DSL-AC68U – Support setup as AiMesh RE node/child (Beta)

[GrisuParticipant Topics 7Replies 219UKTechHub Regular]

Merlin uses Asus GPL (public codebase) and makes his improvents (security and bug fixes, driver updates and many features including the possibility to run your own scripts) based on it. But only for Asus RT routers.

GNUton uses Merlins GPL and adapts it for DSL-AC68U which is very similar to RT-AC68U, most hardware is the same beside DSL-part.

 

@UK Sentinel: Would be really interesting for me to have his knowledge ;-)

 

I can recommend to use their enhanced and updated firmwares, they are public and everybody can use and compile it on his own as it is or add your special changes before.

[Daniele728Participant Topics 0Replies 9UKTechHub Newbie]

Good, may I have the link where I can find stable firmware for DSL-AC68U? Do u think I can use beta Merlin on second DSL (the node) and stable Asus on the master one?

Thanks 🙏🏼

[GrisuParticipant Topics 7Replies 219UKTechHub Regular]

You have to wait some days maybe weeks for stable versions, this first alpha is not usable:

https://www.snbforums.com/threads/dsl-ac68u-asuswrt-merlin-builds-for-dsl-routers.55985/

Maybe you can help him to proove his builds and report back any bugs:

https://www.snbforums.com/threads/dsl-ac68u-asuswrt-merlin-builds-for-dsl-routers.55985/page-16#post-509947

 

Which beta Merlin? Merlin never supported DSL modems.

You will have to test them how GNUtons and stock Asus are working together, should be no problem but it is just too early to say!

As soon as it is stable I would use this fork with much more possibilities on both devices, especially on main router.

 

Be patient !!! – think in september they will have it run reliable.

[stigpepperParticipant Topics 0Replies 4UKTechHub Newbie]

Hi,

Did you manage to get this working?

I’ve 2 DSL-AC68U routers, I’m running the latest stock firmware on the primary router and have installed the beta firmware onto the router I plan to use as the AIMESH node.

I’ve had no luck though as the primary router is not not find the node when I use the search functionality through the GUI.

Any help is greatly appreciated.

Thanks

 

[UK SentinelModerator Topics 271Replies 1533UKTechHub Legend]

Yep, does work, what is actual version number of  firmware (ASUS) are you using for the Primary ?

When setting up Node/Child is it located very close to Primary?

• This reply was modified 9 months ago by UK Sentinel.

In a completely sane world, madness is the only freedom (J.G.Ballard).

[Daniele728Participant Topics 0Replies 9UKTechHub Newbie]

I also setted primary with last stable version and the node with BETA linked in the previous post, confirm everything works flawless.
I just did factory reset on the node and nothing touched on the primary, when started match procedure i put the devices at maximum 3 meter each other.
Any question let me know.

[VPN.AUSParticipant Topics 0Replies 1UKTechHub Newbie]

The node Beta firmware works only for 2.4Ghz not for 5Ghz, because it has different channel to the main router. This means when you connect to the node 5Ghz you cannot have access to internet.

Hope they will fix this soon in the next firmware release so we can use our DSL-AC68U as a node properly.

[UK SentinelModerator Topics 271Replies 1533UKTechHub Legend]

As @VPN.AUS detailed, 5GHz is used as backhaul, so only 2.4Ghz for devices

Its a Bata, but glad ASUS are putting the unused DSL-AC68U to good use

In a completely sane world, madness is the only freedom (J.G.Ballard).

[stigpepperParticipant Topics 0Replies 4UKTechHub Newbie]

Thank for the advice guys.

The primary router firmware version is 3.0.0.4.384_80766-g91c286d (see screenshot)

The secondary / node router firmware version is 8.0.0.4.919_0-gd3b2011 (see screenshot)

I’ve performed a factory reset on the secondary / node router and have the routers placed approx 1.5 metres apart but the primary router is not recognising the secondary router as an aimesh node connecting via WIFI.

Any ideas?

Attachments:

1. 

   RouterPrimaryFirmware.jpg
   

2. 

   RouterNodeFirmware.jpg
   

[stigpepperParticipant Topics 0Replies 4UKTechHub Newbie]

Hi,

Quick update I managed to get the secondary router successfully set-up as an aimesh node.

I’m not exactly sure what I did to resolve the issue, firstly I attempted to connect to the node via ethernet cable when that did not work I rebooted my primary router, power cycled the secondary router, moved the secondary router closer to primary router (within 1 metre), searched for the node and it paired successfully.

It might be worth noting that the DSL cable was plugged into the primary router when pairing was successful.  The aimesh configuration procedure advises that the DSL cable should be unplugged when searching for the node.

Thanks again for the advice, now I should be able to get a reliable WIFI connection in the loft.

 

 

[UK SentinelModerator Topics 271Replies 1533UKTechHub Legend]

Good news and yes maybe a bug in that DSL cable needs to remain plugged in (mine was when I tested configuration) and both Primary and Node (child) needs to be within a metre of one another (Microsoft call them features)

Thanks for update and extra hints.

• This reply was modified 9 months ago by UK Sentinel.

In a completely sane world, madness is the only freedom (J.G.Ballard).

[GrisuParticipant Topics 7Replies 219UKTechHub Regular]

They just released an official firmware with Aimesh-child support.

https://www.snbforums.com/threads/dsl-ac68u-beta-firmware-released-with-aimesh-node-child-support.57737/#post-517592

 

Direct firmware download (visible choosing OS others): https://dlcdnets.asus.com/pub/ASUS/wireless/DSL-AC68U/FW_DSL_AC68U_v300438481140.zip

• This reply was modified 8 months, 1 week ago by Grisu.

[Daniele728Participant Topics 0Replies 9UKTechHub Newbie]

Is this a beta or final firmware?

[UK SentinelModerator Topics 271Replies 1533UKTechHub Legend]

As it is a version 3, this should be official, alas I just had a look at the ASUS download servers and most upto date DSL-AC68U firmware is Version 3.0.0.4.384_80766

So may appear in a day or so as a general download.

• This reply was modified 8 months, 1 week ago by UK Sentinel.

In a completely sane world, madness is the only freedom (J.G.Ballard).

[GrisuParticipant Topics 7Replies 219UKTechHub Regular]

this is official!!!

you have to choose OS others to see it right now or wait some days …

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