Release Asuswrt-Merlin 386.13 / 386.13_2 is now available for AC models

[rhs0FpDUuIUlpew]

Asuswrt-Merlin will tentatively attempt to continue to provide updates and fixes until the end of 2024

But on https://www.asuswrt-merlin.net/ RT-AC86U is still not in "No longer supported" section. So should I replace the router with newer one or will it still get at least critical security updates?

 

[bennor]

Asuswrt-Merlin will tentatively attempt to continue to provide updates and fixes until the end of 2024

But on https://www.asuswrt-merlin.net/ RT-AC86U is still not in "No longer supported" section. So should I replace the router with newer one or will it still get at least critical security updates?

Choice is yours. As indicated the AC series routers were supported by Asus-Merlin firmware through the end of 2024. After that is up to the developer (@RMerlin) if they'll have any newer updates for that series of routers. In the end Asus has placed the RT-AC86U as End of Product Support. More than a few here in this forum are moving to newer units that are not end of product support by Asus. Others for their own reasons are continuing to use their AC series router since they'll continue to work even though they are end of support by Asus.

End-of-life product list

 

[bibikalka]

Nothing happens to the physical router upon EOL. It'll run just like before, lights will continue blinking. As long as you have all the features you need - keep it in operation. And EOLed devices get quite cheap on eBay, so may even stock up!

If there is a huge security issue in the future, I sort of expect Asus / @RMerlin to patch that one thing if that were to happen within the next 1-2 years. Not a given, but happens often enough out there.

 

[dlandiss]

And remember, the latest security patches are much less important for access points and mesh nodes. Maintain good security at the entrance gateway and you will be fine.