RT-AC68U f/w: Merlin's or John's Fork???

[Poseidon]

I understand that both firmwares are great in their own way and are both very popular with members here.

However which firmware is recommended mainly for 5Ghz wireless performance (fastest speed) on Apple products???

Thanks

 

[L&LD]

With john9527's fork based on (possibly) older drivers, the nod may go to his firmware.

hggomes firmware is also a consideration for testing with. PM hggomes for a link to his fork.

 

[KevTech]

With john9527's fork based on (possibly) older drivers, the nod may go to his firmware.

This may be true if the OP was talking about a 66u but not the 68u.

In my testing all of the 68u firmware get the same wireless performance even Tomato which is using the 2014 driver.

As for DD-WRT I do not know as I will not install it.

 

[L&LD]

This may be true if the OP was talking about a 66u but not the 68u.

In my testing all of the 68u firmware get the same wireless performance even Tomato which is using the 2014 driver.

As for DD-WRT I do not know as I will not install it.

Thanks for clarifying. I wasn't sure if older drivers were used or not (hence the italicized 'may' in my original post).

 

[RMerlin]

For the RT-AC68U, I recommend going with my build, due to a large amount of improvements Asus did for this model since the fork branched out (for instance, the addition of Trend Micro's DPI engine).

 

[Poseidon]

For the RT-AC68U, I recommend going with my build, due to a large amount of improvements Asus did for this model since the fork branched out (for instance, the addition of Trend Micro's DPI engine).

If I'm currently using the latest John's Fork f/w (based on 3.74).... Can I just updated to your latest f/w and factory default the settings or is there an official Asus f/w that I need to upgrade to first before installing yours?

 

[john9527]

Since Merlin jumped in....I'll throw in my 2 cents

I still use an AC68P (previous AC68R) and still use my fork. I've spent a lot of time tuning things up over it's 2+ years lifetime, and for me it rock stable. With all due respect for Merlin's great work, every time I try Merlin's latest, I run across things that I've changed or implemented new on my fork that I miss and I haven't had the energy to start all over. While there are a lot of new features since my fork, for me personally, those are nice but of limited value (I don't care about fancy icons, pretty status displays, analyzing my traffic, or the other new DPI features.). Also, for me, I see a slightly better wireless performance (although not significant enough to be a deciding factor and others can see different results).

Best advice....try them both and decide which better meets your needs.

 

[john9527]

If I'm currently using the latest John's Fork f/w (based on 3.74).... Can I just updated to your latest f/w and factory default the settings or is there an official Asus f/w that I need to upgrade to first before installing yours?

If you're on V18 or above with bootloader 1.0.2.x, you can go direct....then factory reset.

 

[Poseidon]

Which of the following "AiProtection" options is recommended to be enabled - that would NOT slow down wireless & wired speeds???

Currently I have all 3 OFF - but unsure if I should enable all 3 or just one or a couple only.

 

[L&LD]

Which of the following "AiProtection" options is recommended to be enabled - that would NOT slow down wireless & wired speeds???

Currently I have all 3 OFF - but unsure if I should enable all 3 or just one or a couple only.

With all three enabled on an RT-AC68U or 'AC56U (original) or above, there is no performance issues that I've noticed.

 

[RMerlin]

Which of the following "AiProtection" options is recommended to be enabled - that would NOT slow down wireless & wired speeds???

Currently I have all 3 OFF - but unsure if I should enable all 3 or just one or a couple only.

Depends on your particular environment. Personally, I only enable the Malicious Website blocking, so it can also protect my mobile devices (since desktops are already protected by both Chrome's own safesite list and my desktop's AV also doing its own lookups).

If you have a few young users that are at risks of getting malware, enabling the two other might be a good idea.

 

[Poseidon]

Thanks guys. One last question please....

I have a security camera (wired to router via Ethernet cable) that I need to set-up for REMOTE access.

Is it SAFER to use Port Forwarding or UPnP? (or is there another recommended method to access remotely?)

 

[L&LD]

Thanks guys. One last question please....

I have a security camera (wired to router via Ethernet cable) that I need to set-up for REMOTE access.

Is it SAFER to use Port Forwarding or UPnP? (or is there another recommended method to access remotely?)

VPN.

 

[pkbristol]

Hi, can someone tell me the procedure on an RT- AC68 for going from Merlins 380.62 to Johns firmware ? 3.0.0.4_374.43_2 is the firmware from John which i've downloaded but yet to install.
Do i do the same procedure as going from standard Asus firmware to Merlins ? Ie install new firmware, do a factory reset, then manually re enter settings ?
The reason for me wanting to try Johns is because my AC68 doesn't feel as stable as my N66 with Merlins 270.26.
I think read somewhere on this forum that Johns may be more stable with better wifi coverage and strength.
AC68 HW version A2.

Thanks, Paul

 

[john9527]

Hi, can someone tell me the procedure on an RT- AC68 for going from Merlins 380.62 to Johns firmware ?

You can't install my fork using the gui if you are currently running Merlin 380.60 or above (lots of discussion elsewhere in the forum on the reasons for this).

You will need to use the ASUS Firmware Restoration tool from the ASUS support website to load the firmware, then perform a factory default reset after the firmware load is complete.

 

[pkbristol]

Hi John, thanks for the reply.
Can you tell me the differences between your firmware and Merlins ? Is the main aim of your frimware stability ? Is there a difference in wireless range/power setting ?
For the interface , is there much difference ? I haven't seen any pictures or videos of your firmware, are there any links available ?

Thanks, Paul.

 

[Poseidon]

VPN.

Is there a tutorial on how to set up a VPN with the RT-AC68U and an indoor security camera?

I've never done a VPN before and I have no clue on how or where to start.

 

[pkbristol]

Is there a tutorial on how to set up a VPN with the RT-AC68U and an indoor security camera?

I've never done a VPN before and I have no clue on how or where to start.

I'd also like to know that and then how to view the cameras remotely. At the moment, my cameras stream out through their open ports on my router, then using my mobile phone with tinycam monitor app i add each camera with the appropriate details for each camera such as the open port on my router.
So what happens with VPN ?
What detail per camera will i add to the tinycam app ?

Thanks, Paul

 

[conquer22]

both Merlin's and John's are great. I can confirm as I use both from time to time. John's has a point of "set it and forget it" with original released firmware hit the market while Merlin has updated GPL in which I believe to have a better wireless performance. People say to have a test but for me I get same result so I better off with Merlin's per updated GPL. again I wish there should be round up wireless driver performance by Tim's expertise famous 68U on 374 vs 376 vs 378 vs 380. I am just simple person simple user no tweaking needed so bottom line both are great regardless the wireless power tweaking on 374 or even the lock down in the post 376

 

[GGavan]

hggomes firmware is also a consideration for testing with. PM hggomes for a link to his fork.