RT-AC88U

[nightfly]

What are you using for a test file?

A 5.6GB ISO image file.

 

[NSNE]

Got my RT-AC88U set up yesterday. I haven't run any throughput tests. My only concern is how it performs in real-world use.

It's running the latest (3.0.0.4.380_664) manufacturer firmware.

Pros:

• The UI is excellent. Light years away from the convoluted UI of my DrayTek, though the poor English is all too familiar. Why can't these companies hire a decent translator/copy editor?
• Much better wireless range. There were a few dead spots in my house before; now I get a solid signal throughout.
• 8x LAN ports. Was able to hardwire a bunch of devices in my networking closet that had previously been on WiFi.
• Link aggregation. I connected the 88's LANs 1&2 to a ReadyNAS, bonded the dual Ethernet connections using Layer 2&3 802.3ad, and — wow! Seeing file transfer speeds like never before. Movies in Plex (via Apple TV) load in a split second.
• HFS+ support for USB disks. It's awfully nice to be able to use flash drives straight from my Mac without having to reformat.
• VPN setup is super easy. Simple configuration with basic PureVPN settings put my entire local network (rather than select devices) in a different country.

Cons:

• Very finicky. I think I'd taken the robustness of my DrayTek for granted. Introducing different devices (an Ethernet-connected printer, for example) caused the 88 to drop offline for a bit for no apparent reason, though it didn't reboot. It just seems, well, delicate. My DrayTek saw multi-month uptimes.
• WiFi weirdness. Sometimes the WiFi data transmission (though not the signal strength) cuts out, then resumes. Happened in the middle of a YouTube video on both my iPad 3 and on my iPhone 6s. The SSID hiding is quirky, and both my ecobee and WeMo devices weren't able to see the 2.4 network once I'd hidden it (it worked fine with the DrayTek), so I had to make it visible.
• IPv6 flakiness. Maybe this should be filed under "Very finicky" above? I've noticed that IPv6 settings — such as the ISP-assigned IPv6 address — will vanish occasionally and can only be restored on a reboot.
• QoS always wants to prioritize gaming, even though I've customized the ordering. See the screenshots below: The first is my preferred ordering, whereas the second is the ordering it always reverts to, even after saving and applying changes.

My console is also full of the following:

Dec 28 19:16:42 kernel: CONSOLE: 033135.770 wl0: wlc_ampdu_resp_timeout: cleaning up resp tid 0 waiting forseq 0x380 for 200 ms
Dec 28 19:16:49 kernel: CONSOLE: 033142.425 wl0: wlc_ampdu_resp_timeout: cleaning up resp tid 0 waiting forseq 0x38d for 200 ms
Dec 28 19:17:32 kernel: CONSOLE: 033185.299 wl0: wlc_ampdu_resp_timeout: cleaning up resp tid 0 waiting forseq 0x396 for 200 ms
Dec 28 19:17:42 kernel: CONSOLE: 033196.068 wl0: wlc_ampdu_resp_timeout: cleaning up resp tid 0 waiting forseq 0x39c for 200 ms
Dec 28 19:18:48 kernel: CONSOLE: 033261.955 wl0: wlc_ampdu_resp_timeout: cleaning up resp tid 0 waiting forseq 0x3a5 for 200 ms
Dec 28 19:19:54 kernel: CONSOLE: 033327.504 wl0: wlc_ampdu_resp_timeout: cleaning up resp tid 0 waiting forseq 0x3ae for 200 ms
Dec 28 19:20:01 kernel: CONSOLE: 033334.273 wl0: wlc_ampdu_resp_timeout: cleaning up resp tid 0 waiting forseq 0x3be for 200 ms
Dec 28 19:20:54 kernel: CONSOLE: 033387.242 wl0: wlc_ampdu_resp_timeout: cleaning up resp tid 0 waiting forseq 0x3cc for 200 ms
Dec 28 19:21:49 kernel: CONSOLE: 033441.536 wl0: wlc_ampdu_resp_timeout: cleaning up resp tid 0 waiting forseq 0x3d4 for 200 ms
Dec 28 19:24:49 kernel: CONSOLE: 033621.119 wl0: wlc_ampdu_resp_timeout: cleaning up resp tid 0 waiting forseq 0x3de for 200 ms
Dec 28 19:26:30 kernel: CONSOLE: 033722.630 wl0: wlc_ampdu_resp_timeout: cleaning up resp tid 0 waiting forseq 0x3ee for 200 ms
Dec 28 19:27:12 kernel: CONSOLE: 033764.730 wl0: wlc_ampdu_resp_timeout: cleaning up resp tid 0 waiting forseq 0x3f8 for 200 ms
Dec 28 19:27:50 kernel: CONSOLE: 033801.995 wl0: wlc_ampdu_resp_timeout: cleaning up resp tid 0 waiting forseq 0x3fd for 200 ms
Dec 28 19:30:03 kernel: CONSOLE: 033938.650 wl1: Proxy STA 00:1e:c2:bf:8e:53 link is already gone !!??

 

[faur]

Got my RT-AC88U set up yesterday. I haven't run any throughput tests. My only concern is how it performs in real-world use.

It's running the latest (3.0.0.4.380_664) manufacturer firmware.

Pros:

• The UI is excellent. Light years away from the convoluted UI of my DrayTek, though the poor English is all too familiar. Why can't these companies hire a decent translator/copy editor?
• Much better wireless range. There were a few dead spots in my house before; now I get a solid signal throughout.
• 8x LAN ports. Was able to hardwire a bunch of devices in my networking closet that had previously been on WiFi.
• Link aggregation. I connected the 88's LANs 1&2 to a ReadyNAS, bonded the dual Ethernet connections using Layer 2&3 802.3ad, and — wow! Seeing file transfer speeds like never before. Movies in Plex (via Apple TV) load in a split second.
• HFS+ support for USB disks. It's awfully nice to be able to use flash drives straight from my Mac without having to reformat.
• VPN setup is super easy. Simple configuration with basic PureVPN settings put my entire local network (rather than select devices) in a different country.

Cons:

• Very finicky. I think I'd taken the robustness of my DrayTek for granted. Introducing different devices (an Ethernet-connected printer, for example) caused the 88 to drop offline for a bit for no apparent reason, though it didn't reboot. It just seems, well, delicate. My DrayTek saw multi-month uptimes.
• WiFi weirdness. Sometimes the WiFi data transmission (though not the signal strength) cuts out, then resumes. Happened in the middle of a YouTube video on both my iPad 3 and on my iPhone 6s. The SSID hiding is quirky, and both my ecobee and WeMo devices weren't able to see the 2.4 network once I'd hidden it (it worked fine with the DrayTek), so I had to make it visible.
• IPv6 flakiness. Maybe this should be filed under "Very finicky" above? I've noticed that IPv6 settings — such as the ISP-assigned IPv6 address — will vanish occasionally and can only be restored on a reboot.
• QoS always wants to prioritize gaming, even though I've customized the ordering. See the screenshots below: The first is my preferred ordering, whereas the second is the ordering it always reverts to, even after saving and applying changes.

My console is also full of the following:

Dec 28 19:16:42 kernel: CONSOLE: 033135.770 wl0: wlc_ampdu_resp_timeout: cleaning up resp tid 0 waiting forseq 0x380 for 200 ms
Dec 28 19:16:49 kernel: CONSOLE: 033142.425 wl0: wlc_ampdu_resp_timeout: cleaning up resp tid 0 waiting forseq 0x38d for 200 ms
Dec 28 19:17:32 kernel: CONSOLE: 033185.299 wl0: wlc_ampdu_resp_timeout: cleaning up resp tid 0 waiting forseq 0x396 for 200 ms
Dec 28 19:17:42 kernel: CONSOLE: 033196.068 wl0: wlc_ampdu_resp_timeout: cleaning up resp tid 0 waiting forseq 0x39c for 200 ms
Dec 28 19:18:48 kernel: CONSOLE: 033261.955 wl0: wlc_ampdu_resp_timeout: cleaning up resp tid 0 waiting forseq 0x3a5 for 200 ms
Dec 28 19:19:54 kernel: CONSOLE: 033327.504 wl0: wlc_ampdu_resp_timeout: cleaning up resp tid 0 waiting forseq 0x3ae for 200 ms
Dec 28 19:20:01 kernel: CONSOLE: 033334.273 wl0: wlc_ampdu_resp_timeout: cleaning up resp tid 0 waiting forseq 0x3be for 200 ms
Dec 28 19:20:54 kernel: CONSOLE: 033387.242 wl0: wlc_ampdu_resp_timeout: cleaning up resp tid 0 waiting forseq 0x3cc for 200 ms
Dec 28 19:21:49 kernel: CONSOLE: 033441.536 wl0: wlc_ampdu_resp_timeout: cleaning up resp tid 0 waiting forseq 0x3d4 for 200 ms
Dec 28 19:24:49 kernel: CONSOLE: 033621.119 wl0: wlc_ampdu_resp_timeout: cleaning up resp tid 0 waiting forseq 0x3de for 200 ms
Dec 28 19:26:30 kernel: CONSOLE: 033722.630 wl0: wlc_ampdu_resp_timeout: cleaning up resp tid 0 waiting forseq 0x3ee for 200 ms
Dec 28 19:27:12 kernel: CONSOLE: 033764.730 wl0: wlc_ampdu_resp_timeout: cleaning up resp tid 0 waiting forseq 0x3f8 for 200 ms
Dec 28 19:27:50 kernel: CONSOLE: 033801.995 wl0: wlc_ampdu_resp_timeout: cleaning up resp tid 0 waiting forseq 0x3fd for 200 ms
Dec 28 19:30:03 kernel: CONSOLE: 033938.650 wl1: Proxy STA 00:1e:c2:bf:8e:53 link is already gone !!??

Hi, the latest firmware is 3.0.0.4.380_858.

Sent from my SM-G900F using Tapatalk

 

[sm00thpapa]

People were talking about future proofing when the AC66U launched back in 2012. No such thing as anything being future proof.

 

[NSNE]

Hi, the latest firmware is 3.0.0.4.380_858.

What am I missing?

 

[sm00thpapa]

What am I missing?

That feature does not work. You have to manually download it and install it.

https://www.asus.com/us/Networking/RT-AC88U/HelpDesk_Download/

 

[faur]

What am I missing?

You need to install the latest firmware. You have the link above...

Sent from my SM-G900F using Tapatalk

 

[sm00thpapa]

What am I missing?

ASUS RT-AC88U Firmware version 3.0.0.4.380.858
- Improved wireless speed
- Update WTFast Ver. 1.0.0.3_15.1102
- Modified Adaptive QoS interface

 

[NSNE]

That feature does not work. You have to manually download it and install it.

Thanks for the tip. Though it does add one more to my list of Cons.

 

[connorm]

People were talking about future proofing when the AC66U launched back in 2012. No such thing as anything being future proof.

id say its pretty future proof

it can support over 99% of the AC clients on the market with full link rate

its missing turbo qam, mu-mimo, and 4x4

turbo qam mu-mimo and 4x4 are all pointless to 95% of users right now

so yeah would say the RT-AC66U has done pretty good, still ac aps are not significantly better....

smoothpapa you are upsessed with routers you dont need so dont talk about futureproofing you clearly dont have a concept of it

for anyone who was looking to futureproof there network with RT-AC66U back in 2012 2013, i would say they were pretty successful

for how are they not futureproofed if finding a 4x4 or MU-MIMO client, or a client that can actually take advantage of MU-MIMO happens once in a blue moon???

 

[kloxxe]

Anyone knows how to edit the client list for removing already disconnected clients? I moved one of my PC from wired to wireless and at "parental control/time scheduling/client list" I now have two entries with the same name (bit different MAC addresses???). Since it only shows the name and the MAC address, I would really like to remove the old entry...

Nevermind, I just did a factory reset and that solved the problem

Anyway, just a quick update about my final decision. Yesterday I have returned the...
... Linksys EA6900. Funny as just two days ago I was sure about returning the RT-AC3100. I still stand by my own testing earlier. With regards to data throughput and capacity, the EA6900 was more than enough to fulfill my needs. What made me keeping the RT-AC3100 were the additional features:
- Adaptive QoS works much better than the Linksys one
-Traffic Analysis gives me record about the net activities of my teenage boys (one of them went to sleep at 5am yesterday, the AC3100 gave him away using his smartphone to watch Youtube...)
- Router based network security sounds good (time will tell how good it really is)
- Instant feedback about radio strength and Rx/Tx rate of wireless clients is a great plus

and finally: this was Christmas. The network overhaul (internet upgrade + new router) was my gift for myself and I decided that I deserve the best toy. After all I was (almost) good for a whole year ;-)

 

[sm00thpapa]

Where's that Beta MU-MIMO firmware ASUS was talking about before the end of 2015? They have less than 48 hours to release it.

 

[NightOwl326]

Where's that Beta MU-MIMO firmware ASUS was talking about before the end of 2015? They have less than 48 hours to release it.

Do you have clients to match up with MU-MIMO?

 

[sm00thpapa]

Do you have clients to match up with MU-MIMO?

Yeah man just picked up the R7500v2 for cheap.

 

[kloxxe]

I have a weird issue with the parental control/time scheduler. My son's wired PC is blocked from 2AM to 6AM, web traffic seems to be cut off, but his skype connection is still on and he is conferencing with his friends.... Why/how skype traffic can pass through internet blocking?

 

[NightOwl326]

Yeah man just picked up the R7500v2 for cheap.

Thought it took two clients to have a positive effect.

 

[kloxxe]

Hmm.. It seems it is a generic issue with Asus firmware, ref. below I found in the A68U topic:

RT-AC68U and 378.55

Hi

Time scheduling does not seem to work for active connexions (wired pc). Skype keeps working after the time is up. Same for games, etc. Only web browsing is blocked or previously closed applications.

Just bought the router especially for this purpose. I had the same problem with the original Asus firmware and was hoping Asuswrt-Merlin might fix this.

Will there be a fix for this problem in a near futur update ?

And if this is hopeless :
Does somebody knows if AdvancedTomato has the same problem with Time Scheduling ?

Thanks

 

[sm00thpapa]

Thought it took two clients to have a positive effect.

Yep that's why I asked about ASUS timeline they stated MU-MIMO on the AC88U before end of 2015. Where is it?

 

[NightOwl326]

Yep that's why I asked about ASUS timeline they stated MU-MIMO on the AC88U before end of 2015. Where is it?

Ya but one r7500 is one client so you still need another for any positive effect. Plus I will never understand this never ending quest for wireless speed. My home is a client rich environment, and I am far from the capacity of my wireless router. It must be bragging rights or something. It may be similar to the big truck little man syndrome (Ten inch lift, huge mudders and then a guy 5' 4" crawls out of it).

 

[kloxxe]

I have a weird issue with the parental control/time scheduler. My son's wired PC is blocked from 2AM to 6AM, web traffic seems to be cut off, but his skype connection is still on and he is conferencing with his friends.... Why/how skype traffic can pass through internet blocking?

Apparently the solution is disabling the NAT Acceleration, otherwise active connections remain open. Let's see...