Firmware update

[binggesoft]

This year, ASUS firmware update is very slow, do not know what the situation. We are to discuss, is the big update or busy new products?

 

[pete y testing]

This year, ASUS firmware update is very slow

for what product and whats wrong with the product that requires a firmware update

asus dont just release fw just for the sake of it , there has to be a reason to do so

mind you the 88u has had 3 major updates this year already but it is new , as it too matures the fw updates will slow as you cant improve on perfection

 

[L&LD]

Asus is probably both (busy with new future products and big updates to the 382.xx branch).

pete y testing is correct though. Very hard to fault what we have right now. From the RT-N56U to the RT-AC3100, not too many things to complain about (excluding the ongoing RT-AC87U that is still not 'perfect' for a lot of people).

 

[Trentors]

Asus is probably both (busy with new future products and big updates to the 382.xx branch).

pete y testing is correct though. Very hard to fault what we have right now. From the RT-N56U to the RT-AC3100, not too many things to complain about (excluding the ongoing RT-AC87U that is still not 'perfect' for a lot of people).

Well you are right except for one device: RT-AC3200.
It is way due for an update. Asus probably have a small user install base on this device compared to others but given it's high price it seems a bit unfair that it is left with such a broken firmware for close to 5 months now. Even devices like RT-AC68U have been received newer updates since then.

I have the RT-AC5300 which is excellent and have received a lot of updates but I fear that the future of the RT-AC5300 will be that same as RT-AC3200. An expensive device with low priority for updates in the future. I still think Asus does an excellent job with updating old devices but they prioritize by devices popularity and not how expensive the device is. Maybe I should have chosen the RT-AC88U instead...

 

[L&LD]

Trentors, I don't think you're right about your guesses.

Is something especially broken on the RT-AC3200? I haven't heard of too many issues for it, though I have never really considered that model for any of my customers.

It may be that the 5 month old firmware is still current, as far as security and features? Could be that the new 382.xx branch is slowing Asus down with the older models?

In either case, it is still a 2 year old model that is based on previous generation technology with a fairly current firmware, both security and feature wise. Hard to say the same for any other router manufacturer (consumer or otherwise).

I would not be fearing for the RT-AC5300 either for the same reasons. It has capable hardware that will make it viable for the foreseeable future.

Note that when all other manufacturers dumped support for their Quantenna based offerings, Asus didn't (RT-AC87U). This is a good indication that there are other hiccups they're addressing internally right now. Not that they're stopping support, period.

 

[wouterv]

If it ain't broke, don't fix it.
Keep in mind that fixing bugs, usually lead to the introduction of new bugs.
I like to stay with the old Linksys SOHO router definition:
It is a router (to forward data packets between computer networks), combined with a network switch and a wireless access point. Nothing more.
Does the "router" do above well? Then don't complain.

All the other features are to attract clients who believe "more features is better", buying feautures they didn't know they needed them. Don't complain if such features do not work as expected, leave them disabled.

Anyway, I have faith in Asus that they keep updating the firmware for the majority of devices.

 

[atlantistm]

Trentors, I don't think you're right about your guesses.

Is something especially broken on the RT-AC3200? I haven't heard of too many issues for it, though I have never really considered that model for any of my customers.

http://www.snbforums.com/threads/asus-rt-ac3200-firmware-3-0-0-4-380-3479.32906/

 

[Trentors]

Trentors, I don't think you're right about your guesses.

Is something especially broken on the RT-AC3200? I haven't heard of too many issues for it, though I have never really considered that model for any of my customers.

It may be that the 5 month old firmware is still current, as far as security and features? Could be that the new 382.xx branch is slowing Asus down with the older models?

In either case, it is still a 2 year old model that is based on previous generation technology with a fairly current firmware, both security and feature wise. Hard to say the same for any other router manufacturer (consumer or otherwise).

I would not be fearing for the RT-AC5300 either for the same reasons. It has capable hardware that will make it viable for the foreseeable future.

Note that when all other manufacturers dumped support for their Quantenna based offerings, Asus didn't (RT-AC87U). This is a good indication that there are other hiccups they're addressing internally right now. Not that they're stopping support, period.

As atlantistm posts - there is seriously issues with AC3200. Need to reboot daily to have a steady wifi.

I am not fearing they wont update the AC5300. I am fearing that they will leave it with a bad release for a long time like they did with AC3200 (which is still not fixed). I am not saying other manufacturers are better but simply that some Asus devices receive more attention than others. Based on popularity - not price. In other words I should have bought the popular device instead of the expensive one ;-)

 

[L&LD]

I'm familiar with that thread. My guess is that a full reset to factory defaults would fix many of those issues. Still, that is not a not of people complaining about it. I've stated as much in the thread itself.

 

[Trentors]

I'm familiar with that thread. My guess is that a full reset to factory defaults would fix many of those issues. Still, that is not a not of people complaining about it. I've stated as much in the thread itself.

A factory default? Dont be patronizing! Are you suggesting a reboot next? ;-)

No and a thread like this does not show how big the issue is but rather how popular the device is. And I have serious issues with this version as well and I have not complained in that thread. Why? It will not matter. Especially if you constantly have to convince others - that do not own the device - that these issues DO exist.

 

[L&LD]

Not patronizing at all and reboots don't hurt either (both via the gui and 'hard' reboots by pulling the AC power plug). Many documented cases all over the forums of exactly that fixing ghost issues with peoples routers.

I never claimed it would fix every issue people are having. Just that if a proper reset to factory defaults isn't performed (or a reboot, where necessary), then most likely you're chasing your own tail rather than tracking down any actual bug in the installed firmware.

 

[nagle3092]

My guess is they are being a little more careful with what they do since they are being audited now.

 

[L&LD]

My guess is they are being a little more careful with what they do since they are being audited now.

Ha ha ha. No. Who are they being audited by?

 

[RMerlin]

Ha ha ha. No. Who are they being audited by?

Independent auditor. Part of the FTC settlement.

 

[KevTech]

Go buy a Netgear or D-link router then see how many firmware updates you get.

 

[L&LD]

RMerlin, this is Asus (being audited) that we're talking about?

 

[fax]

The consent order will require ASUS to establish and maintain a comprehensive security program subject to independent audits for the next 20 years.

From: https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/press-releases/2016/07/ftc-approves-final-order-asus-privacy-case

and the case:
https://www.ftc.gov/enforcement/cases-proceedings/142-3156/asustek-computer-inc-matter

 

[Wingsfan87]

AC5300 is definitely due for an update. The current .3941 has several issues that need resolved. Three prominent issues are below.

- Broken SSH server (will not port forward https:// sites
- Wireless setting changes crash the wireless. You have to completely power cycle the router to bring it back up
- Missing wireless performance change ability. I have multiple routers in the house some used as WAP's. However my main router I can't turn the signal strength down to accommodate proper hand off's to the next WAP using the disconnect below certain signal strength option.

 

[RMerlin]

Missing wireless performance change ability. I have multiple routers in the house some used as WAP's. However my main router I can't turn the signal strength down to accommodate proper hand off's to the next WAP using the disconnect below certain signal strength option.

This is by design. Asus is now removing that setting from routers sold in North America (with a US region).

 

[Wingsfan87]

This is by design. Asus is now removing that setting from routers sold in North America (with a US region).

That's a terrible design.. I do understand they have to limit the max power output to what the FCC says however they should still give the ability to either have it at that max allowed or turn the power output down to coexist with multiple other AP's.

I need to be able to turn them down to 25% for each AP around the edges of my home. This functionality still exists in my other routers like AC68U but not my AC5300