Asuswrt Merlin 3006.102.3 Alpha2 for GT-BE98 Pro, RT-BE86U, RT-BE88U, and RT-BE96U

[visortgw]

@RMerlin has posted firrmware 3006.102.3_alpha2-g9540bd8f43 for the GT-BE98 Pro, RT-BE86U, RT-BE88U, and RT-BE96U. Changelog shows:

3006.102.3 (xx-xxx-xxxx)
  - NOTE: If flashing on top of Asus stock firmware 3006.102_37000
          or greater, then you first need to enable downgrade
          capabilities before flashing Asuswrt-Merlin on top
          of it.  Over SSH, run the following command:

             nvram set DOWNGRADE_CHECK_PASS=1

          After that, you can upload Asuswrt-Merlin through
          the webui like any regular firmware upgrade.

          This is only required when flashing Asuswrt-Merlin
          for the first time.

  - NOTE: The new GPL codebase changed the way wireless networks
          are configured.  If you ever revert to an older
          firmware, you MUST do a factory default reset following
          the firmware downgrade, on both the router and any
          existing AiMesh nodes.

  - UPDATED: Merged with GPL 3006.102_37346 (with the wifi firmware
             from 37038 for the RT-BE96U and GT-BE98_PRO - was missing
             from GPL)
  - UPDATED: dropbear to 2024.86.
  - CHANGED: VPN public IP retrieval now uses HTTP instead of STUN,
             which should be more reliable through a VPN tunnel.
  - CHANGED: Refresh link not working on OpenVPN/Wireguard client pages.
             Also enhanced behaviour on the VPNStatus page.
  - CHANGED: Model name will be inserted in the filename of JFFS backups.
  - FIXED: webui always redirecting to router hostname for RT-BE86U.
  - FIXED: DLNA device icon missing for GT-BE98_PRO
  - FIXED: Site Survey page not loading properly
  - FIXED: Wireless Log would sometimes display the wrong hostnames

NOTE: Install at your own risk. Alpha builds are unsupported.


Download from the standard Pre-beta test builds on OneDrive.

 

[visortgw]

@RMerlin: Based upon the change log comments, I cannot determine if the WiFi firmware for the GT-BE98 Pro has changed between alpha1 and alpha2:

- UPDATED: Merged with GPL 3006.102_37346 (with the wifi firmware
           from 37038 for the RT-BE96U and GT-BE98_PRO - was missing
           from GPL)

For whatever reason, I am seeing much better WiFi stability among router, AiMesh nodes, and devices in alpha2 over alpha1 (in the limited time that it has been installed).

Thanks again for everything that you continue to do for the Asuswrt-Merlin community.

 

[RMerlin]

if the WiFi firmware for the GT-BE98 Pro has changed between alpha1 and alpha2:

No.

 

[Geraner]

How much time does it take until an alpha firmware goes over to beta? 1-2 months?
Want to wait until the beta version, before upgrading my router.

 

[RMerlin]

How much time does it take until an alpha firmware goes over to beta? 1-2 months?
Want to wait until the beta version, before upgrading my router.

Could be a few days, could be a few weeks. There's no set time, it moves to beta once I feel I am done with whatever I wanted to work on for this particular release.

 

[nzwayne]

After a flogging by the family today on many social websites they use, streaming services, outdoor cameras, Control 4, Roost, EV chargers, Purple Air, Emporia energy monitors, Solar inverters, my work stuff, all 100% (WiFi setup is Smart Connect). Roost monitors very picky, they happy with this 2.4GHz WiFi & connection. Thanks once again @RMerlin for the dedication & quality of Asuswrt-Merlin product.