ax56u EOL and security?

[DavidM258]

Hello.
I read that AX56 is EOL. Does it make sense to switch to a newer model like TUF AX3000 V2 or maybe AX4200 just for safety? I am not limited by the speed of LAN or WIFI with 56U. In theory I could make the 56 a Mesh and replace the RP with an AC51...
Here:

[Wireless Router] Duration of Security Update Support (only for Singapore) | Oficiálna podpora spoločnosti | ROG Slovensko

rog.asus.com

It says that AX56 has security support for another year...I know. Only Singapore.
Thanks.

 

[ColinTaylor]

I see no urgency for you to change it immediately. The Singapore post is just Asus' obligation in that country, other countries may or may not have their own mandatory support periods. Worry about it in 2025 when there may be better routers available and the current routers are cheaper.

 

[DavidM258]

Well, I took this into account as well

ASUS routers vulnerable to critical remote code execution flaws

Three critical-severity remote code execution vulnerabilities impact ASUS RT-AX55, RT-AX56U_V2, and RT-AC86U routers, potentially allowing threat actors to hijack devices if security updates are not installed.

www.bleepingcomputer.com

Although everywhere they say AX56U V2 which is a different HW and maybe only in China.
The question is whether the AX56U V1 is also affected.
However. not much support for AX56. Some much cheaper Asus routers have the same support...
Thanks.

 

[Volt]

Just FYI, the latest Merlin 3004.388.6 Beta now (again) supports RT-AX56U, so you can wait for the final release and then just update to 388.6.

 

[DavidM258]

Just FYI, the latest Merlin 3004.388.6 Beta now (again) supports RT-AX56U, so you can wait for the final release and then just update to 388.6.

OK.Thanks.However Merlin no longer supports AX56U right? I'll probably wait to see if it doesn't appear, for example, for the Tomato or DD-WRT router.
By the way. In the Czech Republic. discounted the AX TUF 4200 to about $110. According to reviews, it is better and paradoxically cheaper than the TUF AX 3000 V2.
I was thinking for a while that I would buy it and turn the AX56 into a Mesh.

 

[Ripshod]

RMerlin seems to have resurrected the AX-56U program. There's a beta for 388.6 available right now.

However Merlin no longer supports AX56U right?

Beta - Asuswrt-Merlin 3004.388.6 Beta is now available

Asuswrt-Merlin 3004.388.6 Beta is now available for all Wifi 6 models. The focus of this release is the merge of newer GPL code. - NOTE: Asus provided GPL code for the RT-AX56U, this model will be included with this release, despite still being considered being...

www.snbforums.com

 

[XIII]

RMerlin seems to have resurrected the AX-56U program.

The release notes seem to indicate that it was ASUS and a one-time event:

- NOTE: Asus provided GPL code for the RT-AX56U, this model will
be included with this release, despite still being
considered being end-of-life.

 

[DavidM258]

I'm currently cursing Asus support. And I wonder why they ended support and some cheaper AC AX leave the theoretical one...
If I decide and move it to the Mesh role.Which router +- in the price of AX 4200 or 3000 V2 is a better choice? Higher models do not make sense due to the connection speed of approx. 80mb...Thanks.

 

[Tech9]

Which router +- in the price of AX 4200 or 3000 V2 is a better choice?

Between the two models I personally would prefer Broadcom based TUF-AX3000 V2. It's a closer hardware/software match to your Broadcom based RT-AX56U. TUF-AX4200 is a MediaTek based router. In terms of performance to Wi-Fi connected clients both will work the same way.

 

[Volt]

I also have RT-AX59U, which is quite similar to TUF-AX4200 in terms of hardware, and, to be honest, I like it more than the Broadcom-based models in this price range. In my scenario, it provides better reception and speed compared to similarly priced Broadcom models (probably because it is 3X3, even though it is the 3X3:2 configuration), with great stability, absolutely nothing to complain about. It replaced RT-AX58U and provides better range and speed, so, from my experience, I would rather buy TUF AX4200. I remember that we already discussed the Mediatek vs Broadcom topic on this forum, for example, here is a post from another user who also replaced RT-AX58U with TUF AX4200 and says that the latter is much faster.

 

[Tech9]

For stand alone application TUF-AX4200 is perhaps the better choice indeed. It has ongoing OpenWrt development as well.