Merlin for Tuf Gaming ax6000

[forzic]

Sorry please is the Merlin beta firmware available for Tuf Ax6000?

 

[Viktor Jaep]

Sorry please is the Merlin beta firmware available for Tuf Ax6000?

Unfortunately not. Here's a list of all supported models. Looks like Gnuton was starting to add a few TUF models to his roster, so that might be your best bet right now... seeing if he'll add more.

About | Asuswrt-Merlin

www.asuswrt-merlin.net

 

[forzic]

hopefully soon

 

[sfx2000]

There's some nascent work being done on the Mediatek TUF AX devices over on OpenWRT...

Saw a couple of recent commits for AX6000 the other day..

 

[Flipmode11]

Hi guys, just to point out how confusing this is for community members, there is:
- the RT-AX6000 - 4 antenna
- the GT-AX6000 - 4 antenna (ROG)
- the TUF-AX6000 - 6 antenna (TUF)

(Then, not to mention models coined 'AX6000' by D-Link, TP-Link, etc....)

Can someone update WHY they are / are not supported!? And why the AX5400 devices are supported?

I see the GT-AX6000 is supported by Merlin: https://sourceforge.net/projects/asuswrt-merlin/files/
I am confused why AX3000 devices and 1 AX5400 device are being given priority in 2024 by Gnuton? https://github.com/gnuton/asuswrt-merlin.ng?tab=readme-ov-file#supported-models

Two best rated WiFi-6 Asus routers in the reviews by Dong (here) are 'Asus RT-AX89X' and 'GT-AX11000 Pro'. But who is going to spend $500 to $700 USD on a router? Not many...

Should we not all be working together to encourage members to contribute $20-$50 so that Gunton / Merlin can purchase several economical high-spec devices? Plus with WiFi 7 already being released, should we not be focusing on AX6000 routers, instead of developing for RT-AX5400 (not v2!) and RT-AX58U v2 (only AX3000)???

At the end of the day, Asus should seriously be contributing devices (or on loan!) and collaborating with development as all this community development and 'hype' only works in their favour, with more router and modem sales!
Cheers!

 

[Viktor Jaep]

Hi guys, just to point out how confusing this is for community members, there is:
- the RT-AX6000 - 4 antenna
- the GT-AX6000 - 4 antenna (ROG)
- the TUF-AX6000 - 6 antenna (TUF)

(Then, not to mention models coined 'AX6000' by D-Link, TP-Link, etc....)

Can someone update WHY they are / are not supported!? And why the AX5400 devices are supported?

I see the GT-AX6000 is supported by Merlin: https://sourceforge.net/projects/asuswrt-merlin/files/
I am confused why AX3000 devices and 1 AX5400 device are being given priority in 2024 by Gnuton? https://github.com/gnuton/asuswrt-merlin.ng?tab=readme-ov-file#supported-models

Two best rated WiFi-6 Asus routers in the reviews by Dong (here) are 'Asus RT-AX89X' and 'GT-AX11000 Pro'. But who is going to spend $500 to $700 USD on a router? Not many...

Should we not all be working together to encourage members to contribute $20-$50 so that Gunton / Merlin can purchase several economical high-spec devices? Plus with WiFi 7 already being released, should we not be focusing on this, instead of developing for RT-AX5400 (not v2!) and RT-AX58U v2 (only AX3000)???

At the end of the day, Asus should seriously be contributing devices (or loan devices!) and collaborating with development as all this community development and 'hype' only works in their favour, with more router and modem sales!
Cheers!

Unfortunately this isn't the way the world works... Here's how you should probably view it, through this lens:

1.) You're interested in buying a new router, and you've made the important decision that it needs to run Merlin FW.
2.) You make your way over to the list of supported models: https://www.asuswrt-merlin.net/about
3.) You do some research on which model/capabilities would fit your mission and budget.
4.) You buy that router, and load Merlin.
5.) You don't look back at the other dozens of unsupported routers that didn't make the cut.

Personally, one of my biggest complaints is that Asus just cranks out too many variations of routers... it's basically flooding the market, and many of them sound alike, as you had mentioned. If anything, I wish that Asus would drastically reduce this number, and focus on supporting fewer models in various categories... you would think that with the time, money and manpower saved in designing, building, writing software, and supporting the plethora of routers out there, that focusing on a select few would increase reliability, more frequent updates, new features, etc.

As to "WHY" some are supported while others aren't... there's some good reasoning out there from a chipset/source code/hardware standpoint, another one of them being there's only ONE guy juggling all this FW for these select routers that were carefully handpicked. Luckily he's got a few helping hands, like @GNUton and others... but it's a HUGE job, that I don't think many can appreciate. I don't think @RMerlin is looking to add the newest shiny new router release to his lineup, unless they make sense, or feel that they may get supported by Asus for a long time (like the AC68U). I'm sure there's lots of other reasons too, and probably just scratching the surface here.

 

[Tech9]

it's basically flooding the market

This is the idea. They need to sell more, business. If you have noticed most lower end routers are around RT-AX58U V2 hardware, most higher end around RT-AX86U Pro hardware. The software development is different drivers, some LED controllers, present/missing USB ports... copy/paste and send it to the stores. Main focus on external design features, this is what sells on the consumer market. Color accents, more antennas, some RGB lights... done!

TP-Link is doing exactly the same marketing game and apparently it works very well. You go to a store and what you see there is 10x Asus models, 10x TP-Link models, 2x Netgear and 2x D-Link. What are the chances you pick Netgear or D-Link model? Or perhaps this lonely Linksys at the corner?

 

[bennor]

Can someone update WHY they are / are not supported!?

The pinned/tacked [FAQ] READ ME FIRST before posting a question generally explains why some routers are supported by Asus-Merlin and others are not. And it also asks people not to post asking for a router to be supported. From RMerlin post in that link:

Q: Will you add support for model XYZ?
A: The decision whether or not to support a new model depend on a long list of factors, which may evolve over time. Right now:

- It needs to be Broadcom-based
- It needs to be widely available (not just in two or three countries)
- It needs to have high-end hardware so I don't have to fight with lack of flash or RAM
- It needs to receive frequent enough GPLs so I won't have to regularly skip it due to the GPL being outdated
- I need to have one
- I need to have the time to try supporting it
- I need to have the motivation to try supporting it

Each new model requires its own dedicated support. That means every time I work on a new firmware release, I have to work on each separate model, and I need GPL releases from Asus for each individual model, and I need to merge each of them separately. So that means if I support 10 different routers, then I need to merge in the content of 10 different GPL releases, and these need to be close enough to one another to still be compatible. The more models I support, the harder this is to accomplish, therefore I am VERY conservative regarding adding any new model.

So don't ask if/when a new model will be supported. I cannot speculate about future model support, and until I have working support for a model, I cannot answer that question.

 

[Tech9]

TUF-AX4200, TUF-AX6000 - MediaTek hardware, OpenWrt as 3rd party firmware option for whoever is interested:

[OpenWrt Wiki] ASUS TUF-AX4200

openwrt.org

[OpenWrt Wiki] ASUS TUF-AX6000

openwrt.org

 

[jerry6]

This is the idea. They need to sell more, business. If you have noticed most lower end routers are around RT-AX58U V2 hardware, most higher end around RT-AX86U Pro hardware. The software development is different drivers, some LED controllers, present/missing USB ports... copy/paste and send it to the stores. Main focus on external design features, this is what sells on the consumer market. Color accents, more antennas, some RGB lights... done!

TP-Link is doing exactly the same marketing game and apparently it works very well. You go to a store and what you see there is 10x Asus models, 10x TP-Link models, 2x Netgear and 2x D-Link. What are the chances you pick Netgear or D-Link model? Or perhaps this lonely Linksys at the corner?

Netgear Linksys and D-link did the same in the 90's early 2000's loads of new models that had short support lifespans

 

[Tech9]

I don't remember many Wi-Fi routers in the 90s, honestly. I saw another forum member talking about mesh networking 40 years ago. On my planet there were no such technologies available. What planet you guys are coming from?

 

[Viktor Jaep]

I don't remember many Wi-Fi routers in the 90s, honestly. I saw another forum member talking about mesh networking 40 years ago. On my planet there were no such technologies available. What planet you guys are coming from?

Yeah... I don't think it really became mainstream/available for most until the early 2000's... https://www.cablefree.net/wireless-technology/history-of-wifi-technology/

 

[Flipmode11]

Personally, one of my biggest complaints is that Asus just cranks out too many variations of routers..

Yes, you are too right! Thanks for replying.
I remember all the D-Link models being churned out in the early 2000's. DI-524, 624, 655 etc. Wow, I'm accessing a lot of rusty memory banks...
@jerry6 seems to recall the same! Netcomm did the same down here too.

What are the chances you pick Netgear or D-Link model? Or perhaps this lonely Linksys at the corner?

Yes I think Linksys / Cisco have not had sufficient budget allocated to the consumer market for some time! I remember their grey blue boxes from the mid 2000's and they were very reliable. However inconsistent functionality, or odd behaviour made them less attractive. Just like Netgear's UI - looks exactly like DLink's early 2000 UI.

Yes, flooding the market with models, and the BIGGEST change I have noticed is the absecence of sequential model numbers! All these AX6000's and so on is no more descriptive than Linksys WRT54G

In fact, don't forget the dusty Belkin in the corner! hahah (Didn't Belkin take over Linksys's retail arm? What ever happened?)

TUF-AX4200, TUF-AX6000 - MediaTek hardware, OpenWrt as 3rd party firmware option for whoever is interested

You are brilliant mate. A big bloody thank you! Will have a look. Appreciate your time!
40 years ago? They had forums in the early 80's???
Planet? A little one floating off the coast of Antartica, we're culturally rich where we carry tinnies and wear flip-flops!

Spoiler: Bennor

It generally explains why some routers are supported by Asus-Merlin and others are not.

Yes I am aware of chipsets, and hardware, closed/open code, etc. Your answer does not explain why so much focus is on old and low-end routers, instead of THE COMMUNITY working together and donating $$$ to allow @GNUton & @RMerlin to purchase hardware!
Everyone seems to have skipped over this. If we collaborate together, make life easier for the guys doing 99% of the work (@RMerlin, @GNUton and volunteers), then we are MUCH more likely to get more activity on newer hardware (that matches my link, that I had already included in my post @bennor ) than waiting for them to buy/acquire the h/w.[

So don't ask if/when a new model will be supported!

Are you sure you read my message? Whoa! I did not ask when these models will be supported. I was pointing out the obscurity (multiple manufacturers calling their devices "the AX6000") and wanted to understand from members which AX6000 (or better) devices that do not cost $500-$700 are potentially worth investing in. I had linked to reviews, hardware, and already read BOTH @GNUton and @RMerlin pages (as I included their links!).
I also highlighted the need for users' contributing and working together instead of sitting back and expecting updates to be 'delivered' upon their request! No one seems to appreciate the time that goes into these community projects...

 

[Tech9]

I have noticed is the absecence of sequential model numbers!

This is something we never figured out on SNB Forums.

 

[bennor]

Spoiler: Bennor

Yes I am aware of chipsets, and hardware, closed/open code, etc. Your answer does not explain why so much focus is on old and low-end routers, instead of THE COMMUNITY working together and donating $$$ to allow @GNUton & @RMerlin to purchase hardware!
Everyone seems to have skipped over this. If we collaborate together, make life easier for the guys doing 99% of the work (@RMerlin, @GNUton and volunteers), then we are MUCH more likely to get more activity on newer hardware (that matches my link, that I had already included in my post @bennor ) than waiting for them to buy/acquire the h/w.[


Are you sure you read my message? Whoa! I did not ask when these models will be supported. I was pointing out the obscurity (multiple manufacturers calling their devices "the AX6000") and wanted to understand from members which AX6000 (or better) devices that do not cost $500-$700 are potentially worth investing in. I had linked to reviews, hardware, and already read BOTH @GNUton and @RMerlin pages (as I included their links!).
I also highlighted the need for users' contributing and working together instead of sitting back and expecting updates to be 'delivered' upon their request! No one seems to appreciate the time that goes into these community projects...

@Flipmode11, you specifically asked; "Can someone update WHY they are / are not supported!?" RMerlin's post (which I copy and pasted and which you take issue with apparently) explains how/why he supports the routers he supports. If the tacked/pinned post by the developer doesn't address your question about why some routers are supported and some not, or you take issue with what was posted, please take it up with the developer not me.

Users are free to monetarily, via PayPal, support the developer (both RMerlin, Gnuton, and the add-on developers) if they wish. Such support may or may not lead to additional routers being supported.
Asuswrt-Merlin: https://www.asuswrt-merlin.net/
Asuswrt-Merlin Gnuton fork: https://gnuton.github.io/asuswrt-merlin.ng/
Add-On Developer Donations: https://www.snbforums.com/threads/asuswrt-merlin-addon-developers-donation-links.67496/

Asuswrt-Merlin donation thread

[This post replaces the original thread which has been automatically locked due to reaching the max post limit] Asuswrt-Merlin (and its Gnuton fork) both accept user donations through Paypal. You can find Paypal links on the projects' respective pages: Asuswrt-Merlin...

www.snbforums.com

 

[jerry6]

I don't remember many Wi-Fi routers in the 90s, honestly. I saw another forum member talking about mesh networking 40 years ago. On my planet there were no such technologies available. What planet you guys are coming from?

late 90's 2000's must have gone through 6 or 7 routers in a 10 year span 4 or 5 never getting bugs fixed , no new FW 6 months after release wrt300 and 600 being 2 examples netgear wnd2000 ? Been buying Asus from 2010 on

 

[Analog-1]

Kind of strange but here in Michigan outside of Best Buy i don't know of anyone that carries Asus routers locally. And Best buy only has 2 or 3 at most on the shelf inventory. Of course Amazon i guess is were people shop now days. I like local purchases and returns if needed.

 

[bennor]

Kind of strange but here in Michigan outside of Best Buy i don't know of anyone that carries Asus routers locally. And Best buy only has 2 or 3 at most on the shelf inventory. Of course Amazon i guess is were people shop now days. I like local purchases and returns if needed.

If you are lucky enough to have a Micro Center nearby they tend to carry various Asus routers. For example there is only one location in MI, in the Detroit area.

https://www.microcenter.com/site/stores/default.aspx

 

[Tech9]

late 90's 2000's must have gone through 6 or 7 routers

The models you are talking about are 802.11n in late 2000s. I don’t remember a flood of 802.11b routers and client devices in 90s.

 

[fearz]

TUF-AX4200, TUF-AX6000 - MediaTek hardware, OpenWrt as 3rd party firmware option for whoever is interested:

[OpenWrt Wiki] ASUS TUF-AX4200

openwrt.org

[OpenWrt Wiki] ASUS TUF-AX6000

openwrt.org

Was there any word from merlin or gnuton about supporting this router anytime soon?