RT-N66U stable firmware

[Gunnar]

Hi All,

I've been running my RT-N66U with Merlins firmware for a few years now, although I last updated in 2014 with v3.0.0.4.374.38_2-em. I've now got more devices using the 5G channel and notice that under heavy load or over a period of time I lose 5G, requiring either a restart of the 5G or at times a full router reboot.
So, as I haven't updated since 2014 I was wondering what the most stable firmware for the RT-N66U is especially for wifi (2.4G and 5G) ?
Many thanks in advance for your advice.
Cheers,
Pete.

 

[A.D.]

[...] I last updated in 2014 with v3.0.0.4.374.38_2-em. I've now got more devices using the 5G channel and notice that under heavy load or over a period of time I lose 5G, requiring either a restart of the 5G or at times a full router reboot [...]

How many 5 GHz clients did you use to have, and how many do you operate today?

 

[TheManFromUncle]

Just install the latest Merlin, reset the router, do your settings as you want them and you're good to go.

 

[Gunnar]

How many 5 GHz clients did you use to have, and how many do you operate today?

Hi - I've only got 5 clients currently on 5G, but heavy users either via streaming or online gaming.

Just install the latest Merlin, reset the router, do your settings as you want them and you're good to go.

Hi - So is the SDK6 more stable now than the old SDK5 on the RT-N66U ?

Cheers,
Pete.

 

[TheManFromUncle]

Hi - I've only got 5 clients currently on 5G, but heavy users either via streaming or online gaming.


Hi - So is the SDK6 more stable now than the old SDK5 on the RT-N66U ?

Cheers,
Pete.

I wouldn't know as I have done no comparative experiments. But the latest Merlin firmware I used on an N66U was 378.56_2. 5Ghz band works perfectly with the environment I was using it for. I couldn't attest for the 2.4Ghz band. No devices use it. I've even disabled it in most cases.

 

[A.D.]

the latest Merlin firmware I used on an N66U was 378.56_2.

That puts your advice into perspective:

Just install the latest Merlin, reset the router, do your settings as you want them and you're good to go.

Too many people using the term "latest" lead to confusion, I'd say.

 

[TheManFromUncle]

Sorry. I should have been more clear.

 

[mstombs]

The 5G wireless in latest 380.57 version may not work as well for you as the older versions, due to Asus clampdown on power/regulatory settings. The actual driver version No hasn't changed for many updates, I do not know if the binary has changed. Latest is good enough for me but i do not use the higher band of 5G channels due to 'radar detection' dropouts. YMMV. I only use wireless for portable device convenience, not a patch on Gigabit LAN for fixed devices!

John's fork http://www.snbforums.com/threads/fork-update-for-374-43-available-v16e1.18914/ is popular since it stays with your older wifi drivers, but adds later security fixes etc.

 

[Gunnar]

Thanks folks.
I'm going to hardwire the Online gaming PC during the times it's being used and then look at either v378.56_2 or Johns Fork version as an upgrade.

Cheers.

 

[A.D.]

I've only got 5 clients currently on 5G, but heavy users either via streaming or online gaming.

I conducted a small stress test with asuswrt-merlin 378.56.2 on my AC66U with a total of four streams plus iperf and file activity and did not notice any problem. Admittedly, it didn't run all day long, and the device is in AP mode.

EDIT

To clarify:

• I conducted various basic stress tests with my AC66U upon arrival, with the 378 stock FW, merlin 380 and merlin 378. After deciding in favour of merlin 378.57.2, I conducted longer stress tests.
• 6 clients for 5 GHz, 2 (plus sporadic) clients for 2.4 GHz, media server, heavy LAN traffic
• Tests also included (simultaneously) two 5 GHz iperf clients against LAN server, two video streams to 5 GHz clients, one video stream to 2.4 GHz client and LAN traffic for quite some time, but not 24/7