N66U is there a firmware version I should try?

[mightyoakbob]

Hi,
Season's greetings to everyone especially Merlin.

I've been using Merlin build 3.0.0.4.354.27 for many months. Everything works fine for me except 5GHz which is useless. Obviously, I would like to fix the 5GHz but not at the risk of poor 2.4GHz performance. I pop into the forum from time to time but it seems that fully working 2.4 and 5G is still illusive or am I out of date?

Is there a Merlin build I should be using?

Thanks for any advice.

Bob.

 

[L&LD]

I am using the latest beta -36.1 SDK5 build without issues on a few RT-N66U's. Great range and speed on both bands.

Do a Restore Firmware Defaults via webgui, manually power off the router (after the restore to defaults), manually enter any specific configurations you require, delete ('forget this network') from any/all devices (and better yet: create new SSID's).

Enjoy your new network!


Here is the link:

http://www.mediafire.com/download/ups085eda5s82d1/RT-N66U_3.0.0.4_374.36_beta1-sdk5.zip

 

[mightyoakbob]

Thanks for the link and advice.

May I ask why you suggest the sdk5 version?

Merlin did this on Xmas eve?

Cheers,

Bob.

 

[L&LD]

The SDK5 version gives the best range on 2.4GHz band (same or better than what you should be experiencing now).

The non-SDK5 version is based on a newer driver (SDK6, I believe) with better compatibility with different clients, but much worse range/throughput.

Curious to see how your results if you do decide to try it.

 

[RogerSC]

The SDK6 version of firmware was originally aimed at the RT-AC66U, and then Asus tried to apply it to the RT-N66U so that they'd have less varieties of firmware to support. While the SDK6 firmware is functional with the RT-N66U, the wireless range and throughput is lower using it. My understanding is that Asus is aware of this and is working on it, but until they get this corrected, using the SDK5-based firmware is better for the wireless on the RT-N66U.

 

[mightyoakbob]

Does this latest beta version work with more kit on 5GHz than 3.0.0.4.354.27?

My wife has a sony laptop with intel wireless card I installed the latest drivers but it will not work with the n66u, keeps swapping from 20-40 M bandwidth and speed and range are awful.

I can't try the new beta until Sunday as we have family visits today and tomorrow and the kids pretty much demand Wi-Fi access.

Cheers,

Bob.