消费者的无线网络(wireless networking)世界再次变得令人兴奋。仅在去年，我们就见证了新无线标准 Wi-Fi 6 的商业发布，并且网状 Wi-Fi 系统变得司空见惯。今年，华硕(ASUS)正试图凭借其ZenWiFi 系列(ZenWiFi family)网状 Wi-Fi 系统引领市场。以下是让它们脱颖而出的原因，以及为什么华硕(ASUS)设法在一个包中提供两全其美的产品 - 无线路由器和网状 Wi-Fi 系统：
Wi-Fi 6 支持正成为主流
华硕(ASUS)是首批提供支持新 Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) 标准的无线设备的供应商之一。他们推出了华硕 RT-AX88U(ASUS RT-AX88U)，这是第一款支持该标准的无线路由器，然后是(wireless router)华硕 RT-AX92U——(ASUS RT-AX92U)第一款支持 Wi-Fi 6的AiMesh Wi-Fi 系统。(AiMesh Wi-Fi system)
通过华硕 ZenWiFi AX(ASUS ZenWiFi AX) ( XT8 )，该公司计划更进一步，提供市场上最快的 Wi-Fi 6 网状Wi-Fi 系统(Wi-Fi system)和迄今为止最好的无线覆盖范围。(wireless coverage)
丰富的端口选择(port selection)：以太网和 USB(Ethernet and USB)
许多网状 Wi-Fi 系统只有两个以太网(Ethernet)端口，而且它们根本没有USB端口，或者它们拥有的端口没有启用和使用。华硕(ASUS)最新一代网状 Wi-Fi 系统在这方面表现突出。例如，在华硕 ZenWiFi AC(ASUS ZenWiFi AC) ( CT8 ) 和其他ZenWiFi系统上，您可以在每个站点上找到一个USB 3.0端口和四个以太网端口。(Ethernet)
您可以使用这些以太网(Ethernet)端口为您的网状 Wi-Fi 创建快速回程，将台式计算机连接到网络、NAS（网络附加存储(Network Attached Storage)）和其他类型的设备。
与华硕无线(ASUS wireless)路由器相同的高级固件
许多无线设备供应商已经为他们的网状 Wi-Fi 设备开发了单独的固件，这不如传统无线路由器先进。尽管如此，新手用户也更容易理解和使用。华硕(ASUS)选择了不同的方法，他们的网状Wi-Fi 系统(Wi-Fi system)的固件与他们的无线路由器上的相同。这意味着熟悉华硕无线路由器的用户在安装他们的第一个网状(ASUS wireless)Wi-Fi 系统(Wi-Fi system)时会感到宾至如归。它们还获得与华硕无线(ASUS wireless)路由器相同的控制级别和相同的高级功能：AiProtection、自适应 QoS(Adaptive QoS)、AiCloud 2.0、流量分析器(Traffic Analyzer)、VPN 支持(VPN support)等。
这种高级固件还具有能够为每个Wi-Fi 频段(Wi-Fi band)使用不同网络名称的好处，而其他品牌的网状 Wi-Fi 系统则无法做到这一点。
AiMesh适用于华硕无线(ASUS wireless)路由器和网状 Wi-Fi 系统
华硕(ASUS)已开发出适用于无线路由器和网状Wi-Fi 系统(Wi-Fi system)的固件，以便它们在一种称为AiMesh的技术的帮助下相互兼容。如果您有华硕 AC1900(ASUS AC1900 wireless)或更高版本的无线路由器，或者华硕的网状Wi (ASUS)-Fi 系统(Wi-Fi system)，您可以借助AiMesh构建自己的网状Wi-Fi 系统(Wi-Fi system)。
这种方法为用户提供了灵活性，并帮助他们以较低的成本升级他们的无线网络(wireless network)。其他供应商倾向于在他们的网状 Wi-Fi 系统之间提供兼容性，以便用户可以组合不同的型号，但他们的无线路由器也不这样做。华硕(ASUS)是第一个将这种方法扩展到无线路由器的公司，而不仅仅是他们的网状 Wi-Fi 系统。因此，您可以使用各种无线设备创建网状 Wi-Fi 系统，例如ASUS Blue Cave 无线(ASUS Blue Cave wireless)路由器、ASUS Lyra Trio 站(ASUS Lyra Trio station)和一个ASUS ZenWiFi AC ( CT8 )。
与Amazon Alexa 和 IFTT(Amazon Alexa and IFTT)集成（如果这样，那么那样）
华硕在将其 Wi-Fi 设备与(ASUS)亚马逊(Amazon)的Alexa 语音(Alexa voice)助手和IFTT 自动化服务(automation service)等智能服务集成方面投入了大量资金。因此，如果您有网状 Wi-Fi 系统或华硕(ASUS)的中档或高端无线路由器(wireless router)，最新的固件版本将提供两者的集成。
为了比其他供应商更进一步，华硕(ASUS)还创建了ASUS Lyra Voice和即将推出的ZenWiFi Voice，它们结合了无线路由器(wireless router)、专用Alexa 设备(Alexa device)、蓝牙扬声器(Bluetooth speaker)和AiMesh 平台(AiMesh platform)的优势。
因此，您可以通过减少在家中购买的设备数量来节省空间和金钱。(space and money)
从互联网上的任何地方进行远程管理，具有高级配置选项
华硕(ASUS)网状 Wi-Fi 系统使用与其无线路由器相同的移动应用程序进行管理：适用于iOS 和 Android的(iOS and Android)华硕路由器(ASUS Router)应用程序。设置后，您可以选择从 Internet 上的任何位置启用远程管理。
大多数供应商为其网状 Wi-Fi 系统提供单独的移动应用程序，这些应用程序易于使用，但配置选项也有限。华硕(ASUS)之所以脱颖而出，是因为它选择为其所有无线设备维护一个应用程序，该应用程序会定期更新新功能和配置选项。因此，华硕路由器(ASUS Router)应用程序比其他制造商的类似应用程序更易于使用且更先进。有了它，您可以配置很多东西，从家长控制(Parental Controls)到内置防病毒软件，再到无线设置。当您想远程解决问题时，该应用程序很有用。
您如何看待华硕(ASUS)最新的网状 Wi-Fi 系统阵容？
当您查看网状 Wi-Fi 系统的内部组件时，它们并没有太大的不同。它们都使用来自相同供应商的相同处理器和芯片组。不同之处在于它们的外观、固件、应用程序以及它们的使用方式。ASUS RT-AX92U、ASUS ZenWiFi AC ( CT8 ) 和ASUS ZenWiFi AX ( XT8 )等 Mesh Wi-Fi 系统旨在为用户带来更多功能和控制，在一个端口和高级功能方面提供很少的设备的世界中. 在结束本文之前，请告诉我们您是否喜欢华硕(ASUS)的产品，以及您可能希望从他们的网状 Wi-Fi 系统中获得什么。
ASUS mesh Wi-Fi: The best of two worlds!
The world of wіreless networking for consumers is getting exciting again. In the last year alone, we have witneѕsed the commerciаl launсh of a new wireless standard - Wi-Fi 6 - and mesh Wi-Fi systems becomіng сommonplace. This year, AЅUS is trying to lead the mаrket with its ZenWiFi family of mesh Wi-Fi systems. Herе is what makes them stand оut, and why ASUS manages to offer the best of both worlds in one package - wireless routers, аnd mesh Wi-Fi systems:
Wi-Fi 6 support is becoming mainstream
ASUS was one of the first vendors to provide wireless devices with support for the new Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) standard. They launched ASUS RT-AX88U, which was the first wireless router with support for this standard, and then ASUS RT-AX92U - the first AiMesh Wi-Fi system with support for Wi-Fi 6.
With ASUS ZenWiFi AX (XT8), the company plans to take things further and deliver the fastest Wi-Fi 6 mesh Wi-Fi system on the market and the best wireless coverage to date.
Generous port selection: both Ethernet and USB
Many mesh Wi-Fi systems come with just two Ethernet ports, and they do not have USB ports at all, or the ones they do have aren't enabled and usable. The latest generation of mesh Wi-Fi systems from ASUS stands out in this regard. For example, on the ASUS ZenWiFi AC (CT8) and the other ZenWiFi systems, you can find one USB 3.0 port and four Ethernet ports on each station.
You can use those Ethernet ports to create a fast backhaul for your mesh Wi-Fi, connect desktop computers to the network, a NAS (Network Attached Storage), and other types of devices.
The same advanced firmware as on ASUS wireless routers
Many vendors of wireless devices have developed separate firmware for their mesh Wi-Fi devices, which is less advanced than that of traditional wireless routers. Still, it is also easier to understand and use by novice users. ASUS has chosen a different approach, and their firmware for mesh Wi-Fi systems is the same as on their wireless routers. This means that users familiar with ASUS wireless routers feel at home when installing their first mesh Wi-Fi system. They also get the same level of control and the same advanced features as those found on ASUS wireless routers: AiProtection, Adaptive QoS, AiCloud 2.0, Traffic Analyzer, VPN support, and more.
This advanced firmware also comes with the benefit of being able to use different network names for each Wi-Fi band, which isn't possible with mesh Wi-Fi systems from other brands.
AiMesh works for both ASUS wireless routers and mesh Wi-Fi systems
ASUS has developed its firmware for wireless routers and mesh Wi-Fi systems so that they are compatible with one another, with the help of a technology called AiMesh. If you have an ASUS AC1900 wireless router or higher, or a mesh Wi-Fi system from ASUS, you can build your own mesh Wi-Fi system with the help of AiMesh.
This approach gives users flexibility, and it helps them upgrade their wireless network at a lower cost. Other vendors tend to provide compatibility between their mesh Wi-Fi systems so that users can combine different models, but they don't do this for their wireless routers also. ASUS was the first to extend this approach to wireless routers, not only their mesh Wi-Fi systems. As a result, you can create a mesh Wi-Fi system using various wireless equipment such as an ASUS Blue Cave wireless router, an ASUS Lyra Trio station, and one ASUS ZenWiFi AC (CT8).
Integration with Amazon Alexa and IFTT (If This, Then That)
ASUS invested a lot into integrating their Wi-Fi devices with smart services like Amazon's Alexa voice assistant and the IFTT automation service. Therefore, if you have a mesh Wi-Fi system or a mid-range or high-end wireless router from ASUS, the latest firmware versions are going to provide integration with both.
To take things further than other vendors, ASUS has also created ASUS Lyra Voice and the upcoming ZenWiFi Voice, which combine the benefits of a wireless router, with that of a dedicated Alexa device, a Bluetooth speaker, and with the AiMesh platform.
As a result, you can save both space and money by lowering the number of devices that you buy in your home.
Remote management from anywhere on the internet, with advanced configuration options
ASUS mesh Wi-Fi systems are administered using the same mobile app as their wireless routers: the ASUS Router app for iOS and Android. When you set it up, you can choose to enable remote management from anywhere on the internet.
Most vendors offer separate mobile apps for their mesh Wi-Fi systems, which are simple to use, but also have limited configuration options. ASUS stands out because it chose to maintain one single app for all their wireless devices, which gets updated with new features and configuration options regularly. As a result, the ASUS Router app is both easy to use and more advanced than similar apps from other manufacturers. With it, you can configure many things, from Parental Controls to the built-in antivirus and to your wireless settings. The app is useful when you want to troubleshoot problems remotely.
What do you think about ASUS' newest line-up of mesh Wi-Fi systems?
When you look at the inside components of mesh Wi-Fi systems, they aren't very different. They all use the same processors and chipsets from the same vendors. What's different is how they look, their firmware, their apps, and how they can be used. Mesh Wi-Fi systems like ASUS RT-AX92U, ASUS ZenWiFi AC (CT8), and ASUS ZenWiFi AX (XT8) aim to bring more features and control to users, in a world of devices that offer little in terms of ports and advanced features. Before closing this article, tell us whether you like what ASUS has to offer, and what else you might want from their mesh Wi-Fi systems.
