Tech9
Part of the Furniture
The barely better processing specs
RT-AX88U Pro doesn't have better processing specs. The same CPU/RAM as RT-AX86U Pro.
The barely better processing specs
How often does the average user use the router's USB port, let alone both of them (a USB 2.0 and USB 3.0 port on the RT-AX86U Pro)? If one USB 3.0 port isn't enough on the AX88U Pro, then one can use a USB hub to add more capability. Shrugs.The barely better processing specs are not worth $20 more if you hate the 88's design and want 2 USB ports.
then one can use a USB hub to add more capability. Shrugs.
Apparently the RT-AX88U Pro is wall mountable which the RT-AX86U Pro is not.
At the end of the day everyone is voicing their own individual opinions and experiences.
US firmware page working for me just now. No newer firmware than 3.0.0.4.388_24199.Well, just checked the Asus firmware page for the AX86U Pro and the firmware does not show up on either the Asus US site or the Asus Global site. Other router model router do show firmware. A firmware upgrade being posted????
https://www.asus.com/networking-iot-servers/wifi-routers/asus-gaming-routers/rt-ax86u-pro/helpdesk_bios/?model2Name=RT-AX86U-Pro
URL resolves correctly. No newer firmware. Still 3.0.0.4.388_24199. Happens from time to time that the Asus router firmware page doesn't load properly. Doesn't show the Driver/Utility menu option sometimes.I really need VLAN support. Given that 3.0.0.6 still isn't out for the RT-AX86U Pro, I guess I need to go the nuclear route and replace it with an AX88U Pro. If I go that route, do I also need to replace my mesh nodes?
If one hasn't seen it yet, the following Asus support article on setting up Guest Network Pro on AiMesh may be relevant (or not) to the discussion on 3.0.0.6 and AiMesh nodes.I really need VLAN support. Given that 3.0.0.6 still isn't out for the RT-AX86U Pro, I guess I need to go the nuclear route and replace it with an AX88U Pro. If I go that route, do I also need to replace my mesh nodes?
Just read: https://www.asus.com/us/support/faq/1049415/
RT-AX86U Pro should get version: 3.0.0.6
My router is: RT-AX86U (no pro). Is that possible to get this version as well?
No. The non-pro variant of the AX86U will not be getting the 3.0.0.6 firmware. It will stay on 3.0.0.4, which lacks VLAN/Guest Network Pro support.
No. 3004.388 do not have and will not get VLAN/Guest Network Pro. Only 3006 and that is 86U Pro only and still in beta.What if I use Asuswrt-Merlin firmware? AX86U and AX86U Pro use the same version: 3004.388.7 . Does this version include VLAN support? Thanks.
No the Asus-Merlin firmware does not have the VLAN/Guest Network Pro feature found in the 3.0.0.6.x firmware. See the Rmerlin's comments about current plans for Asus-Merlin that mentions 3.0.0.6.x firmware.What if I use Asuswrt-Merlin firmware? AX86U and AX86U Pro use the same version: 3004.388.7 . Does this version include VLAN support? Thanks.
Future 3006_102 branch:
I still don't have anything to announce. This includes not being able to confirm whether I will eventually support it or not. I got a preliminary code drop from Asus last year which allowed me to have a first glance at it, but that code wasn't in a compilable state yet. Asus still has no ETA as to when a finalized GPL based on that codebase will be available. For any decision to be made on my part, the following will need to happen:
- A finalized GPL drop need to be prepared for at least one model
- I need to evaluate how much effort will be required to merge it (based on my early look at the code last year - a lot of work)
- I need to decide if it's doable, and if I'm willing to put the effort into doing it. (yes, I may end up deciding not to based on my previous analysis)
- If I go forward with it, I need to decide which model to put on that code base (existing and/or new models)
- I will need to actually do it, which at a rough guesstimate will represent multiple weeks of work, to confirm I actually can do it
- Only after that I will be able to announce my final plans toward it
So the bottom line is, I still have no news to share on the 3006 front. That includes not being able to confirm whether it will happen or not. Anyone asking on when that will happen or whether I will implement support for new Wifi 7 models, people can refer them to this post. I do have a pair of Wifi 7 routers already from Asus, so having a development device isn't the current obstacle - the lack of available code is.
Just read: https://www.asus.com/us/support/faq/1049415/
RT-AX86U Pro should get version: 3.0.0.6
- Release Note -
New features for ASUSWRT 5.0:
- Kids' Wi-Fi: Create a separate network specifically for children, complete with scheduled controls. This is suitable for children who use multiple network devices that have enabled the randomized MAC address function and are not easily recognized.
- VPN WiFi: Create a VPN network that connects to 3rd party VPN services or with ASUS site to site -VPN(https://www.asus.com/support/FAQ/1048281/) to encrypts your internet connection and hides your IP address to protect your online activities from being tracked or monitored.
- IoT WiFi : Create an 2.4G spearate network for IoT (Internet of Things) devices.
- Guest WiFi: Create a guest network with a WiFi schedule and access rights to control when and how guests can use the network.
- VLAN, allow you to segment a network into smaller, virtual sub-networks, which can be used to isolate traffic, please refer to https://www.asus.com/support/FAQ/1049415/
- Multi-services WAN, create multiple profiles on a single WAN interface. (https://asus.com/support/FAQ/1050072)
- Port isolation and AP isolation to restrict device access to each other.
Bug Fixes and Enhancements:
- Fixed an issue where the RE product ID was not being updated in the AiMesh topology.
- Corrected a display issue in the OpenVPN server that prevented IPv6 settings from showing correctly.
- Fixed a persistent GUI issue on 'Let's Encrypt Authorization' that displayed 'Authorization' incorrectly.
- Added DS-Lite Support.
Security updates:
- Addressed CVE-2023-48795 by updating the dropbear SSH server.
- Applied patches for CVE-2023-5678 & CVE-2024-0727 from the Ubuntu Repository.
- Improved security in OpenVPN custom configuration.
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