Enable AiMesh on ASUSWRT-Merlin (RMerlin)

[UK Sentinel]

As some of you know all to well, ASUSWRT-Merlin as yet does not support AiMesh within his builds (officially)

The below hack enables Aimesh on an ASUSWRT-Merlin flashed router

Telnet to the router (RT-AC86U) flashed with Merlin fimrware and enter….

nvram set amas_force=1
nvram commit
reboot

Then the AiMesh should then appear in Routers UI ;-)

Note: RMerlin has not enabled AiMesh within his builds for good reasons,  so if you decide to use this hack, then it is at your own risk. (totally)

Note1: I have only tested this on my RT-AC86U, but seems to work well.

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[Grisu]

your only problem will be to telnet to the router with Merlin as he stopped telnet-access over a year ago! ;-)

But you can SSH instead …

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[UK Sentinel]

Grisu wrote:

your only problem will be to telnet to the router with Merlin as he stopped telnet-access over a year ago! But you can SSH instead …

Old habits die hard, “showing my age” ;-)

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[colgate1974]

Thanks for this info. I’m looking to try this. I was wondering how this would be reversed if required?

I ask because I know RMerlin hasn’t implemented because it potentially interferes with some of the custom features that he has implemented.

 

Thanks again!

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[UK Sentinel]

This command just allows AiProtection (I meant AiMesh) to be visible, as far as I am aware, RMerlin has not removed the Aimesh code, he has just elected not to show it due to possible coding compatibilities concerns. (and he is usually correct)

I have seen a few posts that say Aimesh works with RMerlin, but it is not guaranteed.

To reverse, just type…………

nvram set amas_force=0
nvram commit
reboot

I think that should work? if not before you run the initial command, take a backup of the config – just incase

Let us know how it goes ;-)

 

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[colgate1974]

Thanks for the SUPERFAST reply.

I’ll let you know how it goes!

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[Grisu]

before setting it to 1 get the recent value, “0” or none “” or variable not set at all.

Then you can change back to original.

nvram get amas_force

Think it will be 0.

In case no variable set to delete you could use “nvram unset amas_force”and nvram commit to save changes.

 

@UK Sentinel: little correction, nothing to do with AiProtection!

This command just allows AiProtection to be visible

This command just allows AiMesh to be enabled

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[UK Sentinel]

Thanks for spotting the mistake , yes should be AiMesh / not AiProtection, “typing on the Train”   ;-)

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[brianward317]

I have this enabled and it’s working well.  However is there a way to easily update the 2nd nodes firmware?

On the aimesh router, you can upload the firmware clicking the firmware button, but on the node, there is no option for this.

I want to try and keep both nodes up to date.

Only way I have been able to do it, is break the node, upload the firmware to the node, then rejoin it.

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[UK Sentinel]

Take a look at these instructions

https://www.asus.com/us/support/FAQ/1035199/

Does this fix problem ?

BTW – forgot to ask, what is the Primary Router (RT-DSL) etc ?

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[brianward317]

No – I am running the merlin firmware, see screen shot

 

 

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[UK Sentinel]

Understood, I will have a look at mine tonight, hopefully @Six or @Grisu can also advise, but maybe not an automatic option with 2 x RMerlin based routers

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[brianward317]

Understood – No worries at all.  I tried pressing the check update button, but it fails.  Only way to get it to update was to break the node off.  Factory reset it, upload it to the device, factory reset it and join the aimesh router.

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[Grisu]

Aimesh nodes are updated on master router, added on update site for all routers.

Merlin doesnt support Aimesh, so he wont show nodes to be updated.

You can unmesh them for updates or change to asus stock for updating them.

 

Dont have Asus anymore and forgot almost everything ;-)

You could try to directly access update page for nodes, go to update on main router and change only IP part of the url to get there.

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[UK Sentinel]

I was thinking, it looks like your Primary RT-AC3100 is also running RMerlin firmware, this is where I think the issue might be….

Maybe an option to change Primary Router to ASUSWRT and then update option may work for AiMesh Node?

Same sort of option as @Grisu was saying, but leaves Primary as ASUSWRT rather than RMerlin ?

Update: – Always good to have a volunteer for testing  ;-)

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