Updating RT-N66U Firmware via Wireless Connection?

[Poseidon]

I know that it's recommended to connect the RT-N66U via ethernet cable when updating to a new firmware - but is this absolutely mandatory or can you also update the firmware via WiFi as well?

I ask because a family member has the RT-N66U and she only has a Mac Book Pro (which doesn't have an Ethernet port) and she has an outdated firmware (about 1 year old) and she needs to update it.

Any advice is appreciated. Thanks.

 

[L&LD]

I have done all the upgrades wirelessly on my RT-N66U. No harm (so far).

At least a dozen upgrades (flashing firmware back and forth to test).

 

[RMerlin]

It can be done, however I would be worried about the fact you have no escape plan if the flash fails, as a computer with an Ethernet interface would then be required to reflash the router while in recovery mode.

 

[Poseidon]

L&LD and RMerlin.....thanks!

Now the question of what's currently the best firmware for the RT-N66U (mainly for 2.4GHz and 5GHz performance and range)?

Factory stock (latest or specific older version)?
Merlin's (latest or specific older version)?

Thanks.

 

[TonyH]

Hi,
What is the reason f/w needs update? If things are running without any problem, no reason to. I am against updating for the sake of updating. Specially when using WiFi
connection. There is however remote a risk for something may go wrong bricking the router. Then what? There is no means to access the router.

 

[Poseidon]

Hi,
What is the reason f/w needs update? If things are running without any problem, no reason to. I am against updating for the sake of updating. Specially when using WiFi
connection. There is however remote a risk for something may go wrong bricking the router. Then what? There is no means to access the router.

Hi TonyH. I just figured that since the router's firmware version is from July 2013 (I believe v3.0.0.4.272) - that there have been some improvements (ie security, range, performance, updated drivers etc) since then that would justify an upgrade.

Is this not always the case?

 

[Adamm]

Hi TonyH. I just figured that since the router's firmware version is from July 2013 (I believe v3.0.0.4.272) - that there have been some improvements (ie security, range, performance, updated drivers etc) since then that would justify an upgrade.

Is this not always the case?

I don't see a reason not to update to the latest, worst case situation you see a performance drop you can just revert back to an older F/W.

 

[Guz]

On older equipment, firmware updates were done by rewriting everything 'live' as the data was uploaded. Which is why they said never do the update via wireless, because you might loose connectivity part way through and brick you equipment.

After awhile manufacturers got tired of replacing bricked stuff, and the price of memory dropped, some of them changed the update process. Some equipment will upload the whole firmware image first with some hash verification, then in the reboot process if it sees a new image, only then it will rewrite the information. This way you can do updates via wireless.

The problem is you just don't know which method is used. Have I done updates via wireless? Yep. Have I had issues? Once. I had to dig up my USB to Ethernet dongle and go through the recovery process. So your mileage may vary.

 

[RMerlin]

On older equipment, firmware updates were done by rewriting everything 'live' as the data was uploaded. Which is why they said never do the update via wireless, because you might loose connectivity part way through and brick you equipment.

After awhile manufacturers got tired of replacing bricked stuff, and the price of memory dropped, some of them changed the update process. Some equipment will upload the whole firmware image first with some hash verification, then in the reboot process if it sees a new image, only then it will rewrite the information. This way you can do updates via wireless.

The problem is you just don't know which method is used. Have I done updates via wireless? Yep. Have I had issues? Once. I had to dig up my USB to Ethernet dongle and go through the recovery process. So your mileage may vary.

Asuswrt writes to the live MTD partition. I've seen them do some work over time to support a "dual" firmware mode, probably to provide either a fallback, or to support parallel flashing like you described, but I never really studied the details of that specific code.

 

[RMerlin]

L&LD and RMerlin.....thanks!

Now the question of what's currently the best firmware for the RT-N66U (mainly for 2.4GHz and 5GHz performance and range)?

Factory stock (latest or specific older version)?
Merlin's (latest or specific older version)?

Thanks.

For my firmware, the best one is currently 374.39-em (from the experimental folder).

Stock one will depend on your specific environment. 374_2239 is fairly good, but if you have a lot of obstacles to get through, the wireless coverage of the old 276 FW might be better. But you'll lose all the fixes and improvements of the latter updates.

 

[TonyH]

Hi,
There, OP, they are good enough reasons. From my professional experience updating f/w or OS on a super computer class system, I got burned many times hurrying back down. Even if all kinda testing is done B4 releasing a new version, some times unexpected gremlin pops up. So I have a habit of being very slow when it comes to updating. Wa~~~it until others try it and when it is safe to do so, I move, LOL! My job
was keeping the system up at all cost.(>99%) Imagine system goes crazy when update is applied. Hundreds of users waiting, phoning, screaming at you. At home my router is doing just basic chores, nothing fancy. Whatever she was doing, when interrupted by what I was doing on the router, wife gets real mad at me... I usually do
the maintenance work when every one is in bed like at 3:00AM. By morning it better be back up to normal.

 

[r00t4rd3d]

For my firmware, the best one is currently 374.39-em (from the experimental folder).

Does em stand for experimental and why do you consider that one the best? What does the em build contain that the regular one doesnt? Is it okay to update from a regular build to the em one and back? I dont need the answer from Merlin if anyone else knows.

 

[soapy]

posiedon, in my circumstances i have found that 3.0.0.4 271 is the best fw for me to use but from 270 to 276 i have found to be the best fw versions, i would not update your fw unless you are having a problem with the router

 

[RMerlin]

Does em stand for experimental and why do you consider that one the best? What does the em build contain that the regular one doesnt? Is it okay to update from a regular build to the em one and back? I dont need the answer from Merlin if anyone else knows.

The EM builds have a different wireless driver that should give wireless performance similar to the older firmware releases (while the newer releases have had a drop in range due to the switch to a newer driver that wasn't originally meant for the RT-N66U).

The EM builds will most likely become the mainstream version in my firmware starting with next release as so far there hasn't been any issue reported from it.

 

[TonyH]

Hi,
At AVS forum I read about a guy who was updating f/w on his Vizio flat panel TV thru
WiFi connection and ended up bricking the set. Luckily Vizio replaced the unit under warranty.