GT-Be 98 European Version. We need more Merlin-Gnuton :)

[Sundraw]

I apologize, but I haven't been able to contain my desire to get the new Merlin releases. I read in a previous reply that Asus has to grant GPL licenses, but does it really take such a long time for us Europeans to get each Merlin update?

 

[Ripshod]

As far as I'm aware Gnuton drops the firmware for all supported routers at the same time. Only occasionally does a few get held back for whatever reason. The work is done in their own time and it's unfair to be asked to do more.
Patience!

 

[Sundraw]

As far as I'm aware Gnuton drops the firmware for all supported routers at the same time. Only occasionally does a few get held back for whatever reason. The work is done in their own time and it's unfair to be asked to do more.
Patience!

There's no need to do more, since only the Asus licenses are missing on a firmware that's been ready for some time. It's simply the appeal of an enthusiastic user of the Merlin firmware who certainly isn't asking for simultaneity, which obviously can't happen. But here we're at a three-month difference, which doesn't seem like a small amount to me. Therefore, Asus should be a little more responsive to European customers, given that the delay is due to its own decisions.

 

[Ripshod]

Asus don't read these forums, so take it up directly with them

 

[ColinTaylor]

I read in a previous reply that Asus has to grant GPL licenses, but does it really take such a long time for us Europeans to get each Merlin update?

I don't know what you were reading but Asus doesn't "grant GPL licenses" for anything. Perhaps you are confusing it with the availability of the source code released under the GPL (commonly referred to as "the GPL"). That source code if the same wherever you are in the world. It's not country/region specific.

 

[bennor]

... but does it really take such a long time for us Europeans to get each Merlin update?

Simply put it takes as long as the developer wants and feels it should take and is dependent on if they are receiving any GPL's direct from Asus. Keep in mind that developers typically do these third party firmware's on their own free time. They have their own lives to live and jobs they have to go to. They take vacations and have other things that occupy their free time. So just be patient! The Gnuton developer will get to it when they are ready.

If you feel you cannot wait, then you are more than free to take the Gnuton firmware and compile your own firmware on your own time schedule.

 

[Sundraw]

To summarize your responses: "If you're in a hurry, do it yourself," and of course...we all have a life. Waiting months and writing a post in such a delicate way isn't the same as putting pressure on. It's a fact that the European version is always behind the American version.

 

[ColinTaylor]

It's a fact that the European version is always behind the American version.

The European version of what exactly? As I said above there are no separate versions of the stock Asus firmware for different regions. The GT-BE98 firmware on the US site is identical to the version on the UK, German, etc. sites. This firmware was released on 14/8/2025 in all countries.

 

[RMerlin]

Asus should be a little more responsive to European customers, given that the delay is due to its own decisions.

Asus isn't responsible for the current lack of update. Gnuton got the requested GPL not that long after he asked them for it. It's a matter of Gnuton having the time to do this, something he does - just like me - out of his spare time.

 

[RMerlin]

The European version of what exactly? As I said above there are no separate versions of the stock Asus firmware for different regions. The GT-BE98 firmware on the US site is identical to the version on the UK, German, etc. sites. This firmware was released on 14/8/2025 in all countries.

He's referring to the fact that the GT-BE98 is the EU/Asian variant of the GT-BE98 Pro, which is only available in North America. This is one of the reasons why Gnuton is handling this model, as I can't get it in Canada (i.e. not certified for usage in Canada).

 

[ColinTaylor]

He's referring to the fact that the GT-BE98 is the EU/Asian variant of the GT-BE98 Pro, which is only available in North America. This is one of the reasons why Gnuton is handling this model, as I can't get it in Canada (i.e. not certified for usage in Canada).

I see. So he's referring to two different routers. There isn't an American "GT-BE98" but there is a "GT-BE98 Pro".

 

[dave14305]

Best to find Gnuton in his own channels, he doesn’t really hang out here anymore.

asuswrt-merlin.ng/README.md at master · gnuton/asuswrt-merlin.ng

Extends the support of Merlin firmware to more ASUS routers - gnuton/asuswrt-merlin.ng

github.com

 

[nagyimre1980]

gnuton has barely been communicating for months. It's like he gave up on the project. And that's the problem.

 

[Sundraw]

Exactly, I feel the same way. Being grateful to developers is the first thing for me, always, and especially when they are Merlin-Gnuton. And it is important to respect privacy, because only God knows what commitments and difficulties await each of us. I am Italian and I am also proud that Gnuton is Italian (if I understand correctly). But from the point of view of us users who are passionate about Merlin firmware and its new iterations, it is a shame to have to lag so far behind. A great mod without users becomes an anonymous mod.

 

[BoostOver]

No feedback from Gnuton.
(Gnuton non risponde da parecchio tempo, anche il canale di X é stato cancellato….speriamo che stia bene)
Gnuton X is down.

 

[BoostOver]

Best to find Gnuton in his own channels, he doesn’t really hang out here anymore.

asuswrt-merlin.ng/README.md at master · gnuton/asuswrt-merlin.ng

Extends the support of Merlin firmware to more ASUS routers - gnuton/asuswrt-merlin.ng

github.com

No feedback.

 

[Unisoft]

He's referring to the fact that the GT-BE98 is the EU/Asian variant of the GT-BE98 Pro, which is only available in North America. This is one of the reasons why Gnuton is handling this model, as I can't get it in Canada (i.e. not certified for usage in Canada).

This is just an idea, and you will likely explain reasons why you can't. Can you not do a base image based on what you know for BE98 (non-Pro), and pass to GNUTON for testing that it works or final tweakettes, maybe after you have done the other models to help speed this up?
I get you can't get the hardware for testing in your country, but they should be incredibly similar in firmware terms as the BE98 has just one 6ghz upper channel dropped.

It's just that this router was bought last year, and it's had a ton of firmware bugs, and recently a WIFI security issue on 5ghz and extra security updates added. In that time just two builds were done. I do get that GNUTON had some personal issues at start of the year, and that he does in spare time, but there is no communication if he is even working on any firmware at the moment, or anticipated alpha/beta/release schedule. Traditionally, I have always used your firmware, but this was one router I needed which was heads above the others when purchased. Stock firmware is no good because of lack of AMTM and other stuff.

 

[Sundraw]

He's referring to the fact that the GT-BE98 is the EU/Asian variant of the GT-BE98 Pro, which is only available in North America. This is one of the reasons why Gnuton is handling this model, as I can't get it in Canada (i.e. not certified for usage in Canada).

Many of us bought this router, but the lack of direct support from Merlin has become so burdensome that we regret our purchase. And as I said before, I have the utmost respect for whatever problems or setbacks the person who maintains and manages the repository is experiencing. Some time ago, I also wrote on GitHub and received a rather vague response. I want to say to anyone who mistakenly thinks that mine is an attack of ingratitude: when you decide to develop hardware that is not cheap and that often manages many things, whether free or not, you have to guarantee adequate timing for updates and problem solving. It's a matter of ethics. If this were not the case, three-quarters of our IT world would stop working as it should. If it does not break any rules, it would also be fair to organize a collection or donation to allow Merlin to obtain the European version of be98. I would be the first to donate.

https://github.com/gnuton/asuswrt-merlin.ng/discussions/794?sort=new#discussioncomment-14003992

 

[Tech9]

You guys buy expensive products with single person 3rd party firmware support and express disappointment when updates don't come in expected time frame or frequency. Life happens and 3rd party support may stop permanently for multiple reasons. There is no promises or guarantees. It's a best effort support and many of you were aware before the purchase.

 

[RMerlin]

Can you not do a base image based on what you know for BE98 (non-Pro), and pass to GNUTON for testing that it works or final tweakettes, maybe after you have done the other models to help speed this up?

No.

1) I cannot just blindly compile things and send it to someone else without the ability to flash, run and test things. This is why every single model that I support, I have the device in hand to be able to test and debug. In 12+ years the only exception to this has been the RT-AC3100, and that's because it was flat out an RT-AC88U without the extra Realtek switch. That is not the case with the GT-BE98, it's a very different device, with different radios.

2) One of the reasons for offloading some models to Gnuton is my lack of time to support every single models on my own. Each model has its own GPL that needs to be obtained, merged in, and tested/debugged. It's not just a matter of flipping a switch and compiling an extra file.

when you decide to develop hardware that is not cheap and that often manages many things, whether free or not, you have to guarantee adequate timing for updates and problem solving. It's a matter of ethics.

What does this have to do with Gnuton? He does not develop or sell any hardware, none of this has to do with him.

If it does not break any rules, it would also be fair to organize a collection or donation to allow Merlin to obtain the European version of be98. I would be the first to donate.

As previously indicated, my decision not to support this model had nothing to do with money. I can get devices from Asus directly, as I do with every device that I support. I actually have two new devices on the way from Taiwan this very weekend. It's a matter of available time, and the device not being certified by Industry Canada. Any device sent to me would potentially be blocked at the customs. And if it did get through, operating such a radio device would be a violation of Canadian regulations.