RT-N66U FW

[LaFemme69]

Hi, need help in deciding..........

I have an RT-N66U running FW 3.0.0.4.374_720, not sure if it's stock FW or Merlin's......probably stock since I don't see anywhere saying Merlin......

I am not having any major issues ATM with the router. However, I know there are probably better and more advance newer FWs out there for the RT-N66U, either Stock or Merlin's. I think it's time to upgrade the FW to take the advantage utilize more features of the router.

Which one would you guys recommend, stock or merlin's or even dd-wrt fw? which is the most stable FW right now that i can upgrade to? also, since I haven't done anything with the router since i purchased a few years ago, do i have to do anything to be able to upgrade and if there are any instructions that I can follow?

I basically want to know if there are FWs that I can name my device when assigning DHCP in addition to MAC address alone, set VPN server to a specific client....for e.g. target vpn to my media player only or assigning VPN server to a specific ip address or mac address......

All that, I want to upgrade in a painless way that make the least impact on my everyday uses.

thank you

katie d.

 

[jeff288]

Merlin's 378.55 is pretty stable for me on my N66U and would do what you're wanting.

 

[LaFemme69]

Merlin's 378.55 is pretty stable for me on my N66U and would do what you're wanting.

Thank you.

I will look into that.

what do i need to do to upgrade, just factory reset and flash the 378.55?

thank you.

katie

 

[L&LD]

Thank you.

I will look into that.

what do i need to do to upgrade, just factory reset and flash the 378.55?

thank you.

katie

No. Reboot the router after you have unplugged all USB devices first.

Flash the new firmware you want installed.

Do a factory reset and then do a minimal and manual configuration (do not use a backup config file).

http://www.snbforums.com/threads/no...l-and-manual-configuration.27115/#post-205573

 

[LaFemme69]

Merlin's 378.55 is pretty stable for me on my N66U and would do what you're wanting.

how come i cannot locate Merlin's 378.55 FW for RT-N66U

 

[jeff288]

how come i cannot locate Merlin's 378.55 FW for RT-N66U

Here you go.

 

[LaFemme69]

No. Reboot the router after you have unplugged all USB devices first.

Flash the new firmware you want installed.

Do a factory reset and then do a minimal and manual configuration (do not use a backup config file).

http://www.snbforums.com/threads/no...l-and-manual-configuration.27115/#post-205573

after reviewing your nice post, i have a few questions....

(1) You said not to use a back up config file, is that the cfg file and/or the custom settings of jffs partition? in my case, i am backing those up just in case i need to go back to the same FW? How do i back up the cfg and jffs partition

(2) doing hard reboot, do i unplug while the router is on or I can turn it off and unplug?

thank you.

katie

 

[wouterv]

Step 1: save the router configuration through the GUI (to use in case you revert to this old firmware version).
Step 2: write down specific user configuration settings or make screen dumps.
Step 3: unplug any USB storage device from the router (if any).
Step 4: reboot the router (e.g. cycle its power).
Step 5: make a wired connection to the router.
Step 6: upgrade the router firmware.
Step 7: rever to factory defaults through the GUI.
Step 8: access the router at IP address 192.168.1.1 and Username/Password = admin/admin
Step 9: manual configure the router again.
Step 10: connect the USB storage device again (if any).

 

[wh7qq]

Step 3: unplug any USB storage device from the router (if any).Step 10: connect the USB storage device again (if any).

@wouterv: Can you please explain the need for unplugging the USB device? I have not been doing that and maybe I am screwing things up.

 

[wouterv]

@wouterv: Can you please explain the need for unplugging the USB device? I have not been doing that and maybe I am screwing things up.

The advice is original and new firmware leap dependent.
The OP router firmware is 3.0.0.4.374_720.
Firmware 3.0.0.4.378.6117 had the following requirement:
[Please note] This version changed the login authentication method. Please unplug the hard drive before updating firmware. After firmware updated, please press the reset button more than five seconds to reset the router to avoid some compatibility issues.

I assume the way the storage is mounted has changed.
Hence my and L&LDs advice.
I think I also forgot to unplug the USB device the first time, without resulting in issues.
But everyone is warned

 

[RMerlin]

@wouterv: Can you please explain the need for unplugging the USB device? I have not been doing that and maybe I am screwing things up.

Primary reason is that while there's a USB disk plugged in, the SMB service (as well as any other service related to the USB disk) might be using a lot of RAM, leaving the router with not enough free RAM for the flash to succeed. Rebooting with no USB disk plugged in ensures you get as much free RAM as possible.

 

[wh7qq]

@wouterv, @Merlin: Thanks guys...learn something new every day.

 

[mstombs]

For an N66U upgrading between merlin versions important to backup your jffs folder if you have any custom config, jffs likely gets changed size with new firmware, so need to reformat and recopy files back.

I'm lazy and trust I will be able to recover if goes wrong - but I never remove my 4GB stick and flash by wireless YMMV, and haven't reset to defaults for long time...

378.56_2
ASUSWRT-Merlin RT-N66U_3.0.0.4 Wed Nov  4 02:03:42 UTC 2015

 

[LaFemme69]

Here you go.

Thank you

will give that a try

kd

 

[LaFemme69]

For an N66U upgrading between merlin versions important to backup your jffs folder if you have any custom config, jffs likely gets changed size with new firmware, so need to reformat and recopy files back.

I'm lazy and trust I will be able to recover if goes wrong - but I never remove my 4GB stick and flash by wireless YMMV, and haven't reset to defaults for long time...

378.56_2
ASUSWRT-Merlin RT-N66U_3.0.0.4 Wed Nov  4 02:03:42 UTC 2015

I am not sure if I am on Merlin's FW or stock's......i assume it's Stock since it doesn't say Merlin's next to my FW......

so, if I were to go from Stock to Merlin, do i need to backup jffs folder? how?

thanx.

kd

 

[wouterv]

I am not sure if I am on Merlin's FW or stock's......i assume it's Stock since it doesn't say Merlin's next to my FW......

so, if I were to go from Stock to Merlin, do i need to backup jffs folder? how?

thanx.

kd

If you are not aware of jffs, don't worry about it.
The firmware will clearly indicate if Asuswrt-Merlin:

I assume your router runs stock firmware.

 

[LaFemme69]

Thank you everyone for your help.

I managed to upgrade and running Merlin's latest FW 378.56_2, so far so good and hope will stay that way.

now, learning to tweak.

May I ask here or start a new post on how I can tweak to improve my wifi?

thank you.

Katie D

 

[LaFemme69]

If you are not aware of jffs, don't worry about it.
The firmware will clearly indicate if Asuswrt-Merlin:

View attachment 4851

I assume your router runs stock firmware.

Yes, the previous FW was stock coz after i flashed with the new Merlin's FW, i do see .....Powered by Asuswrt-Merlin which i never saw before.

 

[mstombs]

May I ask here or start a new post on how I can tweak to improve my wifi?

Watch out latest Merlin uses latest Asus WiFi drivers which are more locked down for regulatory compliance - see John's fork which uses earlier more flexible drivers and options for higher power etc, but experimenting with router location and antenna orientation is the best tweak!

I recommend you manually choose Wifi Channels rather than auto- use mobile or laptop app to find the least congested channels in your local environment. I have had problems with the higher channel Nos in UK/EU 5GHz range, I suspect the regulatory domain anti interference compliance for these causes pauses, lower 5GHz range seems fine ... maybe the interfering devices are not compliant?

 

[LaFemme69]

Watch out latest Merlin uses latest Asus WiFi drivers which are more locked down for regulatory compliance - see John's fork which uses earlier more flexible drivers and options for higher power etc, but experimenting with router location and antenna orientation is the best tweak!

I recommend you manually choose Wifi Channels rather than auto- use mobile or laptop app to find the least congested channels in your local environment. I have had problems with the higher channel Nos in UK/EU 5GHz range, I suspect the regulatory domain anti interference compliance for these causes pauses, lower 5GHz range seems fine ... maybe the interfering devices are not compliant?

which mobile app do you recommend to find the least congested channels?

is John's fork a derivative of Merlin's? Stock?

I am confused, so which is a better and more stable build, Merlin's or John's? or are they basically the same but which to choose depends on your needs?

how is Merlin's 378.55 FW, better wifi?

thanx.

kate