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

[RMerlin]

i could not resist and i flashed.
however it was a hassle because i had to reinsert all the dhcp mappings and i did not have the heart to reinsert the mac filters, 2.4 and 5ghz separately are a suicide...

anyway rmerlin released up to .144, so my point was if i should wait for 151+, but i didn't

At this point, it's a toss-up. There are things that Asus only fixed after build 144, but there are some other things that I fixed in my build and Asus yet hasn't. Plus the added features. So, it depends on what you need most from your router.

I'm trying to get in touch with Asus to at least see if they have any ETA on when we'll get a new official release with associated GPL code for me to work with. I fear that new releases are constantly delayed as they try to finalize the AiCloud features.

 

[cowst]

At this point, it's a toss-up. There are things that Asus only fixed after build 144, but there are some other things that I fixed in my build and Asus yet hasn't. Plus the added features. So, it depends on what you need most from your router.

I'm trying to get in touch with Asus to at least see if they have any ETA on when we'll get a new official release with associated GPL code for me to work with. I fear that new releases are constantly delayed as they try to finalize the AiCloud features.

thanks for the effort
I have no particular requirements, except i would really like to be able to stream high quality moving wirelessly, but since also DLNA clients/servers i tried always lack something, i will give up for a while. too frustrating...

 

[snb]

Hi

I have an asus RT-N16, and have been using an old version of ddwrt ( DD-WRT v24-sp2 (11/09/10) mega (SVN revision 15704) )

I have been wanting to update the firmware for so long, but haven't got around to it. I've been searching a few days as what would be best, but I'm just not sure anymore with ddwrt, tomato, asus, etc....

I really like the look and slight simplicity of the asus firmware.

Wireless isn't the biggest of my concerns, as mainly only mobiles and one laptop connect that way.

My main needs are LAN speed, VOIP priority, and stability. I also want to be able to lower the default wireless antenna power.

Would using your firmware be a good option for me, and can I upgrade from the firmware I'm currently using mentioned above?


Thanks!

 

[RMerlin]

My firmware should suit your needs there. However be warned that Asus's QoS isn't as advanced as DD-WRT's. For me it's good enough to handle my Cisco VoIP ATA, but then I don't do much torrenting, and there's no one else using my Internet, so my QoS needs might not be as advanced as yours.

Be warned that my builds based on 144 have a few bugs mostly related to SMB sharing - I'm waiting for Asus to release newer GPL code to resolve those issues.

I never used DD-WRT on an Asus router, so check their Wiki for the required procedure for flashing back to the Asus firmware (my firmware is based on Asus's, so it would be the exact same procedure). You will of course lose all your current settings in the process.

 

[snb]

Thanks, I'll check out the ddwrt procedure, and get back if I remember anything before I updgrade.

 

[alternety]

I wonder how many people actually give a large rodents posterior about the cloud feature. I am certainly not going to put my stuff into the "cloud" with ongoing provider network failures, and no real track record in security, or the wonders of unannounced bankruptcies (or the Feds deciding there is bad data in there somewhere and confiscating the whole cloud.

 

[thexile]

I wonder how many people actually give a large rodents posterior about the cloud feature. I am certainly not going to put my stuff into the "cloud" with ongoing provider network failures, and no real track record in security, or the wonders of unannounced bankruptcies (or the Feds deciding there is bad data in there somewhere and confiscating the whole cloud.

Second that. After seeing Cisco Cloud Connect fiasco, I really do not know why Asus is so freaking into rolling out the AiCloud BS when the basic functions of router are like half-baked.

 

[snb]

I never used DD-WRT on an Asus router, so check their Wiki for the required procedure for flashing back to the Asus firmware (my firmware is based on Asus's, so it would be the exact same procedure). You will of course lose all your current settings in the process.

I just read the wiki that I followed when I first flashed to ddwrt here:

http://www.dd-wrt.com/wiki/index.php/Asus_RT-N16


it says the following near the end:

How to restore to factory firmware

1. Download the latest ASUS firmware from the ASUS web site [1]. Or go to ftp://ftp.asus.com.tw/pub/ASUS/wireless/RT-N16 with a client FTP.
2. Rename the asus file from .trx to .bin
3. Do a Restore Factory Default settings (Clear NVRAM) while DD-WRT is still loaded on your router.
4. Go into the DD-WRT firmware upgrade page, set it to reset defaults, and select the ASUS firmware you renamed.
5. After the flash finishes, and the router has re-booted, you see the ASUS GUI.
6. Do a Factory Reset to clear the NVRAM (using the Asus web gui)
7. Try to enjoy ASUS's firmware, and keep missing DD-WRT (fortunately you can just flash back to dd-wrt again when ever you want)

So, that would be how I upgrade to your build?


Thanks.

 

[RMerlin]

So, that would be how I upgrade to your build?

That's correct.

 

[snb]

That's correct.

OK, thanks. Will try it out in the next few days.

Here's hoping that number 7 in the list is wrong

 

[RMerlin]

I should (hopefully) have something newer available in the next few days.

Newer than 155 BTW.

 

[mackworth]

Hi Merlin,

I noticed that some people had mentioned that in 151/155 that upnp would restart every hour.

I am getting in your latest firmware,

Jul 13 19:59:58 notify_rc : restart_upnp
Jul 13 19:59:58 miniupnpd[1972]: received signal 15, good-bye
Jul 13 19:59:58 syslog: SNet version started
Jul 13 19:59:58 miniupnpd[1986]: HTTP listening on port 48652
Jul 13 19:59:58 miniupnpd[1986]: Listening for NAT-PMP traffic on port 5351

Is this is to be expected?

 

[RMerlin]

Hi Merlin,

I noticed that some people had mentioned that in 151/155 that upnp would restart every hour.

I am getting in your latest firmware,

Jul 13 19:59:58 notify_rc : restart_upnp
Jul 13 19:59:58 miniupnpd[1972]: received signal 15, good-bye
Jul 13 19:59:58 syslog: SNet version started
Jul 13 19:59:58 miniupnpd[1986]: HTTP listening on port 48652
Jul 13 19:59:58 miniupnpd[1986]: Listening for NAT-PMP traffic on port 5351

Is this is to be expected?

Yes. Someone else told me that it was done on purpose by Asus to flush some tables that were growing quite large when people had large torrents running.

I will eventually take a closer look to see if it's really necessary or not, but for now it's apparently done on purpose.

 

[mackworth]

Yes. Someone else told me that it was done on purpose by Asus to flush some tables that were growing quite large when people had large torrents running.

I will eventually take a closer look to see if it's really necessary or not, but for now it's apparently done on purpose.

Thanks, I guess this is better than the router crashing, although I don't torrent.

Looking forward to your newer than 155 firmware. Your current beta has been really stable, thanks for putting it together.

 

[RMerlin]

OP updated with the 3.0.0.3.157.12 Beta release.

Note that this is based on unreleased code provided by Asus, so treat this version as more experimental than my usual betas. Also for the same reason, the sources won't be published to Github until they make a newer official release. But from what I could see after playing with this code for a while, Asus has fixed a lot of issues. Some of these were issues I was manually fixing in my builds, so that means fewer patches for me to maintain

Asus seems to have done a lot of reworking around the firewall code. They fixed the QoS/GRO related issue (but did not fix the VPN/QOS issue, so GRO is still disabled in my build). I recommend people test out the QoS and general performance to see if there's any difference in this build.

They also fixed the IPv6 tunnel memory leak, meaning it's now usable. I've had enabled on my router for 24 hours now, having even downloaded a large ISO from a CentOS mirror over IPv6, with no problem.

I re-enabled Dual WAN support again (it was broken in 144). Please test this out, and give me feedback on whether this works at least as well as the regular more limited failover support. Don't forget to select "USB" on the WAN page when configuring your USB 3G/4G device. BTW, Asus seems to have added support for new devices.

Please let me know how this version works out for you folks

 

[kiat]

Issues with FW 3.0.0.3.157.12 on rt-n66u

Hi Merlin

I've updated my Asus rt-n66u with your latest FW. With this new FW, I'm unable to connect to the internet. I'm able to do a traceroute and ping to external ip, however, I'm unable to connect to any external IP.

To be able to connect to internet, I would need to disable hardware acceleration.

Information
Connected via fibre which provide VoIP and internet via different VID. Config via the IPTV table on the LAN settings

Is there anyway we can fix it so that I can turn back the hardware acceleration?

 

[vicmdv]

Hi Merlin,

Thanks for all your great work!
Is there any way you could look into the following MAC Filtering issues?

1. MAC Filter does not seem to apply to Guest Networks
2. I am unable to add MAC address of my printer (22:E3:1F:1D:0E:28) to the MAC Filter List. The error message says: "It's an illegal MAC address!".

Thanks!

 

[RMerlin]

Hi Merlin,

Thanks for all your great work!
Is there any way you could look into the following MAC Filtering issues?

1. MAC Filter does not seem to apply to Guest Networks
2. I am unable to add MAC address of my printer (22:E3:1F:1D:0E:28) to the MAC Filter List. The error message says: "It's an illegal MAC address!".

Thanks!

1. Did it work with previous versions?

2.There seems to be a problem with that MAC, the OUI database can't find a valid record for it either:

http://standards.ieee.org/cgi-bin/ouisearch?22-E3-1F

Double check your MAC. Those first three digits represent the device manufacturer, and should be registered with OUI. I just tried entering the MAC of one of my devices on the Mac filter, and the webui accepted it.

 

[RMerlin]

Hi Merlin

I've updated my Asus rt-n66u with your latest FW. With this new FW, I'm unable to connect to the internet. I'm able to do a traceroute and ping to external ip, however, I'm unable to connect to any external IP.

To be able to connect to internet, I would need to disable hardware acceleration.

Information
Connected via fibre which provide VoIP and internet via different VID. Config via the IPTV table on the LAN settings

Is there anyway we can fix it so that I can turn back the hardware acceleration?

Chances are that previously it worked because you weren't really using HW acceleration, as Asus was automatically disabling it whenever you were using port forwarding. You can confirm it by going back to an older firmware, and running the following over telnet:

lsmod | grep ctf

If it doesn't return anything, then it means HW acceleration isn't being used.

Unfortunately I can't reproduce the issue here with my regular cable Internet, so there's not much I can do. HW acceleration (aka "ctf") has many limitations, and it's possible that your ISP's particular configuration isn't compatible with it.

 

[kiat]

Chances are that previously it worked because you weren't really using HW acceleration, as Asus was automatically disabling it whenever you were using port forwarding. You can confirm it by going back to an older firmware, and running the following over telnet:



If it doesn't return anything, then it means HW acceleration isn't being used.

Unfortunately I can't reproduce the issue here with my regular cable Internet, so there's not much I can do. HW acceleration (aka "ctf") has many limitations, and it's possible that your ISP's particular configuration isn't compatible with it.

Thanks Merlin

I think you're right on the hardware acceleration been turned off previously. I'll test it out