Compatible USB 3.0 Hub for Asuswrt-Merlin 384.19 on Asus RT-AC66U_B1 (Linux 2.6 Kernel)

[garycnew]

Hi All!

As the subject states... I'm trying to confirm a compatible USB 3.0 Hub for Asuswrt-Merlin 384.19 on Asus RT-AC66U_B1.

Has anyone had any success with a USB 3.0 Hub using the above hardware and firmware?

Most that I've tried thus far have had stability issues.

Thank you for your assistance.

Respectfully,


Gary

 

[ColinTaylor]

There is no 384.19 firmware for the RT-AC66U so I guess you mean RT-AC66U_B1?

 

[garycnew]

There is no 384.19 firmware for the RT-AC66U so I guess you mean RT-AC66U_B1?

@ColinTaylor Correct... I meant the RT-AC66U_B1.

 

[L&LD]

Please upgrade your firmware to current 386.xx levels first.

 

[garycnew]

Please upgrade your firmware to current 386.xx levels first.

@L&LD I appreciate the encouragement to upgrade to firmware 386.xx. For some, it takes time and testing to move from a stable, well-established environment to the next iteration. We'll get there eventually. However, the original question is related to a compatible USB 3.0 Hub for Asuswrt-Merlin 384.19 on Asus RT-AC66U_B1. If you're suggesting that you are aware of compatible, stable USB 3.0 Hubs for Asuswrt-Merlin 386.xx on Asus RT-AC66U_B1, I welcome your recommendations. It would be helpful to know whether there are compatible, stable USB 3.0 Hubs that transition well across the Asuswrt-Merlin 384.xx and 386.xx platforms. Much appreciated.

 

[L&LD]

Sorry, but I don't use nor recommend USB hubs on (consumer/prosumer) routers.

384.19 is based on known exploits from over a year ago. I kindly suggest taking the plunge soon to test and verify the current firmware.

I would also be surprised if USB hubs were less compatible too (with the newer firmware).

If you insist on getting a USB hub, just buy serially from different manufacturers that use different chipsets (as needed), until you find one that works for your needs.

 

[TonyK132]

I use 384.19 on a AC86U with an externally-powered USB 3.0 hub by DLink, and since I added that (and added a dual fan to the back of the router), I have had no problems with temperature issues in the router nor with my external USB memory going flaky on me nor with the router doing screwy things. I use an M.2 NVMe SSD with a USB converter in a heat-sinked enclosure. Both the fan and the SSD are powered by the powered hub. That memory config would not work without a powered hub. I do not know how your AC66U will faire but so far my 86U has been solid since I made those changes. I'm using a DLink DUB-1340. I just looked on Amazon, this guy is really expensive. But the magic in not in that specific hub but the fact that it is a powered-hub that splits the external power to its USB ports as needed.

One last consideration: be sure your hub has a power adapter with enough current capability to handle all of the devices you plan to use with that hub. On Amazon I see that there are powered hubs with a 2A external power supply. That would work if you only need to supply 0.5A on all 4 USB ports. If you need to supply more current simultaneously, then consider a hub with a bigger power supply or one with a power connector that would allow you to replace it with a beefier power supply.

 

[garycnew]

@TonyK132 Thank You. This is precisely the type of feedback I was hoping for. Do you have the older (Square Box) or newer (UFO Box) D-Link DUB-1340? Are you able to confirm that your D-Link DUB-1340 is connecting/remaining at 5Gbps speeds with your RT-AC86U? The USB 3.0 Hubs that I've tried, and have been flaky, have been externally powered; thus, I don't know that that is the key. However, the D-Link DUB-1340 appears to run at 5v/4a, so it could possibly be related to total current draw. Perhaps a better title for this post might be: Compatible USB 3.0 Hub with Linux Kernel 2.6?

 

[TonyK132]

@TonyK132 Thank You. This is precisely the type of feedback I was hoping for. Do you have the older (Square Box) or newer (UFO Box) D-Link DUB-1340? Are you able to confirm that your D-Link DUB-1340 is connecting/remaining at 5Gbps speeds with your RT-AC86U? The USB 3.0 Hubs that I've tried, and have been flaky, have been externally powered; thus, I don't know that that is the key. However, the D-Link DUB-1340 appears to run at 5v/4a, so it could possibly be related to total current draw. Perhaps a better title for this post might be: Compatible USB 3.0 Hub with Linux Kernel 2.6?

My hub is not square, so it must be the UFO version, although It is probably 4+ yrs old. As for speed, I have not tested. I suspect I would need 2 5Gbps memory devices that I could attach to the hub, run a router script or command to transfer a large file, and measure the time of the transfer, but I have not done that.

 

[garycnew]

My hub is not square, so it must be the UFO version, although It is probably 4+ yrs old. As for speed, I have not tested. I suspect I would need 2 5Gbps memory devices that I could attach to the hub, run a router script or command to transfer a large file, and measure the time of the transfer, but I have not done that.

@TonyK132 It sounds like you have the newer D-Link DUB-1340. A real-world speed test would definitely be the best way to validate. However, you might be able to verify the connectivity information using dmesg at the command-line.

# dmesg | grep -i sda

 

[garycnew]

@TonyK132 Which Linux kernel is your system using with your D-Link DUB-1340?

 

[TonyK132]

I have Merlin 384.19. I do not know what kernel is in that.

 

[garycnew]

I have Merlin 384.19. I do not know what kernel is in that.

If you reboot your router, you should be able to find it in the recent system logs.

 

[Centrifuge]

I do not know what kernel is in that.

You can also find out using

uname -r

in the terminal.
I'm running merlin 384.18 on a AC86U and I get

cuf@RT-AC86U-AD98:/tmp/home/root# uname -r
4.1.27

Probably the same for you.

 

[TonyK132]

Yes, I also get 4.1.27.

 

[garycnew]

Yes, I also get 4.1.27.

Hmm... That's probably not a good indicator whether the D-Link DUB-1340 USB 3.0 Hub will work with my router as it's using the older 2.6 kernel.

Now, I'm wondering if/when I upgrade to Asuswrt-Merlin 386 on the RT-AC66U_B1 what Linux kernel that will update me to?

 

[Jack Yaz]

Hmm... That's probably not a good indicator whether the D-Link DUB-1340 USB 3.0 Hub will work with my router as it's using the older 2.6 kernel.

Now, I'm wondering if/when I upgrade to Asuswrt-Merlin 386 on the RT-AC66U_B1 what Linux kernel that will update me to?

I'm fairly sure the kernel doesn't change with firmware and is fixed per model, at an sdk level

 

[garycnew]

I'm fairly sure the kernel doesn't change with firmware and is fixed per model, at an sdk level

It sounds like I either have to find a USB 3.0 Hub that's stable under Linux Kernel 2.6 or upgrade to a router that uses a newer Linux Kernel. If the former, I have a USB 3.0 Hub that's compatible with more hardware, until routers begin adopting the USB 3.1 standard. As you can tell, I like to push old hardware to its limits. Decisions. Decisions.

 

[Tech9]

What is the USB 3.0 Hub needed for?

 

[garycnew]

What is the USB 3.0 Hub needed for?

@Tech9 I'd like to be able to run my Time Capsule (USB 3.0/Raid 5 NAS) and Entware Installation (USB 3.0 SDXC) both on the USB 3.0 port of my primary router.

You just got me thinking... I could shrink my Time Capsule Volume and add an ext4 Volume for my Entware Installation on the USB 3.0/Raid 5 NAS and not have to worry about the USB 3.0 Hub. It would probably be a lot more stable, too.

Blasted fundamental questions!