Asuswrt-Merlin - custom build of the Asus RT-N66U firmware

[RMerlin]

@oric1:
I just re-tested here, and I have no problem changing my output power. I suspect it might be a browser issue - try with a different browser, or try flushing your browser cache.


@Maghook:
I also occasionally notice the issue where the workgroup is displayed instead of the hostname. Unfortunately this is highly random, so I can't reproduce it easily enough to be able to troubleshoot it. Usually the problem disappears within a day, when all devices have renewed their DHCP leases.

USB apps: try with a disk plugged in. Download Master for instance will require a USB disk to be able to install itself.

Your issues with the timezone and the radio schedule sound like browser-based issues, as I can't reproduce any of these. Try flushing your browser cache, or using a different browser. Asuswrt relies heavily on Javascript, so things can easily break if, for instance, you run addins in your browser that interfere with them (AdBlock with incorrect filters, for example).


Fab30:
I'm not sure, but I assume it will create the .swap file on the same disk where you have Optware initialized. Check using "ls /tmp/sda1/.swap -al" to see if it's on sda1, try again with sdb1 and sdc1. I never actually tested the swap support, only saw the related nvram entries and some code in the optware support tools.


Andu:
I have to agree there, using a router with a non-bridged modem will always be quite tricky (if not flat out quirky). If you establish the PPPoE connection inside the router, then make sure the modem is not configured to also establish the connection itself (i.e. enter blank usernames/passwords in the router). What is even weirder to me is the fact that a reboot does not work, while a power cycle works. The only way this could actually make a difference is if the modem itself is the one doing something special whenever it sees the router disappear from its LAN interface (when you power cycle it).

I don't know how much ADSL2 modems cost in your area, but see if you could get an inexpensive one for like 30$-40$. If you can, I think it would be money well spent if you don't see VDSL available for a few months.

You could also see if anyone you know has one they could let you use so you could at least test it during a weekend.

Otherwise, it could be easy to setup a cron job on the router that would force it to reboot every 24 hours. You could set it to reboot itself in the middle of the night for instance - see if that helps.


cc666:
You could also have checked the Sysinfo page, under Tools I report the used/total nvram there.


nackerton:
Turning some of the LEDs off isn't really the problem. The problem is ensuring they don't turn themselves back on - that's the tricky part. Making a global "LED killswitch" would be a bit tricky, and I'm not even sure I can easily control ALL of the LEDs. Some of them (like power or the LAN LEds) might be hardwired.

 

[oric1]

@oric1:
I just re-tested here, and I have no problem changing my output power. I suspect it might be a browser issue - try with a different browser, or try flushing your browser cache.

Hi Merlin, I cleared the cache and tried with IE 9 & FF 14 but still can't change the TX power

When you clicked the "Apply" button, do you get an response? Mine just did nothing.

Wonder if other users are facing the same problem as me, hope somebody can try and provide feedback here.

 

[Andu]

Thanks I think I'll get the modem. I wanted to buy a new NAS server anyway so I might as well just chip in the additional 20-30€. Let's just hope that will bring a solution until the Telekom decides to upgrade my house to VDSL or fibre.

 

[Maghook]

@Maghook:
I also occasionally notice the issue where the workgroup is displayed instead of the hostname. Unfortunately this is highly random, so I can't reproduce it easily enough to be able to troubleshoot it. Usually the problem disappears within a day, when all devices have renewed their DHCP leases.

USB apps: try with a disk plugged in. Download Master for instance will require a USB disk to be able to install itself.

Your issues with the timezone and the radio schedule sound like browser-based issues, as I can't reproduce any of these. Try flushing your browser cache, or using a different browser. Asuswrt relies heavily on Javascript, so things can easily break if, for instance, you run addins in your browser that interfere with them (AdBlock with incorrect filters, for example).

Exactly! I used to use current IE9 (patched up to date) and had no issues until current release. FFox works great. Though one option will be not displayed: IE9 showed my Packet Aggregation which I otherwise don't see
Thank you!

 

[RMerlin]

Hi Merlin, I cleared the cache and tried with IE 9 & FF 14 but still can't change the TX power

When you clicked the "Apply" button, do you get an response? Mine just did nothing.

Wonder if other users are facing the same problem as me, hope somebody can try and provide feedback here.

Are you doing this on the Professional tab, or the Performance Tuning page?

If nothing happens, make sure you are running my version, and not the original firmware (which requires three clicks on Apply to actually apply settings). At the top my build should display 3.0.0.3.178.15 (Merlin build).

 

[RMerlin]

Exactly! I used to use current IE9 (patched up to date) and had no issues until current release. FFox works great. Though one option will be not displayed: IE9 showed my Packet Aggregation which I otherwise don't see
Thank you!

I don't remember seeing this option. On which page was it?

 

[mossman]

Hi Merlin, I cleared the cache and tried with IE 9 & FF 14 but still can't change the TX power

When you clicked the "Apply" button, do you get an response? Mine just did nothing.

Wonder if other users are facing the same problem as me, hope somebody can try and provide feedback here.

I've tried it on my install of 178.15 from the Wireless > Professional tab, and can change the power correctly (using Firefox 15)

 

[Fab30]

Hi RMerlin, i was isntaled Midnight commander from AAP list. But cant move with cursor... Im trying create web server but want use and find swap file on router... THX

 

[oric1]

Are you doing this on the Professional tab, or the Performance Tuning page?

If nothing happens, make sure you are running my version, and not the original firmware (which requires three clicks on Apply to actually apply settings). At the top my build should display 3.0.0.3.178.15 (Merlin build).

I've tried it on my install of 178.15 from the Wireless > Professional tab, and can change the power correctly (using Firefox 15)

Hi Merlin / mossman,

My bad, was doing it from the Performance Tuning page

Managed to changed it from the Professional page.

Yes, I'm using the latest 178.15 build.

Thanks!

 

[Gingernut]

RMerlin,

Have you thought about adding to the sysinfo tab an auto page refresh timer instead of having to manually refresh it?

 

[mossman]

Hi Merlin / mossman,

My bad, was doing it from the Performance Tuning page

Managed to changed it from the Professional page.

Yes, I'm using the latest 178.15 build.

Thanks!

Glad that you have it sorted.

 

[Maghook]

I don't remember seeing this option. On which page was it?

As I said, I can only see this option with IE9. It is on Advanced Setting->Wireless->Professional Tab. Option:"Enable Packet Aggregation"
Strange only IE9 shows this option...

 

[RMerlin]

As I said, I can only see this option with IE9. It is on Advanced Setting->Wireless->Professional Tab. Option:"Enable Packet Aggregation"
Strange only IE9 shows this option...

That option is only valid for Ralink-based routers (like the RT-N56), so it shouldn't show anyway.

 

[Gingernut]

Got your source to build finally, did everything as root this time.

This was on 12.04 LTS (32bit)

Thanks for your help.

 

[cowst]

Hi RMerlin,
was miniDLNA already used by Asus and you just keep it uptodate or you just replaced the default one?
I ask because on asus website they claim this:

．Media server:
Image: JPEG
Audio: mp3, wma, wav, pcm, mp4, lpcm, ogg
Video: asf, avi, divx, mpeg, mpg, ts, vob, wmv, mkv, mov

but what I see from my tv is:
avi don't work, mkv some of them, mp4 videos seem to work.
so I don't know what to make of it (connecting the HD directly to TV more videos seem to be recognized).

 

[RMerlin]

Hi RMerlin,
was miniDLNA already used by Asus and you just keep it uptodate or you just replaced the default one?
I ask because on asus website they claim this:

but what I see from my tv is:
avi don't work, mkv some of them, mp4 videos seem to work.
so I don't know what to make of it (connecting the HD directly to TV more videos seem to be recognized).

MiniDLNA merely exposes the file to the DLNA clients. What format can be played depends on the client, not the server. So in this case, it's your TV that will determine what formats are playable.

Some TVs also play different formats whether you are using DLNA or a USB-plugged disk, for some reason.

Asus uses MiniDLNA 1.0.24, my latest builds are using 1.0.25. That has no impact on the formats handled however.

 

[cowst]

MiniDLNA merely exposes the file to the DLNA clients. What format can be played depends on the client, not the server. So in this case, it's your TV that will determine what formats are playable.

Some TVs also play different formats whether you are using DLNA or a USB-plugged disk, for some reason.

Asus uses MiniDLNA 1.0.24, my latest builds are using 1.0.25. That has no impact on the formats handled however.

thanks,
it must be that, plugged usb vs dlna (poor SW on TVs, I cannot spend good words for Toshiba...).

maybe i misuse some term, but the dlna server might apply some transcoding before exposing the files (i.e., PMS) and help TVs to handle some exotic file.
but I think minidlna and resource constrained devices like routers cannot afford it.

 

[MySeLf]

Is there anyway to force a dhcp request? I found the problem with my dual wan setup. The router does not have an IP from both modems. It's either 1 or the other (whichever gets the ip first).

 

[RMerlin]

thanks,
it must be that, plugged usb vs dlna (poor SW on TVs, I cannot spend good words for Toshiba...).

maybe i misuse some term, but the dlna server might apply some transcoding before exposing the files (i.e., PMS) and help TVs to handle some exotic file.
but I think minidlna and resource constrained devices like routers cannot afford it.

Correct. MiniDLNA is targeted at low-powered, embedded devices such as routers or NAS, so it does no transcoding, as compared to Mezzmo or Serviio.

As for the software, many of those so-called "Smart TVs" come with pretty poor software. Samsung is another one that has pretty quirky DLNA support (maybe they improved it over the past year?). That's why I prefer to rely either on a good media player (like the WDTV Live I used for about a year) or a compact HTPC running XBMC (what I'm currently using, running Linux + XBMC on a Zotac compact PC).

 

[RMerlin]

Is there anyway to force a dhcp request? I found the problem with my dual wan setup. The router does not have an IP from both modems. It's either 1 or the other (whichever gets the ip first).

Odd. Are you using a LAN port for the second modem, or 3G?

Just running the dhcp daemon should be enough to request an IP. You can force an IP release or renew from udhcpc by sending it a signal.

First, locate the udhcp instance associated with your interface that has no lease:

ps w | grep udhcp

The one bound to eth0 is the main WAN. Whichever other one would be bound to the second WAN. The first number will be the process ID. Let's say it's 100.

To release the current lease:

kill -SIGUSR2 100

To obtain a lease:

kill -SIGUSR1 100

Check the result in /tmp/syslog.log

If you see only one udhcp instance, then make sure you have both interfaces set to DHCP. If they are, then I guess it's a bug or unfinished feature of the DualWAN code.