New models to be introduced with 3006.102.2

[RMerlin]

Since updated 3006 GPLs are constantly being delayed, I decided to go ahead and release 3006.102.2 based on the existing GPLs. For the RT-BE88U and RT-BE86U this means they will both be released based on different GPLs from the rest (3006.102.33921 for the RT-BE88U, and 3006.102.36216 for the RT-BE86U).

Neither of these are compatible with the 34369 binary blobs, so other Wifi 7 models will remain on 34369, until there are updated 3006 GPLs for them (which hopefully would be for 3006.102.3).

 

[visortgw]

Since updated 3006 GPLs are constantly being delayed, I decided to go ahead and release 3006.102.2 based on the existing GPLs. For the RT-BE88U and RT-BE86U this means they will both be released based on different GPLs from the rest (3006.102.33921 for the RT-BE88U, and 3006.102.36216 for the RT-BE86U).

Neither of these are compatible with the 34369 binary blobs, so other Wifi 7 models will remain on 34369, until there are updated 3006 GPLs for them (which hopefully would be for 3006.102.3).

Your decision makes a lot of sense given how "random" Asus has been lately with firmware releases. All of a sudden releases for the GT-AXE16000 (3004 codebase), GT-AX6000 (3006), and RT-AX58U (3004) yet many others continue to be neglected.

 

[Analog-1]

Since updated 3006 GPLs are constantly being delayed, I decided to go ahead and release 3006.102.2 based on the existing GPLs. For the RT-BE88U and RT-BE86U this means they will both be released based on different GPLs from the rest (3006.102.33921 for the RT-BE88U, and 3006.102.36216 for the RT-BE86U).

Neither of these are compatible with the 34369 binary blobs, so other Wifi 7 models will remain on 34369, until there are updated 3006 GPLs for them (which hopefully would be for 3006.102.3).

What about the AX Pro models ?

 

[RMerlin]

What about the AX Pro models ?

No news. Moving them to 3006 is still a low priority.

 

[dave14305]

No news. Moving them to 3006 is still a low priority.

 

[RMerlin]

I currently have 24 different models accross three separate code branches to deal with. I have to prioritize.

3004 is more stable and reliable than 3006 at this time, so getting Wifi 6 Pro models to 3006 is very low on my priority list. The Wifi 7 models are more in need of updates because of the numerous bugs that currently exist. Updating 388 GPLs comes next, as these haven't received an update in many months.

These are routers, not toys. Stability is more important than new features that did not exist when these models launched. Especially when these new features are still seriously bugged.

 

[dave14305]

I have to prioritize.

Has Asus even shared 3006 GPL for AX Pro models? I was assuming it was low on Asus’ priority list to offer you such GPLs so you will continue to indirectly encourage sales of the newest most expensive models from your most dedicated fans.

 

[maxbraketorque]

Has Asus even shared 3006 GPL for AX Pro models? I was assuming it was low on Asus’ priority list to offer you such GPLs so you will continue to indirectly encourage sales of the newest most expensive models from your most dedicated fans.

At least ASUS is still releasing 3006 FWs for the promised AX models. I think that suggests there is hope that we'll eventually get a Merlin version.

 

[visortgw]

At least ASUS is still releasing 3006 FWs for the promised AX models. I think that suggests there is hope that we'll eventually get a Merlin version.

Yes and no. The GT-AXE16000 had a 9006 (aka 3006 beta) version released in March 2023 (a year and a half ago) that never went to release version. Just recently, Asus released a new 3004 version (i.e., the third 3004 update since the 9006 version).

 

[heysoundude]

I currently have 24 different models across three separate code branches to deal with. I have to prioritize.

3004 is more stable and reliable than 3006 at this time, so getting Wifi 6 Pro models to 3006 is very low on my priority list. The Wifi 7 models are more in need of updates because of the numerous bugs that currently exist. Updating 388 GPLs comes next, as these haven't received an update in many months.

These are routers, not toys. Stability is more important than new features that did not exist when these models launched. Especially when these new features are still seriously bugged.

Has Asus even shared 3006 GPL for AX Pro models? I was assuming it was low on Asus’ priority list to offer you such GPLs so you will continue to indirectly encourage sales of the newest most expensive models from your most dedicated fans.

I can't say I'm not in agreement with @dave14305 with my almost spankin' new ax88pro, but if Merlin says 3006 isn't stable enough yet (or he hasn't been given the keys to move to 3006 on these/our machines), it's a waste of time to poke that particular bear. just sit back and be patient and when the time comes for Merlin to circle back around to us, he'll have all sorts of things figured out already to make releases come quickly.

 

[Kingp1n]

I can't say I'm not in agreement with @dave14305 with my almost spankin' new ax88pro, but if Merlin says 3006 isn't stable enough yet (or he hasn't been given the keys to move to 3006 on these/our machines), it's a waste of time to poke that particular bear. just sit back and be patient and when the time comes for Merlin to circle back around to us, he'll have all sorts of things figured out already to make releases come quickly.

I don't keep up much with latest firmware info but what's so special about 3.0.0.6 vs 3.0.0.4? It's probably mainly to have latest security fixes but it is also for VLAN and Guest Network Pro?

 

[maxbraketorque]

I don't keep up much with latest firmware info but what's so special about 3.0.0.6 vs 3.0.0.4? It's probably mainly to have latest security fixes but it is also for VLAN and Guest Network Pro?

Yes on VLAN and GN Pro. I think many people also assume that 3006 has an improved code base.

 

[heysoundude]

Yes on VLAN and GN Pro. I think many people also assume that 3006 has an improved code base.

improved/optimized for the hardware, yeah, that's the assumption. Asus is still figuring it out on their end, so by the time Merlin gets it from them, and then putting his touches on it based on his work with the BE routers, it'll be pretty danged nice and smooth and solid. That's what I wait for, because that's why I came - I want my home network to just work so I don't have to think about tweaking it so it does.

 

[RMerlin]

Has Asus even shared 3006 GPL for AX Pro models?

I haven`t asked them for it, but I think they did publish the GT-AX6000 GPL on their website.

I only asked Asus for Wifi 7 3006 GPLs (which got delayed twice already, so I decided to move on to other plans for now) and 3004 GPL (which is going to come first, but with no ETA).

So with all of these delays/no ETA, my focus is currently on 3006.102.2 to add at least basic support for the RT-BE88U and RT-BE86U, and to fix multiple issues that existed in 3006.102.1.

 

[RMerlin]

I think many people also assume that 3006 has an improved code base.

At this time It doesn`t. 3006 is largely 3004 but with SDN, which is highly complex and is spread throughout the whole code base. Everything has to be adapted to deal with that, not just guest networks. This leads to new issues being introduced in 3006. For instance, DoT is currently broken in 3006 if you have disabled SDN instances, because the SDN handling code will kill running stubby instances if an SDN that would also rely on that same stubby instance is disabled. This is something that I had to fix myself recently, I sent the fix upstream last week.

People who want 3006 are people who never used 3006. A lot of Wifi 7 users are unhappy at these issues that they are experiencing.

3004 is in a fairly good place at this time, it's best that devices still on 388 stays un 388 until the 3006 issues can be resolved. And while I may fix the occasional 3006 issue (like DoT), I intend to let Asus engineers take care of most of the other issues, because the whole SDN code is too complicated for me to be able to fully grasp.

 

[Qwinn]

At this time It doesn`t. 3006 is largely 3004 but with SDN, which is highly complex and is spread throughout the whole code base. Everything has to be adapted to deal with that, not just guest networks. This leads to new issues being introduced in 3006. For instance, DoT is currently broken in 3006 if you have disabled SDN instances, because the SDN handling code will kill running stubby instances if an SDN that would also rely on that same stubby instance is disabled. This is something that I had to fix myself recently, I sent the fix upstream last week.

People who want 3006 are people who never used 3006. A lot of Wifi 7 users are unhappy at these issues that they are experiencing.

3004 is in a fairly good place at this time, it's best that devices still on 388 stays un 388 until the 3006 issues can be resolved. And while I may fix the occasional 3006 issue (like DoT), I intend to let Asus engineers take care of most of the other issues, because the whole SDN code is too complicated for me to be able to fully grasp.

Thanks kindly for this explanation. I'm a lot less annoyed now about no 3006 for my AXE16000. Didn't know it wasn't stable yet even now. Plenty fine waiting until it is.

I'm very new to Asuswrt-Merlin, only having installed it (3004.388.8_2_rog) for the first time a month or two ago, and I quite like it, thanks for all your work.

Curious if there will be an Asuswrt-Merlin version of 3.0.0.4.388_24374 with what looks like some nice security updates. Being new, I have no idea how this works or how long the time lapse usually is between an Asus release and the updated Asuswrt-Merlin version. Didn't see any other posts regarding it, so maybe everyone already knows something I don't?

 

[Elmer]

Thanks kindly for this explanation. I'm a lot less annoyed now about no 3006 for my AXE16000. Didn't know it wasn't stable yet even now. Plenty fine waiting until it is.

I'm very new to Asuswrt-Merlin, only having installed it (3004.388.8_2_rog) for the first time a month or two ago, and I quite like it, thanks for all your work.

Curious if there will be an Asuswrt-Merlin version of 3.0.0.4.388_24374 with what looks like some nice security updates. Being new, I have no idea how this works or how long the time lapse usually is between an Asus release and the updated Asuswrt-Merlin version. Didn't see any other posts regarding it, so maybe everyone already knows something I don't?

I'm extremely happy with the current state of the AXE16000. I'm in no rush to shift to 3006. Was really on the fence when I purchased the AXE16000 to replace an AX88 (now in mesh), but it was on sale and it had 2Gb of memory and speedier ethernet connections, so I went for it. It is doing a fantastic job.

 

[RMerlin]

Curious if there will be an Asuswrt-Merlin version of 3.0.0.4.388_24374 with what looks like some nice security updates. Being new, I have no idea how this works or how long the time lapse usually is between an Asus release and the updated Asuswrt-Merlin version. Didn't see any other posts regarding it, so maybe everyone already knows something I don't?

My releases are not tied to Asus' releases. They directly provide me with source code now and then, so my releases are not in sync with theirs. 3004.388.8_2 is based on 388_24353, and was released months ago.

I will release a new firmware and it will be based on newer code than Asus' last release. Then eventually they will release a new firmware which will be newer than mine. And the cycle will continue.

 

[Tech9]

I haven`t asked them for it (3006)...

They directly provide me with source code now and then (3004)...

What Asuswrt-Merlin for AX Pro and select GT (11000, 6000) models will be based on going further?

Asus moved them to 3006 already. Will they continue to provide 3004 code for popular RT-AX88U Pro, GT-AX6000, RT-AX86U Pro?

 

[RMerlin]

What Asuswrt-Merlin for AX Pro and select GT (11000, 6000) models will be based on going further?

Asus moved them to 3006 already. Will they continue to provide 3004 code for popular RT-AX88U Pro, GT-AX6000, RT-AX86U Pro?

Whichever 3004_388 code will be available at the time they will prepare the GPL archives for me.