On 374.43_2 ... any reason to update?

[Livin]

Been running 374.43_2 for months
... with RX/TX Power tweaks (no clue if it made performance better)

Pretty normal config...
~15 devices on N, both 2.4 & 5
Streaming videos, file transfers (backups), etc.
port forwarding 10 ports / services
Tomato router bridged via AC Wifi for a few devices

Anything I'm missing with the updated version that would noticeably increase performance?

thx!

 

[Deleted member 22229]

You didn't mention what router but there have been a few security fixes since the version your running now that alone is a real reason to update. If you want to retain the 374.43_2 firmware and still be secure you should give John's Merlin fork firmware a try.

 

[Nullity]

You could read through the changelog and see if any of the changes affect you. Sometimes it is best to just continue using what works, especially if you have no interest in new features and none of the security holes affect you.

 

[scaramonga]

John's 374.43_7 fork all the way on the AC68. Performance is top notch, and you get to keep all the little benefits

 

[Deleted member 22229]

John's 374.43_7 fork all the way on the AC68. Performance is top notch, and you get to keep all the little benefits

I am not sure if John even knew his fork version firmware would be the huge success that it has become. For me it's just fantastic !!! Thanks John9527

Also thanks to RMerlin for with out him this firmware would not even exist.

 

[john9527]

Thanks for the kind words everyone....it's always nice to hear.

And Kel-L is right....I never envisioned it getting the following it has. It started out as a learning experience for me with github to fix a couple of issues I had that I thought I'd make available in case anyone else was interested.

Now, it's been just over 30 days since the last release with over 2500 downloads across all platforms and still getting 40-50 downloads every day.

 

[jegesq]

Been running 374.43_2 for months
... with RX/TX Power tweaks (no clue if it made performance better)

Pretty normal config...
~15 devices on N, both 2.4 & 5
Streaming videos, file transfers (backups), etc.
port forwarding 10 ports / services
Tomato router bridged via AC Wifi for a few devices

Anything I'm missing with the updated version that would noticeably increase performance?

thx!

As Kel-L said, it depends what router you're using. I've tried (and continue to sample) each new version of Merlin's FW as they are released. I'm using two AC66U's, one as router the other as repeater, and I have to say, that I am still currently using 374.43_2 myself. It provides the best performance of any of the other versions I've tried, and while there may be some security fixes, I do read through the change logs and I don't believe any of them affect what I use my network for. Like you, I have anywhere from 15-25 wired and wireless devices at any given time, do a lot of streaming video (NBA League Pass in particular since one of my sons is a coach in the NBA), some light file transfers, backups, etc. No VPN (I do use a VPN into my office, but I don't have one running into my own network), no other outside services, Upnp is turned off, FTP is turned off, etc.

The one feature that I do like in the newer versions is the updated Network Map which provides a bit more info and flexibility with how connected client devices are shown, but that's not a deal breaker for me, and I can certainly live without it.

So like you, unless someone can give me a really compelling reason to move to a different version, or some other new feature is enabled that I just can't live without, I think I'll stay on this version since it's working great.

 

[RMerlin]

Thanks for the kind words everyone....it's always nice to hear.

And Kel-L is right....I never envisioned it getting the following it has. It started out as a learning experience for me with github to fix a couple of issues I had that I thought I'd make available in case anyone else was interested.

For me, it all started because I wanted to add a WOL page to my new router's firmware. LOL.

 

[john9527]

For me, it all started because I wanted to add a WOL page to my new router's firmware. LOL.

History lane.....for me specifically it was the Plex Media Server syslog flood