[Fork] Asuswrt-Merlin 374.43 LTS releases (Archive)

[jrmwvu04]

Is there a post that explains Merlin vs john9527 firmware (especially regarding the RT-AC66U-B1)?

Just flip a coin?

Some notes on this fork...

The fork does include

• Maintenance for documented security issues
• Maintenance for supporting open source components (such as dnsmasq, miniupnpd, etc)
• Backports of applicable fixes and new functions from Merlin's main branch
• Some unique support for options requested by users
• A different IPv6 stack which may work better in some environments
• Older versions of the wireless drivers that some feel offer better performance (especially on the MIPS based routers)
• Less of a lockdown on tweaking power levels

The fork does not include

• The new TrendMicro DPI engine functions for ARM routers
• The enhancements to the networkmap for custom icons, client naming, etc.
• Some of the enhanced gui formatting of later releases, for instance the new wireless log
• Support for the ASUS router control app
• All the changes/tweaks that ASUS may have made since the original code was released (and any new introduced bugs )

 

[john9527]

I've uploaded some Alpha builds for the AC66U, N66U and AC68U. For the AC66U and N66U, this integrates the KRACK fix and new wireless drivers. Unlike the Merlin builds, integrating this turned out to be a real challenge. Turns out the new Broadcom nas prebuilt module had other dependencies on code updates that I had to track down and port....I won't say how long it took me to figure it out

I haven't done any performance/range measurements on the new MIPS drivers, only verified I could connect on the N66, so feedback would be welcome. I managed to keep the 'tweaks' that were applied to the older drivers, so it should be interesting.

I've also included an AC68U build for testing since some of the dependancies intersect with the ARM code as well. Good news, is that it should be easier now to intergrate the ARM KRACK fix when it becomes available.

Have fun and please let me know how it goes!


ALPHA RELEASE: Update-29A7 for the AC66U, N66U and AC68U
29-November-2017
Merlin fork 374.43_29A7j9527
Download https://1drv.ms/f/s!Ainhp1nBLzMJlW1TnFp4Sh2wvQva
============================

SHA256

(Default Build - All supported routers)
8077abe84bf97194633b0b928785683fc29cba237e12d62af79d8e5032549bfd  RT-AC66U_374.43_29A7j9527.trx
d401a0d2832137a9094ca8ffb2c9113b710cfe7a39a025338c74eacbe94b9605  RT-N66U_374.43_29A7j9527.trx
3f58e69f6b97751a05a4d048f87ecb88930384e59eaefc5ef58f295bbe958fa9  RT-AC68U_374.43_29A7j9527.trx

 

[flinchlock]

The RT-AC66U_B1 refurb from AMZ did not come with a CD/DVD.

I can not find the Firmware Restoration program on my PC or the ASUS web site.

I can only find the Device Discovery program on my PC and the ASUS web site.

WTF??

 

[ColinTaylor]

@flinchlock For some reason I don't seem to be able to see any non-firmware downloads for any router on Asus' website. Been like that for a while. Maybe it's just my PC.

Anyway, by the power of google...

http://dlcdnet.asus.com/pub/ASUS/wireless/RT-AC3200/Rescue_2000.zip

 

[flinchlock]

Anyway, by the power of google...

[URL]http://dlcdnet.asus.com/pub/ASUS/wireless/RT-AC3200/Rescue_2000.zip[/URL]

I am no stranger to Google... searching for "Firmware Restoration" did not have much luck.

Thanks, for the all your help!

 

[Builder71]

...

Have fun and please let me know how it goes!


ALPHA RELEASE: Update-29A7 for the AC66U, N66U and AC68U
29-November-2017
Merlin fork 374.43_29A7j9527
Download https://1drv.ms/f/s!Ainhp1nBLzMJlW1TnFp4Sh2wvQva
============================

SHA256

(Default Build - All supported routers)
8077abe84bf97194633b0b928785683fc29cba237e12d62af79d8e5032549bfd  RT-AC66U_374.43_29A7j9527.trx
d401a0d2832137a9094ca8ffb2c9113b710cfe7a39a025338c74eacbe94b9605  RT-N66U_374.43_29A7j9527.trx
3f58e69f6b97751a05a4d048f87ecb88930384e59eaefc5ef58f295bbe958fa9  RT-AC68U_374.43_29A7j9527.trx

I volunteer.

Installed on my RT-N66U. On top of V28E8 without factory reset.
Got a message to manually reboot after flash. No big deal. JFFS was untouched.
Checked RF coverage before and after and I don't see a difference.
Quick test seems all is working.

I'll let you know if something funny happens.

 

[john9527]

I volunteer.

Installed on my RT-N66U. On top of V28E8 without factory reset.
Got a message to manually reboot after flash. No big deal. JFFS was untouched.
Checked RF coverage before and after and I don't see a difference.
Quick test seems all is working.

I'll let you know if something funny happens.

Thanks for the feedback! Sounds good.

Was starting to wonder if anyone cared anymore.....

 

[Builder71]

Thanks for the feedback! Sounds good.

Was starting to wonder if anyone cared anymore.....

no worries!

 

[marnold]

So am I understanding correctly that you are now using the newer driver but not the new SDK? Or am I just confused.

 

[john9527]

So am I understanding correctly that you are now using the newer driver but not the new SDK? Or am I just confused.

It does get confusing.....
For the MIPS based routers (AC66U, N66U) the SDK hasn't changed, but I needed to pick up new wireless drivers in V29 to support the KRACK fix.

For the AC68U, I needed to pick up both a new SDK and wireless drivers starting with V27 to support the new hardware revs (C1, E1, Ac1900, etc) in addition to the original hardware revs.

 

[marnold]

Thanks for the info. Hopefully this weekend I'll give the alpha a spin.

 

[jrmwvu04]

Was starting to wonder if anyone cared anymore.....

It has been quiet on the firmware front, I suppose many may have been lulled into a state of calm. I’ll check it out in a bit.

 

[Max-H]

Was starting to wonder if anyone cared anymore.....

We do!! But i'm on vacation now. Will flash at the end of next week.

 

[dopefish]

Hello John,

i am a long time user of your Fork. For me the best one around, its stable and f*cking fast! Thanks a lot.

But now i do have an issue and i am not sure how to solve it.
My ISP is using Dual-Stack Lite tunnel (ds-lite IPv4 in IPv6) and i need to configure / Obtain a DS-Lite AFTR from DHCPv6 from my cable modem (Technicolor TC4400). Before i was using a router with modem from my ISP. I switched to a modem only device but i could not obtain an ipv4 address through DHCPv6 DS-Lite. It looks like Merlin uses odhcp6c which has an option to set an DS-Lite AFTR manually. Do you use the same for IPV6?

- Is it possible to configure the your fork with DS-LITE?
- Is it possible to obtain an ISP's DS-Lite AFTR from DHCPv6 automaticaly?
- Can i set an ISP's DS-Lite AFTR manually?

Dual-Stack Lite tunnel (ds-lite IPv4 in IPv6)
ds-lite is a transitioning-mechanism which is used by ISPs to support legacy IPv4-connectivity over a native IPv6 connection.
Also see https://wiki.openwrt.org/doc/uci/network6

or:

https://github.com/openwrt/odhcp6c

Support for DHCPv6 extension
i) DS-Lite AFTR-Name Option

Thank you very much.

Thanks for the feedback! Sounds good.

Was starting to wonder if anyone cared anymore.....

John, i will do some testing with your alpha firmware soon Thanks a lot!

 

[Swingtop]

What are the benefits for the AC68u alpha build? Thanks!

 

[john9527]

What are the benefits for the AC68u alpha build? Thanks!

As far as the KRACK fix.....none (It does pick up some common modules that were necessary in porting the KRACK fix to the MIPS routers....

On other fronts, for the AC68U (you can check the Changelog for details_
- it picks up the fix for the CPU freq display on the tools page
- it has some samba config changes which may improve performance with USB drives

 

[Lotta Cox]

Updated my 68U and 66U to 29A7
Uptime on the 68 was 57 days 5 hours 15 minutes 3 seconds on 28E2

 

[marnold]

I haven't done any performance/range measurements on the new MIPS drivers, only verified I could connect on the N66, so feedback would be welcome.

I just updated my RT-N66U. I tested in one of the more difficult-to-reach parts of my house (the master bedroom) which your previous firmware allowed me to reach just fine. I did some quick measurements with Wifi Analyzer. It reported a 1-2 dBm signal loss with the alpha firmware. That may very well be within the noise, I'm not sure. I'll try to glean some more real-world data over the next few days.

 

[john9527]

It reported a 1-2 dBm signal loss with the alpha firmware. That may very well be within the noise, I'm not sure.

Thanks for the info. 1-2 dBm may very well be within measurement noise. Are you still able to connect OK?
Please keep us posted.

 

[john9527]

Just a couple of FYI items.....

I've verified that the KRACK fix for the AC68 will NOT be able to be backported to the Legacy builds with the older drivers.
Jury is still out if I can bring it in to the fork at all for the AC68.

Also, there will be no KRACK fix for the N16. If you are using it in a critical environment as a repeater or media bridge, you should start considering alternatives.