Looking for feedback: Anyone considering AiCloud important to them?

[MDM]

For you and me maybe; but for most AiCloud users words like ssh, amtm, entware etc. are pure gibberish or scary taboo and evil words...

 

[RAH-66]

@RMerlin AiCloude is interesting with the built-in media player, maybe can AiCloude be replaced with a File Browser by adding it to AMTM?

Features | File Browser

filebrowser.org

 

[bennor]

I use aicloud but only on the local lan. What does everyone that don't use aicloud use to access files and video? Is there any free options?

For local network access on mobile devices connected via WiFi, there are a variety of free and paid apps that can access local network Shares either from the USB drive attached to the router or on a full fledged NAS. One doesn't need to use AiCloud for local media access. Look for "file manager" apps which should allow one to map the network Share within the app using SMB/Samba, and or look for "media player" apps that support accessing network Shares or that support accessing the media server (if enabled) on the router or NAS device. For example on Android devices I use File Manager Plus as a file manager to access the local network using SMB/Samba. For media players on Android, VLC and MX Player both work to play media.

As others have pointed out, having AiCloud features enabled on unpatched routers presents a WAN side security vulnerability hole which has compromised some routers with malware. Further, even though one may be using a mobile device connected to the router's WiFi to access files on their local network the Asus app(s) may be contacting/accessing the WAN side of the router due to the AiCloud feature.

PS: As has been mentioned a number of times in this thread, for remote access rather than using AiCloud one can setup a VPN server within the router for secure remote access to the USB hard drive attached to the router or to other local network clients like NAS devices. There are OpenVPN and WireGuard client apps for mobile devices and computers.

 

[Ripshod]

Windows, Apple and Linux can mount shares natively, so no need for any apps.

 

[DJones]

*Linux… natively does not mean easily lol. Cifs is a bit of a pita using fstab. Least in Nautilis theirs no easy mount at boot.

 

[Ripshod]

With Linux you just browse to the network and the shares show themselves under the workgroup you've chosen. Then you just have to bookmark them for later - simpler than Windows even.

 

[RMerlin]

I use aicloud but only on the local lan. What does everyone that don't use aicloud use to access files and video? Is there any free options?

Depends on where your files are hosted. But within a LAN, people most commonly just use SMB. Or if they have a server, they use DLNA, Plex, Jellyfin, EMby, etc... Tons of LAN side options.

 

[DJones]

With Linux you just browse to the network and the shares show themselves under the workgroup you've chosen. Then you just have to bookmark them for later - simpler than Windows even.

Depends; if you need a persistently mounted network share that won’t do. But yeah.

 

[Sky]

A naive question but, could not the shutdown and removal of AiCloud be incorporated with a routine update to AsusWRT-Merlin?

Something along the line of: (1) the update checks to see if AiCloud is enabled (or better yet, running); if yes (a) the user is warned AiCloud will be disabled by default for security reasons and in some future update will be discontinued in AsusWRT-Merlin; or (b) instructing the user if they want to update AsusWRT-Merlin they would have to manually shutoff AiCloud then rerun the AsusWRT-Merlin update again to do the update; and (c) advising if they want to continue using AiCloud, then they should move to the OEM plain vanilla AsusWRT?

A "helper configuration page" as @rung put to enable AiCloud would tag any [ Enable ] button with a "not recommended" phrase followed by throwing up a warning flag, and another "not recommended" type thing so the user has to jump through say, two, three, or four extra steps before they enable it. Enough to get pretty annoyed but not enough to make them downright angry.

In essence it seems this is not awfully dissimilar to someone using an old Asus router for which AsusWRT-Merlin is no longer supported.

 

[visortgw]

A naive question but, could not the shutdown and removal of AiCloud be incorporated with a routine update to AsusWRT-Merlin?

Something along the line of: (1) the update checks to see if AiCloud is enabled (or better yet, running); if yes (a) the user is warned AiCloud will be disabled by default for security reasons and in some future update will be discontinued in AsusWRT-Merlin; or (b) instructing the user if they want to update AsusWRT-Merlin they would have to manually shutoff AiCloud then rerun the AsusWRT-Merlin update again to do the update; and (c) advising if they want to continue using AiCloud, then they should move to the OEM plain vanilla AsusWRT?

A "helper configuration page" as @rung put to enable AiCloud would tag any [ Enable ] button with a "not recommended" phrase followed by throwing up a warning flag, and another "not recommended" type thing so the user has to jump through say, two, three, or four extra steps before they enable it. Enough to get pretty annoyed but not enough to make them downright angry.

In essence it seems this is not awfully dissimilar to someone using an old Asus router for which AsusWRT-Merlin is no longer supported.

Merlin installs/updates do not verify the current firmware configuration prior to update. It utilizes the standard Asus firmware update process.

 

[Sky]

Merlin installs/updates do not verify the current firmware configuration prior to update. It utilizes the standard Asus firmware update process.

Then the recommendation would be to go straight to a warning it will be disabled if the update is installed and the user would have to manually re-enable it along with the accompanying means to do so replete with the annoying reminders about security.

That said, it's just an idea. With only three AiCloud user-respondents in 12-pages of replies, our bunch is unlikely to provide much useful feedback from that user base, but perhaps a usable amount for the peculiar AsusRT-Merlin user base.

 

[postoronnim-v]

If we approach the issue globally, then the router should be considered as a device consisting of a "hardware" and "software" part. In order to sell it and make a profit, it must have better characteristics than competitors. That is, perform more functions for less money. It is impossible to increase the "hardware" component (this will scare off the average user with a high price). But it is possible to offer a variety of software. This does not increase the cost of a unit of production but increases its competitiveness. In other words: the software component of the router is the part that allows you to compete. And if ASUS is not able to support it at the level of competitors, then this product will not be needed by anyone. You can offer to remove all the "unnecessary" software and then the router will turn into a "piece of hardware" that no one needs. P.S. Sorry for my "bad" English.

 

[XIII]

perform more functions for less money

A different way to stand out: do fewer things, but do the things you focus on better than others.

 

[visortgw]

If we approach the issue globally, then the router should be considered as a device consisting of a "hardware" and "software" part. In order to sell it and make a profit, it must have better characteristics than competitors. That is, perform more functions for less money. It is impossible to increase the "hardware" component (this will scare off the average user with a high price). But it is possible to offer a variety of software. This does not increase the cost of a unit of production but increases its competitiveness. In other words: the software component of the router is the part that allows you to compete. And if ASUS is not able to support it at the level of competitors, then this product will not be needed by anyone. You can offer to remove all the "unnecessary" software and then the router will turn into a "piece of hardware" that no one needs. P.S. Sorry for my "bad" English.

Software development and maintenance is not free for commercial products.

 

[postoronnim-v]

Software development and maintenance is not free for commercial products.

With each device sold, the cost of software development decreases (per unit of production). The costs of producing the hardware component hardly decrease.

 

[tnpapa]

Would never use it. I use iCloud with end to end encryption turned on. The router is a router, I don't want it doing anything else.

 

[Pir8pete]

Considering AiCloud's history, I am wondering if getting rid of it might not be a good idea. There are a now far better alternatives to achieve similar results (free/inexpensive cloud services, Plex, Jellyfin, a VPN, etc...)

Anyone for whom losing AiCloud in Asuswrt-Merlin would be a deal breaker for using the firmware?

(I know people who don't use it will say "just drop it", but I am more concerned in people who actually DO use it).

I use it, have had it setup for years now, great to get files when I'm on vacation to my iPhone/laptop on the go. I never looked into using another provider. If you get rid of it, please consider providing direction to a free addon "Entware/3rd party script" that is similar. I like the ease of setup and use. I'm not into paying for a VPN or anything like that, not needed to i only want the odd small file.

After reading this and having the BE98_Pro die and RMA'd, I might just switch to the Enterprise Fortress Gateway -> https://ca.store.ui.com/ca/en/category/all-unifi-cloud-gateways/products/efg it's overkill but I need the throughput and great OS

Current setup but with a new BE98_Pro in place of the AX6000 for the throughput -> https://www.dslreports.com/forum/r33819219-Internet-Home-Network-Setups

 

[Pir8pete]

@RMerlin AiCloude is interesting with the built-in media player, maybe can AiCloude be replaced with a File Browser by adding it to AMTM?

Features | File Browser

filebrowser.org

If this can be done, will be great simple alt "Entware and 3rd party script"

 

[Tech9]

Enterprise Fortress Gateway

For a home network setup? A Gateway with 18-Core CPU, 16GB RAM and 5000+ clients support? You can run a local ISP with this thing...

 

[Pir8pete]

For a home network setup? A Gateway with 18-Core CPU, 16GB RAM and 5000+ clients support? You can run a local ISP with this thing...

not quite;
Don't let my new account fool you, it's what I want I have my reasons, this is off topic anyways, sorry bud

I would recommend taking at look at the thread on dslreports