ASUS regional model numbers

[addohm]

I used to run an AC-68U which I believe Imin China was the AC1900. I'm now looking to buy another AX-88u pro and I believe the part number for that in China is AX6000 (check me). Can someone enlighten me as to why there's two model numbers? Is there a spreadsheet out there that I can look at with these model numbers? Are there any actual differences in the hardware? I once owned an AX1900 and the only difference I could find was an extra tab for what looked like integrating something from QQ into the router.

Snide China comments not welcome.

 

[RMerlin]

Different SKUs are sold in different markets. There is no definitive list as to which SKU is sold in which region.

 

[addohm]

Different SKUs are sold in different markets. There is no definitive list as to which SKU is sold in which region.

I get that much. I'm curious about the hardware and software though, as well as a matrix that would allow me to match one to another. I don't like, and can't depend on googling

 

[Tech9]

I could find was an extra tab

This is a China region specific game accelerator included in stock Asuswrt firmware. It's just hidden for other regions. If two models are suspected the same hardware - check the firmware file. If the same, released at the same, the devices have the same specs and appearance - most likely the same hardware with different regional model number. You have to do some googling.

 

[dlandiss]

I used to run an AC-68U which I believe Imin China was the AC1900. I'm now looking to buy another AX-88u pro and I believe the part number for that in China is AX6000 (check me). Can someone enlighten me as to why there's two model numbers? Is there a spreadsheet out there that I can look at with these model numbers? Are there any actual differences in the hardware? I once owned an AX1900 and the only difference I could find was an extra tab for what looked like integrating something from QQ into the router.

Snide China comments not welcome.

I search the model number on Amazon and it will usually respond with both formats.

 

[addohm]

I'm in China right now and will be for a very long while. ASTRIL (VPN company) many years ago supported my rt-68u. That router was failing so I bought an AC1900 and their software worked on it also just the same. So, I'm crossinG my fingers in hopes that their RT-AX88U support also crosses over to the AX6000. They don't really support their own software anymore so the best model wifi-6 is what I have to settle with.

 

[Tech9]

AX6000

Make sure it's RT-AX88U Pro equivalent, released in 2023. RT-AX88U is an old model router from 2018 and there is also TUF-AX6000 which is MediaTek based hardware device with no Asuswrt-Merlin support.

ASTRIL (VPN company)

It will work in 3004 firmware only at the moment.

ASUS RT-AX86U Pro > Astrill installation

Morning All, I've decided to update the firmware of my Asus routeur and by doing that I've lost the entry for my Astrill VPN into the routeur configuration. the previous firmware was 3004 something (forgot the exact name) After checking the Astrill website to reinstall it, I've to enter a SSH...

www.snbforums.com

 

[addohm]

Make sure it's RT-AX88U Pro equivalent, released in 2023. RT-AX88U is an old model router from 2018 and there is also TUF-AX6000 which is MediaTek based hardware device with no Asuswrt-Merlin support.



It will work in 3004 firmware only at the moment.

ASUS RT-AX86U Pro > Astrill installation

Morning All, I've decided to update the firmware of my Asus routeur and by doing that I've lost the entry for my Astrill VPN into the routeur configuration. the previous firmware was 3004 something (forgot the exact name) After checking the Astrill website to reinstall it, I've to enter a SSH...

www.snbforums.com

This is exactly what I'm trying to accomplish and looking for help on. I can order an RT-AX88U but it comes from the states and takes a long time, or I can order a GT-AX6000 and it will be here next day. I just don't know what will work, aside from the exact RT-AX88U model from Asus, and what won't with the firmware flash.

Why I'm choosing this model is because it's the most recent wifi 6 model on this list of supported models, as far as I can tell.

GT-AC2900

RT-AX86U

RT-AX56U

RT-AX58U

RT-AX88U

RT-AX3000

RT-AC66U_B1

RT-AC86U

RT-N66U

RT-AC1900

RT-AC87U

RT-AC5300

RT-AC3200

RT-AC3100

RT-AC88U

RT-AC68U

RT-AC66U

RT-AC56U

 

[Tech9]

I can order a GT-AX6000

Asus GT-AX6000 (link below to make sure it's the same model) with Asuswrt-Merlin 3004_388.8_4 firmware may work with Astril VPN software. Based on user feedback it won't work with Asuswrt-Merlin 3006_102.4_0 firmware.

ROG Rapture GT-AX6000 | Gaming networking｜ROG - Republic of Gamers｜ROG Global

Dual-Band WiFi 6 Gaming Router, Dual 2.5G WAN/LAN ports, enhanced hardware, WAN aggregation, VPN Fusion, Triple-Level Game Acceleration, free network security and Mesh WiFi System

rog.asus.com

Asuswrt-Merlin - Browse /GT-AX6000/Release at SourceForge.net

Alternative firmware for Asus wireless routers

sourceforge.net

 

[Tech9]

My GT-AX6000 (UK) has been happily chugging along on 3006.

The OP has special requirements:

ASTRIL (VPN company)

Their software doesn't work in 3006 firmware at the moment based on this information.

 

[addohm]

The OP has special requirements:



Their software doesn't work in 3006 firmware at the moment based on this information.

Correct. Astrill hasn't updated any of their software since 2016-17. They'd rather spend pennies on support bobblehead robot parrots than a few thousand to update their suite.

Does the 3004 firmware extend into the wifi 7 series? I might be willing to try that.

 

[Tech9]

Does the 3004 firmware extend into the wifi 7 series?

No. But there is no 6GHz band in China so GT-AX6000 won't be significantly slower in Wi-Fi.

 

[addohm]

Well, I ended up picking up an RT-AX86U Pro from Taiwan. Updated the firmware to the most recent 3004 version and threw astrill onto it - astril takes the internet out completely on the latest 3004 firmware (RT-AX86U_PRO_3004_388.8_4). Ill have to keep stepping backwards until I find a firmware that works, if there is one. Theres zero chance in getting astril to update their software (or do anything for that matter). Tough times.

I am usually using wifi filtering and tunneling a guest network only. I havent tested whether or not it works off the guest network, been pissing enough people off tonight with the ups and downs.

Edit: Tested this morning and this happens on all radios rwhen using wifi filtering, internet gets taken out completely. Also tested without wifi filtering at all and just used site filtering instead. That seems to be working but you can never trust that redirection is happening appropriately to every site. And the local (sites in China) sites are damn slow relative to the sites coming through VPN.

 

[addohm]

Well, I ended up picking up an RT-AX86U Pro from Taiwan. Updated the firmware to the most recent 3004 version and threw astrill onto it - astril takes the internet out completely on the latest 3004 firmware (RT-AX86U_PRO_3004_388.8_4). Ill have to keep stepping backwards until I find a firmware that works, if there is one. Theres zero chance in getting astril to update their software (or do anything for that matter). Tough times.

I am usually using wifi filtering and tunneling a guest network only. I havent tested whether or not it works off the guest network, been pissing enough people off tonight with the ups and downs.

Ended up going back to an old RT AC68U and putting in firmware from 2020 (That's the last time I used it and know for a fact it works perfectly. Doing this did not disappoint. Just going to use this as a VPN router behind the main RT-AX68U Pro Router. There are no good options to use Astrill on the RT-AX68U Pro with up to date, or even relatively up to date firmwares. Once my membership runs out in 2026 Im going to go with another company I already use.

 

[RMerlin]

Why do you want to use their app? OpenVPN support is already built in the firmware.

 

[Tech9]

The applet is actually nice integration with all the features needed in one place.

Self made VPN router | Astrill VPN

Use Astrill on your DD-WRT, Tomato or ASUS Merlin router, no tech skills needed. OpenVPN mode, share data with all your devices, multiple connection modes.

www.astrill.com

More user friendly than manual OpenVPN Client setup with quick server change option.

 

[RMerlin]

he applet is actually nice integration with all the features needed in one place.

It`s still not necessary to use their service, and he won't have such an interface either with whatever other provider he use. So might as well stick with the same provider if the service itself works well for him.

My guess is this was developped by a lone developer who was a fan of Asuswrt-Merlin, and he has quite possibly left the company a long time ago, leaving them with this orphaned application.

 

[Tech9]

It`s still not necessary to use their service

They have a reputation of going through the The Great Firewall, but this can change at any moment.