Beta Asuswrt-Merlin 3006.102.6 Beta is now available

[RMerlin]

Asuswrt-Merlin 3006.102.6 Beta is now available, except for the XT12 (still awaiting GPL for that model). This release focuses on new GPL merge, a complete redesign of the Traffic Monitor pages, and the addition of two new models:

• RT-BE58_Go - https://www.asus.com/networking-iot-servers/wifi-7/all-series/rt-be58-go/
• GT-BE19000AI - https://rog.asus.com/networking/rog-rapture-gt-be19000ai/

The RT-BE58_Go is an inexpensive WIfi 7 router. Marketed as a travel router, it might also be handy for anyone looking for an inexpensive Wifi 7 router to cover a small appartment. I don't usually support entry level models, but I decided to make an exception for this one.

The GT-BE19000AI, while marketed as "the first AI router", its best trick IMHO is its second CPU, which runs a Linux distro hosting Docker. This allows you to run Docker images on your router. Home Assistant and Frigate are built-in from Asus, as well as Portainer (for installing your own Docker images).

The GT-BE19000AI has also a noteworthy difference - it's based on a newer code branch, and has a new Dashboard UI that Asus dubs "UI4". It's a new user interface based on Bootstrap. Much of my work for supporting that model went into adapting every single pages that I created so it can show properly under this UI4. That alone took me about two weeks of work. In addition, this new code branch runs OpenSSL 3.0 instead of 1.1.1 (EasyRSA updated to v3 for this model only). (stock firmware also upgraded to OpenVPN 2.6, but you guys have been enjoying that already for a long time.)

I made a separate post covering some of the technical details specific to that model.

Asuswrt-Merlin specific changes for the GT-BE19000AI versus stock firmware (in addition to the usual):

• Added an AI Board section to the Sysinfo page
• Instead of defaulting to the Wireless Settings page, entering the Settings section of the dashboard will default to the Sysinfo page
• The Traffic Monitor pages were re-added to the Settings section (as these are more extensive than the new charts shown on the Dashboard)
• The Dashboard pages for OpenVPN and WireGuard Client will redirect to the Settings pages, since Asuswrt-Merlin does not use the VPN Fusion pages
• Removed the clock from the top bar, to make space for my logo.

Nov 19th: Beta 2 is now available, including for the XT12. Changes since beta 1:

main, rt-be58_go:
4e0412e8dc Updated documentation
5afe0df18a openvpn: Update to 2.6.16
02719dd795 webui: disable MU-MIMO when it's not explicitely enabled in the dropdown
e6461ffd11 Bumped to beta 2
4ebc323d74 build: update build-all script

wifi 6:
66345e1334 Updated documentation
1d03fde691 openvpn: Update to 2.6.16
6067584e3e Bumped to beta 2
90e85c5839 webui: disable MU-MIMO when it's not explicitely enabled in the dropdown
e6f3e3b10b rc: fix GT-AX6000 LEDs not disabling properly on boot if they should be disabled
c8a47ff0f4 Merge XT12 binary blobs from 37351
26d5ecb958 build: update build-all script

GT-BE19000AI:
4e0412e8dc Updated documentation
5afe0df18a openvpn: Update to 2.6.16
02719dd795 webui: disable MU-MIMO when it's not explicitely enabled in the dropdown
c5a46e5014 httpd: fix JFFS backup/restore on GT-BE19000AI
e6461ffd11 Bumped to beta 2

Changes since 3006.102.5:

  - NOTE: Asus has made some security related changes.  Password
          requirements are stricter, and UPNP is no longer
          enabled by default.  New password rules were
          slightly loosened for Asuswrt-Merlin, repeating
          characters are still allowed.
  - NOTE: For developers, the Tomato legacy files (tm*.*)
          are no longer included with the webui.  Please
          update your addon pages accordingly.

  - NEW: Added support for the RT-BE58_Go.
  - NEW: Added support for the GT-BE19000AI.
  - NEW: Redesigned Traffic Monitor pages.
         - Uses Chart.js for Realtime and Last24 pages
         - Removes legacy Tomato code
         - Last 24 can be zoomed in and panned (mouse wheel
           and pinch-to-zoom gestures are both supported)
         - Realtime and Last 24 now show as bits/s instead
           of bytes/s
         - Settings moved from the tab to the dropdown menu
         - Removed NVRAM database location option and added
           JFFS.  Also removed rarely used start-of-month
           setting.

  - UPDATED: Merged GPL 38978 (RT-BE58_GO only)
  - UPDATED: Merged GPL 40103 (GT-BE19000AI only)
  - UPDATED: Merged GPL 39099 (other Wifi 7 models)
  - UPDATED: Merged GPL 37351 (Wifi 6 models)
  - UPDATED: OpenVPN to 2.6.15.
  - UPDATED: libcap-ng to 0.8.4 (to be in sync with upstream)
  - CHANGED: TrafficMonitor stats can now be saved to JFFS,
             and removed support for saving to NVRAM.
  - REMOVED: outdated setuprsa.sh script.
  - FIXED: IPv6 requests for prefix lengths other than 64 for
           routers with Multiwan support.
  - FIXED: CVE-2025-9230 in OpenSSL (backport by RSDNTWK).
  - FIXED: Client name would be missing on the Wireless Log
           page if the MAC was missing in the DHCP lease list
           (for static clients for example)
  - FIXED: OpenSSL 1.1.1 would prioritize CHACHA20 over AES
           on BCM4916 devices

Things in need of particular testing:

• WIfi 6 and Wifi 7 devices: make sure there is no new UI odditity (colours and such) caused by the UI4 support
• RT-BE58_Go: general functionality
• GT-BE19000AI: general functionality, any new UI issues with pages specific to Asuswrt-Merlin
• The new Traffic Monitor charts

Please keep discussions on this specific release. Off-topic posts will be either ignored or deleted, depending on my mood at the time.


Downloads are here.
Changelog is here.

 

[RMerlin]

Known issues:

• ZenWifi Pro XT12 missing (GPL wasn't ready in time for beta 1, should be available in beta 2)
• GT-AX60000 LEDs not properly disabled at boot time (Fixed for beta 2)
• Cannot backup JFFS2 on GT-BE19000AI (Fixed for beta 2)
• Cannot enable JFFS scripts on GT-BE19000AI (Missing nvram, fixed for next build)

 

[RMerlin]

I created a separate thread here to handle feedback specific to scripts/addons that might break on the GT-BE19000AI:

Script/addon support with Asus's UI4/Asuswrt6

Hi everyone, 3006.102.6 includes the GT-BE19000AI, the first model that uses the new UI, and also a newer Asuswrt codebase. There will be most likely a few scripts that will need to be updated for these. I am creating this thread to gather any user feedback in one single location to better...

www.snbforums.com

I understand that there is currently a very small userbase, so it will be a long-term project for feedback to be gathered in that thread.

 

[penguin22]

The Beta installed perfectly fine on my BE86U and has been stable so far. I was running Alpha 1 previously, so glad to see that this works with the new GPL since Alpha 2 wouldn't install.

 

[X3wKNkGk]

The Beta installed perfectly fine on my BE86U and has been stable so far. I was running Alpha 1 previously, so glad to see that this works with the new GPL since Alpha 2 wouldn't install.

me too! can't wait to try it now

 

[penguin22]

Beta installed and running on the BE88U in Wireless Router mode, BE86U in AiMesh node, with a BE82U running current stock. So far, everything has stabilized and things appear to be functioning as expected.

 

[MDM]

All essentially works just fine, but there are a few glitches/changes on my WiFi 6 GT-AX6000:

- The LEDs are severely glitched after flash - all ON permanently except the first Power LED and last WPS LED (WPS is off in my system), even if they are correctly off in Administration - System, with also the error of the WAN LED being red, while all is OK in the GUI and my internet works just fine. But! They all work fine if I enable them in Administration - System, and if I turn them off again, they stay off until reboot, where they are glitched again...
- A difference I noticed is the Game tab looks different in coloring, and the letters slipping a bit ouf of background on bottom. While Open NAT page stayed the same red, so now they mismatch.
- On Wireless - Professional, no more Multi-User MIMO setting on both the 5 GHz and 2.4 GHz. (maybe this is a change from before, didn't look for it)
- LAN - VLAN numbering of ports changed and no more speed shown. (maybe this is also a change from before, didn't look for it)
- System Log - Security Update Notification is now a new tab? Its appearance makes text go on two rows for all the tabs now and is just a bit deranging, but guessing nothing can be donne here. I also see there is no Clear button only Refresh (just a bit annoying as I like to clear thing from logs after viewing them)...
- System Log - General Log now logs new things too (that also appear in the new Security Update Notification tab) as Nov 12 12:53:06 HTTPD: [LOGIN][https][Web] successed (xx.xx.xx.xxx). And the font is different and bigger.
- System Log - DHCP leases MAC Address column is now white and not orangish.

 

[penguin22]

I'm at 6 hours of uptime on both routers, which while I was asleep during this period, I believe the BE86U would have restarted by now on the current stock release. Will monitor throughout the day but so far, so good. Also, no unexpected log entries and both AiMesh and Network pages look as expected.

 

[Untried3868]

Dirty upgrade from 102.6_alpha1-gc3ecf6dda6, with an AiMesh system reboot after 15 minutes. No issues after 9 hours and 30-someodd minutes of uptime.

 

[penguin22]

Found a possible issue with UI refresh on the Network and AiMesh pages. My wife left over an hour ago and brought her phone with her, it shows as being connected in the Network tab, though does not show from any of the nodes via SSH. On the main router, I see the IP on br0, though in a FAILED state since it is no longer connected, though it does not show at all in brctl showmacs for the br0 interface it would be connected to. Update: I restarted the Web Interface and it is still stuck, I believe that no updates are occurring with the Client List, Network, or AiMesh.

Ignoring the above, all 3 WiFi7 nodes now being on the same 39099 GPL, this has been rock solid stable for over 9 hours now without the same hiccups I was seeing with IoT devices dropping off. I know the BE82 isn't Merlin supported, though that's the current stock firmware build, so it's great having Merlin and this node fully aligned.

 

[Blacklistedcard]

Loaded onto my BE98Pro. No issue(s). Working great.

 

[Clark Griswald]

Dirty Upgrade from previous RMerlin official release with zero issues observed in router lights, GUI, WG, and GNP IoT all working.

 

[penguin22]

After 1.5 hours, no change in GUI stats, so it is clearly frozen on my side; let me know if there is any troubleshooting that would be helpful or if I should just restart the main router and see if it reoccurs. I know that at times a premature restart can clear useful data that could help identify the cause of the issue.

 

[MDM]

Dirty Upgrade from previous RMerlin official release with zero issues observed in router lights, GUI, WG, and GNP IoT all working.

Nothing of what I noticed with same router?! I did a dirty flash too from latest Alpha...
You have LED in setting set to On or Off, because if On it works just fine...

 

[Clark Griswald]

Nothing of what I noticed with same router?! I did a dirty flash too from latest Alpha...
You have LED in setting set to On or Off, because if On it works just fine...

Yes, I do have the operational LED lights ON, and the RGB lights Off.

 

[MDM]

Yes, I do have the operational LED lights ON, and the RGB lights Off.

That's why you noticed nothing, if set to Off in Administration - System like for me, they light up wrongly after reboot.
And the other things I noticed..?

 

[visortgw]

That's why you noticed nothing, if set to Off in Administration - System like for me, they light up wrongly after reboot.
And the other things I noticed..?

Have you tried lc within amtm to control LEDs?

 

[MDM]

Have you tried lc within amtm to control LEDs?

I do not use amtm right now, so this is basically a change just from this very beta. Because until the latest alpha version all worked just fine!

 

[salieri]

- NOTE: Asus has made some security related changes. Password requirements are stricter, and UPNP is no longer enabled by default. New password rules were slightly loosened for Asuswrt-Merlin, repeating characters are still allowed.

@RMerlin – With the new security update, do we need to perform a factory reset when using your firmware? I noticed ASUS recommends this step for their stock firmware when this was introduced. Just wanted to ensure this is not the case with your firmware. Thanks.

 

[Clark Griswald]

@MDM
security update notification observation I agree. Also the GAME color change. LAN VLAN changes I do not know about.
Can confirm that the Traffic Analyzer-Monitor/Statistics is working.
With all the changes in code etc, jumping directly into the beta1 and avoiding the alpha testing, I'm just happy the vanilla setup of my 6000 is working well without any service interruptions.