Question/s about possibly upgrading Router. Not sure what to upgrade to, or if to upgrade at all right now.

[Ice9]

Asus lists the AX88U or RT-AX86U as 4 years (until 31th December 2026).

What list is this? How long Asus are going to support the Routers for? If so, where do I view it?

Asus TUF-AX4200 or TUF-AX6000 flashed with openwrt. There are no better consumer routers out there than those two models for the price. Every single feature that people are waiting for in 5.0 is available in openwrt and even beyond that.

Where do I read about Openwrt and how to use it? Would it have all the VPN features such as VPN Fusion/Wireguard support etc.?

Merlin = 1) broadcom only and not all models have that SoC. 2) not all broadcom models get supported.

I was curious how Merlin chooses what Routers to support. So it's mostly based on chipset, and not all are supported even if others have a Broadcom chipset.
I see he has two Wifi 7 routers listed, does that mean they're the only two he's going to support, or are they still too new and he's possibly going to add more? Was curious if routers such as the RT-BEU will be supported (not sure what chipset this one has).

 

[Tech9]

What list is this? How long Asus are going to support the Routers for? If so, where do I view it?

Don't bother, applies for specific country and shows minimum support duration in compliance to specific local regulations.

I was curious how Merlin chooses what Routers to support.

Here:

[FAQ] READ ME FIRST before posting a question

Model support Q: Will you support the RT-xxxxxx that was just announced? A: See detailed answer in post #3. Q: Will you support router XYZ from this non-Asus manufacturer? A: No. Asuswrt-Merlin only targets Asus-supported models, due to both technical and legal reasons. Q: I'm having...

www.snbforums.com

 

[tiddlywink]

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[Tech9]

Max of four years and that is it now.

Minimum of 4 years and UK only as per information on the link.

 

[Ice9]

Seems like the list is a minimum amount of time as it says this :

[Networking Product] Duration of Security Update Support (only for UK) | Official Support | ASUS Global

ASUS will offer security update support to the networking products complied with UK PSTI(Product Security and Telecommunications Infrastructure Act) until the date specified below. And extended support may be provided after the stated date.

Also, looking at the list, it seems incomplete, as they don't have a bunch of models included such as the RT-AX86U and AX88U non-pro versions (unless these weren't released in the UK?). That's sort of making me question the validity of it not seeing those routers listed/mentioned.

Don't bother, applies for specific country and shows minimum support duration in compliance to specific local regulations.



Here:

[FAQ] READ ME FIRST before posting a question

Model support Q: Will you support the RT-xxxxxx that was just announced? A: See detailed answer in post #3. Q: Will you support router XYZ from this non-Asus manufacturer? A: No. Asuswrt-Merlin only targets Asus-supported models, due to both technical and legal reasons. Q: I'm having...

www.snbforums.com

Yeah, fair enough on those lists. Will likely provide longer security updates as it seems to be a minimum like you said.

As for the Asuswrt-Merlin, I am guessing the rule of thumb is to buy a router that's already on the list and not take a chance with another if it's not listed and you want the option for Merlin firmware?

 

[ColinTaylor]

Minimum of 4 years and UK only as per information on the link.

It is ridiculous to suggest that because the law requires Asus to provide security updates for four years in the UK (and some other countries) the same updates would not be available in other countries. We know that (non-DSL) Asus firmware is not region specific. Firmware downloaded from Asus UK is identical to that of any other country. But you already know that.

Also, looking at the list, it seems incomplete, as they don't have a bunch of models included such as the RT-AX86U and AX88U non-pro versions (unless these weren't released in the UK?). That's sort of making me question the validity of it not seeing those routers listed/mentioned.

The law doesn't apply retrospectively to models sold before the law came into effect.

 

[Tech9]

But you already know that.

Yes, and the information posted by Asus doesn't mean this is end of support date, including in the UK. It's the mimimum required support period as per UK regulations. Trying to explain this to the poster above in few threads already, but he believes the support is 4 years only globally.

 

[tiddlywink]

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[Tech9]

Asus never promised to provide 3.0.0.6 firmware to all routers running on 3.0.0.4.

The new Pro models only, a few ROG models on BCM4912 hardware and ExpertWiFi series. The rest stay on 3.0.0.4.

 

[Ice9]

So it's pretty much settled that none of the 3.0.0.4 routers that aren't Pro models in the RT range, and/or most of the ROG models (GT range) definitely won't get the 3.0.0.6?

Since you bought up ExpertWiFi, was just curious if the ExpertWiFi and ZenWiFi range, do they have the same general features as the RT & GT range? As in, would they have VPN Fusion and all that stuff too?

 

[Tech9]

I told you already what’s the minimum required model for Asuswrt 5.0 (3.0.0.6) firmware.

Different Asus product features comparison you can find online.

 

[Ice9]

I didn't think it was fact, though. You told me what current models have it. I thought there's still a chance some other models would get it. I don't understand the criteria, for example, of the regular version of the RT-AX86U not getting the 3.0.0.6 at some point as it looks good enough spec wise. All good, thanks.

 

[Tech9]

I don't understand the criteria

Business. If you want to get Asuswrt 5.0 - upgrade hardware.

RT-AX58U V2 (Asuswrt 4.0) and ExpertWiFi EBR63 (Asuswrt 5.0) are basically the same hardware device with different marketing.

All RT-AX58U, TUF Gaming AX3000/AX5400, RT-AX82U, RT-AX5400, ROG Strix AX3000/AX5400, etc. - variations of the same hardware with locked/unlocked capabilities and features in firmware. All marketed differently and sold on different price. Business strategy for market saturation used by other hardware vendors as well. Your device is 4-5-6 years old - enough, End-of-Life, get a new one. But the hardware is still good - doesn't matter.

 

[tiddlywink]

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[sfx2000]

It is ridiculous to suggest that because the law requires Asus to provide security updates for four years in the UK (and some other countries) the same updates would not be available in other countries. We know that (non-DSL) Asus firmware is not region specific. Firmware downloaded from Asus UK is identical to that of any other country

Guess again - in California, due to the "California Right to Repair" act that went into effect last month, devices that are over $100USD for the MSRP, are now required to provide hardware, tools, and software support for 7 years from the device launch.

California's law has a lot more teeth to it compared to other US state, and even the EU and UK regs...

 

[ColinTaylor]

Guess again - in California, due to the "California Right to Repair" act that went into effect last month, devices that are over $100USD for the MSRP, are now required to provide hardware, tools, and software support for 7 years from the device launch.

California's law has a lot more teeth to it compared to other US state, and even the EU and UK regs...

What has that got to do with what I posted? We were talking specifically about the Asus UK statement. No "guessing" required here.

 

[sfx2000]

What has that got to do with what I posted? We were talking specifically about the Asus UK statement. No "guessing" required here.

Point being is that Right to Repair is getting to be a thing - and while Cali is on the front line, the EU is seriously looking at things.

Comments in this thread may be incorrect - vendors are well advised to get ahead of what's coming...

 

[ColinTaylor]

Point being is that Right to Repair is getting to be a thing - and while Cali is on the front line, the EU is seriously looking at things.

Comments in this thread may be incorrect - vendors are well advised to get ahead of what's coming...

In which case make your post without quoting mine as that was not what I was talking about. And don't say that I'm making a guess about something when I did no such thing.

 

[Ice9]

If it didn't launch with 3.0.0.6, assume it will never get it.
If Asus tells you when support ends, assume that is when it ends.

Asus and "will likely provide" should never go together.

This is what I've assumed, that if it doesn't already have it, then it likely won't get it. Having said that, I don't think the AX88U Pro, AX86 Pro, GT-AX6000 etc. came with 3006, but they now have it, so maybe some models still might get it, but probably unlikely if they don't already have a release or two of it.

I'm wondering if the currently listed EoL models, when they actually go EoL, if this will help Asus to focus on the 3006 firmware and possible bring it to a few more of the models that aren't EoL. Asus may be using quite a bit of resources on the older models and haven't had time to focus on the newer ones and 3006 releases of the firmware.

 

[tiddlywink]

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