Recommended firmware for R7000

[sqa4life]

Hello expert,
I am new to this forum. I just bought my very first AC router, Netgear Nighthawk R7000.
Please recommend the best firmware for this router.

I've been using the Netgear WNDR3400v3 (N600) for awhile and never had problem. We recently moved into a split level 2 stories house so the range is not too good. I am hoping the new R7000 will solve this issue.

Also, is it possible to use both routers (N600 and R7000) together (bridging) so that we can place one on each level of the house?

Thanks.

-newbie

 

[pege63]

R U looking for original FW or 3rd part FW?
This is Asuswrt-Merlin (or XWRT or Cross-WRT) firmware for Netgear R7000 http://www.linksysinfo.org/index.php?threads/asuswrt-merlin-on-netgear-r7000.71108/
Here some OpenSource FW http://www.myopenrouter.com/download?field_download_category_tid=3
And here you are the original FW for R7000 http://downloadcenter.netgear.com/other/#searchResults

 

[RogerSC]

The firmware that I'm currently using on my R7000 is Shibby tomato ARM v131. It's working very well for me, reliable and great wireless coverage. I'm really happy with it. You can read about it here:

http://www.linksysinfo.org/index.php?threads/tomato-for-arm-routers.69719/

and download it here:

http://www.tomato.groov.pl/download/K26ARM/

Here's Shibby's release thread that discusses all of his releases. Some tomato ARM discussion is done here as well:

http://www.linksysinfo.org/index.php?threads/tomato-shibbys-releases.33858/

If you do decide to try this firmware, be sure that you read about how to flash it. It's like DD-WRT in that you need to do an intermediate flash to go from stock firmware to tomato. It isn't difficult, doing it the first time requires a little reading, though *smile*.

 

[NETGEAR Guy]

Besides the official release FW, there is also open source available at: http://myopenrouter.com/download

 

[RogerSC]

Besides the official release FW, there is also open source available at: http://myopenrouter.com/download

Yes, those are dd-wrt firmware releases. I'd suggest not using that resource. Instead, read about the results that users are getting with each release, that'll help you pick a release that's more likely to work better for you. When there's a new release, there's usually a thread about it on the dd-wrt user forum. Also a good place to ask questions about dd-wrt firmware and releases. The resources for dd-wrt are:

DD-WRT forum for Broadcom-based router firmware (like the R7000):

http://www.dd-wrt.com/phpBB2/viewforum.php?f=1

BrainSlayer's dd-wrt firmware release downloads:

ftp://ftp.dd-wrt.com/betas/2015/

Kong's dd-wrt firmware release downloads:

http://www.desipro.de/ddwrt/K3-AC-Arm/

Again, just like Tomato ARM firmware that I mentioned above, be sure to read about this firmware before flashing it. For example, if you're going from stock firmware to dd-wrt, you'll need to flash a transition firmware image before flashing the actual dd-wrt release that you want to use.

Also, right at the moment, from my personal experience, I'd recommend Shibby's Tomato ARM firmware over dd-wrt firmware for the Netgear R7000.

 

[Clark Griswald]

I recently upgraded to xwrt 54.2 for my two R7000s, and I am pleased with the options and performance. Xwrt forum is significantly more helpful than netgear's forum.

 

[Adam64]

The firmware that I'm currently using on my R7000 is Shibby tomato ARM v131. It's working very well for me, reliable and great wireless coverage. I'm really happy with it. You can read about it here:

http://www.linksysinfo.org/index.php?threads/tomato-for-arm-routers.69719/

and download it here:

http://www.tomato.groov.pl/download/K26ARM/

Here's Shibby's release thread that discusses all of his releases. Some tomato ARM discussion is done here as well:

http://www.linksysinfo.org/index.php?threads/tomato-shibbys-releases.33858/

If you do decide to try this firmware, be sure that you read about how to flash it. It's like DD-WRT in that you need to do an intermediate flash to go from stock firmware to tomato. It isn't difficult, doing it the first time requires a little reading, though *smile*.

I'm using Advanced Tomato, which is Shibby's Tomato with a "user-friendly GUI." It's good. I like it better than DDWRT and the stock FW.

https://advancedtomato.com/

 

[RogerSC]

I'm using Advanced Tomato, which is Shibby's Tomato with a "user-friendly GUI." It's good. I like it better than DDWRT and the stock FW.

https://advancedtomato.com/

Yes, I used Advanced Tomato v131 for some time as well. I had two problems with it that pushed me back to "classic" tomato (Shibby). First off, lines were spaced out more than I like, which meant that I had to do more scrolling to get information than I want to do. I want to see as much as I reasonably can without having to scroll. Sometimes, if I have to scroll too much I miss information because I don't scroll at the right time. The other problem that I had with it was that the foreground text is dark gray (instead of black), and the background is light gray (instead of white). Due to the lack of contrast between the foreground and background colors, I was getting eyestrain reading the web admin GUI on Advanced Tomato.

On the other hand, if these issues don't bother you, Advanced Tomato might be fine for you. It is more "modern"-looking, and obviously a lot of work has been put into it. For me, I'd be using it if the above two visual problems were taken care of, I like it's layout. But I found that I just couldn't keep using it. I did tell the author about the eyestrain problem, since that one is definitely worse for me.

 

[RogerSC]

Currently using XVortex myself now, since 56_Beta1 is the first release that IPv6 has worked on for me (my ISP is Comcast). It is working quite well, but I'd be hard pressed to compare it to Shibby's tomato ARM. They both are working quite well on the R7000. I can recommend either of these, and I would have to call it personal preference. As in, try them both and see what you think.

 

[Adam64]

Currently using XVortex myself now, since 56_Beta1 is the first release that IPv6 has worked on for me (my ISP is Comcast). It is working quite well, but I'd be hard pressed to compare it to Shibby's tomato ARM. They both are working quite well on the R7000. I can recommend either of these, and I would have to call it personal preference. As in, try them both and see what you think.

Thanks for the lead. I'm going to give XVortex a try.

 

[Clark Griswald]

FYI
56_Beta2 has been released by XVortex

 

[pege63]

Its only BETA waith 4 d real thing

 

[Clark Griswald]

FW 56_0 is now official

 

[RogerSC]

FW 56_0 is now official

Yes, and it's working well for me *smile*.

 

[pege63]

56.0 BY hggomes for the Netgear R7000, where did u find that FW?

 

[tvyankee]

Hello.

If I load Merlin s software onto a nighthawk 7000 is dual wan available on this router and if so is anyone using it and has it been,tested?

Thanks for any info in advance.

 

[microchip]

.56 along with beta 2 works with no issues here. WAN light also works, unlike on .55

 

[tvyankee]

Thanks for the fast response. Is it difficult to flash Merlin s firmware on the router?

Thanks

 

[tvyankee]

Thanks for your fast response. Was it hard to install Merlin s firmware on the router?

 

[microchip]

Thanks for your fast response. Was it hard to install Merlin s firmware on the router?

No, but read the instructions here http://www.linksysinfo.org/index.php?threads/asuswrt-merlin-on-netgear-r7000.71108/