Few questions about Asus RT-AX88U pro

[bbunge]

Hello
I didn't want to start a war, Asus firmware vs Merlin firmware.
Like I said, I used to have a R7800 (I still have it). From the start, I installed Voxel firmware and Kamoj add-on. Netgear firmwares aren't great, so the switch was obvious.
Stability and performance, that's what I'm looking for in a router. I had some WiFi problems with my R7800, weird ones. That's why I decided to get an Asus router and see how it works.
I'm an old geek, but a true geek
I'm no expert when it comes to network, but I'm still pretty good. My LAN is pretty basic, I'm the only one using it. I have 3 NAS, a few laptops (Windows Linux), a few iPads, Google Homes and Amazon Echos, a few WiFi electrical outlets, AppleTV and Nvidia Shield, and I think that is all. Seems a lot, but it's pretty basic
I don't really play, so I'm not looking for the best faster less lag network.
But I want performance, and stability. Rock stable. The best WiFi coverage.

So I'll do whatever it takes to have those. Asus firmware or Merlin firmware. Seems that the Asus firmware is pretty good and stable, so...

Have a great week-end, everyone

Ah, wars on social media are the norm. Everyone has the right to an opinion. Many of these folks do not remember that I was using Merlin before most of them. Health issues were the reason I went back to Asus firmware. I have tested the new Merlin releases and have decided that the Asus firmware works well enough for my needs. I, too, have a mixed bag of clients: Windows, Mac, Linux, iPhone, Android, web cams, IoT devices and even a Chromebook! I've been involved with computers and networking since the days of DoS. In a former job we did document imaging under DoS storing the images on magneto-optical disks in juke boxes controlled by an 8086 PC. I had also programmed numerical controled machines with seven hole punch tape and that was a long time ago. So, there is nothing wrong with being old and being a geek at the same time. Now days it is the memory that is failing a bit but Google makes up for what I've forgotten!

 

[LeKeiser]

mmmh... for no reason, my RT rebooted. I wasn't doing anything on the network at all, I was cleaning the appartment. When I noticed that my WiFi electrical outlets were blinking, meaning no WiFi. And then it came back.
I have checked the system log, it did reboot :

May 5 07:05:46 ntp: start NTP update
Nov 18 17:03:00 rc_service: ntp 2775:notify_rc restart_diskmon
Nov 18 17:03:00 disk_monitor: Finish
Nov 18 17:03:00 disk monitor: be idle
Nov 18 17:03:01 kernel: SHN Release Version: 2.0.6 9d6bb506
Nov 18 17:03:01 kernel: UDB Core Version: 0.2.20
Nov 18 17:03:01 kernel: Registered DNS Req parsing
Nov 18 17:03:01 kernel: sizeof forward pkt param = 280
Nov 18 17:03:01 BWDPI: fun bitmap = 43f
Nov 18 17:03:04 rc_service: udhcpc_wan 2633:notify_rc stop_samba
Nov 18 17:03:04 rc_service: udhcpc_wan 2633:notify_rc start_samba
Nov 18 17:03:04 rc_service: waitting "stop_samba" via udhcpc_wan ...
Nov 18 17:03:04 Samba Server: smb daemon is stopped
Nov 18 17:03:05 wan_up: Find a 2.5G port on [eth0]

I have done some research but nothing conclusive. "Check the power supply" or "try a minimal setup"

I wanted a "stable" router. And the next day, it's rebooting for no reason :O
What gives ??

 

[L&LD]

So much for stock Asus, huh?

Maybe give Post 4 a try now.

 

[ColinTaylor]

Look further back in the log to just before the point where it boots up with the date reset to May 5.

Check the mains power plugs/socket isn't loose or plugged into an "energy saving" outlet.

 

[LeKeiser]

You do think it's because of stock firmware ? And that the Merlin firmware will help ? The alpha one ? https://sourceforge.net/projects/as...8U_PRO/Beta/RT-AX88U_PRO_3004_388.4_beta3.zip ?

 

[L&LD]

That's not the alpha. That is the old 388.4 Beta3.

Download | Asuswrt-Merlin

asuswrt-merlin.net

Click the 'Pre-beta test builds' link.

Sort the Modified Tab by Newer to Older.

Choose the first entry from the top that matches your router. (Currently, they state '4 days ago').

 

[LeKeiser]

Another reboot just as I was replying.
I checked the power outlet, it's not loose at all. It's connected to an Eaton UPS 3S 550 with two other devices and they didn't reboot.

Checked the log, and it's weird :
Last reset cause : unknown :O

Nov 18 17:18:58 wlceventd: wlceventd_proc_event(722): eth7: Assoc A64:25:CA:F1:E4, status: Successful (0), rssi:-53
May 5 07:05:18 kernel: klogd started: BusyBox v1.24.1 (2023-06-10 15:47:03 CST)
May 5 07:05:18 kernel: Linux version 4.19.183 (gitserv_asus@bpza001bud) (gcc version 9.2.0 (Buildroot 2019.11.1)) #1 SMP PREEMPT Sat Jun 10 15:48:59 CST 2023
May 5 07:05:18 kernel: random: get_random_bytes called from start_kernel+0x9c/0x454 with crng_init=0
May 5 07:05:18 kernel: Kernel command line: coherent_pool=4M cpuidle_sysfs_switch pci=pcie_bus_safe console=ttyAMA0,115200 earlycon rootwait mtdparts=brcmnand.0:2097152(loader),264241152@2097152(image),524288@266338304(crashlog) root=/dev/ubiblock0_4 ubi.mtd=image ubi.block=0,4 rootfstype=squashfs cma=0M
May 5 07:05:18 kernel: mtusize 1500
May 5 07:05:18 kernel: CCI hardware cache coherency enabled
May 5 07:05:18 kernel: bootloader version U-Boot 2019.07 (Jun 10 2023 - 17:51:38 +0800), Build: 5.04L.0
May 5 07:05:18 kernel: inMemNvramData.szBoardId RTAX88U_PRO
May 5 07:05:18 kernel: size of sk_buff 512
May 5 07:05:18 kernel: offset of cb in sk_buff 368
May 5 07:05:18 kernel: PMC driver initcall
May 5 07:05:18 kernel: PMC driver scanning DT
May 5 07:05:18 kernel: pmc match PMC brcm,bca-pmc-3-2
May 5 07:05:18 kernel: Remapping PMC IO memories...
May 5 07:05:18 kernel: phys virt size
May 5 07:05:18 kernel: 0x00000000ffb01018 0xffffff8008db8018 0x00005080
May 5 07:05:18 kernel: 0x00000000ffb20000 0xffffff800809e000 0x00000240
May 5 07:05:18 kernel: 0x00000000ffb00400 0xffffff80080bc400 0x000005d0
May 5 07:05:18 kernel: 0x00000000ffb80000 0xffffff80080be000 0x00001000
May 5 07:05:18 kernel: pmc_initMC using DQM mode
May 5 07:05:18 kernel: Powering on XRDP core...
May 5 07:05:18 kernel: Toggle reset of XRDP core...
May 5 07:05:18 kernel: map_hw_timer_interrupt,162: interrupt_id 68
May 5 07:05:18 kernel: map_hw_timer_interrupt,162: interrupt_id 69
May 5 07:05:18 kernel: map_hw_timer_interrupt,162: interrupt_id 70
May 5 07:05:18 kernel: map_hw_timer_interrupt,162: interrupt_id 71
May 5 07:05:18 kernel: Broadcom GBPM v0.1 initialized
May 5 07:05:18 kernel: Broadcom IQoS v1.0 initialized
May 5 07:05:18 kernel: Broadcom Logger v0.1
May 5 07:05:18 kernel: /dev/bcmnet Char device registered
May 5 07:05:18 kernel: skb_free_task created successfully with start budget 256
May 5 07:05:18 kernel: ^[[0;34mBLOG v3.0 Initialized^[[0m
May 5 07:05:18 kernel: BLOG Rule v1.0 Initialized
May 5 07:05:18 kernel: Skip Legacy Led init
May 5 07:05:18 kernel: Initialise system trusted keyrings
May 5 07:05:18 kernel: Key type asymmetric registered
May 5 07:05:18 kernel: Asymmetric key parser 'x509' registered
May 5 07:05:18 kernel: 3 cmdlinepart partitions found on MTD device brcmnand.0
May 5 07:05:18 kernel: Creating 3 MTD partitions on "brcmnand.0":
May 5 07:05:18 kernel: 0x000000000000-0x000000200000 : "loader"
May 5 07:05:18 kernel: 0x000000200000-0x00000fe00000 : "image"
May 5 07:05:18 kernel: 0x00000fe00000-0x00000fe80000 : "crashlog"
May 5 07:05:18 kernel: bcm63xx-hsspi ff801000.spi: spi driver using polling mode
May 5 07:05:18 kernel: brcmboard registered
May 5 07:05:18 kernel: brcmboard: brcm_board_init entry
May 5 07:05:18 kernel: Last RESET due to Unknown
May 5 07:05:18 kernel: RESET reason: 0x00000000
May 5 07:05:18 kernel: DYING GASP IRQ Initialized and Enabled
May 5 07:05:18 kernel: bcm_i2c: Error in loading module
May 5 07:05:18 kernel: Bridge Broadcom hooks registered
May 5 07:05:18 kernel: Loading compiled-in X.509 certificates

 

[ColinTaylor]

You do think it's because of stock firmware ?

Don't jump to conclusions about your current setup. I can't say I remember anyone else reporting such a problem with that router/firmware combination. If it was an issue with the firmware I would expect the forum to be flooded with similar reports. Try and diagnose the problem rather than throwing random changes into the mix.

And that the Merlin firmware will help ? The alpha one ? https://sourceforge.net/projects/as...8U_PRO/Beta/RT-AX88U_PRO_3004_388.4_beta3.zip ?

Without diagnosing the problem it's impossible to say whether Merlin's firmware will make any difference. DO NOT use the alpha firmware. If you do decide to use Merlin's firmware use the current stable release.

 

[LeKeiser]

The only thing that's different is that I'm on my desktop computer. The desktop is connected to a Netgear switch, along with some other devices. And this switch is then connected to one of the LAN port of the RT. It's been this way since I've installed the RT.

 

[LeKeiser]

Don't jump to conclusions about your current setup. I can't say I remember anyone else reporting such a problem with that router/firmware combination. If it was an issue with the firmware I would expect the forum to be flooded with similar reports. Try and diagnose the problem rather than throwing random changes into the mix.

But how do I diagnose the problem ? I mean, it's a really pretty basic setup. And it was the same one I used with my R7800. The R7800 would lose the 5GHz radio randomly but only that radio. It wouldn't reboot. So I don't think it has something to do with my electrical outlet, right ?

Without diagnosing the problem it's impossible to say whether Merlin's firmware will make any difference. DO NOT use the alpha firmware. If you do decide to use Merlin's firmware use the current stable release.

Will stay on the stable firmware then. But... tempted to try something else though.

 

[L&LD]

Yes, nobody has reported such glitches on that firmware here.

The router is not in a good/known state.

Unplug everything else from that NG switch and keep testing using your desktop to see if it occurs again. If it doesn't, plug in one thing at a time to see which device causes this issue.

I would also power cycle the switch after unplugging everything except the PC from it.

When you're in test mode, it doesn't matter if you're trying an Alpha firmware. Particularly one which so many have found extremely stable, dependable and performant vs. the previous 'stable' versions.

 

[ColinTaylor]

But how do I diagnose the problem ? I mean, it's a really pretty basic setup. And it was the same one I used with my R7800. The R7800 would lose the 5GHz radio randomly but only that radio. It wouldn't reboot. So I don't think it has something to do with my electrical outlet, right ?


Will stay on the stable firmware then. But... tempted to try something else though.

It is very strange. If the router had crashed I would have expected to see a whole bunch of errors in the log together with a crash dump. On the face of it it looks like it was simply turned off and on again.

Can you try plugging it directly into a normal outlet rather than a UPS just to eliminate that as a possible cause?

What is the currently installed firmware version number?

 

[LeKeiser]

Yes, nobody has reported such glitches on that firmware here.

The router is not in a good/known state.

what do you mean, a good known state ?
Should I factory reset it ? I didn't after I upgraded the router with the factory Asus firmware.
I mean, I unboxed the router, did a factory reset (WPS + Power button) and then started to configure the router, and then updated the firmware.

Unplug everything else from that NG switch and keep testing using your desktop to see if it occurs again. If it doesn't, plug in one thing at a time to see which device causes this issue.

I would also power cycle the switch after unplugging everything except the PC from it.

You think a device might be the cause ? The only new device is my desktop, connected to my NG switch. This time, I'm really using the 1000Mbps network.

 

[LeKeiser]

It is very strange. If the router had crashed I would have expected to see a whole bunch of errors in the log together with a crash dump. On the face of it it looks like it was simply turned off and on again.

Can you try plugging it directly into a normal outlet rather than a UPS just to eliminate that as a possible cause?

What is the currently installed firmware version number?

The firmware is : 3.0.0.6.102_21514-g9affda2_136-g5d23c

Will try another outlet then, but... why just now ? Why not before ?

 

[ColinTaylor]

The firmware is : 3.0.0.6.102_21514-g9affda2_136-g5d23c

Thanks. As per earlier suggestions, if you updated the firmware from 3.0.0.4.388.x to 3.0.0.6.102.x that is a significant change. So probably a good idea to do a factory reset and see if that improves the situation.

why just now ? Why not before ?

Indeed. Is the room hotter than before? Do you have unreliable mains power?

 

[L&LD]

A good/known state is one where the router is stable, reliable, and dependable. Yours isn't.

Yes, the factory reset you did was a little premature (possibly). No harm in performing another full reset and minimally and manually configuring the router once more. This is the best place to start a good debugging process (one in which you 'know' the firmware/router is in a good/known state).

 

[LeKeiser]

Thanks. As per earlier suggestions, if you updated the firmware from 3.0.0.4.388.x to 3.0.0.6.102.x that is a significant change. So probably a good idea to do a factory reset and see if that improves the situation.

I think I got it with the firmware you're mentioning.
So a factory reset I should try right now ?

Indeed. Is the room hotter than before? Do you have unreliable mains power?

Mmmh... Room is pretty cool, 19°C. My main powers are reliable I think. I bought the UPS just to be sure to have the network if an electrical power outage would occur, leaving me time to shut things down properly.

 

[ColinTaylor]

I think I got it with the firmware you're mentioning.
So a factory reset I should try right now ?

That's probably the best course of action at the moment as we have no other clues.

Mmmh... Room is pretty cool, 19°C. My main powers are reliable I think. I bought the UPS just to be sure to have the network if an electrical power outage would occur, leaving me time to shut things down properly.

Sounds fine. It could just be a faulty unit, but it would be unusual.

 

[LeKeiser]

Ok so I did a factory reset again. And since I know a little more about its configuration, it went a little faster.
So :
_ I've changed the power outlet, in case.
_ factory reset
_ basic configuration
_ QOS and Traffic Analyser are OFF

Crossing fingers now...

 

[LeKeiser]

Out of curiosity, what tests could I try ? Like something that would push the router to its limit, and then I'll know if it's stable or not ?
If there is such a test of course