News RT-AC68U End of Life Announced by Asus

[maxbraketorque]

I know it may be silly to ask but is there a possible chance that the RT-AC68U may receive one more firmware security fix release similar to how the RT-AC86U received a firmware release (3.0.0.4.386_51925) last week despite it being on the EOL list?

Not trying to be a jerk, but is there any point? Is there a function you think might be fixed, or security update that is highly important?

 

[bennor]

I know it may be silly to ask but is there a possible chance that the RT-AC68U may receive one more firmware security fix release similar to how the RT-AC86U received a firmware release (3.0.0.4.386_51925) last week despite it being on the EOL list?

Doubt anyone here will know since Asus generally does not respond on this website and may not even monitor this site. As such its all speculation and guessing. If they do issue new firmware to address specific security vulnerabilities or fixes, great. But one shouldn't expect it to happen for any router on the EOL list.

 

[Tech9]

Is there a function you think might be fixed, or security update that is highly important?

The last security update was actually in May 2023. The latest firmware fixes only Trend Micro DCD crashes.

Quite a few things were left broken. Depending on what you use - may see the issues right away or never:

Release - ASUS RT-AC68U Firmware version 3.0.0.4.386_51668 (2023/11/30 )

Does it really matter? You have 25% RAM utilization. Was there a memory leak issue before on older firmware versions?

www.snbforums.com

One final update with at least Firewall settings fixed will be highly appreciated by RT-AC68U owners.

 

[Roy2002]

It got firmware update not only for bug fixes, but also for new (AiMesh etc.) features, and that is for 10 years. It is an amazing router.

 

[wouterv]

It got firmware update not only for bug fixes, but also for new (AiMesh etc.) features addon, and that is for 10 years. It is a amazing router.

What router are you referring to?
The RT-AC68U latest firmware is 3.0.0.4.386_51668 dated 2023/11/30.

 

[wouterv]

I am also reading the posts about the RT-AX86U-Pro, I did have one as potential replacement for the RT-AC68U.
One simple reason: they share a similar decent housing that perfectly fit at the location of my router.
The second reason was the "Pro" promises and outlook to the next Asuswrt firmware generation.
In other words: it looked like the ideal long term successor, in real it performed bad and I returned it.
For what ever reason ASUS seems have decided else and I do not dare yet to purchase one again with the risk it will be EOL soonish.
ASUS shall realize there are at least two sort of clients:

1. Those who do not need the latest, greatest and fastest (read: bulky) but hope for something that can work for a reasonable time including firmware updates.
2. Those who always need the latest, greatest and fastest.

I guess the RT-AC68U owner is of category 1 and knows the thing has a certain lifetime, but is now in doubt what a good replacement is.
Let's hope ASUS is not considering a new Asuswrt with subscription options like the competition (e.g. netgear) is doing.

[EDIT] The RT-AX59U would form-fit also be suitable, and the price is half of the RT-AX86U-Pro, I guess though the 59 is one that will have a short support life span.

 

[Intrepid]

Asus just posted new firmware for this End of Life Router.
ASUS RT-AC68U Firmware version 3.0.0.4.386_51685 (2024/04/15)
Info Here: https://www.snbforums.com/threads/asus-rt-ac68u-firmware-version-3-0-0-4-386_51685-2024-04-15.89692/

 

[tiddlywink]

I am also reading the posts about the RT-AX86U-Pro, I did have one as potential replacement for the RT-AC68U.
One simple reason: they share a similar decent housing that perfectly fit at the location of my router.
The second reason was the "Pro" promises and outlook to the next Asuswrt firmware generation.
In other words: it looked like the ideal long term successor, in real it performed bad and I returned it.
For what ever reason ASUS seems have decided else and I do not dare yet to purchase one again with the risk it will be EOL soonish.
ASUS shall realize there are at least two sort of clients:

1. Those who do not need the latest, greatest and fastest (read: bulky) but hope for something that can work for a reasonable time including firmware updates.
2. Those who always need the latest, greatest and fastest.

I guess the RT-AC68U owner is of category 1 and knows the thing has a certain lifetime, but is now in doubt what a good replacement is.
Let's hope ASUS is not considering a new Asuswrt with subscription options like the competition (e.g. netgear) is doing.

[EDIT] The RT-AX59U would form-fit also be suitable, and the price is half of the RT-AX86U-Pro, I guess though the 59 is one that will have a short support life span.

You can read my posts about the ExpertWifi line of products especially if your are client #1. They are on the latest version of firmware and support VLAN (with caveats). I currently have two ac68's working as mesh nodes on that series.

 

[Intrepid]

I am also reading the posts about the RT-AX86U-Pro, I did have one as potential replacement for the RT-AC68U.
One simple reason: they share a similar decent housing that perfectly fit at the location of my router.
The second reason was the "Pro" promises and outlook to the next Asuswrt firmware generation.
In other words: it looked like the ideal long term successor, in real it performed bad and I returned it.
For what ever reason ASUS seems have decided else and I do not dare yet to purchase one again with the risk it will be EOL soonish.
ASUS shall realize there are at least two sort of clients:

1. Those who do not need the latest, greatest and fastest (read: bulky) but hope for something that can work for a reasonable time including firmware updates.
2. Those who always need the latest, greatest and fastest.

I guess the RT-AC68U owner is of category 1 and knows the thing has a certain lifetime, but is now in doubt what a good replacement is.
Let's hope ASUS is not considering a new Asuswrt with subscription options like the competition (e.g. netgear) is doing.

[EDIT] The RT-AX59U would form-fit also be suitable, and the price is half of the RT-AX86U-Pro, I guess though the 59 is one that will have a short support life span.

I'm also considering the RT-AX86U-Pro. However I won't purchase it until I know whether it will likely be discontinued. I'm not in any rush as a new firmware was just released for the EOL RT-AC68U - there is no rush. Does anyone know if the RT-AX86U-Pro will be around for a while and if 3.0.0.6 firmware will be released? I assume we'll just have to wait and see...

 

[steveH]

I have the RT-AC68U and the RT-AC86U. Both served me well as my main router for a few years. The 86 dropped the WAN speed down to 100 for some reason and no amount of resetting would solve it, I guess a hardware fault. They now sit in a cupboard as spare AiMesh nodes, I guess they will continue to be safe if used as nodes in the future, if the main router is currently supported by Asus?

 

[bennor]

Does anyone know if the RT-AX86U-Pro will be around for a while and if 3.0.0.6 firmware will be released? I assume we'll just have to wait and see...

Number of people have been asking these same/similar questions:
RT-AX86U Pro firmware - will it get 3.0.0.6?

Only Asus can say for certain what their support plans are. For now everyone is speculating, guessing, and hoping. The AX86U Pro will likely eventually get a non beta release of the 3.0.0.6.x firmware. When is anyone's guess unless an Asus employee chimes in.

 

[Tech9]

It's purely marketing driven support and development. Asus made Asuswrt 5.0 3.0.0.6 work on what is basically RT-AC86U (EBG15/19) and RT-AX58U (EBR63) hardware first... for the Wi-Fi Experts, with full features and new WebUI. Wi-Fi Professionals who paid in advance a year ago for better hardware will wait and get less features and old WebUI in the end. Wi-Fi Consumers will find their routers on EoL list, if not already there.

 

[cwerdna]

For those in the US, on Asus's site I was getting an ad about Asus week or something like that. It led me to https://www.amazon.com/b?tag=snbforums-20. The WiFi section lists a bunch of units on sale including the RT-AX5400 I ordered for $129.99 USD.

Today, I found

https://twitter.com/x/status/1781140697556586686

, so it seems this sale ends 4/24. Per https://camelcamelcamel.com/product/B0C1J5DYF6, RT-AX5400 at $129.99 is the lowest price they've recorded.

 

[Intrepid]

For those waiting, 3.0.0.6 firmware has been released for the ASUS RT-AX86U Pro (3.0.0.6.102_34312) as a potential replacement.
https://www.asus.com/supportonly/rt-ax86u-pro/helpdesk_bios?model2Name=RT-AX86U-Pro

 

[cwerdna]

Anyone still looking for a replacement should probably avoid the ones in the 1st section of the doc I found and posted at https://www.snbforums.com/threads/duration-of-security-update-support-only-for-uk-article.90012/.

 

[Intrepid]

Anyone still looking for a replacement should probably avoid the ones in the 1st section of the doc I found and posted at https://www.snbforums.com/threads/duration-of-security-update-support-only-for-uk-article.90012/.

That's a great resource!
The RT-AX86U Pro is listed:
Product Security Update Period: 4 years (until 31th December 2026)
Note: It says UK only, but I'm assuming if they're going to generate firmware updates they will be available for everyone.
See: https://www.asus.com/us/support/faq/1051929/

 

[cwerdna]

As I said, there's no guarantee that Asus will just EOL/stop shipping security updates once those dates pass but at least it seems they have legal obligations in the UK to do so until those published dates.

 

[Dan_88H]

Hi all. A bit bummed to read this, purchased the AC86U late last year! I primary use it to run a OpenVPN profile so all traffic routes through my VPN and I don’t get a performance hit probably due to the CPU.

With that being said, can anyone recommend a similar model please ?

 

[cwerdna]

I don't know but don't get one on the earlier side of these lists:

[Wireless Router] Duration of Security Update Support (only for Singapore) | Official Support | ASUS Global

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

 

[Intrepid]

ASUS warns of critical remote authentication bypass on seven routers including the End of Life RT-AC68U which will not be updated if they follow their policy.

See: https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/ne...al-remote-authentication-bypass-on-7-routers/

I recommend you consider upgrading to the RT-AX86U Pro or another Asus router with 3.0.0.6 series firmware.

Update: The last firmware already mitigated this CVE-2024-3080. But it was added to the release notes after the original release...