What's new

Questions before installing FT on my Asus RT-AC68U (A1)

  • SNBForums Code of Conduct

    SNBForums is a community for everyone, no matter what their level of experience.

    Please be tolerant and patient of others, especially newcomers. We are all here to share and learn!

    The rules are simple: Be patient, be nice, be helpful or be gone!

jfim88

Occasional Visitor
Hi guys,

I have an Asus RT-AC68U (A1 version), currently using merlin FW, but this device is now in EOL.

I'm thinking about install FreshTomato, but I need to be sure it's 100% compatible with my ISP requirements.

My ISP is Movistar Spain. I have FTTH service 1Gb, with VoIP and IPTV services.
It uses a Triple Play config (triple VLAN). 6 for internet, 2 for IPTV and 3 for VoIP.
The IPTV service, works with IGMP Proxy on vlan2, and it require some special setup like:

A static IP for vlan2
A DHCP server option 240 to connect the TV Box to the OPCH.
A DHCP server matcher for identifying the TV Box with the vendor code IAL
A special DNS server only for the TV Box
RTSP protocol for VOD content
My TV Box is connected through wifi, so wifi need to do multicast


For example, this is how the ISP is configured in Mikrotik routers:

Code:
/interface/bridge
set 0 igmp-snooping=yes

/interface/vlan
add interface=ether1 name=vlan2-iptv vlan-id=2
add interface=ether1 name=vlan3-telefono vlan-id=3
add interface=ether1 name=vlan6-internet vlan-id=6

/interface/pppoe-client
add add-default-route=yes disabled=no interface=vlan6-internet \
  name=internet use-peer-dns=yes user=adslppp@telefonicanetpa \
  password=adslppp

/interface/list
add comment=vlans-iptv-voip name=VLANs2&3

/interface/list/member
set [find where interface=ether1 and list=WAN] interface=internet
add interface=vlan2-iptv list=VLANs2&3
add interface=vlan3-telefono list=VLANs2&3

/ip/dhcp-server/option
add code=240 name=opch-imagenio value="':::::239.0.2.29:22222'"

/ip/pool
set [find name=default-dhcp] ranges=192.168.88.10-192.168.88.239
add name=iptv-dhcp ranges=192.168.88.241-192.168.88.254

/ip/dhcp-server/matcher
add address-pool=iptv-dhcp code=60 name=descos server=defconf \
  value="[IAL]"

/ip/dhcp-server/network
add address=192.168.88.240/28 comment=iptv-network \
  dhcp-option=opch-imagenio dns-server=172.23.101.98 \
  gateway=192.168.88.1 netmask=24

/ip/dhcp-client
add interface=vlan3-telefono add-default-route=no \
  use-peer-ntp=no use-peer-dns=no

/ip/address
add address=*MyIPTVstaticIP" interface=vlan2-iptv

/ip/firewall/filter
add action=accept chain=input comment="vlans: accept voip and iptv vlans" \
  in-interface-list=VLANs2&3 place-before=\
  [find where comment="defconf: drop all not coming from LAN"]

/ip/firewall/nat
add action=masquerade chain=srcnat comment="VLANs2&3: masquerade" \
  out-interface-list=VLANs2&3
 
/ip firewall mangle
add action=set-priority chain=postrouting new-priority=4 out-interface=\
    "vlan2-iptv" passthrough=yes
add action=set-priority chain=postrouting new-priority=5 out-interface=\
    "vlan3-telefono" passthrough=yes
add action=set-priority chain=postrouting new-priority=1 out-interface=\
    "internet"

/ip/firewall/service-port
set [find name=rtsp] disabled=no

/routing/igmp-proxy
set quick-leave=yes
/routing/igmp-proxy/interface
add alternative-subnets=0.0.0.0/0 interface=vlan2-iptv upstream=yes
add interface=bridge

/routing/rip/instance
add afi=ipv4 disabled=no name=rip
/routing rip interface-template
add instance=rip interfaces=vlan2-iptv,vlan3-telefono mode=passive

Do you think FT can run this setup?
 
Be advised nothing outside of the basic firmware today will run smoothly on a outdated AC68U. Use as a access point or chuck it and get something more modern. There can barely use the stock firmware with out running out of ram. Not worth the trouble.
 
Be advised nothing outside of the basic firmware today will run smoothly on a outdated AC68U. Use as a access point or chuck it and get something more modern. There can barely use the stock firmware with out running out of ram. Not worth the trouble.
My unit is running now latest stock firmware, using the Movistar Triple VLAN profile, and using about 30% of Ram.

I have a Mikrotik ax2, but waiting for their support team to fix a bug that affects igmp so the TV.
 
My unit is running now latest stock firmware, using the Movistar Triple VLAN profile, and using about 30% of Ram.

I have a Mikrotik ax2, but waiting for their support team to fix a bug that affects igmp so the TV.

Then go for it. If your happy with a 12 year old outdated low spec router then have at it. To me it's a waste of time.
 
Then go for it. If your happy with a 12 year old outdated low spec router then have at it. To me it's a waste of time.
Like I said, I already have a modern and more professional device, Mikrotik ax2. But I’m using the ASUS until the bug mentioned is fixed.

The 10yo ASUS Managing 1Gb fiber service with a triple vlan setup, internet voip and TV, runs solid.
 
There can barely use the stock firmware with out running out of ram.

Not true. RT-AC68U has about the same available RAM after boot as 512MB RAM RT-AC86U. I’ve never seen RT-AC68U running out of RAM, runs better than many newer models.
 
Last edited:
Not true. RT-AC68U has about the same available RAM after boot as 512MB RAM RT-AC86U. I’ve never seen RT-AC68U running out of RAM, runs better than many newer models.
Yeah. Mine has about 30% RAM used. Running pretty solid for a 10yo unit.
 
About FreshTomato - try and see what happens. I don't know if it works with 3x VLANs on the WAN side ISP.
 
I have an Asus RT-AC68U (A1 version), currently using merlin FW, but this device is now in EOL.

I'm thinking about install FreshTomato, but I need to be sure it's 100% compatible with my ISP requirements.

My ISP is Movistar Spain. I have FTTH service 1Gb, with VoIP and IPTV services.
It uses a Triple Play config (triple VLAN). 6 for internet, 2 for IPTV and 3 for VoIP.
The IPTV service, works with IGMP Proxy on vlan2, and it require some special setup like:

A static IP for vlan2
A DHCP server option 240 to connect the TV Box to the OPCH.
A DHCP server matcher for identifying the TV Box with the vendor code IAL
A special DNS server only for the TV Box
RTSP protocol for VOD content
My TV Box is connected through wifi, so wifi need to do multicast

I would suggest that it's time to upgrade with your 1Gb connection and three VLAN's (Broadband, TV, and DialTone)...

It's not just the SW side, but the HW - components age out over time, everything from AC adapters to caps on the board to NAND failures over time...

An AC66U-A1 is getting along in years now - it really is time to scope out newer devices...
 

Latest threads

Support SNBForums w/ Amazon

If you'd like to support SNBForums, just use this link and buy anything on Amazon. Thanks!

Sign Up For SNBForums Daily Digest

Get an update of what's new every day delivered to your mailbox. Sign up here!
Top