Change Router device name [Asus 68U/380.65]

[pvdwerf]

Hello,

I've bought a white Asus RT-AC68U. I've installed Merlin 380.65.

Next I changed the device name in the webgui from "AsusRT-AC68U_White" to "ASUS68U_Prim" (as it''s the primary router). However, in Windows networking the device still shows up as with the Original name. Also, about everywhere in the description texts in the Webgui, it mentions "the AsusRT-AC68U_White... blablabla".

I would expect this info and at least the Windows networking device name to use the Device name that I set myself. Are my expectations correct?

regards,
Peter

 

[RMerlin]

Try rebooting the router, and then the computer. It's possible that changing the hostname does not immediately change the name exposed through SMB or UPNP.

 

[pvdwerf]

Thanks for helping. Regarding the networking name: I've rebooted the router a few times by now without effect. Same goes for the pc/laptop but I will check again when at home again. Traveling this week.

Regarding the name in all the webgui description. Is it also standard that this show asus rtac68u_white? Is this name indeed based on the device name?

 

[ColinTaylor]

If you are sharing a USB drive attached to the router you will also need to change the "Device Name" at USB Application > Network Place(Samba) Share.

 

[pvdwerf]

USB drive sharing is not applicable for my situation.
I just checked my other AC68U that I haven't update with Merlin firmware yet. Main reason why it bothers me is because the white version adds "_White" to the device name. (so: RT-AC68U_White).
The Device Name field is also missing in the original firmware. I would expect that if this field is added, that also has a function. In my setup is does not have any effect it seems.

 

[jack901]

I go lan and device name enter what you want and hit apply.
on my network windows sees it to what I named it.
do not forget to hit apply otherwise it will not change.

USB drive sharing is not applicable for my situation.
I just checked my other AC68U that I haven't update with Merlin firmware yet. Main reason why it bothers me is because the white version adds "_White" to the device name. (so: RT-AC68U_White).
The Device Name field is also missing in the original firmware. I would expect that if this field is added, that also has a function. In my setup is does not have any effect it seems.

 

[pvdwerf]

hmm, very odd. What version of Merlin are you running? I had changed the default "RT-AC68U_White" to "AC68U_Prim". It's shown in de Device Name field, have hit apply and have rebooted. Repeated the actions and even a third time when I changed the name to "AC68U_Prim2", just to have a new name. Again, not effect. My laptop and pc still show "RT-AC68U_White" listed as a device in the network. (have also rebooted the pc's). Any action I'm missing here?

 

[Bruce_H]

Have you tried the following command on your PC's "IPCONFIG /flushdns". It is possible that the name is changing, but not being updated in the cache of the PC

 

[pvdwerf]

Yep, allready tried that, thanks! But on both laptop and pc no effect. And besides the shown network name, I also would expect the change to be effective in the Router webgui as well. Also here it only shows RT-AC68U_White... This makes me think it's not so much the dns name, but it's simply not proccessed in the router firmware/software.
As I just got this thing working with I won't do a default reset just yet, but I will bring my old 68U here next week and install Merlin on it. Let's see how it behaves on this one...

 

[Bruce_H]

I just tried changing the name on my RT-AC68U (black) and the name changes in the web GUI and is reflected in a "ping -a" immediately. I am running the 380.65 firmware, so it would appear that it may be a problem isolated to your router hardware or config. When you apply the changes on the LAN - LAN IP page/tab, do you get any indications that it is processing the changes?

 

[pvdwerf]

That part works. With a ping, the Device name is indeed show. But even with a dnsflush is does not appear in the windows network device list and also not in de Webgui. For instance, if you open the login screen for your router. What does it say? Mine says:
SIGN IN
RT-AC68U_White

I would expect this to also show the device name, but maybe I make the wrong assumption?

 

[ColinTaylor]

Enable Telnet or SSH and log onto the router and issue this command:

nvram show | grep "RT-AC68U_White"

That will tell you where that information is stored in the router's configuration.

 

[Bruce_H]

pvdwerf

I would not expect that the text on the login screen would change, it is probably hardcoded in the firmware; mine certainly does not change. The fact that the ping -a name changes confirms that it is being changed in the router config. My router does not show up in my "Network" (Windows 10) and I would not expect it to either; do you have any of the media sharing functions turned on by any chance?

 

[pvdwerf]

@Colin:
The telnet command gave me the following response (If now named my router AC68U_AP as it will be configured as an Access Point)

ASUSWRT-Merlin RT-AC68U 380.65-0 Fri Feb 3 05:19:01 UTC 2017
xxxxxxxxxx@AC68U_AP:/tmp/home/root# nvram show | grep "RT-AC68U_White"
dms_friendly_name=RT-AC68U_White-6010
size: 50634 bytes (14902 left)
odmpid=RT-AC68U_White
asus_device_list=<3>RT-AC68U_White>192.168.0.1>70:8B:CD:30:60:10>0>WLAN_W2G>255.255.255.0>1
wps_modelnum=RT-AC68U_White
daapd_friendly_name=RT-AC68U_White-6010
wps_device_name=RT-AC68U_White

@Bruce: By now I indeed expect that the login screen/webgui text uses a different field then the Device name. Although that would make more sense in my opinion.
Given Colin's tip it shows that the RT-AC68U_White is hardcoded/used in several fields, any of them is used. And it seems also the name that is shown as device in the windows network also uses one of these fields.

 

[ColinTaylor]

I'd guess it getting it from asus_device_list which I think is the network map function in the GUI. You could try changing it there or just issue the following command.


nvram set asus_device_list="<3>AC68U_AP>192.168.0.1>70:8B:CD:30:60:10>0>WLAN_W2G>255.255.255.0>1"
nvram commit
reboot

 

[Bruce_H]

pvdwerf

I am not sure if I can add anything further, I am wondering how you are able to see the router in your "Network" as it does not show on my computer or any of the several other computers that I have on my LAN.
I do have a spare RT-AC68U, and I will reload the stock firmware on it and see if it behaves any differently as far as the network name goes; I will post back when I have done the testing.