RT-AC56U - new FW3.0.0.4.374.291 available!

[Sky1111]

Hey guys, ASUS kindly release .291 version for RT-AC56U

Update from Merlin to stock firmware went well - still have to reset to factory defaults to re-enter the settings

OBSERVATIONS
- wifi 2.4 - seems to be slightly better, but still not great on 2.4GHz channel (still see random drops to like 12 Mbps from 300Mbps)
- for the first time, ASUS added VPN client: http://192.168.1.1/Advanced_VPNClient_Content.asp
- VPN client does not seem to be working with PIA VPN service
- VPN Client configuration is nowhere close to Merlin
- it is only asking for user name/password and openvpn config file AND IT DOES NOT SEEM TO BE WORKING, EVEN THOUGH IT DOES CONNECT.

Here is the link PIA configuration which works for Merlin FW: https://www.privateinternetaccess.c...on/1125/asus-rt-ac66u-openvpn-setup-guide-/p1

 

[Sky1111]

tracemyIP, various speed tests confirm that OpenVPN is NOT working

 

[speedingcheetah]

torrents crash router

woa...serious issues here...

I updated my AC56U to the new firmware on the website: ASUS RT-AC56U Firmware version 3.0.0.4.374.291

I was using it fine for about an hour....speeds best they have ever been transferring files around both on wifi an lan....up-link speeds were much improved for the 5ghz wifi...

However, soon a a launched a torrent, either on a wifi or lan connection...everything instantly fell apart. The network crashed...no internet connection...did have local lan access....BUT the routers web config page would not load....

I power cycled the router...and same thing...works great, until torrent is launched. After 4 of these power cycles, I decided to downgrade firmware, but the router was not accepting my login info...it took 2 more power cycles..then it logged in and I downgraded firmware( flashed FW_RT_AC56U_3004374134.trx....then updated via the UI to 3.0.0.4.374_158)

Now its working fine again...torrents and everything....what Asus do to screw up the new firmware?

 

[Sky1111]

I am having weird issues too - keep losing internet connection, but torrent do not seem to kill my router.

With all my due respect, .291 FW should not have passed QA. The good news is that .306 is coming soon - and hopefully it will work better...

Can't wait for Merlin build.

 

[speedingcheetah]

I am using the AC56u as a router for my CenturyLink DSL....the isp router is in bridge mode and the AC56U handles the pppoe ...etc...

What ever they did in this update....wifi 5ghz speeds were best yet...but crash the router when u run a torrent or large file transfer ...then refuse login info after power cycle..how did this pass QC.

Anyone having issues....not sure if this affects both DSL or cable users....as the router would be setup differently depending on your isp connection type

 

[canhsat]

Yeah, i just got this router in the mail.... updated to the latest .291 firmware..and this router is half as slow as my old Buffalo WHR-HP-G54. Slower than a my 6 year old router.

 

[RMerlin]

Yeah, i just got this router in the mail.... updated to the latest .291 firmware..and this router is half as slow as my old Buffalo WHR-HP-G54. Slower than a my 6 year old router.

Something must be misconfigured, because this router is definitely faster than a 54 Mbps router. I suggest you post what your configuration is and what troubleshooting steps you have taken, otherwise it would be a shot in the dark to attempt to help you.

 

[canhsat]

Something must be misconfigured, because this router is definitely faster than a 54 Mbps router. I suggest you post what your configuration is and what troubleshooting steps you have taken, otherwise it would be a shot in the dark to attempt to help you.

Defaults straight out of the box, basically change admin password, set the 2 SSIDs and then the set the password for wireless. what settings are you referring? I can post SS of any page.

 

[RMerlin]

Defaults straight out of the box, basically change admin password, set the 2 SSIDs and then the set the password for wireless. what settings are you referring? I can post SS of any page.

See this post for a lot of tips on how to troubleshoot performance issues:

http://forums.smallnetbuilder.com/showthread.php?t=12825

Out of the box, the router isn't optimized as it will try to adapt to whatever environment you have. The simplest change is to set to a fixed channel rather than auto, using a tool like InSSIDer to determine which channel is the least used in your area.

Also make sure you are using WPA2-AES, as anything else will force the router back to 54 Mbits max - this is a limitation imposed by the 802.11 standard.

I have no problem pushing 120-140 Mbits of real throughput through my RT-AC56U using a 300 Mbits adapter on the 5 GHz band (around 100 Mbits on the more crowded 2.4 GHz band).

 

[sweenytodd]

How can I make the 20MHz (of 2.4GHz band) to get a link speed of 300Mbps for my N clients?

 

[RMerlin]

How can I make the 20MHz (of 2.4GHz band) to get a link speed of 300Mbps for my N clients?

You can't. 300 Mbps requires 40 Mhz channel width, which is hard to maintain in a stable way on the 2.4 GHz band.

 

[speedingcheetah]

Jumbo Frames issues

I previously mentioned that I updated to this firmware .291....and started having the router lockup as soon as a engaged a torrent......

I did further testing....reset to factory..flashed .219 in restore mode....and reset all my settings to what they were....and the lockup still happened...

So ...I started toggling random settings on and off etc...and disabling Jumbo frame did the trick....now everything is fine....torrents running great...no lockups for the last 10 min

No idea why Jumbo Frames would cause this...I kinda get what Jumbo frames is....but doesn't it hurt performance to disable it...as in lan transfer speeds and such?

Its weird...internet speeds seem a tad punchier with J F disabled.

UPDATE: Spoke too soon....it crashed again.....well...back to older firmware I go.

 

[Sky1111]

Well, I ended up re-flashing back to Merlin FW... no more crashes...

 

[speedingcheetah]

.158 fimrware file

Anyone have a copy of the AC56U firmware file that the router currently sees as the newest version: 3.0.0.4.374_158-g36ce605

Only ver 134 and 216 is on the web site....as 216 is unusable for me....i am concerned that in the future, Asus will update the site where the router checks for updates and I will no longer be able to flash to 158 if I need to since i know it works well...as the only way to get it is flash 134 then run update in gui.

 

[drywolf]

need firmware or replacement router

Wish my new router would work. Many issues with 2G wifi. I owned n53 and n56 and they worked great. I bought the ac68 and it was too bad to wait for firmware so I bought the ac56 and stll have similar issues as ac68 with 2g wifi and usb 3.0 port.

 

[speedingcheetah]

Wish my new router would work. Many issues with 2G wifi. I owned n53 and n56 and they worked great. I bought the ac68 and it was too bad to wait for firmware so I bought the ac56 and stll have similar issues as ac68 with 2g wifi and usb 3.0 port.

There are known issues with those versions of firmware...they were pulled...so I read.

New firmware is posted to asus site...which should solve your issues.
http://www.asus.com/us/Networking/RTAC56U/#support

ASUS RT-AC56U Firmware version 3.0.0.4.374.339