The ASUS RT-AX57 Go is a very compact router, but with a very complete Asuswrt firmware, which will provide us with great versatility. In addition, we have the possibility of creating different Wi-Fi networks to connect clients, and that are completely separated thanks to the use of Guest Network Prowhere we will segment the wireless network into different VLANs and subnets, just as happens with the ASUS PRO models and also with the ExpertWiFi family. In addition, this function is also combined with Fusion VPN, so we can configure that all clients that connect to a specific WiFi network go out to the Internet through a previously configured VPN server.
What is WISP mode and what is it for?
WISP (Wireless ISP), or also known as Wireless Internet Service Provider, is a configuration mode that we have available on the RT-AX57 Go router to act as a WiFi client, and for this wireless connection to act as if it were the WAN of Internet. The manufacturer ASUS has called this mode “Public WiFi mode (WISP)”. Instead of connecting the router via Ethernet network cable, and using the Gigabit Ethernet port for the Internet WAN, we have the possibility of using the main WAN as the main WAN. wireless connection in client mode. This is very useful for the following scenarios:
- Connect to any public Wi-Fi network. In airports, restaurants, hotels and many other establishments, we will not have the possibility of connecting via network cable to an Ethernet socket, in these cases, it is essential that a portable router like the RT-AX57 Go connect via Wi-Fi for later provide us with an Internet connection.
- Connect to private Wi-Fi networks. If we are in a rented apartment for a few days, and we do not have the possibility of connecting via cable because they have Wi-Fi access points on the ceiling, we can connect directly in Wi-Fi client mode and make it the Internet WAN.
The Asuswrt firmware will allow us to configure the functionality of Fusion VPN to connect to a remote VPN serverwhether it's a commercial VPN like Surfshark, NordVPN or any other provider, and subsequently create a specific network with Guest Network Pro and that all Internet traffic previously travels through the VPN. In this way, all traffic will be encrypted point-to-point from our RT-AX57 Go router to the destination VPN server, ideal for properly protecting our Internet connection to prevent malicious users from intercepting our connections and putting our security and safety at risk. privacy.
In the event that there is no Wi-Fi network available to connect the router in WISP mode, remember that this ASUS RT-AX57 Go also incorporates the Mobile 4G/5G Tethering functionality. This function consists of power share the Internet of our smartphone via USB cable, and in this way share the wired and Wi-Fi connection with the router. Why not tether directly with our smartphone? Whenever we activate this function on the mobile we will have a high battery consumption, when connecting it to the router and sharing it by cable the consumption will be lower, but in addition, the mobile will be charged thanks to this USB 3.0 port that we have on the router, so that we will have a connection and at the same time we will charge our smartphone. A very important aspect is that the ASUS router will automatically recognize that we have connected our smartphone and are sharing the Internet, and will use this connection as the main one in the event that it does not obtain connectivity via WAN or WISP, perfect for simplifying the configuration as much as possible.
Setting up the RT-AX57 Go portable router
The ASUS RT-AX57 Go router has a very intuitive web configuration wizard, where we can directly configure the WISP mode (Public WiFi Mode). To enter the manufacturer's router, we simply have to enter the domain asusrouter.com or router.asus.com in the web browser. In both cases, it will take us directly to the router installation wizard, or to the router's Asuswrt firmware if we have already previously configured the router.
In the first menu we can see the button «Public WiFi mode (WISP)» which is where we must click to access the specific configuration wizard.
The first thing the router will do is scan the Wi-Fi networks around us, both in the 2.4GHz band and the 5GHz band. This process can take approximately one minute:
The router will show us all the 2.4GHz and 5GHz Wi-Fi networks that we have around us, in fact, if many Wi-Fi network names (SSID) appear, we have the possibility of filtering the ones we want and even ordering them as we want
Once we have chosen the SSID that we want, we proceed to enter the Wi-Fi network password, if it has security. This router supports both WPA2-PSK as well as WPA2/WPA3 and WPA3-Personal, therefore, it is compatible with all common encryptions in public and private networks.
If we go down the list of networks, we have the possibility of choosing the «manual adjustment«. This will allow us to choose the frequency band manually, and enter the name of the Wi-Fi network (SSID), the type of authentication and also the password we have. This configuration mode is totally necessary if the WiFi network we want to connect to is hidden. Once we have filled in all the information, click on «Following«.
Another quite important feature of this router is that it allows us to connect in client mode in both the 2.4GHz and 5GHz bands, simultaneously. In this way, when we connect to the 5GHz band as the main one, we have the possibility of also choosing the 2.4GHz band, although this is optional. If we click on “SKIP” the connection to the 2.4GHz band will be skipped, and we will only be connected to the 5GHz band.
Once we have connected to the wireless network, we have to choose whether to obtain an IP address automatically or manually. The most common thing will be to choose “Automatic IP address” to obtain the IP address through the network's DHCP server.
Once we have configured the Internet WAN, we now have to configure the wireless network that the RT-AX57 Go router will generate for the wireless clients. In this case, we have the possibility of unifying the two frequency bands into the same WiFi network name (SSID), although our recommendation is that you separate the frequency bands to know at all times which one you are connected to, and choose the frequency band. 5GHz whenever possible, with the goal of having the best possible wireless performance.
Once we have configured the two SSIDs with the same WPA2 password on both, click on “Apply”.
In the last configuration menu, we will have to enter the username “admin” and the password that we want. It is very important to set a strong password to access the router administration at any time. Remember that you can use the ASUS Router application to make certain settings on the router.
The manufacturer ASUS will show us the privacy notice, which we must read and accept, clicking on the “I am 16 years or older” option, and then clicking on the “Agree” button. In this way, you will have finished with the configuration wizard in WISP mode on this router.
After accepting the privacy notice, while the router restarts, you will be able to see a summary of the WiFi network name (SSID) and the password that we have set.
After the router restarts, we will have to enter the username and password that we have configured, and click on the “Log in” button.
In the main menu we can see that the Internet WAN is connected to the main Wi-Fi access point, it is using the 5GHz band and the synchronization speed is the maximum using the 80MHz channel width, that is, 1201Mbps theoretical .
If we click on the Internet icon, we can see the SSID to which we are connected, the connection type configuration, and also what IP address, mask, DNS and gateway the DHCP server of the wireless network to which we have provided. we have connected. If you want to connect to another Wi-Fi access point (with another SSID), simply click on the «Reexploration» and it will take you directly to the setup wizard again.
As you can see, with this RT-AX57 Go router we will be able to connect to any wireless network so that it acts as an Internet WAN. Once we have connected via WiFi to these networks, we can connect to the Internet via cable and Wi-Fi using the router. If you are going to connect to public or private wireless networks that are not yours, our recommendation is that you always do so using a VPN. The router allows us to configure Fusion VPN so that all clients go out to the Internet, previously passing through a VPN server configured by you, whether commercial or the VPN server you have at home or office, perfect to correctly protect our security and privacy.
The price of this model is also very competitive, perfect for getting one and using it whenever we go on a trip and want to be permanently connected to the Internet.