Installing AIMesh on 2 x RT-AC68U

[jenom]

I am planning to install AImesh on my family member's existing 2 x Asus RT-AC68U router.
When I am looking at Merlin's firmwares, files sizes are around 35 Mb up to v386.4 , then they jump to up to 90 Mb.
1) What additional extra features causing this almost triple sized growth ?
2) What is the first / earliest version with AImesh included?

Thank You !

 

[OzarkEdge]

Can you confirm the router model number? Is it RT-AC68U? And will they be wired together, or wireless backhaul?

OE

 

[bennor]

2 x Asus RT-N68U router.

To clarify do you mean RT-AC68U or do you really mean RT-N68U?

Most will suggest there is little benefit to putting Asus-Merlin firmware on a AiMesh Node. If you want the latest security updates for your router, install the Asus stock firwmare if that firmware is newer than the 386.x firmware since RMerlin is no longer actively supporting the 386.x firmware.

Occasionally a firmware will increase dramatically in size due to additional router versions (ex. V1, V2, V3, V4, etc.) being supported for that specific firmware file.

PS: For example, the latest Asus firmware for the RT-AC68U is 3.0.0.4.386_52062 (2025/10/27) while the last Asus Merlin firmware for that router is RT-AC68U_386.14_2 (2024-11-17).

 

[jenom]

Typo...Corrected...
they are both RT-AC68U and will be connected with an Ethernet cable Lan to Wan

 

[Tech9]

Use the latest stock Asuswrt firmware. It's much newer then the last Asuswrt-Merlin.

[AiMesh] How to setup AiMesh system (Web GUI)? | Official Support | ASUS Global

 

[ColinTaylor]

When I am looking at Merlin's firmwares, files sizes are around 35 Mb up to v386.4 , then they jump to up to 90 Mb.
1) What additional extra features causing this almost triple sized growth ?

None. Asus introduced a new model using different hardware but reused the "RT-AC68U" name for it. The increase in the size of the firmware download is because it has two separate images contained in one package. When you install the firmware it automatically uses the correct image.

 

[bennor]

Typo...Corrected...
they are both RT-AC68U and will be connected with an Ethernet cable Lan to Wan

As suggested, use the latest Asus stock firmware 3.0.0.4.386_52062 (2025/10/27) for the RT-AC68U unless there is a pressing reason to use the older no longer supported Asus-Merlin 386.14_2 firmware.

RT-AC68U｜WiFi Routers｜ASUS Global

ASUS has a range of wireless routers suitable for every purpose. Whether it's for your home, for business trips, or for any other need or environment, there's an ASUS router for you.

www.asus.com

 

[jenom]

I prefer to stay with Merlin's firmware.....even if it is older.
Could somebody tell me which Merlin version had first the AIMesh ?
Thanks!

 

[OzarkEdge]

I prefer to stay with Merlin's firmware.....even if it is older.

Unwise.

Could somebody tell me which Merlin version had first the AIMesh ?
Thanks!

AiMesh

Third party firmware for Asus routers (newer codebase) - RMerl/asuswrt-merlin.ng

github.com

OE

 

[bennor]

I prefer to stay with Merlin's firmware.....even if it is older.

May not be all that wise if the RT-AC68U is internet facing to run firmware that is a year, or worse five years or more, out of date and doesn't have the latest security patches from Asus for it, especially if you are going to have any sort of WAN side access to the router. But it's your choice.

Could somebody tell me which Merlin version had first the AIMesh ?

AiMesh support introduction is listed right in the Change Log for the 384/386 firmware:

Changelog (386.xx) | Asuswrt-Merlin

www.asuswrt-merlin.net

384.13 (31-July-2019)
- NEW: AiMesh Router and node support. Note that automatic live
update of Merlin-based nodes is not supported, you will have
to manually update any Merlin-based nodes when a new firmware
is available. Asus-based nodes (which is recommended) will be
able to make use of the automatic live update.

386.1 (30-Jan-2021)
Switched to the new 386 codebase. 386 introduces
AiMesh 2.0, finalizes the move to OpenSSL 1.1.1
firmware-wide, adds a new speedtest (powered
by Ookla). For more details, please refer
to Asus's own release notes.

 

[Tech9]

I prefer to stay with Merlin's firmware

It's missing critical security fixes. ASUS pushed a few firmware updates after official EoL to address ongoing issues. Don't force bad decisions to family members.

 

[jenom]

@Tech9
The so called security fixes are always behind, as the "threats" show up first !
no device is ever "safe" as long as they connected to the interweb or have Wifi .
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I am going to try out both , to see how AImesh old v1.00 on 384.13+ works vs new v2.0 on 386.1-4
Thanks for all the replies !

 

[Tech9]

Works as "you need to replace the routers soon". This hardware is 12+ years old and EoL.

 

[jenom]

The 12 year old router does reliably all (+ more) what my family member needs. No point to spend & waste $$$ on the latest & newest.

 

[Tech9]

The best firmware for this model is latest stock Asuswrt. You do whatever you like. Your family member will face the eventual consequences. Good luck!

 

[jenom]

Merlin's firmware is based on original Asus, so as good as Asus with added features.
Maybe you do not care for them, they are essential for me.

 

[Tech9]

Maybe you do not care for them

Maybe you don't care about security fixes after Asuswrt-Merlin support was discontinued.

Asuswrt-Merlin firmware 386.14_2 - 2024/11/17
Asuswrt firmware 3.0.0.4.386_52062 - 2025/10/27

 

[bennor]

Maybe you don't care about security fixes after Asuswrt-Merlin support was discontinued.

Asuswrt-Merlin firmware 386.14_2 - 2024/11/17
Asuswrt firmware 3.0.0.4.386_52062 - 2025/10/27

Or even worse; all the security fixes since 384.13 (31-July-2019) or 386.1 (30-Jan-2021) since there was talk about testing out the earliest versions of Asus-Merlin AiMesh firmware. That's likely a whole lot of known security vulnerabilities one would willingly leave unpatched for themselves and anyone else who uses that local network.

 

[jenom]

Maybe Asus programmers should have done a better job before releasing their half- baked unsecure software, instead of fixing it bit by bit when somebody discovers a vulnerability.

 

[Seth Harman]

Merlin's firmware is based on original Asus, so as good as Asus with added features.
Maybe you do not care for them, they are essential for me.

There are no "added features" when you're using them as AiMesh nodes hence why the consensus is to use stock, especially if it has newer security patches.