RT-AX86U AES OpenVPN

[cdxxdaemon]

Hello,

long time reader, first time poster and a Merlin user for years on my AC87U. I’ve just gotten Internet faster than 1Gbps and the old router is showing it’s age. So I’ve decided to get the RT-AX86U, as it seems to have everything I’m looking for: 2.5Gbps WAN, WiFi 6, gaming port, and as I understand it the ARM equivalent of AES-NI. however while reading this forum I came across a post where Merlin said the AES acceleration was only for IPSec, not OpenVPN. It was here https://www.snbforums.com/threads/asus-announces-rt-ax86u-and-rt-ax82u.64722/page-3 at post 57.

I was curious if the AES acceleration is working for OpenVPN, as I use my router to VPN certain devices a lot. Also, does the gaming port retain its same Features from ASUSwrt in Merlin?

Thanks for indulging me in my first post.

 

[Tech9]

I was curious if the AES acceleration is working for OpenVPN

AES is used for OpenVPN, but you can count on about 170Mbps max speed.

Observation and explanation:

Release - ASUS RT-AX86 Series(RT-AX86U/RT-AX86S) Firmware version 3.0.0.4.388.22525

Waiting for 23012 with clean 22525. I have something specific to check on it. Anything we should know about?

www.snbforums.com

Also, does the gaming port retain its same Features from ASUSwrt in Merlin?

Yes.

 

[cdxxdaemon]

Thanks!

 

[RMerlin]

There are two separate features on these routers:

• AES-optimized CPU instructions, which will benefit OpenVPN
• Hardware crypto engine, which will benefit IPSEC

 

[cdxxdaemon]

There are two separate features on these routers:

• AES-optimized CPU instructions, which will benefit OpenVPN
• Hardware crypto engine, which will benefit IPSEC

How do you connect to an IKEv2 or IPSEC VPN? I use NordVPN, and Ive noticed on my Mac and my iPhone and iPad the IKEv2 VPN is substantially (hundreds of megabits per second) faster than either NordLynx (their proprietary Wireguard) or OpenVPN in their app or OpenVPN Connect app.

Is it possible or will it ever be possible to connect to IKEv2 VPNs with this firmware? Thanks.

 

[RMerlin]

How do you connect to an IKEv2 or IPSEC VPN?

You can't, Asuswrt-Merlin does not support IPSEC clients.