RT-AC68U questions from a noob

[stormshadow]

Hi all. Please forgive me if I missed posts on these questions but I wasn't able to find anything quite like the things I have questions on.

First let me describe the setup. I am using my ISPs provided router/modem in DMZ mode straight to the AC68u. I then have my computer WIRED into port 1 with a static IP, running Windows 8.1. The other devices are all wireless (mostly N, 1 AC phone). I am using the Asus to provide DHCP and have the wireless on it, turned off on the ISP router. There is a USB 3.0 My Passport 1TB drive connected on the 3.0 port of the router. I also am running Merlins firmware (cool job if you read this, love the tools section for temp and connected clients).

So here are my questions.....
1. The USB transfer is slow. It is via Ethernet (the computer is 1000MB/s) and MP3 files stutter every 10s or so. (I had fixed this on an old Dlink by changing cache time I believe). Also when opening files (not media), the computer seems to lock up. When this occurs, simply switching File Explorer to another folder takes up to 30s. I had read some posts that indicate the 3.0 port is not always reliable. Is that correct and should I switch to the 2.0 for a cheap mans NAS or put the drive back on the USB 3.0 on the desktop?

2.I am unsure if I need it, although may try it to determine if my family uses the function, but I can not get AICloud to recognize any address I try to setup. It tells me that the IP address is invalid regardless of what I create. I put the ISP modem in DMZ for this reason as they tell me that is it's bridge mode, however even after power cycling the equipment, I still seem to get a double NAT address which is what I am guessing is causing the problem. Is there something else that needs to happen to get the aicloud setup?

 

[ikoul]

Regarding the USB performance: Why not try connecting it to the USB2 port? It'd help narrow down the cause of the issue. If it works fine on the USB2 port (with the speed limited), then you know it's related to USB3 or the port it's on. You can also try the USB3 interference reduction setting (on and off) and see if it works better for you. Some drives play nice with the setting and others don't work at all. Also, the quality of the cable you use seems to be much more important for USB3. Some drives come with really cheap cables with very little shielding.

No idea about AiCloud; I don't use it.

 

[stormshadow]

Thanks. I did also just try it on the 2.0, should have done that earlier. No difference.
The cable is the one supplied with the drive, but it seems to be proprietary so I may need to look around. The same cable does provide 3.0 performance when connected directly to the computers 3.0 ports.

As for the USB interference setting, I will look for it and see if it makes any difference.

On a side note, I did some more exploring in Merlins firmware and notice a setting for enabling NAT. I am going to try turning it off later to see what that does for the AIcloud should I decide to pursue it.

 

[alpaydinalp]

same here even both in usb2 usb3 I m getting 25-28 mb/sec
before last firmware update 583 I was getting 8mb/sec

 

[stormshadow]

Well I did some more experimentation and it turns out with QoS turned on, I run into all kinds of USB troubles on both ports and with 2 thumb drives and a hard drive to test with.
Turn QoS off and things run from the drives better.

However, the question then becomes, does QoS make a big difference? With my computer wired into the router but my wifes wireless, I am concerned when I am downloading, her internet access used to get spotty which is why we switched to this AC68. If it does, is there a proper setting to be used in the traffic manager screen? I did create a rule for FTP/file, think it was the 6th one from the top. Is there a better setting and if so, what values for each? Does adding this computer in the IP address section make for better sharing?

 

[sinshiva]

hi, qos is nice, but implementation is finnicky. made some lengthy posts on the topic;

http://forums.smallnetbuilder.com/showthread.php?t=14735

on an unrelated note, i hate pasting links on android lol

 

[stormshadow]

Thanks Sinshiva
I will take a look and see if I can make some changes.