Advice on replacing ZenWifi

[sebmack]

I'm running an old version of Merlin with a couple of the grey ASUS ZenWifi bricks. The AIMesh works fine, but I can't upgrade the firmware and I need to now because a bug in my version interferes with Apple iCloud. ChatGPT says it's because Merlin insists boxes be on the same code, and the XD Zenwifi boxes don't run Merlin.

Does that make sense...and if so...what do I replace those boxes with? All tips welcome.

 

[jksmurf]

Trying to decipher your message… no it does not make sense and you’ll get a better answer if you take a deep breath, slow down and supply some basic details please .

Can you please state your exact main router model (it’s written on the back). If you have mesh nodes or APs coupled with the main router please state them too, plus the FW you are running and the configuration (AIMesh, APs).

You refer to ZenWifi and your reference to XD suggests ZenWiFi XD4, XD5 or XD6. You can absolutely use non-Merlin FW (stock) with a Merlin Main Router, if what ChatGPT is telling is that you need Merlin on both it’s talking through a hole in its head.

The only ZenWifi model supported by Merlin is the Zenwifi XT12 device. Gnuton Merlin FW supports two other ZenWifi models XT8 and ET8, see here.

For latest ZenWifi XDx Stock FW see here.

 

[Tech9]

Does that make sense...

No. What's the exact model of your "boxes"?

ChatGPT says it's because Merlin insists boxes be on the same code

ChatGPT is wrong. "Merlin" has nothing to do with AiMesh.

 

[sebmack]

Trying to decipher your message… no it does not make sense and you’ll get a better answer if you take a deep breath, slow down and supply some basic details please .

Can you please state your exact main router model (it’s written on the back). If you have mesh nodes or APs coupled with the main router please state them too, plus the FW you are running and the configuration (AIMesh, APs).

You refer to ZenWifi and your reference to XD suggests ZenWiFi XD4, XD5 or XD6. You can absolutely use non-Merlin FW (stock) with a Merlin Main Router, if what ChatGPT is telling is that you need Merlin on both it’s talking through a hole in its head.

The only ZenWifi model supported by Merlin is the Zenwifi XT12 device. Gnuton Merlin FW supports two other ZenWifi models XT8 and ET8, see here.

For latest ZenWifi XDx Stock FW see here.

Sorry and fair comment. I have a primary RT-AX88U running Merlin and the ControlD daemon for DNS on the JFFS. Hosting a couple of VPN's too. I have a trio of XD4s around the house, an RT-AX58U, all in an AIMesh. I'm running 3004.388.8.4. When I try to update the RT-AX88U firmware, it just goes back to the same version every time. ChatGPT may have been talking through a hole in its head - but it said that in versions after that version, all AI mesh members had to be on the same firmware, and that because the XD4 doesn't have a Merlin version, I won't get there without replacing the XD4s. The problem I'm having is that even though I delete the domain suffix from the DHCP settings (asus.com) and leave it blank, it keeps coming back. And for some mad reason iCloud is grabbing it and asking for config.apple.com.asus.com and not getting anywhere. For now I've SSH'd in and added a DNSMasq setting to have a blank domain. It works but I hate messing with that as I'm a total amateur on this stuff. But also I'm now worried about security and just want to get up to latest version.

 

[sebmack]

...if not this ChatGPT invention...what could be stopping me upgrading? I didn't think that a JFFS partition with CTRLD could block upgrades?