Improve PS4/Xbox connection on Asus home routers

Don't be shocked by the Asus in the title. Although I manage a Ubiquiti Unifi/Protect/Aircontrol and UNMS network, at home in  a tiny apartment things are on a budget. I don't need a unifi setup for a 60 m² apartment where and a internet connection off 100/20Mbps. But that doesn't mean we can try and optimise our network settings. In this case for a basic Asus RT-AC58U home Wifi Router. 

Since you are reading this I'm assuming you you know how to login to your router. Now your ISP connection speeds and understand some slight I.T. jargon. 

Configuring QoS and prioritise PS4/Xbox

I cannot guarantee that based on your model router or firmware that these instructions will stay complete or be accurate. But these instructions should point you in the right direction: 

• Login to your router
• I like to check if my firmware is up to date (I have auto update enabled. otherwise manually update. Think about the security implications of running outdated firmware!)
• Go to the "Traffic Manager page"
• Enable QoS if it isn't yet enabled (Traditional QoS will do if it has that option)
• Enter the upload and download bandwidth as suggested
• Apply settings

On the same Page "Traffic Manager tab" on the "QoS" tab at the top right should be a drop down box. 

• Select form the dropdown  "User-defined QoS rules"
• Here we are going to add our new Playstation rule
• Under the "Service Name" dropdown for a new rule find under the "Online Game" section "Playstation network" or "Xbox Live"
• Under "Source IP or MAC" we will have to add the MAC address of your
  • PS4 - Log into your PS4 and Select the "System" icon under the Settings menu. You will see your MAC address listed on this screen, containing letters and numbers in the format xx.xx.xx.xx.xx.xx
  • Xbox - Go to My Xbox in the Xbox Dashboard and select "Settings".
    In the Settings pane, select "Network".
    Select "Advanced Settings" from the Network Settings tab.
    At the bottom of this screen you'll see a headings for "Wired MAC" and "Wireless MAC" *.
• In the "Transferred" section enter: 0~512 KB
• Under the "Priority" dropdown select: Highest
• ​Click the + button on the right to add the new rule
• Apply settings

Enjoy your improved Playstation Network and/or Xbox Live experience. 

* For Xbox connected via Wireless there is an checkbox on the "Wireless" page  for both 2.4Ghz and 5Ghz to optimise for Xbox. No idea what is does but you can try and enabled that too.

Optional router tweak

As a engineer I firmly believe in the power off turning something off and on again. If you haven't watched the TV show the "The IT crowd" I recommend you do so. Asus routers have the option to to a scheduled automatic reboot. This is something I enable as a preventive measure in case there is a bug in the firmware like a memory leak or something else. If it in theory can improve reliability why not enable it? 

You can find it under: 

• The Administration Page in the "Miscellaneous" section
• Select "Date to Reboot": E.g. Sunday
• Select "Time of day to reboot": E.g. 3:00

If anything does happen I will have Sunday to look into it. Not that it has ever cause me any issues.