Explicit Firmware User Manual

[Just Checking]

I have searched this forum to find a post that dealt with this already but could not find one.

Is there an explicit user manual which explains in some detail ALL the features of the Asus and/or Asus-Merlin Firmware? If so, can a link be posted as a Sticky here?

There are so many features in this firmware that are configurable but I only know what a fraction of these feature are used for, and even less about how or why to configure them different than the default values.

Somebody(s) put these features in the firmware and made them configurable (perhaps). That means they were meant to be altered for a particular need.

I did download the users manual from the Asus website. It was insufficient for my needs.

Thanks in advance.

 

[DrTeeth]

Definitely a good idea.

 

[thelonelycoder]

A nice to have request I support.
You could start a wiki or something. It's a big task but where do you stop? With Merlin's build the options are almost limitless if you include opt/entware.

 

[RMerlin]

There's already a Wiki, and it's also mentioned in a sticky:

http://forums.smallnetbuilder.com/showthread.php?t=7846

 

[r00t4rd3d]

We should figure out how to do MediaWiki and share the database, 192.168.1.1/wiki , then we could edit and add our own notes from a base copy or something.

 

[DrTeeth]

Unfortunately, the official Wiki does not explain each feature or why one would want to use it. It is not too difficult to find the info though and one learns a fair bit along the way.

OT: 100% switched to DuckDuckGo for searches. There is even an extension for Chrome.

 

[Just Checking]

There's already a Wiki, and it's also mentioned in a sticky:

http://forums.smallnetbuilder.com/showthread.php?t=7846

Merlin,
Thank you for pointing that out. As a suggestion, having it in a separate sticky would make that more visible to people, like me, are not quite up to speed on this and need a quick place to start looking.

Like the stock Asus users manual, this Wiki is not the most user friendly either. I will point out just one example that I am interested in:

Setting up and OpenVPN - the instructions are somewhat cryptic for people who are not VERY familiar with all the screens in the FW. Also, it requires a good knowledge of scripting and a reasonable knowledge of where to place the script.

The example script is not a "cut and paste" or "fill in the blank" and has comments that I am unsure whether to put in the script, or not. It would be much better to have a "template" and screenshots of where exactly the script should be placed. The instructions suggest at least two locations and also require (I think) the opening of separate ports for each client on the intranetwork and, maybe, the creation of an FTP server (not exactly clear on that one and I could be wrong).

The instructions on this could be clearer. The stock Asus users manual is similarly cryptic on many issues. Like DrTeeth said, it is possible to work things through and do a search for terms, meanings, and clarifications. It just takes more time and effort than it should. Documentation is always a thankless task, even when you get paid to do it.

 

[thelonelycoder]

Merlin,
Thank you for pointing that out. As a suggestion, having it in a separate sticky would make that more visible to people, like me, are not quite up to speed on this and need a quick place to start looking.

Ahem, the sticky is right there where it belongs...
Asuswrt-Merlin - custom firmware for Asus routers

 

[RMerlin]

It's a Wiki. If you are not satisfied with a page on it, go ahead and improve it - that's the idea of a Wiki.

Writing documentation takes time. I think I'm giving enough of my available time already, I don't have any additional time to spare for documentation.

 

[bill1228]

It's a Wiki. If you are not satisfied with a page on it, go ahead and improve it - that's the idea of a Wiki.

Writing documentation takes time. I think I'm giving enough of my available time already, I don't have any additional time to spare for documentation.

I agree, Merlin. You have out done yourself in making this firmware available without any compensation, except for the few that send contributions which I have. HAVE YOU?
This is supposed to be a helping community, which means if you see something that needs to be done or updated, such as documentation, get to doing it not just whine that is needs to be done.
--bill

 

[Just Checking]

I agree, Merlin. You have out done yourself in making this firmware available without any compensation, except for the few that send contributions which I have. HAVE YOU?
This is supposed to be a helping community, which means if you see something that needs to be done or updated, such as documentation, get to doing it not just whine that is needs to be done.
--bill

You are both correct. I have no problem with contributing either monetarily, or with the thankless task (as I did already note) of writing documentation (Been There, Done That); if I could do that. I am certainly not whining about it; and I am not demanding that Merlin do everything. Nor am I putting any timeline on anything, or asking for updates.

I am new to this forum and the Asus-Merlin firmware. I have only used it for a couple weeks and have come to this forum about that time. The amount of information being generated here is huge and the search function is not the best to answer specific questions; or even get a broad overview.

I think that many of the senior members of this forum have such a high level of expertise, they do not understand how complex this firmware is to people who do not deal with it everyday. I understand that. It happens to me in my field of expertise. I get tired of answering the same questions repeatedly by different people and think "Why don't they just look it up themselves, it's obviously already there at ------". The problem is that it isn't obvious to people who don't have the experience and similar thought processes to be able to discern where that information is filed.

When I make a suggestion, it is just that, a suggestion. Something I think would help me, or people at my level, advance our knowledge and understanding more quickly. Not a requirement. Certainly not an attack, or a negative comment on the great contributions that have already been made. Please do not take it in that way.

 

[DrTeeth]

There is another issue for newbies. They might not know what something is called to be able to look it up correctly.

I remember this clearly from when I first got gripped by computers as a hobby.