Unexpected problem with USB modem

[fisherman]

Unexpected problem with 3G USB modem

Got a brand-new RT-N66U-B1 this week and immediately updated firmware to ASUSWRT latest to test it out. The Satellite WAN/Ethernet connection worked fine, and my USB Novatel MC760 was recognized. I next got Dual WAN to work (with the USB as secondary and Satellite modem/WAN port as primary) so I installed RMerlin's 376.47 with great expectations.

But while the ASUSWRT worked with my Novatel/Sprint3G just fine it seemed, the Merlin version does not. It sees the Novatel device but the modem won't connect to the ISP as it did with ASUSWRT. I'd have guessed the USB driver(s) wouldn't change from ASUS to Merlin?

In any case I surf on Dual WAN problems and learn that RMerlin set it aside a couple years ago. The thread where this was discussed said "USB Failover" should still work... I'm here to ask: What exactly does this mean? That I should plug-in my USB modem, turn OFF Dual WAN, and that if the WAN Ethernet port fails the device should still fail-over to the USB modem? Of course, this isn't going to help me if I can't reliably connect my USB modem to begin with...

If anyone can answer my question about USB failover, and give me some pointers about getting the USB modem to work in the first place, I would really appreciate it. I've been using a Cradlepoint router for years but would love to get OpenVPN working with the ASUS; preferably with the USB modem on Standby.

TIA for any advice (or sympathy)!

 

[lancer73]

The latest version contains some fixes for 3G. The Merlin build is based on a build that is not available for the N66.

3G was broken in the past and Asus fixed that. It looks like the changes they rolled back then are present again in this firmware.

For now I would advise to use the 45 Merlin build. That one works flawlessly with 3G.

The Merlin build has no changes with respect to 3G compared to the stock version.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[fisherman]

The latest version contains some fixes for 3G. The Merlin build is based on a build that is not available for the N66.

3G was broken in the past and Asus fixed that. It looks like the changes they rolled back then are present again in this firmware.

For now I would advise to use the 45 Merlin build. That one works flawlessly with 3G.

The Merlin build has no changes with respect to 3G compared to the stock version.

Hmm I'm not clear on what you mean "based on a build that is not available for the N66". But I see "Merge with Asus's 376_2678" in Post 1 of the 47 thread and will study more to see which Merlin uses what build of ASUS.

In any case I will try 45 to see if there is any change, thanks lancer73.

EDIT: OK I [think I] see your point, from the Merlin readme:

System:
- Based on 3.0.0.4.376_2678 sources (from RT-AC87U) from Asus

I dunno what fairy dust is sprinkled on the RT-AC87U source such that it is supposed to work also with the RT-N66U but I'm sure RMerlin has the magic.

 

[fisherman]

I tried first 47, then 45, next 42, and finally 35_4 from Nov 2013 and finally got my Novatel to work.

Guess I will post this in the 47 thread hoping that RMerlin is looking at it.