How many RT-AC56U users out there?

[RMerlin]

damn. The AC56S has half the CPU and half the RAM.

Any possibility of removing the limitation?

You get what you paid for.

I don't know, I've never had one in my hands. Depends if it's a software limitation, or if the hardware is actually different (for example, they might have only put 128 MB of RAM on the board to cut down on costs).

 

[Techno Pride]

You get what you paid for.

I don't know, I've never had one in my hands. Depends if it's a software limitation, or if the hardware is actually different (for example, they might have only put 128 MB of RAM on the board to cut down on costs).

FW upgrade didn't work when I tried upgrading to 374.42_2 via web UI. The good news is I force-fed it using the AC68U FW restoration utility.


EDIT: read some guides on where peeps soldered and upgraded ram on old Asus routers and WRT54GL. There are some console commands. Is there anything I can change to test? Seeing that the AC56S has a recovery boot mode, it shouldn't brick hard.

admin@ac56s:/tmp/home/root# nvram show | grep ram
size: 40167 bytes (25369 left)
wl0_frameburst=on
share_link_param=
nvram_space=65536
wl1_frameburst=on
nvramver=1
sdram_config=0x0147
sdram_refresh=0x0000
sdram_ncdl=0x00000000
wl_frameburst=on
jumbo_frame_enable=0
sdram_init=0x0000

Partial AC56S CFE dump:

boardtype=0x0646_
boardnum=00_
boardrev=0x1100_
boardflags=0x00000110_
boardflags2=0x00000000_
sromrev=8_clkfreq=800,533_
xtalfreq=25000_
sdram_config=0x0147_

 

[Techno Pride]

Also noticed that the AC56S board runs off a 12v/2A power supply. The AC56U uses a 19v/1.75A power supply.

AC56S heatsink is silver, AC56U's is red.

 

[SebZab]

+1 user of very good rt-ac56u running 374.43

 

[3dguru]

+1 user of very good rt-ac56u running 374.43

Same here.

 

[ams1234]

+1 i have one

Heya,

Just wondering how many of you guys used an RT-AC56U, running either stock, Asuswrt-Merlin or DD-WRT on it? I think the router is only starting to become more widely available. Just wondering if there would be enough of a userbase to have Tim add an RT-AC56U forum (I'd probably suggest having a combined RT-AC56/RT-AC68U forum, since both routers are very similar hardware-wise).

 

[ams1234]

i have Asuswrt-Merlin running now

is it posseble to use cloud and ftp fuctions in AP mode i would like to use it in AP mode not router mode

 

[radeon7750]

+1 running latest asus stock FW

 

[Techno Pride]

i have Asuswrt-Merlin running now

is it posseble to use cloud and ftp fuctions in AP mode i would like to use it in AP mode not router mode

I remember asking a similar question about this regarding OpenVPN. Had an AC56S on AP mode and wanted to run it as a VPN server. The VPN menu is not available on AP mode.

It was suggested to manually run it. Can't remember the details, I presume he/she meant run it from the console (telnet/ssh).

 

[radeon7750]

Anyone here who tried Merlin's latest FW 376.44 on the AC56U? Please share your impressions so far...

 

[beholder0]

Anyone here who tried Merlin's latest FW 376.44 on the AC56U? Please share your impressions so far...

Hi, I tried Merlin's 376.44 on a friend's RT-AC56U. I upgraded from Merlin's 374.33 to 376.44 and I used this method:
1. Clear nvram (used WPS button method)
2. Upgraded to 376.44
3. Clear nvram again (used WPS button method)
4. Restored factory default (on webui)
5. Full manually setup (no upload any older backup)
6. Power off, power on the router
Impressions:
- wifi performance (with same setup and conditions) little bit worse, 5-10% throughput degradation (but maybe it in the margin of error, because I see 10-12 wifi router around my flat, so it's a high and variable traffic area)
- I cannot test the range difference, because my flat is to small
- the samba performance seems same (method: 1TB 2.5" WD RED HDD, FAT32, USB3 enclosure (chipset ASMedia ASM1051) connected to router usb3 port (3G stick connected to usb2 port), copy large files (summ. 6GB) to my desktop (wired 1Gb connection))
- 3G stick work well, same as on 374.33 (ZTE MF669T)
Problems:
- after 10 hour (at morning) the second cpu core fully load continuously (100%), checked with top command via SSH and I saw I/O wait using 100% the second core. I cannot did a deeper investigation, unmounted and disconnected the usb hdd, but no effect, disconnected 3G stick but no effect.
- after 10 hour (at morning) the router minidlna service not visible on the network, on webui showed running and idle state (the samba service worked well).

Finally I revert back.

 

[woodej]

NAT loopback was working fine for me last time I tested it. Make sure you rub 372.31 or newer, there as a NAT loopback issue in a few of the previous releases (I forgot in which build I fixed it).

No need for a factory default reset with the AC56U.

Just bought the RT-AC56U and upgraded to the stock firmware Version:3.0.0.4.374_5656 ..

Any idea if they have incorporated the NAT Loopback fix in this or do I still need to use a Merlin version. I'm experiencing similar problems as those mentioned when I try to access my FTP server on my NAS.. Works fine from iPhone on 3/4G and fine directly to server on local LAN. However as soon as I try to connect via my external Dynamic DNS address from within the local network it times out... I've been pulling my hair out for a week trying to sort this out thinking it was something with my setup...

 

[woodej]

Bit the bullet and applied 376.44. My FTP is working now.

All Hail the mighty Merlin Firmware !!!

 

[radeon7750]

@woodej
Did you find any other improvements over the stock firmware?
I'm still running stock .5656 FW.

Please report if you experience the same issue as beholder0

Problems:
- after 10 hour (at morning) the second cpu core fully load continuously (100%), checked with top command via SSH and I saw I/O wait using 100% the second core. I cannot did a deeper investigation, unmounted and disconnected the usb hdd, but no effect, disconnected 3G stick but no effect.

 

[Alfsu]

RT-AC56U +1

Brand new RT-AC56U ($89) from newegg!

Flashed .44 + Fact Reset + Manual settings

Operating configuration:

- WAN DMZed to a 4G router (4 to 19 Mbps depending on cell tower demand traffic)
- IPv4
- 2.4 and 5 MHz WIFI bands
- 2 TB USB HD
- OpenVPN client to StrongVPN
- Selective Routing and Firewall scripts
- DNSfiltering via dnsmasq.conf.add (Settings by UI not functioning)

Everything seems to be working fine for home internet use and video streaming.

No problems streaming 1080p videos from HTPC to AppleTV using homeshare (both CAT-6 wired).

I noticed the CPU temperature @ 73 degrees Celsius, should I be concerned with this? Router is on a top shelve with no obstruction to AC circulation.

Cheers!

 

[Zalophus]

Acquired RT-AC56R 6 months ago. Flashed 374.40. Works perfectly as is, so have seen no need to update firmware.

 

[slvrscoobie]

Just got mine on Monday, but not very impressed with the range. Bought it to replace a Dlink 655 that barely worked outside (maybe 45 feet from the router, but through 2 walls). Set it up and found the uplink to be its Achilles heel. Itll stay connected, but itll take 30 seconds to request google homepage. Found the power setting and pushed it to 200mW but that doesnt seem to have done anything.
Should I box it up and return it? I cant add any antennas to this one..
Kinda wasted $90 I feel. Have not installed the Merlin firmware, thats my next trick.

 

[Ambientek]

I live in a fairly small town and I bought the last Rt-ac56r off the shelf at Walmart yesterday. They were on sale for $109