RT-AC3200

[jkbmjp]

Currently, I have a Linksys AC1900 router. I am looking to replace the Linksys router with the Asus AC3200 model. I need a more of a robust type of router which will give me information about my network. Unfortunately, Linksys doesn't give me certain information such as traffic and which sites are being visited on a daily basis. So, I am looking at the Asus AC3200 router which so far it looks to be a good reliable router which will give me "real time" traffic information and which sites are frequently visited.

So, I have a few question about the Asus router.

1. How often does new firmware get released for the Asus AC3200 router?
2. Does the Asus AC3200 router give any type of email or text alerts when someone attempts to join the network?
3. Is there any list of new features which will be released in future firmware versions?
4. How do I access the Asus router from outside my home to make setting changes?

Thanks.

 

[willyburz]

I have it, and I love it, that's all I'm going to say. Sorry...I love my AC3200

 

[cxcraw]

1. How often does new firmware get released for the Asus AC3200 router?
2. Does the Asus AC3200 router give any type of email or text alerts when someone attempts to join the network?
3. Is there any list of new features which will be released in future firmware versions?
4. How do I access the Asus router from outside my home to make setting changes?

Thanks.

I have been using the AC3200 a while now and I am happy with its performance. I would advice disabling the "SmartConnect" feature which is designed to move clients between bands automatically - the problem arises from the client end not handling this well and causing sporadic disconnects.

1. Check forums here - beta versions on the go and stable versions every few months?
2. Not that I know of
3. Not that I know of, there are other firmwares such as RMerlin's fork you should consider checking out as he has added and fixed features.
4. It support remote access via DDNS.

 

[willyburz]

Yes, for now turn smart connect off! I have that off, and used WiFi Analyzer on my android phone to lock in channels on 2gig, and both 5 gig bands instead of auto. I manually lock since the early firmware didn't switch away from interference enough for my liking. I haven't checked this in the last couple of firmware releases, so that may be dialed in as well by now. This thing throws distance and stays strong at distance. I will hope for smart connect to be perfected in the future, but it's pretty much the norm for firmware to be dialed in 12-16 months after a release...it's just the way it is now, on ANY big time router.


I may try smart connect with the latest firmware, just don't feel like messing with it now. Even so when I see where my electronics are assigned, I do notice that it will put my higher power users on another 5 gig line away from mixed lines...so who knows. I just love this damn thing.

 

[jkbmjp]

If Smart Connect causes problems, why does it exist? What is Smart Connect? Does anyone use Airport Extreme or Time Capsule or Airport Express with this particular router? How does this router behave with another NON Asus router?

I have a mix bag of clients including iPod, iPhones, Kindles, Windows 8.1 and Xbox 360. The clients are not my main concern with compatibility and Asus 3200 router. I am an Apple guy and I like my Apple products. I have an Airport Extreme, Time Capsule, ATVs and Airport Express. Obviously, the Airport Extreme and Time Capsule are routers however Apple doesn't have parental controls on either of these two routers. So, it is hard to manage a home network with Apple routers. Hence, the reason why I want the Asus router. I would like the Asus router to be the main router which connects to the cable modem to monitor traffic and client access. It would be nice to create a separate Apple network using the Airport Extreme that feeds into the Asus router for internet access. It is probably wishful thinking.

Does the Asus router play nice with Airport Extreme?

 

[willyburz]

Smart connect handles the high traffic flow, and band steers if done correctly to avoid bottlenecks and your high demand traffic in an elementary explanation. Basically TriBand Smart Connect automatically selects the fastest of the three available frequency bands for your devices, based on the device’s speed, signal strength and how busy each band is.

I don't do apple anything, not my thing, so I can't speak for it.

 

[saulos]

I have few Apple product but not the Airport and all works good with it, I just installed 2 weeks ago and had no problem with my mix of device ( Androi,Ios,OSx, Windows 7 and 10 ) as it was with my "old" AC66
And I'm still on the asus software, no time yet to try out Merlin, but the connection are a lot better with this router, in my kitchen I alway had problem with 2.4 and no connection with 5 now I have both and all with good signal.
And yes smart connection is OFF ( also by default on the new firmware ).

 

[sm00thpapa]

I have it, and I love it, that's all I'm going to say. Sorry...I love my AC3200

No need to say sorry. We all know ASUS is King! LOL! ASUS routers are the only routers that always give me an open NAT while gaming. I always have issues with other routers. So for me ASUS will always be my main router even though I do test out many other brand routers.

 

[sm00thpapa]

If Smart Connect causes problems, why does it exist? What is Smart Connect? Does anyone use Airport Extreme or Time Capsule or Airport Express with this particular router? How does this router behave with another NON Asus router?

I have a mix bag of clients including iPod, iPhones, Kindles, Windows 8.1 and Xbox 360. The clients are not my main concern with compatibility and Asus 3200 router. I am an Apple guy and I like my Apple products. I have an Airport Extreme, Time Capsule, ATVs and Airport Express. Obviously, the Airport Extreme and Time Capsule are routers however Apple doesn't have parental controls on either of these two routers. So, it is hard to manage a home network with Apple routers. Hence, the reason why I want the Asus router. I would like the Asus router to be the main router which connects to the cable modem to monitor traffic and client access. It would be nice to create a separate Apple network using the Airport Extreme that feeds into the Asus router for internet access. It is probably wishful thinking.

Does the Asus router play nice with Airport Extreme?

How often does Apple release firmware's for their routers?

 

[willyburz]

Hell, I like it so much, I may go full radiation household style and add another for an access point! POWER SUCKAS

 

[jkbmjp]

How often does Apple release firmware's for their routers?

Apple doesn't seem to update the firmware that often.

 

[jkbmjp]

Can someone tell me, does the traffic analyzer report "realtime" activity or is there a delay? I need to be able to view WIRED and WIRELESS activity. How reliable is Traffic Analyzer? How reliable is AiProtection?

For me, the two big selling points are AiProtection and Traffic Analyzer. I need to be able to block ANY website using URL or Keyword or IP filters. Also, it would be nice to block iOS apps as well. In addition, I need to be able to monitor my network on a hourly basis to view website activity on a WIRED and WIRELESS devices and computers.

The only downside to this router is, it doesn't have an alert system where it will text or email you when someone tries to join the network with there device. For example, if a family member tries to join the WiFi and I am not at home, I would like to receive a text or an email stating that Mary's iPod or John's laptop has joined the network. Hopefully this feature will be released in the next
firmware update.

I hope that Asus will continue to add new features or take the existing features and make them better.

 

[Brian John]

I need to be able to block ANY website using URL or Keyword or IP filters.

Website blocking will not work on websites that use https.

 

[sm00thpapa]

Apple doesn't seem to update the firmware that often.

Figured that. Some people think Apple routers are the next best thing since sliced bread.

 

[sfx2000]

Apple doesn't seem to update the firmware that often.

They haven't needed to - the last fix they released for the Airport Extreme AC was for the heartbleed SSL bug...

 

[L&LD]

They haven't needed to - the last fix they released for the Airport Extreme AC was for the heartbleed SSL bug...

And yet, they're still far from perfect (or should I say magical). Lol...

 

[sfx2000]

And yet, they're still far from perfect (or should I say magical). Lol...

hehe - it's probably the simpler feature set - less features, less bugs to fix