[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.

 

[Netbug]

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.

Yeah it's a great router i've owned the router 7 years and nothing wrong with it. I'm in a small property in a city and both 2.4GHz and 5GHz bands are heavily congested, i change channels every now and then to the least congested ones as most are clearly using ISP modems just from the names and majority of ISP router/modems use auto channel by default, 6GHz band would help and nobody in range using 6GHz band as of now which is kinda funny as when WiFi 5 came out nobody in the area was using 5GHz band but now it's like piccadilly circus lol.

I've no walls to go through and close to the router about 8 feet, so it would benefit me no doubt. I do run several community scripts and a open vpn server and clients, 2GB RAM and a Quadcore CPU would be nice at this point, guest network pro and vlans i would use to, been wanting native vlan support for years so be nice bonus. But if i upgraded then i want 6GHz band to so will hold off for now as GT-BE98 is extortion with it's pricing i could get a ubiquiti Cloud Gateway Max for way less lol albeit no wifi built in and i've not used or familiar with that brand but i believe you can keep everything local now and not forced to signup for an account and cloud stuff etc. But i love merlins firmware and have used it for as long as i remember so it's why i stick with Asus routers.

The RT-BE88U has everything for my needs except for the 6GHz band otherwise i would have bought it in a hearbeat.

 

[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.