ASUS RT-AC66U 3.0.0.4.380.4005

Saw this notice on my AC66U config, and wondering if anybody is experiencing anything good or bad with it before taking the plunge:

Firmware version 3.0.0.4.380_4005-ge00c831
- Release Note -

Security Fixed
- Fixed a security vulnerability regarding XSS.
- Fixed a security vulnerability regarding CSRF.
- Special thanks for Jamie's contribution.

Bug Fixed
- Fixed wan detection related issues of quick internet setup wizard.
- Fixed UI redirection related issues.
- Fixed IE compatibility of quick internet setup wizard.

Modifications
- Modified the firmware upgrade page. If there will be beta firmware released, users can also obtain and install the beta firmware in firmware upgrade page.
- Updated translation strings.
- Modified wan detection process.

Download: Click Here

I installed it on Saturday (9/10) so far no issues I am aware of. Granted I don't do a lot of complex stuff as just use as a default wireless router pretty much. Not noticing any speed decreases. Only tested via wireless (usually I test Ethernet as well after an update just haven't yet). Mostly 5ghz with iPhone 6s and Laptop. Not tested 2.4ghz wireless yet either. I just finally updated my wireless card in laptop from N to an AC card so not really fooling with 2.4 now What was that post referring to, Wireless, 2.4/5 or Ethernet for slowness?

I am curious to know if they closed the downgrade loop on this one though. Interesting I also got an email from ASUS regarding this update. Never received one of those before. Its pretty long but in this snippet it appears maybe they locked it down.

<<We have released a new firmware version (version 3.0.0.4.380.4005) for your wireless router. This new firmware version includes important bug fixes and security updates that address software vulnerabilities and protect against unauthorized access to or modification of your wireless router.

To improve privacy protection and guard your wireless router against unauthorized access, alteration, disclosure, or destruction from malware, phishing, and other malicious actions, we strongly recommend that you:

(1) Install this new firmware version on your router immediately.
(2) Always keep your router up to date with the latest firmware version.

If you choose not to install this new firmware version we strongly recommend that you log out of the ASUSWRT web interface, close any open browser windows and restart your browser to provide increased protection against unauthorized access to your router.>>>

After the upgrade, I had an issue with IP based telephony where I could not here incoming calls. The caller could hear me. I reverted back to 3831 firmware and the problem was resolved. Any ideas why the new firmware could be causing this issue?

SilverStreak said:

After the upgrade, I had an issue with IP based telephony where I could not here incoming calls. The caller could hear me. I reverted back to 3831 firmware and the problem was resolved. Any ideas why the new firmware could be causing this issue?

Click to expand...

Problems on the Firewall perhaps - many VOIP based applications need SIP for signaling - as an example, registration and call setup, but they use RTP to carry the data packets (which is the voice) - SIP is traditionally TCP based, and RTP is UDP...

SilverStreak said:

After the upgrade, I had an issue with IP based telephony where I could not here incoming calls. The caller could hear me. I reverted back to 3831 firmware and the problem was resolved. Any ideas why the new firmware could be causing this issue?

Click to expand...

SIP passthrough enabled in WAN settings>NAT passthrough tab?

I have got a FTTH line with 300 Mbps / 30 Mbps speed. After installing 3.0.0.4.380_4005-ge00c831 version, the max download speed was 114 Mbps. I check the line with the router provided by the ISP and the line was OK. I reverted back to RT-AC66U_3.0.0.4_380_3831-g93dfe8c and the normal speed (300/30) returned. I think this new firmware has any problem related with the speed.

Shark6969 said:

I have got a FTTH line with 300 Mbps / 30 Mbps speed. After installing 3.0.0.4.380_4005-ge00c831 version, the max download speed was 114 Mbps. I check the line with the router provided by the ISP and the line was OK. I reverted back to RT-AC66U_3.0.0.4_380_3831-g93dfe8c and the normal speed (300/30) returned. I think this new firmware has any problem related with the speed.

Click to expand...

Did you do a full reset to factory defaults and followed by minimally and manually configuring the router to secure it and connect to your ISP after flashing the latest firmware?

http://www.snbforums.com/threads/no...l-and-manual-configuration.27115/#post-205573

Before going nuclear with the settings, check these first:

1) Make sure that NAT acceleration is enabled. The speed you report are very similar to what the router would provide if NAT acceleration was disabled (between 100 and 150 Mbps max)
2) Try powering off the modem for 15-20 minutes, to fully reset the connection between the modem and the ISP. Asus has been implementing some form of "smart" MAC management recently, which can lead the router to use a different MAC address. Some ISPs might potentially not like that, and end up cutting down your speed when an unrecognized MAC is detected. The 20 mins modem reset would take care of that.

L&LD said:

Did you do a full reset to factory defaults and followed by minimally and manually configuring the router to secure it and connect to your ISP after flashing the latest firmware?

http://www.snbforums.com/threads/no...l-and-manual-configuration.27115/#post-205573

Click to expand...

No, I updated it with no full reset. This is the first time I've lost speed after updating the firmware several times. I will try to follow this method at the weekend and I will provide you with my experience.
My children don't accept very well router maintenance because they lose the internet connection.

RMerlin said:

Before going nuclear with the settings, check these first:

1) Make sure that NAT acceleration is enabled. The speed you report are very similar to what the router would provide if NAT acceleration was disabled (between 100 and 150 Mbps max)
2) Try powering off the modem for 15-20 minutes, to fully reset the connection between the modem and the ISP. Asus has been implementing some form of "smart" MAC management recently, which can lead the router to use a different MAC address. Some ISPs might potentially not like that, and end up cutting down your speed when an unrecognized MAC is detected. The 20 mins modem reset would take care of that.

Click to expand...

Thanks
1) Yes, NAT acceleration is enabled.
2) My tests were done the day after I updated the firmware and during the all night the router was switched off. Just in case, I will try to update the firm again and I will follow your advices.
Thanks.

Shark6969 said:

No, I updated it with no full reset. This is the first time I've lost speed after updating the firmware several times. I will try to follow this method at the weekend and I will provide you with my experience.
My children don't accept very well router maintenance because they lose the internet connection.

Click to expand...

I've updated the firmware following all this instructions with full reset. The result is more or less the same. The max speed I get with the new firm is 150 Mbps. Just after intalling the previous firm, the 300 Mbps speed has been recovered.
Do you have any similar experience?

Shark6969 said:

I've updated the firmware following all this instructions with full reset. The result is more or less the same. The max speed I get with the new firm is 150 Mbps. Just after intalling the previous firm, the 300 Mbps speed has been recovered.
Do you have any similar experience?

Click to expand...

A few times before (not this firmware) I had similar issue. Nothing seemed to resolve it even a GUI factory default. What finally worked was a NVRAM clear using the command line via telnet. No idea why the gui default or default using the WPS switch didnt work. Anyway after the telnet reset the speeds returned to normal. For the record I am running this ver on AC66 and can get 350+ over wireless on 5G. 550-600 Mbps over Ethernet connected to 1gb connection.

sbailey4 said:

A few times before (not this firmware) I had similar issue. Nothing seemed to resolve it even a GUI factory default. What finally worked was a NVRAM clear using the command line via telnet. No idea why the gui default or default using the WPS switch didnt work. Anyway after the telnet reset the speeds returned to normal. For the record I am running this ver on AC66 and can get 350+ over wireless on 5G. 550-600 Mbps over Ethernet connected to 1gb connection.

Click to expand...

Do you mean to execute mtd-erase -d nvram command after enabling telnet access? Is this the correct command for ASUS RT-AC66U model?
Thanks

Shark6969 said:

Do you mean to execute mtd-erase -d nvram command after enabling telnet access? Is this the correct command for ASUS RT-AC66U model?
Thanks

Click to expand...

Yep. that is correct.

sbailey4 said:

Yep. that is correct.

Click to expand...

Ok. I will try and keep updated. Thanks.

Shark6969 said:

Ok. I will try and keep updated. Thanks.

Click to expand...

I've deleted nvram and the problem remains.
This is the summary

I've followed these steps:
I check my speed with 3.0.0.4_380_3831 firmware: 300 / 30Mbps (ok, because this is the speed I've contracted with my ISP
I upgrade the firmware to version 3.0.0.4_380_4005 as told in http://www.snbforums.com/threads/no...l-and-manual-configuration.27115/#post-205573
I configured my connection. The speed was 150/30Mbps.
I cleared NVRAM.
I configured my connection again after reboot. The speed remains in 150/30Mbps.
I went back to 3.0.0.4_380_3831 firmware. I recover my contracted 300 / 30Mbps

Any idea.
Thanks.

Shark6969 said:

I've deleted nvram and the problem remains.
This is the summary

I've followed these steps:
I check my speed with 3.0.0.4_380_3831 firmware: 300 / 30Mbps (ok, because this is the speed I've contracted with my ISP
I upgrade the firmware to version 3.0.0.4_380_4005 as told in http://www.snbforums.com/threads/no...l-and-manual-configuration.27115/#post-205573
I configured my connection. The speed was 150/30Mbps.
I cleared NVRAM.
I configured my connection again after reboot. The speed remains in 150/30Mbps.
I went back to 3.0.0.4_380_3831 firmware. I recover my contracted 300 / 30Mbps

Any idea.
Thanks.

Click to expand...

You sure you have NAT acceleration enabled? Its under LAN>switch control tab. Some other settings disable that like QOS for one. Make sure that is enabled. Not sure why it would be different between 3831 and 4005 though if you are configuring it exactly the same.

sbailey4 said:

You sure you have NAT acceleration enabled? Its under LAN>switch control tab. Some other settings disable that like QOS for one. Make sure that is enabled. Not sure why it would be different between 3831 and 4005 though if you are configuring it exactly the same.

Click to expand...

Yes.... sure... I have NAT acceleration enabled as seen in the image. I have only disable/auto options and I have auto. Just in case, I have just install the last Asuswrt-Merlin firmware 380.62_1 based in 3.0.0.4_380_4005 and it works perfect. The speed is 300/30. If I return to official firm 3.0.0.4_380_4005, I lose the speed.

Shark6969 said:

Yes.... sure... I have NAT acceleration enabled as seen in the image. I have only disable/auto options and I have auto. Just in case, I have just install the last Asuswrt-Merlin firmware 380.62_1 based in 3.0.0.4_380_4005 and it works perfect. The speed is 300/30. If I return to official firm 3.0.0.4_380_4005, I lose the speed.

Click to expand...

Interesting except Merlins version is based on 3831 not 4005. He back-ported a few items from 4005 for the security items mentioned but otherwise its 3831. That would explain why Merlins OR 3831 work for you. No idea why 4005 doesn't though. Unless the wireless driver was updated in 4005 and your particular devices are not happy with that change. It works fine for me with Intel wireless AC card and Apple devices.

sbailey4 said:

Interesting except Merlins version is based on 3831 not 4005. He back-ported a few items from 4005 for the security items mentioned but otherwise its 3831. That would explain why Merlins OR 3831 work for you. No idea why 4005 doesn't though. Unless the wireless driver was updated in 4005 and your particular devices are not happy with that change. It works fine for me with Intel wireless AC card and Apple devices.

Click to expand...

SORRY, I've made a mistake with versions. I've just corrected the errors.
Hi:
Thinking in your answer, I returned to 4005 firmware and I made several new tests. My HP laptop with Intel Dual Band Wireless-AC 7260 has this behabiour too with the last Intet driver (low speed with this firm). My new MacBook Pro too (max download speed arround 120-150Mbps). Both of them get the same download speed with 4005. So, I think I have no problem with a particular device, because if I return to 3831 or Merlin I recover 300Mbps speed in both of the devices.
But when I checked the connection wired through the ethernet connection, I was surprised when I realized that it is not a WiFi problem. My max speed wired is 150Mbps too.
The summary is: With 4005 firm, for whatever reason I lose speed, both types of connection: WiFi or wired.
Any advices?