[Release] Asuswrt-Merlin 384.9 is now available

[Hawk]

Eric, With 384.9 firmware my 5 ghz dies randomly sometimes after 6 hours other it can stay working for 2 to 3 days. During this time it still broadcast it, but no devices can connect to it.
Have you encountered such a situation with your rt-ax88u? While 5GHZ dies, 2.4 GHZ continue to work.

 

[L&LD]

I can't update my RT-AC87U from firmware 384.7_2 to 384.9_0 after upload .trx file and install it the router reboot but the firmware doesn't change.
please help me. what can I do?

Safely remove any USB devices from the router if you have any plugged in. Reboot the router and wait 5 minutes. Now flash the new firmware you want.

 

[RamGuy]

My Asus RT-AX88U is somewhat unstable with this build. Not entirely sure what is going on, can't locate anything odd in the system logs other than a bunch of these messages on a constant repeat;

kernel: blog_death_by_timeout: bad timeout value=18446744073709541616, extra_jiffies=30000, idle_jiffies=40000


1-2 times per week Internet Connection will get lost as the WAN DHCP is reporting that there is something wrong with my ISP DHCP Service. Setting a manual WAN IP and the reverting back to DHCP or just a reboot will solve it until it locks up again after some days.

Tried to flash 389.10 Alpha 2 today and did a factory restore without importing my old configuration (just did a nvram set and commit on my dhcp static list so I didn't need to enter all those mac-addresses, hostname's and IP-addresses) and these;

kernel: blog_death_by_timeout: bad timeout value=18446744073709541616, extra_jiffies=30000, idle_jiffies=40000

Are coming back again. Not sure exactly what these messages are or means or whether they have anything to do with the WAN DHCP struggling 1-2 times per week but I have never had these messages repeating nonstop in the system logs in the past.


EDIT:

I'm certain there is nothing wrong with the ISP DHCP services as I have three ports from the ISP all offering dynamic IPv4 addresses using DHCP and a second is used for my Palo Alto firewall for my site-to-site IPsec connection and this one has been rock solid while my RT-AX88U have reporting "issues" with the same DHCP services four-five times while the Palo Alto has not had any issues whatsoever.


EDIT2:

It's worth mention that these messages in the system log does not seem to change. So it the same one being repeated over and over again, the values in the message does not seem to change;

Mar 1 18:51:07 kernel: blog_death_by_timeout: bad timeout value=18446744073709541616, extra_jiffies=30000, idle_jiffies=40000
Mar 1 18:51:08 kernel: blog_death_by_timeout: bad timeout value=18446744073709541616, extra_jiffies=30000, idle_jiffies=40000
Mar 1 18:51:16 kernel: blog_death_by_timeout: bad timeout value=18446744073709541616, extra_jiffies=30000, idle_jiffies=40000
Mar 1 18:51:34 kernel: blog_death_by_timeout: bad timeout value=18446744073709541616, extra_jiffies=30000, idle_jiffies=40000
Mar 1 18:51:43 kernel: blog_death_by_timeout: bad timeout value=18446744073709541616, extra_jiffies=30000, idle_jiffies=40000
Mar 1 18:51:47 kernel: blog_death_by_timeout: bad timeout value=18446744073709541616, extra_jiffies=30000, idle_jiffies=40000
Mar 1 18:51:56 kernel: blog_death_by_timeout: bad timeout value=18446744073709541616, extra_jiffies=30000, idle_jiffies=40000
Mar 1 18:52:01 kernel: blog_death_by_timeout: bad timeout value=18446744073709541616, extra_jiffies=30000, idle_jiffies=40000


EDIT3:

Can't really find much about these messages on the web other than some posts on the Asus forums in Chinese without much information or conclusion.

According to the previous Asus RT-AX88U firmware from Asus;

Version 3.0.0.4.384.53292018/12/1363.72 MBytes

ASUS RT-AX88U Firmware version 3.0.0.4.384.5329
Bug fixes and improvement:
- Improved AiMesh stability
- Improved wireless stability in DFS channel
- Fixed WAN detection bug.

Others:
Modified QIS description in HE frame step.

Please unzip the firmware file first then check the MD5 code.
MD5: 486fc04c454a240af75f43dd7de7b4d5


It might look like this is a RT-AX88U specific bug that was fixed in the official firmware in December. I'm not entirely sure if Merlin 384.9 contains said fix?

 

[RMerlin]

Eric, With 384.9 firmware my 5 ghz dies randomly sometimes after 6 hours other it can stay working for 2 to 3 days. During this time it still broadcast it, but no devices can connect to it.
Have you encountered such a situation with your rt-ax88u? While 5GHZ dies, 2.4 GHZ continue to work.

No, wifi is rock-solid with my RT-AX88U. Make sure you follow the recommendations that have been posted before: avoid DFS channel, use a fixed channel, etc...etc...

It might look like this is a RT-AX88U specific bug that was fixed in the official firmware in December. I'm not entirely sure if Merlin 384.9 contains said fix?

384.9 is based on GPL 5329, so it contains the exact same changes.

 

[WGurra]

My RT-AC68U is excellent with this firmware, thank you - but it sometimes floods with messages like below (every second or so):

kernel: osl_pktfastfree: free skb for Null ctfpool

..this seems related to a pptp client:
- on deactivate the client it stops
- on activate the client it first seems fine, but after a few minutes these messages starts to flood the system

Please advise, thanks.

 

[Ditch]

Just a noob question:
When setting up VPN Routing Rules should I include (VPN) or exclude (WAN) router ip or just not setting at all?

 

[Zastoff]

Just a noob question:
When setting up VPN Routing Rules should I include (VPN) or exclude (WAN) router ip or just not setting at all?

I would recommend setting router ip to WAN thats what i use, But it depends on how you do your routing.

Example: (WAN Rules goes before VPN rules)
All 192.168.1.0/24 0.0.0.0 VPN (all ip`s in that range if subnet mask 255.255.255.0 is used)
Router 192.168.1.1 0.0.0.0 WAN
Tv-box 192.168.1.200 0.0.0.0 WAN
and so on

 

[Hawk]

No, wifi is rock-solid with my RT-AX88U. Make sure you follow the recommendations that have been posted before: avoid DFS channel, use a fixed channel, etc...etc...

Eric thanks for confirming, I am using non dfs channel, did factory reset few times and did minimal configuration. Probably will see how it goes, otherwise RMA it.

Is your router boot loader region code set to Canada?

 

[Artz]

I solved the problem I've been having with Squeezbox Boom. The problem was in the router (RT-AC88U). After changing every single option I could think of that could influence 2.4 GHz network and nothing had helped, I changed 'Group Key Rotation Interval' from 3600 to 3000. Squeezbox connected immediately and is Rock solid since then. I know what this option is for and lowering the value by 600ms shouldn't change a thing it actually helped.

That could mean that the original default value was not actually what was written in the UI.

 

[Ditch]

I would recommend setting router ip to WAN thats what i use, But it depends on how you do your routing.

Example: (WAN Rules goes before VPN rules)
All 192.168.1.0/24 0.0.0.0 VPN (all ip`s in that range if subnet mask 255.255.255.0 is used)
Router 192.168.1.1 0.0.0.0 WAN
Tv-box 192.168.1.200 0.0.0.0 WAN
and so on

Ok good, that’s my configuration already. Thank you.

 

[tallytr]

I never ever had that with any router before. RT-AC86U on Merlin 384.9, holy cow!
This thing will run forever without need for rebooting...before had to typically reboot every week for sure.

17 days 20 hours 0 minute(s) 13 seconds

Update:
27 days 18 hours 33 minute(s) 26 seconds

After AiMesh trouble this restores my faith in Asus hardware and especially in Asuswrt-Merlin.
No more crossing fingers when travelling and family complaining when Wifi goes down
Simply brilliant!

 

[RMerlin]

Eric thanks for confirming, I am using non dfs channel, did factory reset few times and did minimal configuration. Probably will see how it goes, otherwise RMA it.

Is your router boot loader region code set to Canada?

No, country code is set to US.

 

[chrisinsocalif]

I am also getting the dnsmasq error. Using the AC88U with a VPN server, using DNS from OpenDNS for both ipv4 and ipv6. I did a fresh flash the last release, dirty flash this release. (I need to remember how to save my DHCP leases , VPN config and DDNS settings). It seems if this error keeps going it will disconnect the client then reconnect.

Mar  2 20:12:31 dnsmasq-dhcp[301]: DHCPREQUEST(br0) 192.168.25.157 (Mac Address)
Mar  2 20:12:31 dnsmasq-dhcp[301]: DHCPACK(br0) 192.168.25.157 (Mac Address)  Cherrys-iPhone
Mar  2 20:33:31 dnsmasq[301]: failed to send packet: Operation not permitted
Mar  2 20:33:32 dnsmasq[301]: failed to send packet: Operation not permitted
Mar  2 20:33:32 dnsmasq[301]: failed to send packet: Operation not permitted
Mar  2 20:33:37 dnsmasq[301]: failed to send packet: Operation not permitted
Mar  2 20:33:37 dnsmasq[301]: failed to send packet: Operation not permitted
Mar  2 20:33:42 dnsmasq[301]: failed to send packet: Operation not permitted
Mar  2 20:33:47 dnsmasq[301]: failed to send packet: Operation not permitted

 

[theirongiant]

I have an RT-AX88U with Smart Connect enabled, and I installed Merlin 384.9.

In Tools / Sysinfo, the 5GHz radio is "disabled." Yet, I have looked at the Wireless / Professional tab and both radios are enabled. I also tried disabling / enabling the radio manually. No change.

With Smart Connect enabled, all channels are locked to "Auto." Any suggestions? Is Smart Connect not yet supported in Merlin?

 

[AndreiV]

I have an RT-AX88U with Smart Connect enabled, and I installed Merlin 384.9.

In Tools / Sysinfo, the 5GHz radio is "disabled." Yet, I have looked at the Wireless / Professional tab and both radios are enabled. I also tried disabling / enabling the radio manually. No change.

With Smart Connect enabled, all channels are locked to "Auto." Any suggestions? Is Smart Connect not yet supported in Merlin?

The Tools /Sysinfo issue is already discussed in other threads/posts.

With Smart Connect enabled, all channels are locked to "Auto." Any suggestions?

Which is exactly what is expected, the system chooses the best wifi band and channels for you.

 

[theirongiant]

The Tools /Sysinfo issue is already discussed in other threads/posts.



Which is exactly what is expected, the system chooses the best wifi band and channels for you.

Let me ask you something else ... when I run "Wi-Fi Explorer" on my Mac, I do not see any 5GHz signal from my router.

I also pressed the Wi-Fi button on the front of the router. The lights went out. I pressed it again and both Wi-Fi lights went on, then went off, then went on, and finally the 5GHz light went out.

 

[Zastoff]

Let me ask you something else ... when I run "Wi-Fi Explorer" on my Mac, I do not see any 5GHz signal from my router.

I also pressed the Wi-Fi button on the front of the router. The lights went out. I pressed it again and both Wi-Fi lights went on, then went off, then went on, and finally the 5GHz light went out.

Would recommend setting Control Channel manually (skip the smart connect)
1 6 or 11 for 2.4Ghz
try out 36-48 for 5Ghz and see if that works
Disable Universal Beamforming
Group Key Rotation Interval 2592000

 

[AndreiV]

Let me ask you something else ... when I run "Wi-Fi Explorer" on my Mac, I do not see any 5GHz signal from my router.

I also pressed the Wi-Fi button on the front of the router. The lights went out. I pressed it again and both Wi-Fi lights went on, then went off, then went on, and finally the 5GHz light went out.

Try as Zastoff suggests.

If the 5GHz LED continues to turn off that would suggest the 5G radio is possibly failing.
Maybe you have a hardware failure.
Try power cycling the router. Leave power button on, pull power plug from supply and let router drain for @ 2 minutes, then plug in and try again.
Other than that try a factory reset. If the 5G still fails I would phone/email Asus support.
Personally I would never use Smart Connect.

 

[theirongiant]

Thanks for the replies, both of you.

Quick update: I used the Asus Firmware Recovery tool to roll back to Asus' stock firmware 384_5329, same as Merlin's 384.9. I forgot to reset to factory settings, and it appears to have preserved all my network settings.

Now on the stock firmware, both Wi-Fi lights are on, and 5GHz works fine including Smart Connect. The router correctly steered my MacBook Pro from 2.4GHz to 5GHz on the first try!

So maybe there's something wrong with Merlin's build?

 

[AndreiV]

Thanks for the replies, both of you.

Quick update: I used the Asus Firmware Recovery tool to roll back to Asus' stock firmware 384_5329, same as Merlin's 384.9. I forgot to reset to factory settings, and it appears to have preserved all my network settings.

Now on the stock firmware, both Wi-Fi lights are on, and 5GHz works fine including Smart Connect. The router correctly steered my MacBook Pro from 2.4GHz to 5GHz on the first try!

So maybe there's something wrong with Merlin's build?

Running merlin requires a complete factory reset after installation, if you didn't do that then you will have problems.

Merlin doesn't make any changes to WiFi / Radio drivers etc. ( those are closed source ) so any issue like that are not caused by running Merlin firmware.