Considering Merlin

[Sammy2]

What are the top 5 advantages and disadvantages of going to Merlin?

I run an Emby Server, BlueIris and several media gathering apps (not elaborating but news not tor). Currently I do not use VPN or any of the built-in media server or AiCloud functions on the router nor any of the USB connections either.

I have nearly 50 connected devices about evenly split between WiFi and Ethernet, including IP Cams and Media Playback devices (Nvidia ShieldTV, Rokus and SmartTV's) and a VeraPlus controller with some devices on WiFi, most Z-Wave.

I have an RT-AC3100 main AiMesh router with an RT-AC68U and flashed TM-AC1900 AS AiMesh nodes. Is AiMesh supported in Merlin?

TIA

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[Martineau]

What are the top 5 advantages and disadvantages of going to Merlin?

PROs: (Take your pick for improvements/features that are deemed important for your environment/needs)
Asuswrt-Merlin - custom firmware for Asus routers

CONs:
No AiMesh

and a very old/lengthy thread.....
Crazy Question? Merlin FW or Official Asus-WRT?

 

[DonnyJohnny]

I think the main difference is ability to utilise jffs to install additional stuff like entware, Skynet, absolution and many more.....
aimesh not ready yet.

 

[Sammy2]

So I looked here and am not sure I'd use the additional features. Heck, I don't even know what they do but suppose I need to follow the clicky links therein and read more..

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[Sammy2]

I think the main difference is ability to utilise jffs to install additional stuff like entware, Skynet, absolution and many more.....
aimesh not ready yet.

Not sure what those things bring to the table?

I just setup my AiMesh network this week after getting my TM-AC1900 flashed and a new (to me) RT-AC3100 main router with my old RT-AC68U repurposed as another node. Not sure I want to go backward on that but suppose @RMerlin is at work to implement it in an improved way.

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[blueshark]

To install merlin it is necessary reset router ? Thanks

Edit : my router rt_ac66u_b1

 

[RMerlin]

Not sure I want to go backward on that but suppose @RMerlin is at work to implement it in an improved way.

At this point it's still unknown if it will technically be possible for me to integrate AiMesh support or not, as there might be compatibility issues with my own changes.

To install merlin it is necessary reset router ? Thanks

Edit : my router rt_ac66u_b1

Not if you are coming from firmware 382 or 384 already, however you might want to double check your DHCP reservations and OpenVPN configurations as they might require adjustment.

 

[Sammy2]

At this point it's still unknown if it will technically be possible for me to integrate AiMesh support or not, as there might be compatibility issues with my own changes.

In other words you'd need to change some deep coding to be compatible?

After further research, it looks as the biggest advantage for me is using OpenVPN but isn't that available in the AsusWRT f/w to a limited extent or am I wrong?

 

[RMerlin]

In other words you'd need to change some deep coding to be compatible?

No, in other words there's a chance it might not be possible. AiMesh's code is closed source, so I have no control over it. If it expects for instance the dhcp_staticlist to be in a specific format before passing it to other nodes in the mesh, then there's nothing I can do about it since I have a different format for that setting (to allow users to assign hostnames to their DHCP reservations).

This is just one example however. Part of the problem is simply not being able to tell which setting are expected by AiMesh to be in a specific format. I don't know either if it expects the firmware version to be in a specific numbering format.

It's all of these unknown that makes it unlikely that AiMesh will get supported. And if it did get supported, it would be impossible to know for sure that it's 100% reliable, as I would be unable to tell if a reported issue is actually a bug in the current implementation, or a compatibility issue specific to my code.

So right now any further investigation are way down my list of priorities, as there are more important matters to deal with.

 

[Sammy2]

@RMerlin
I see. It is a bit more involved. I didn't realize this portion of the code was closed source. That sorta blows! Again, thanks for your response and keep plugging away. I'm not sure if I'll go to Merlin or not right now as the current f/w does everything I need but I'm not sure if AiMesh is worth it either being as I see some things you implement that I might be wanting to incorporate going forward given the time to do it!!

Thanks!!

 

[blueshark]

@RMerlin
Thanks for reply fast but i have another router ( rt-ac58u ) there is version for that ?

 

[RMerlin]

Not supported.

https://asuswrt.lostrealm.ca/about

 

[heysoundude]

@RMerlin
I see. It is a bit more involved. I didn't realize this portion of the code was closed source. That sorta blows! Again, thanks for your response and keep plugging away. I'm not sure if I'll go to Merlin or not right now as the current f/w does everything I need but I'm not sure if AiMesh is worth it either being as I see some things you implement that I might be wanting to incorporate going forward given the time to do it!!

Thanks!!

Merlin "improves" Asus' hardware operation by offering more individual customization (making a $200 router punch well above its weight class), but the real "whip cream and cherry and sprinkles" on top of that bowl of ice cream are the scripts - amtm, ab-solution, pixelserv, dnscrypt, skynet...the bigger your network (and it seems fair sized), the more you will come to appreciate the network security and privacy. When that sinks in (if you make the switch) after you realize it, please remember that the developers/writers who make that possible have offered you their work with no expectation of compensation. if you have the resources, don't forget to tip them or make a more significant donation to the continuation of their work on your behalf

 

[Klueless]

What are the top 5 advantages and disadvantages of going to Merlin?

I run an Emby Server, BlueIris and several media gathering apps (not elaborating but news not tor). Currently I do not use VPN or any of the built-in media server or AiCloud functions on the router nor any of the USB connections either.

Now that you're using AiMesh I suppose the question is moot. What I was going to say is I'm a trailing edge kind of guy and simply run stock until ... I run into a reason to upgrade to Merlin.

At one location we were having a heck of a time. The built-in traffic monitor helped me realize we were having ISP issues compounded by local traffic issues. As Merlin offered "traffic by device" I loaded it, identified the offending devices and fixed the issues leaving me free to focus on the ISP problems.

At home I ran stock and noticed my file share kept failing. Loaded Merlin and the problem was gone.

 

[Sammy2]

Thanks guys and BTW, beer money is never a problem. Heck I got a lifetime Emby Premier for $10 when it came out and as the program has improved I donate..

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