Merlin, which router should I buy

[Milkman]

Unfortunately, to keep the project at a manageable level for a lone developer, I have decided to drop active support for the older MIPS platform, which means the RT-N66U and RT-AC66U

This affects me as I have an AC66U. It was a good run, and to be truthful I don't mind upgrading. With that said, which model would you suggest that I upgrade to? Keeping in mind that I would like something that you see some longevity with as far as both ASUS updating code base, and you continuing to work on it.

I realize there are no guarantees in life, and you could suggest a router to me that ASUS decides to stop upgrading after a while, or you walk away form the project completely. That said, I would like your best guess/suggestion.

Thanks in advance, and thanks for the work you continue to do, as well as the work you have already done!!!

 

[Deleted member 22229]

I bet Merlin will say the AC86 just a educated guess..

 

[jjulez]

I am also in that boat with three RT-AC66U. Whatever merlin suggest i'll go with

 

[ChatmanR]

Well, I guess it's time to put my trusty AC66U to pasture, and step up to the AC86U

 

[Vexira]

if you read his sugesdtions he alread said an 86u he would recomend an 88u if the price was lower.

 

[RMerlin]

The RT-AC66U won't stop working overnight because I stop actively supporting it. Both Asus and @john9527 are still actively supporting it. If the router still does the job for you, then I see no compelling reason to replace it.

 

[Authority]

If the router still does the job for you, then I see no compelling reason to replace it.

That said, what do you recommend?

Is there a significant performance difference between models these days?

I feel like while the specs may vary they'll all provide more or less the same end user experience. Am I wrong?

 

[RMerlin]

That said, what do you recommend?

Is there a significant performance difference between models these days?

I feel like while the specs may vary they'll all provide more or less the same end user experience. Am I wrong?

Wifi-wise, not a big difference between high end models, at least not enough to justify spending 200$ on an upgrade. The biggest differences are in the additional features, usb and VPN performance, etc... So once again, it depends on your specific needs. There's no universal answer for everyone. I've been answering that same question almost on a daily basis, see my previous answers...

Sent from my P027 using Tapatalk

 

[DonnyJohnny]

I am using ac68u (I brought it at second hand-USD 35and on 1 gbps fiber. On ac i can get 860mbps on my iPad mini 4.
Currently I am thinking of getting a mini pc like qotom and install pfsense or Sophos to get better stuff like security and VPN stuff.. and more customisation. But this are just extra stuff for my learning.
I think Merlin and some add on like Skynet/absolution is already good enough for consumer level.

I have a few old wifi router I used them as ap. Good enough for me..

 

[stoli412]

I have a similar question: Which of your supported routers would you recommend for the best VPN performance? I currently have the 68U but VPN throughput is fairly limited at 16 mbps (2 MB/s). Would upgrading to an 88U or 86U give me significantly better performance?

 

[DonnyJohnny]

Because openvpn using encryption. Most router out there do not have aes-in to speed up the encryption process. They only depend on the cpu speed to work on it. If u want really fast speed in openvpn, u can do more research on mini pc like qotom (go for those with cpu that support aes-in) or go to pfsense website and they sell good router from netgate which support pfsense directly.

But all these could be new learning curve... I am still pondering on it.. lol

 

[stoli412]

I know it’s the OpenVPN encryption that limits the throughput. I’m curious how much of a performance increase I would see with the 88U or 86U which have faster processors than my 68U. I’m not interested in setting up a mini PC for VPN.

 

[DonnyJohnny]

Refers to this
https://www.snbforums.com/threads/asus-rt-ac88u-asuswrt-merlin-380-64-vpn-connection-slow.36552/

By the way I am also using rt-ac68u and I can achieve around 20-30mbps with AES-128-GCM.

Maybe u could try using lower cipher and GCM to see if it is better.

 

[RMerlin]

I have a similar question: Which of your supported routers would you recommend for the best VPN performance? I currently have the 68U but VPN throughput is fairly limited at 16 mbps (2 MB/s). Would upgrading to an 88U or 86U give me significantly better performance?

https://www.snbforums.com/threads/openvpn-performance-of-the-rt-ac86u.41217/

 

[Milkman]

The RT-AC66U won't stop working overnight because I stop actively supporting it. Both Asus and @john9527 are still actively supporting it. If the router still does the job for you, then I see no compelling reason to replace it.

While John does fine work, I am always interested in the new features. That said, any suggestions along my same original parameters?

 

[RMerlin]

I recommend checking here:

https://www.snbforums.com/forums/wireless-buying-advice.28/

That question has been discussed in many different recent threads there, depending on everyone's own needs.

 

[stoli412]

Refers to this
https://www.snbforums.com/threads/asus-rt-ac88u-asuswrt-merlin-380-64-vpn-connection-slow.36552/

By the way I am also using rt-ac68u and I can achieve around 20-30mbps with AES-128-GCM.

Maybe u could try using lower cipher and GCM to see if it is better.

My VPN provider (AirVPN) only supports AES-256-CBC, so I can’t use a lower cipher. After reading @RMerlin ’s post above about the 86U’s VPN performance, I’ve placed an order for one and it arrives tomorrow.

 

[DonnyJohnny]

My VPN provider (AirVPN) only supports AES-256-CBC, so I can’t use a lower cipher. After reading @RMerlin ’s post above about the 86U’s VPN performance, I’ve placed an order for one and it arrives tomorrow.

Just realised that you are the receiving end as a openvpn client. Now my question is how fast the VPN provider can go via their OpenVPN server? Have you tested in your PC connecting directly to them?

Cause my understanding is server processing is the main factor why traffic throughout is slow. Can someone clarify?

 

[stoli412]

Just realised that you are the receiving end as a openvpn client. Now my question is how fast the VPN provider can go via their OpenVPN server? Have you tested in your PC connecting directly to them?

Cause my understanding is server processing is the main factor why traffic throughout is slow. Can someone clarify?

Yes, VPN client. Direct connection via my desktop can max out my 80/20 fibre connection, so that shouldn’t be a bottleneck.

 

[DonnyJohnny]

Ic.. thanks.