New ax86u pro Asus, firmware 3006 or merlin 3004

[dokey1907]

About to change over my Asus ac86u (with merlin latest version of firmware)

To Asus ax86u pro, I've never really used stock firmware as I like merlin ...but running 3004 version merlin ?

I'm wounding would stock 3006 be worth while, not sure what I'd miss over the different 3004 Vs 3006

Many thanks

 

[Ripshod]

Depends on your use case. If you need Guest Network Pro or VLAN then take the 3006 route. If you don't need them stick with the more mature codebase - 3004.
Just my opinion.

 

[dokey1907]

I use guest network to separate iot on 2.4g and gaming via lan cable, 5g is separate for other devices ie laptops and tablets

Not sure what the guest network pro is

 

[OzarkEdge]

About to change over my Asus ac86u (with merlin latest version of firmware)

To Asus ax86u pro, I've never really used stock firmware as I like merlin ...but running 3004 version merlin ?

I'm wounding would stock 3006 be worth while, not sure what I'd miss over the different 3004 Vs 3006

Many thanks

My opinion... prove your new network/hardware with current next gen ASUSWRT 5.0 (3.0.0.6.*); then do whatever you want.

OE

 

[bennor]

I'm wounding would stock 3006 be worth while, not sure what I'd miss over the different 3004 Vs 3006

Without any more information about your needs, desires or use case. Its pretty simple. Do you need the VLAN/Guest Network Pro feature or not?

ASUSWRT 5.0

version 3008

routerkb.asuscomm.com

[Guest Network Pro] What is Guest Network Pro? | Official Support | ASUS Global

[Wireless Router] What is VLAN and how to setup in ASUS Wireless Router? | Official Support | ASUS Global

If you want or need VLAN/Guest Network Pro then use the stock 3006 Asus firmware.
If you want the extra features Asus-Merlin provides including the add-on scripts, then use Asus-Merlin 3004.388 firmware.

Right now there is NO ETA from RMerlin on when or if the RT-AX86U Pro will receive Asus-Merlin 3006.102.x firmware. He is entirely reliant on Asus providing him the updated 3006 GPL's for additional routers like the RT-AX86U Pro.

If you haven't done so already, search the subforums (particularly the Asus Official subforum) for past discussions and comments from those who have tried the 3006 firmware on the RT-AX86U Pro. Some, including myself, have found 3006 to have some specific issues that pushed us back to using Asus-Merlin 3004.388.x firmware while we wait for Asus to mature the 3006 code. YMMV

PS: For example, see my own personal commentary on Guest Network Pro in the RT-AX86U Pro 3.0.0.6.102_34334 2024/11/06 release discussion:
https://www.snbforums.com/threads/rt-ax86u_pro-3-0-0-6-102_34334-2024-11-06.92777/#post-932720
And some older personal commentary on the 3006 firmware here:
https://www.snbforums.com/threads/a...-0-0-6_102_34312-2024-05-09.90015/post-909573