed to blend into a business environment” to give the users more preferences in terms of hardware placement.
For example, these devices are designed to be wall and ceiling mountable out of the box. The ExpertWiFi EBR63 router can transform from a typical horizontal position to a vertical one, making it fit better on any surface.
Most importantly, per Asus, all ExperWiFi hardware has a “self-defined network feature” — each network port can be assigned to a virtual LAN (VLAN) for different business scenarios.
Additionally, the Guest Wi-Fi network feature now supports a captive login portal with social media integration — similar to the case of TP-Link’s Omada access point — with a customizable logo for brand awareness.
Finally, Asus says the ExpertWiFi series includes a robust web interface and a mobile app. All hardware features similar premium yet free features available in Asus’s home routers, including AiProtection and Safe Browsing features.
Availability and pricing
Asus says the ExpertWiFi series will be available in North America in the first quarter of 2023, with the pricing being unveiled then.
This new series seems to be Asus’s AiMesh hardware with some business-oriented features. And that only helps.
Check back later for more information, among other things, on how it works against Asus’s consumer-grade counterparts.
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