[ANNOUNCEMENT] Asuswrt-Merlin 386_x devices are no longer supported

[sfx2000]

I think it is more of a pragmatic view - these devices are multiple generations back, and with Wifi6/7 now current, having one of these legacy devices in an AIMesh may impact overall performance...

@Tech9 - nothing would stop them from being Media Gateways, or as dedicated AP's...

But as @RMerlin mentions, AIMesh is hard-coded in the build as a router...

It's also all the upstream components - from the kernel/clib to other FOSS things, and then the proprietary blobs from TrendMicro and Broadcom...

There is a point in time where it just starts to become hard to sustain when new security issues pop up - some might be easy, others could be impossible...

 

[garycnew]

Wow! RT-ACXX... Here, Yesterday. Gone, Today. With recent issues plaguing my RT-AC66U_B1, I have been in the process of looking at upgrade paths. My upgrade path from last week, looks much different than my upgrade path today. Thanks for the heads-up, @RMerlin Appreciate all your work.

 

[Tech9]

Here, Yesterday. Gone, Today.

Not really. End of support plan was announced in April 2024:

Changelog (386.xx) | Asuswrt-Merlin

www.asuswrt-merlin.net

 

[garycnew]

Not really. End of support plan was announced in April 2024:

View attachment 63447

Changelog (386.xx) | Asuswrt-Merlin

www.asuswrt-merlin.net

Good to see someone reads the ChangeLog.

 

[Tech9]

Well... 12 years run for one model is more than expected and perhaps will never happen again. Your model router is re-released RT-AC68U in different case along with many other similar variants. You used to run old version, don't update often... good for next 10 years.

 

[bluzfanmr1]

I used my RT-AC66U_B1 for about 5 years before upgrading to the GT-AX6000. My son got the RT-AC66U_B1 and has been using it for the last 2 years. I paid $80 for it in 2017 and it's been a solid piece of equipment and a workhorse. Plus it allowed me to come across this website and Asuswrt-Merlin. Good memories.

 

[Netbug]

He means apart from the RT-BE88U he mentioned the other models you support, the RT-BE96U, GT-BE98_PRO and RT-BE86U aren't sold in the UK. The WiFi 7 models sold here are the RT-BE92U, GT-BE98, TUF-BE6500, RT-BE58U, TUF-BE3600, ZenWiFi BT8 and ZenWifi BD4.

Correction: the RT-BE86U is sold in the UK it's just that it's not categorised as a WiFi 7 device on Asus' UK website.

Yeah that's what i meant, only model in uk that supports merlin is RT-BE88U and RT-BE86U (wierdly could not find this model the other day) in uk if we want to use merlin firmware it's RT-BE88U and RT-BE86U, neither support the 6GHz band. I'm looking for a new router but think i will hold off for as long as i can for now.

 

[Tech9]

Your RT-AC86U is excellent performer in range. You'll get further support with a new model router, but don't expect dramatic range improvements, especially on 6GHz band. Strange why RT-BE96U is not available in the UK.

 

[RMerlin]

Yeah that's what i meant, only model in uk that supports merlin is RT-BE88U and RT-BE86U (wierdly could not find this model the other day) in uk if we want to use merlin firmware it's RT-BE88U and RT-BE86U, neither support the 6GHz band. I'm looking for a new router but think i will hold off for as long as i can for now.

The GT-BE98 is supported by Gnuton.

 

[StrikerXXX]

Unfortunately I still need to keep using my asus ac68u v3, I still can not buy another router now. Routers of the asus in my country cost a small fortune, so not to get an outdated firmware, I decided to install the fresh tomato in place of the merlin, it is decent, it works well in ac68u.

In the more that is, I just have to thank the developer of asus merlin for the excellent firmware, which gave even greater quality to our equipment, thanks. But life that follows, I will continue with ac68u as long as possible, until the exchange for a more current router.

Perhaps i don’t even buy router anymore, now go straight to mini pc x86, install an openwrt, pfsense and configure everything there, will even come out cheaper than any current router, with superior performance.

 

[MarkyPancake]

My AC86U is still going strong. Originally used with Virgin Media and their Hub in modem mode and now with Sky connected directly to the ONT.

 

[Poul Bak]

Nothing can kill my RT-AC68U - not even 'Out of support'.

 

[Tech9]

Unfortunately I still need to keep using my asus ac68u v3, I still can not buy another router now.

Lock it down and continue using it.

 

[CaptnDanLKW]

The RT-AC86U hard a rough start and some reliability issues with manufacturing dates and locations but ended up my main mesh setup for years. I think I prolonged the life of mine with a copper heatsink mod.
I was going to hand down a spare one to a family member and set up an IPSEC connection but might re-think that now.
Thanks for the support of all these variations over the years.
(Now ready for the 3006 code base on the AX86 Pro) Yes, I know, I'm still not holding my breath.

 

[routerq]

Thanks Merlin ... I only use Asus Routers due to you ... now I own a AX86U ... waiting for Asus to pass the 3006 blobs to you so that we can get Merlin on AX86U too ...

 

[StrikerXXX]

Lock it down and continue using it.

I did this, I reinstalled merlin, disabled any means that left the router unsafe, such as remote access, telnet, ssh and etc. I also turned off the wireless part and everything related to it, because I will not use it, this is the responsibility of the other router that I use as an access point.

I also wanted to disable these image services below, because they are useless, it has no use for me, disabling them would increase security:

Is it possible to disable them permanently by ssh? If so, what would the procedure look like, what commands are needed? I even tried to spend some time using the fresh tomato, but it has some boring bugs and the people there is not much in order to help, so I really do with merlin until I can change router permanently.

 

[kjoshj]

Thank you for the long run @RMerlin!
I’ve been running your firmware for years, N16U -> N66U -> AC66W -> AC56R -> AC86U -> AX86U Pro. The N16 died, and N66 & AC56 were donated. Asus surprisingly did a recent security update for the N66U/AC66U family so it’s the only one not running the latest Merlin available.
I’m crossing my fingers that you’ll migrate the AX Pro routers to 3006 eventually like AsusWRT main has done.

 

[sl4fko]

Finally.

Why?

Because our master can focus on new devices only.

Time to move on. For our master and for us.

Thank you my master.

 

[JohnD5000]

Ran a RT-AC68u and added another as a mesh ran for years. Replaced with two RT-AC86Us when they first came out (one with Merlin, one AIMesh on stock) in USA. Still going strong but, with this announcement, looks like it might be time to start looking for replacements.

What would be the best replacement models to be considering now (for long-term replacements)?

 

[Ice9]

I only just starting using Asuswrt-Merlin less than a year ago and loved it (should have moved to is years ago). Just wanted to say (even though I didn't use it myself) thanks for all the amazing support over the years on some of these older models.
I've now only looked at models that support Asuswrt-Merlin. I have some alerts setup on possible replacement models if/when they have price drops. In my price range in AU, only the RT-BE88U, BE86U and BE92U are what I'd be looking at. The BE92U is off the list for now due to no Merlin support.

Also, for those people that want to keep using some of these older models a while longer, what should be done to tighten/lock it down to continue using it?