[Fork] Asuswrt-Merlin 374 LTS Overview

[john9527]

ASUSWRT-MERLIN 374 LTS

This is an LTS (Long Term Service) fork of Asuswrt-Merlin based on 374.43_2. This older code base has a history of being very stable, and some of the older code components may perform better in some environments. It may be a good choice for those who desire a 'set it and forget it' router solution. Additional information on the differences between this firmware and the later Asuswrt-Merlin releases can be found following the recent change highlights.

The following routers are supported by this firmware:
• N16, N66U, AC66U (original MIPS based revs)
• AC56U, AC68U (Rev A1,A2,B1), AC68P (and the retail and color versions, R and W, of each router)
• AC68U (Rev C1,E1), AC1900 and AC1900P (and the retail and color versions, R and W, of each router) and the AC66U-B1

The following routers were released after the base code used for this fork was available, and are NOT supported.
• AC68U V3, AC87U, AC3100, AC3200, AC88U, AC5300, AC86U, AC88U (and the retail R versions) and all AX routers.

Downloads

Microsoft OneDrive

1drv.ms

Latest public release: Folder 'Public-Release'
Tested/stable releases

Latest development release: Folder 'Development-Beta'
These releases may not be fully tested, or contain work in progress supporting new features/functions, or intermediate bug fixes.

Building the LTS Fork

Github source: https://github.com/john9527/asuswrt-merlin (Branch 374.43_2-update)

Thanks to forum member st_ty_

GitHub - st-ty1/Artix_Asuswrt-Merlin_John_fork: HowTo: Build Auswrt-Merlin [John's Fork] with Artix

HowTo: Build Auswrt-Merlin [John's Fork] with Artix - st-ty1/Artix_Asuswrt-Merlin_John_fork

github.com

IMPORTANT The github repro was rebased on 29-November-2018.
If you have a local repo created before this date, you should save any custom changes, clone a new copy, then re-apply your changes.

New release announcements

A separate thread will be opened for each new release.
Search for '[Fork] Asuswrt-Merlin 374 LTS' to locate the release level threads

Current release:

Release - [Fork] Asuswrt-Merlin 374 LTS release 52E7

A small update release to end the year..... Everyone have a safe, Happy Holiday season! LATEST RELEASE: Update-52E7 19-December-2021 Merlin fork 374.43_52E7j9527 ============================ Update-52E7 Highlights Updated NETTLE to 3.7.3 UPdated CURL to 7.79.1 Disabled IPv6 QoS support on...

www.snbforums.com

SNBFORUMS Archive: https://www.snbforums.com/threads/fork-asuswrt-merlin-374-43-lts-releases-archive.18914/
Thread archive for releases prior to 1-November-2020.

Installation Notes

• Firmware is now packaged as a zip file (consistent with Merlin firmware releases). Remember to extract the .trx file prior to updating the firmware. A sha256sum file is included in the zip file to validate the firmware.
• For supported routers currently running ASUS firmware 380.3000 or above, or Merlin 380.60 or above, you cannot load this fork using the built in firmware update web interface. You must use the ASUS Firmware Restoration Tool from the ASUS support website or the built in CFE Mini-Web Server to install this fork firmware. You must always perform a factory default reset following the firmware update when moving from ASUS OEM or Merlin firmware above level 374 regardless if you updated via the web interface or Restoration Tool.
• When using the ASUS Firmware Restoration Tool or CFE Mini-Web Server to install this fork firmware on MIPS based routers (N16, N66 or AC66 non_B1) the upgrade process can take from 40 minutes to 1 hour. Please be patient and do not interrupt the process.
• If you are updating an AC56U or AC68U running a fork version V26 or earlier, a factory reset is recommended following the firmware update to V27 or later. You may also need to reformat and restore JFFS due to updates for compatibility with the Merlin releases. Other fork users running an N16, N66U or AC66 can update as normal without a factory reset.
• Users are reminded to have a jffs backup. If you are having jffs script errors or cannot access jffs after loading the firmware, please reformat jffs from the Administration page and restore your jffs backup.

◦ For users with MIPS based routers, changes in the code image size may affect the jffs space. Although not always necessary, the safest MIPS upgrade will include a reformat of jffs followed by a restore of a backup taken prior to the upgrade.​

◦ For users of ARM based routers, changes in the jffs partitioning may also affect the jffs allocations. This case will normally be listed in the release notes where a backup/restore will be recommended.​

Additional Information

The fork does include

• Maintenance for documented security issues
• Maintenance for supporting open source components (such as OpenSSL, Openvpn, dnsmasq, miniupnpd, etc)
• Backports of applicable fixes and new functions from Merlin's main branch
• An improved implementation of Traditional QoS
• A different IPv6 stack which may work better in some environments
• A separate build with 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
• Support for Merlin jffs custom scripts and configs
• Support for AMTM and user addons with gui integration

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
• Support for 5 VPN Clients as in Merlin (this fork supports 2 client instances). Note that the N16 does not support VPN Client/Server due to memory limitations.


Custom features of the fork which are not exposed in the gui can be set by an nvram variable. These custom features are documented in the Merlin_Fork_Options.txt file in the download directory.

 

[john9527]

Please do not respond to this thread.
Responses/comments to separate release threads.

 

[galtzo]

Just found this project, and am very excited to pull out my ancient ASUS RT-N66W! Thanks for the years of effort to all who have contributed! I am slightly shocked to be the first watcher, and first star-er on the github repo, since [apparently my network died and it failed to load the stars and watchers on the page, as I can now see hundreds!] it does seem to have quite a following here! I only found this LTS fork because I always check the network tab when a project that I am interested in has been archived, which the 380.xx merlin was. Glad I found it, but wondering how discoverability might be improved.

 

[g1l1t1]

Microsoft OneDrive

1drv.ms

I just downloaded this and tried it on my MIPS-based RT-AC66U which is currently running ASUSWRT-Merlin 380.66_4 but received this notification:

Invalid Firmware Upload
To comply with regulatory amendments, we have modified our certification rule to ensure better firmware quality. This version is not compatible with all previously released ASUS firmware and uncertified third party firmware. Please check our official websites for the certified firmware.

I've been away from the forum for a good while, so perhaps I missed some intermediate step that is necessary?

 

[Tech9]

Please do not respond to this thread.
Responses/comments to separate release threads.

Please do not respond to this thread.
Responses/comments to separate release threads.

Asuswrt-Merlin

Use this forum for posts about all versions of this alternative firmware for ASUS wireless routers

www.snbforums.com

 

[aussie71]

Hi all I recently brought a Asus RT-AC5300 but it came with Merlin Vortex Koolshare firmware. Has anyone ever used this firmware I would like to update it too normal merlin fw.. thank you

 

[ColinTaylor]

Hi all I recently brought a Asus RT-AC5300 but it came with Merlin Vortex Koolshare firmware. Has anyone ever used this firmware I would like to update it too normal merlin fw.. thank you

That is an illegal Chinese firmware. Go to the official Merlin site and follow the links to download the real version.

Download | Asuswrt-Merlin

www.asuswrt-merlin.net

Flash the firmware as normal. After it's rebooted do a hard reset:

[Wireless Router] ASUS router RT-AC5300 Hard Factory Reset - Method 7 | Official Support | ASUS Global

P.S. This thread is for John's fork of the Merlin firmware, not the current Merlin release - see post #1. Post questions in the main Merlin forum.

Please do not respond to this thread.
Responses/comments to separate release threads.

 

[aussie71]

thank's all I have upgraded to the lastest Merlin Fm. Being sold on ebay I thought it was too cheap.

 

[lepa71]

Does this fork have issues with IPv6 when the router is in bridge mode? I have AX3000 as the main router and AC68U in the bridge mode. When I enable IPv6 on the main router, my GoogleTV is having issues with apps while connecting to the AC68U bridge. If I disable IPv6 on the main router everything starts working fine.

Any suggestions?

Thanks

 

[RMerlin]

John hasn`t logged on the forums in over a year. At this point I consider this fork to be abandoned (until further notice), so unsticking this to prevent people from flashing an outdated firmware.

My current recommendation as an alternative for these older models is FreshTomato, which is actively maintained:

FreshTomato – Alternative open source firmware for Broadcom based routers

www.freshtomato.org

 

[heywire]

John hasn`t logged on the forums in over a year. At this point I consider this fork to be abandoned (until further notice), so unsticking this to prevent people from flashing an outdated firmware.

My current recommendation as an alternative for these older models is FreshTomato, which is actively maintained:

FreshTomato – Alternative open source firmware for Broadcom based routers

www.freshtomato.org

Just wanted to add that from what I've read around this forum, Tomato performs poorer wifi signal-wise than AsusWRT, ie. in terms of stability and performance between the router and it's wireless clients.

Johns LTS fork on the other hand, performs even better than the last official Asus firmware release for these models in this respect (a stated motivation for the fork is that it "uses older code components that may perform better in certain environments"), and is also more up to date in general than the last AsusWRT, which ceased development earlier than the last John LTS fork (there is also a slightly newer beta update in the download folders that never reached final release).

So if you are using the router as an Access Point (AP) or a second router wired behind an up to date main router router, I still think this LTS fork for is the best option, because it will give you the best wireless-performance, which in that case is it's only job.

If you are running this as a main router connected to the internet, however, FreshTomato seems like the better option. Especially long term, as the vulnerabilities and outdated services are going to lag behind farther and farther as time passes, while FreshTomato is still in active development.

Feel free to correct me or add any details.

 

[Marc66]

My current recommendation as an alternative for these older models is FreshTomato, which is actively maintained:

FreshTomato – Alternative open source firmware for Broadcom based routers

www.freshtomato.org

FreshTomato is great but does not support CTF on RT-AC66U and other MIPS RT-AC routers :-( https://wiki.freshtomato.org/doku.php/advanced-misc?s[]=*hardware*&s[]=*acceleration*