RT-AC68U - Last rites

[PeterLiljedahl]

Asus recently released an update for this old device which is fantastic in itself.
Dear Merlin, will you always give this router the last rites whenever Asus do so?.
Also, I read that you removed the Aicloud crap from your firmwares because it
caused so many security issues.
Will you do the same with RT-AC68U family firmware if updating it?.
Kindly Peter

 

[ColinTaylor]

This question has been asked multiple times, the answer is always the same. RMerlin has no plans to release any more firmware updates for the RT-AC68U (or any other models that use the 3.0.0.4.386 firmware branch).

 

[bennor]

Will you do the same with RT-AC68U family firmware if updating it?.

If you need or want the security updates provided by later Asus updates for EOL routers, then update to the Asus firmware. RMerlin has repeatedly made it clear that support for 3004.386.x EOL routers ended December 2024. There has not been any indication since then, despite ample opportunity to do so, of reversing that decision to end 3004.386.x support and provide another round of 3004.386.x updates on top of the time that is spent updating non EOL 3004.388 series and the expanding 3006.102 series of routers.

RMerlin explained, back in 2024, their plans regarding separate version branches (3004.386, 3004.388 and 3006.102).

Current plans regarding separate version branches

I thought I'd make a post clarifying the current plans regarding the separate versions (386 and 388), and future plans. 386 branch: This branch is for older models that Asus didn't move to the 388 codebase. This includes three Broadcom SDKs: - SDK 6.x (RT-AC68U) - SDK 7.14 (RT-AC88U...

www.snbforums.com

 

[PeterLiljedahl]

Thank you gentlemen for informing me regarding Merlins decision with such a haste.
I honestly thought that his decision was based on Asus decision to EOL
said firmware family at december 2024, however since Asus released further
updates after this date, I thought Merlin would do too.
Being Asus most popular/sold router I always thought it would receive the last rites.
I am aware he has a lot on his plate right now - it has to be fun after all.

 

[Viktor Jaep]

Thank you gentlemen for informing me regarding Merlins decision with such a haste.
I honestly thought that his decision was based on Asus decision to EOL
said firmware family at december 2024, however since Asus released further
updates after this date, I thought Merlin would do too.
Being Asus most popular/sold router I always thought it would receive the last rites.
I am aware he has a lot on his plate right now - it has to be fun after all.

It was a nice router in it's day, but definitely a bit long-in-the-tooth by today's standards.

 

[JGrana]

Nice router!?!
It was a classic. One of the best of all I have ever owned. @PeterLiljedahl you should move on to a newer router - but clean the AC68U up and set it on a memorial shelf.

I wish I still had one of mine - and I had a few!

For history - I gifted one to Jack Yaz years ago so he could test/debug his early addons without disturbing his home network.
(cost me almost as much to ship it to the UK than I paid for it… lesson learned ;-)

 

[heysoundude]

Remove the antennæ, Shut off the radios and dhcp, then put it behind a modern/current router somewhere in your network where an unmanaged gigabit switch is required: it will function in that capacity for many years yet. It’s what I’ve done to both my first asus, an rt-n66u, and the one that replaced it, an rt-ac86u, when I upgraded to ax88pro. Now there is nowhere in my home that is more than 10m of cable from a gigabit port on a switch. I suppose I could turn the radios back on and have a ridiculous 5Ghz-only 802.11n wireless network to match my 120/10 isp too, but…hmmm, maybe that’s something to experiment with over the holidays…

Legacy gigabit network hardware will soon be obsoleted, however, by 2.5Gbps and faster because ISPs are bringing 5Gbps and faster fibre connections as the digital avalanche accelerates…mikrotik will soon be releasing a piece that is wifi7, all 2.5 ports and SFP at 10Gbps as an example…

 

[Tech9]

Shut off the radios and dhcp

Use AP Mode with radios disabled and you get 5x LAN ports instead of 4x LAN ports in Router mode with DHCP disabled.

 

[heysoundude]

Use AP Mode with radios disabled and you get 5x LAN ports instead of 4x LAN ports in Router mode with DHCP disabled.

Yes. There’s still the ip address that needs to be assigned to it, and the main router’s domain name (I think for mdns) but that’s my pre-coffee brain talking. I also turn the transmit power down on each band before I turn the radios off.

 

[Tech9]

In AP Mode and all on Auto it will take whatever it needs from the Router. May consume 2-3x more electricity though compared to 5-port Gigabit switch, usually under 3W.

 

[CaptainSTX]

In AP Mode and all on Auto it will take whatever it needs from the Router. May consume 2-3x more electricity though compared to 5-port Gigabit switch, usually under 3W.

Still economically it makes sense to repurpose old routers into switches. My old Linksys 54G being used as a switch draws between 3-4 watts uses around $4.30 in electricity each year. If a 5 port switch uses just one watt the electricity would cost me $1.23 based on my local utility rate. Then by buying a five-port switch costing $13.50 it would take over four years of electricity savings to pay for the new switch.

 

[heysoundude]

Still economically it makes sense to repurpose old routers into switches. My old Linksys 54G being used as a switch draws between 3-4 watts uses around $4.30 in electricity each year. If a 5 port switch uses just one watt the electricity would cost me $1.23 based on my local utility rate. Then by buying a five-port switch costing $13.50 it would take over four years of electricity savings to pay for the new switch.

Exactly, and the peace of mind/avoidance of “green” EEE switch issue stress is worth much more to me. If you’d like the one I pulled out of service and replaced with my AP’d legacy routers, DM your shipping details to me and you can have it.

 

[Jeffrey Young]

The AC68U is still a capable router. Install DD-WRT on it. Will give years more service. I have one still running as an AP (using Dd-WRT).

 

[visortgw]

Still economically it makes sense to repurpose old routers into switches. My old Linksys 54G being used as a switch draws between 3-4 watts uses around $4.30 in electricity each year. If a 5 port switch uses just one watt the electricity would cost me $1.23 based on my local utility rate. Then by buying a five-port switch costing $13.50 it would take over four years of electricity savings to pay for the new switch.

But the 5-port switch is being used in its intended manner...

 

[Tech9]

Some people just don't care about the environment ...

... and my recycling business.

 

[visortgw]

Some people just don't care about the environment ...

View attachment 69684

... and my recycling business.

The best little unmanaged switch ever made, and the price is right, too! 8-port version available as well...

 

[Tech9]

Spyware... they made it look nice and sell it cheap for a reason. You can remove your signature. With so many TP-Link switches over a billion people know what's on your network already.