[Preview] RT-AX88U public test builds

[RMerlin]

Howdy folks,

For those who might have missed it (as mentions were buried in other threads), I will be officially supporting the RT-AX88U. I started evaluating the device a few weeks ago. Despite a few challenges (like that router firmware being currently based on code slightly different from the code used by other models), the increased workload in maintaining the firmware code for that device in parallel to other devices is manageable (and will probably be only until the time Asus merges it back on the same code branch as other models).

I have published a first alpha build in the Test Builds folder:

https://asuswrt.lostrealm.ca/test-builds

This build received limited testing so far. It's based on Asus's 384_4730 GPL (the latest release for that model at this time), which is code-wise fairly close to 384_32799 (it's a few changes further ahead from it, on its parallel branch). My build is forked off my 384.8 development, meaning they will share the same changes (with sometimes a slight delay between branch resyncs, so the AX88U build might be a few changes behind).

So far everything that was working on the RT-AC86U will also be working. That also means the same limitations will apply (no IPTraffic support, no AiMesh support).

Keep in mind that:

• These are still early alpha builds (meaning they are unfinished, and potentially less stable than a beta)
• Although I might be answering questions, I won't be providing any real support for these test builds. Primary reason for making these early builds available is to gather feedback. More in-depth testing will be once we reach the beta stage.
• Since it's based off my 384.8 development code, it means that beside RT-AX88U-specific issues, there might be other issues introduced by the 384.8 development phase itself. Please take a look at the Changelog to get an idea what might potentially be unfinished/changed/problematic.
• Once again, this isn't even beta quality yet, it's alpha. Running this on a network with a family of 5 that might get screaming if their Netflix is broken one night might not be a good idea.

Please limit discussions in this thread to the RT-AX88U itself. Any discussion about other models is best posted in the existing unofficial 384.8 alpha thread.

 

[RMerlin]

November 1st: First alpha release.


November 4th: Second test build.

7559776aa Merge branch 'master' into rtax88
952ef6def Updated documentation
f7d2bde70 rc: adjust kludges to exclude 382 models rather than target specific models
8138134ee rc: move jffs2 content migration/upgrade to after jffs2 gets mounted
bbe96bef4 ssl: reuse the same /jffs/.cert folder as stock firmware instead of our own /jffs/ssl
784d0d05a HND: refresh some SDK prebuilt components
25053ee73 acme-client: added gitignore
cbd55eed4 lldpd: added gitignore
80e74d53d nettle: updated to 3.4
3d7633037 avahi: no longer run as root, drop privs to nobody
22983c86d openvpn: OPENSSL_SSL_* and OPENSSL_CRYPTO_* no longer exist in 2.4.x, replace with OPENSSL_LIBS and OPENSSL_CFLAGS
6400d797c Merge branch 'master' into rtax88
40421d554 Bump revision to alpha 2
d4d951e1c webui: dfs elapsed time is now preformated properly by httpd, no longer need to clean it up
c9325fc41 httpd: webui: reorganized ej_wl_status_array(); ensure JS vars are always initialized; cleaned display a bit
7f917749d webui: add missing images for the WiFi Radar page
9ddd69a3d Merge branch 'master' into rtax88
655e0681f httpd: reorganized ej_wl_status_array(), ensure JS vars are always initialized, cleaned display a bit
7e7280d23 Merge branch 'master' into rtax88
1a3a8080e httpd: reorganized ej_wl_status_array(), ensure JS vars are always initialized
6cb8f6716 Updated documentation
c80eae61d webui: specify that we want a username and a password for freedns.afraid.org, not an email or key
fe8564f9b Merge pull request #220 from mgziminsky/patch-1
68f3f891b Fix several broken click event handlers

November 11th: Alpha 3 test build.

6261ef60f (HEAD -> rtax88, origin/rtax88) Merge branch 'master' into rtax88
65be6df90 (origin/master, origin/HEAD, master) Bumped revision to alpha 3
2837c4e00 Updated documentation
8f4864302 webui: allow changing image for device vendors with a quote (like "Micro-star int'l co., ltd.")
aa7e1e002 webui: httpd: allow changing HTTP LAN port on webui; no longer check HTTP WAN port for conflicts since it's not used anymore
f98def201 net-snmp: remove model define from build since we don't use Asus MIBs - solves build time warnings
d840c97d3 net-snmp: move directory, and create symlink so we can reuse existing build recipes
cbda22265 net-snmp: update to 5.8
2e3e54f1e webui: re-sync WTFast page with upstream
717e1e104 wtfast: re-enable on RT-AC88U/3100/5300, now that the curl-related crash is fixed
5b2cf981b curl: disable threaded resolver, which crashes various applications like mastiff and wtfast
ed033afa5 rc: fix router mode test in watchdog for dnsmasq_check
f56c3a2a1 HND: merge prebuilt binaries from GPL 32799
4dd5a3ed0 httpd: fix filename generation in _get_vpn_crt_value(); code optimizations around that function
9cba12020 webui: move USB mode setting to the correct section
be5bb16df kernel41-ax: fix nested structure references in xt_set
73c640575 kernel41-ax: update ipset kernel compatibility header
ccd718ba2 kernel41-ax: update ipset kernel components to 6.32
2a7088935 kernel41-ax: Make xt_match_recent built-in instead of a module (to match with other platforms)
c6454ad25 Merge branch 'master' into rtax88
98cfc2545 rc: resolve compile warning for adjust_jffs_content()
58e383e9b build: fix ldcache (for HND AX)
da0303009 HNDAX: add Entware support
08cad4503 iptables: fix save formatting for ROUTE target
35564a40a iptables: fix match for ipt_account; add additional compile
1922904a0 iptables: fix save formatting for libipt_account
f0eacfc65 iptables: fix save formatting for libipt_webstr
8abce3643 rc: fix test in lan_up() to create default route in non-router modes
312e51024 rc: fix test to prevent starting dnsmasq in non-router modes

 

[RMerlin]

Some details about the RT-AX88U...

• Based on the BCM4908 CPU (same used by the GT-AC5300). 1.8 GHz quad-core, 64-bit (like before, only the kernel runs in 64-bit, userspace code is almost entirely 32-bit for compatibility/stability reasons) Same AES acceleration, also has a Broadcom hardware crypto engine for IPSEC acceleration.
• 8 Ethernet ports, all Broadcom (meaning you can manage VLAN and such through BCM's ethctl tool, like on the RT-AC86U)
• 1 GB RAM (will be more "confortable" IMHO than the RT-AC86U being limited to 512 MB of RAM, of which a large amount is reserved by Broadcom for buffers/caches)
• The physical design is very similar to the RT-AC88U: horizontal case, with detachable antennas - gold accents instead of red
• Unsure if it's specific to my dev sample, but so far CPU temperature seem much better than on the RT-AC88U (can't compare with the RT-AC86U tho). I was idling at around 55C last night while working on it, with peaks at 60-62C while doing tests.
• Kernel is 4.1.51 (simply an up-to-date version of the 4.1 LTS used by HND - RT-AC86U was 4.1.27).
• Wifi supports DFS channels in the US and Canada. It also supports 160 MHz channels on the 5 GHz band, and 802.11ax features on the 2.4 GHz band (anyone knows what 802.11ax HE is?)
• There are currently no known 802.11ax clients available on the market (and probably won't be for quite a few months, Intel being the closest to having one on the market AFAIK).

 

[JDB]

HE just stands for High Efficiency Wireless and is the ‘nice name’ for 802.11ax


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[paulad]

THX for your hard work !!!

 

[Internet Man]

It also supports 160 MHz channels on the 5 GHz band, and 802.11ax features on the 2.4 GHz band (anyone knows what 802.11ax HE is?)

HE is to 802.11ax as VHT is to 802.11ac and HT was to 802.11n. They seem to refer to the names of the task groups formed to define the corresponding standard. Essentially, HE implies 802.11ax.

Task Group N - Standard for Enhancements for Higher Throughput (HT)
Task Group AC - Very High Throughput (VHT) <6Ghz
Task Group AX - High Efficiency (HE) Wireless LAN Task Group

I seem to notice these acronyms most often when describing the channel bandwidth. For example, an 802.11ac device which supports 160MHz channel bandwidths might claim VHT160 support. 160MHz channels in an 802.11ax device could be referred to as HE160 or HE80+80. It seems to be a shorthand way of specifying a Wi-Fi standard and channel bandwidth.

The RT-AX88U quick start manual describes its operating modes as follows:

All operational modes:
2.4GHz: 802.11b, 802.11g, 802.11n (HT20), 802.11n (HT40), 802.11ac (VHT20), 802.11ac (VHT40), 802.11ax (HE20), 802.11ax (HE40)
5GHz: 802.11a, 802.11n (HT20), 802.11n (HT40), 802.11ac (VHT20), 802.11ac (VHT40), 802.11ac (VHT80), 802.11ac (VHT160), 802.11ax (HE20), 802.11ax (HE40), 802.11ax (HE80), 802.11ax (HE160)
The frequency, mode and the maximum transmitted power in EU are listed below:
2412-2472MHz (802.11ac VHT40 MCS0): 19.99 dBm
5180-5240MHz (802.11ac VHT80 MCS0): 22.97 dBm
5260-5320MHz (802.11ax HE40 MCS0): 22.97 dBm
5500-5700MHz (802.11ac VHT80 MCS0): 29.99 dBm

 

[Topazali]

Getting occasional wifi disconnects with this alpha build.

This is showing up in the log at the same time:-

kernel: FPM Pool 1: invalid token 0x20998000 freed

Otherwise, no problems.

 

[paulad]

Getting occasional wifi disconnects with this alpha build.

This is showing up in the log at the same time:-

kernel: FPM Pool 1: invalid token 0x20998000 freed

Otherwise, no problems.

HOPE this will be fix!

 

[cutidudz]

I have RT-AX88U_384.8_alpha2-g7559776aa installed.
Installing entware-ng failed, using amtm or entware-setup.sh.

It seems /opt folder exists and read-only file system. Can this be fix?

I already fixed this problem.

mount -o rw,remount /

then you can remove /opt to install entware etc

 

[kanabeach44]

Hello,

I have an Asus Router model RT-AX88U and flash the alpha firmware (RT-AX88U_384.8_alpha2-g7559776aa.zip).

I am with fiber 1Gbit/s down AND 300 Mbits/S UP.

If i make a speedtest on ma Box directly, no problem i have the good speeds and power near 970 Mbits/s down and 300 up.
BUT if i use the routeur (use wan port from lan box) my speeds are /2 !
I reach only ~550 Mbits/s in dowload...

Is "nat acceleration" is activated in the alpha 2 ?
What is the difference with the alpha1 firmware ?

THANKS A LOT !

 

[cutidudz]

Hi Merlin,

Install Skynet fails:

[*] IPSet Extensions Not Supported - Please Update To Latest Firmware

Missing "/lib/modules/4.1.51/kernel/net/netfilter/ipset/ip_set_hash_ipmac.ko" file.

I am on RT-AX88U_384.8_alpha2-g7559776aa firmware.

 

[RMerlin]

Kernel option parity and Entware support ain't done yet.

 

[RMerlin]

What is the difference with the alpha1 firmware ?

merlin@ubuntu-dev:~/amng$ git log --oneline 75a72822d...7559776a
7559776aa Merge branch 'master' into rtax88
952ef6def Updated documentation
f7d2bde70 rc: adjust kludges to exclude 382 models rather than target specific models
8138134ee rc: move jffs2 content migration/upgrade to after jffs2 gets mounted
bbe96bef4 ssl: reuse the same /jffs/.cert folder as stock firmware instead of our own /jffs/ssl
784d0d05a HND: refresh some SDK prebuilt components
25053ee73 acme-client: added gitignore
cbd55eed4 lldpd: added gitignore
80e74d53d nettle: updated to 3.4
3d7633037 avahi: no longer run as root, drop privs to nobody
22983c86d openvpn: OPENSSL_SSL_* and OPENSSL_CRYPTO_* no longer exist in 2.4.x, replace with OPENSSL_LIBS and OPENSSL_CFLAGS
6400d797c Merge branch 'master' into rtax88
40421d554 Bump revision to alpha 2
d4d951e1c webui: dfs elapsed time is now preformated properly by httpd, no longer need to clean it up
c9325fc41 httpd: webui: reorganized ej_wl_status_array(); ensure JS vars are always initialized; cleaned display a bit
7f917749d webui: add missing images for the WiFi Radar page
9ddd69a3d Merge branch 'master' into rtax88
655e0681f httpd: reorganized ej_wl_status_array(), ensure JS vars are always initialized, cleaned display a bit
7e7280d23 Merge branch 'master' into rtax88
1a3a8080e httpd: reorganized ej_wl_status_array(), ensure JS vars are always initialized
6cb8f6716 Updated documentation
c80eae61d webui: specify that we want a username and a password for freedns.afraid.org, not an email or key
fe8564f9b Merge pull request #220 from mgziminsky/patch-1
68f3f891b Fix several broken click event handlers

 

[Martin_D]

We have one running on your latest alpha no problems but not done testing just making sure it’s stable.

Thank you for the fantastic work.

 

[cutidudz]

Hello, I might have found a bug.

After setting up OpenVPN Server, entering Keys and Certificates, then Save and Apply. Next router reboot, will loose the "Keys and Certificates" entries (Blank). And OpenVPN Clients will no longer able to connect.

 

[Topazali]

Yep, same for me. Won't hold OpenVPN Client settings.

 

[Striker317]

Hello, I might have found a bug.

After setting up OpenVPN Server, entering Keys and Certificates, then Save and Apply. Next router reboot, will loose the "Keys and Certificates" entries (Blank). And OpenVPN Clients will no longer able to connect.

Already fixed

[384.8_Alpha - builds] Testing all variants.
https://r.tapatalk.com/shareLink?sh...rums.com/index.php?posts/442679/&share_type=t

 

[matthew johnson]

Does this router support link aggregation? Was reading about this router but couldn't find a definite answer? Also in your opinions how does this router run compared to previous Asus routers with Merlin installed?

 

[RMerlin]

Does this router support link aggregation?

Yes.

Also in your opinions how does this router run compared to previous Asus routers with Merlin installed?

Depends, can you be more specific?

Note that I don't use it as a router because I can't afford to take my whole network down every time I flash a new test build, so my first hand experience with it as a router is fairly limited.

 

[Skeptical.me]

Some details about the RT-AX88U...

• Based on the BCM4908 CPU (same used by the GT-AC5300). 1.8 GHz quad-core, 64-bit (like before, only the kernel runs in 64-bit, userspace code is almost entirely 32-bit for compatibility/stability reasons) Same AES acceleration, also has a Broadcom hardware crypto engine for IPSEC acceleration.
• 8 Ethernet ports, all Broadcom (meaning you can manage VLAN and such through BCM's ethctl tool, like on the RT-AC86U)
• 1 GB RAM (will be more "confortable" IMHO than the RT-AC86U being limited to 512 MB of RAM, of which a large amount is reserved by Broadcom for buffers/caches)
• The physical design is very similar to the RT-AC88U: horizontal case, with detachable antennas - gold accents instead of red
• Unsure if it's specific to my dev sample, but so far CPU temperature seem much better than on the RT-AC88U (can't compare with the RT-AC86U tho). I was idling at around 55C last night while working on it, with peaks at 60-62C while doing tests.
• Kernel is 4.1.51 (simply an up-to-date version of the 4.1 LTS used by HND - RT-AC86U was 4.1.27).
• Wifi supports DFS channels in the US and Canada. It also supports 160 MHz channels on the 5 GHz band, and 802.11ax features on the 2.4 GHz band (anyone knows what 802.11ax HE is?)
• There are currently no known 802.11ax clients available on the market (and probably won't be for quite a few months, Intel being the closest to having one on the market AFAIK).

Oh, damn it. Now I want this model as well.



Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro