RT-AC68P ... Merlin or Official Firmware

[Oscar G]

Hi everyone ... I am totally new here ... I just got a RT-AC68P and before I attempt to set it up I figured I would come see whats the recommended firmware to upgrade to.

I saw a post that said .9313 seems to be a stable, fast firmware. But I am also seeing alot of raves about Merlin firmware.

I am very much interested in networking but am fairly new at it, so I am also looking around for advice on designing/setting up my home network. I am using a DPC3008 modem, RT-AC68P router and a Netgear GS105 switch.

My home devices are mainly (1) Smart TV {wifi}, (2) Desktops {wifi and wired}, (1) Laptop {wifi}, (1) Tablet {wifi}, (3) Cellphones {wifi} (3) Android Boxes {wifi and wired} (1) PS4 {wired} (2) Chromecast {wifi} (1) Printer {wired}.

All advice is appreciated. Thanks

 

[rototiller]

I too, have a RT-AC68P as my main router. I run Merlin on my setup. It is similar to Asus' FW but I believe Eric does a better job updating his version of it. When setting up your home network, wire every device that you are able to.

 

[Oscar G]

Thanks for the reply. I am currently searching for a Merlin firmware to download. Could I just upgrade from factory straight to any Merlin firmware?

 

[Oscar G]

Thanks. I was able to easily update to 380.58.

Are there any settings I could use to obtain better connection speeds? I am currently paying for 25 mbps but speedtest are showing downloads speed of only around 12 mbps directly connected to the router.

 

[Oscar G]

Yes, I did do the Factory Reset before updating. Then I just setup the wireless using WPA2, then I Factory Reset it again after doing the speedtest and then I set back up the wireless. But I did not upload a config file.

 

[Oscar G]

Is it possible that my modem is slowing down the connection?

 

[Stephen Becker]

There is a lot that is possible. Here are steps you can do to help isolate where the problem is.

Connect a computer directly to your modem and test (if problem starts here, first call ISP and check line, could also be a modem problem.)
Connect a computer to Router by Ethernet and test (if problem starts here then it is something going on with the router.)
Connect a computer to Router by WiFi test both 2.4 and 5GHz (if problem starts here they you may be using an over crowed channel, are too far away, or your client has a crappy WiFi radio)

 

[maxbraketorque]

What Stephen Becker said.