RT-AC86U - WAN connection issue

[Serge]

I've applied latest Asuswrt-Merlin firmware on my router. Unfortunately, router can't connect to my ISP through WAN interface. Provider says that 'there is no electrical connectivity between router and provider server'. ISP light is red on the router. I pretty sure that it caused by router misconfiguration.
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Routers WebUI (Tools->Network->Ethernet Ports->WAN 0) says that cable is 'Unplugged'.
Most of network services(firewall, QoS, VPN and others) are turned off.
Provider requires a minimal router configuration: hardcoded MAC address and dynamic IP address, it is configured from my side.
I connected my notebook to WAN with network cable - connection was successful; I think this means that WAN connector is alive.
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I've used ASUS Firmware Restoration tool for upgrading firmware and upgraded from latest official ASUS firmware to latest Merlin one.
I hold 'Reset' button for about 10 sec to reset settings, however all my settings(wireless networks configuration etc.) were saved during upgrade (I don't know if it is ok).
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Could someone give me a piece of advise, how to fix the issue.

 

[ColinTaylor]

Log into the router and go to Administration - Restore/Save/Upload Setting and do an "Initialize".

When the router restarts it should ask you to set it up again. Only do the minimum amount of changes necessary to get the router working; user name, passwords and WAN MAC address if you think it's needed. Do not turn off the firewall or make any other non-standard changes.

 

[Serge]

@ColinTaylor it did not help.
The only changes I made after initialization were:
- configured WiFi networks
- set ISP IP to 'dynamic'
- hardcoded MAC address, that's it.
However, if I plug in ISP network cable to a notebook directly, it works. If I connect router (WAN slot) and notebook with network cable - connection is established.
In addition, I've found in logs that router's 'current time' is 5 May 2018. May it cause the issue?

 

[ColinTaylor]

What hard-coded MAC address are you using? If it works when you plug your laptop in directly then you should be cloning the laptop's MAC address.

Ignore the date, that is the default date of the router when it boots up. Once it has managed to connect to the internet it will correct it.

 

[ColinTaylor]

If I connect router (WAN slot) and notebook with network cable - connection is established.

Sorry, I don't understand what you mean. What router, your Asus or something else? Please be specific with makes and model numbers.

 

[Serge]

Sorry, I don't understand what you mean. What router, your Asus or something else? Please be specific with makes and model numbers.

Yep, I've connected ASUS RT-AC86U WAN slot with notebook network slot. Connection was established.

 

[Serge]

What hard-coded MAC address are you using? If it works when you plug your laptop in directly then you should be cloning the laptop's MAC address.

Actually, ISP can see if I use wrong MAC address and tell me to use a correct one. The problem is that both ISP and ASUS RT-AC86U does not see the network connection at all. Looks like that network cable is just 'unplugged', but it is not.

 

[ColinTaylor]

Yep, I've connected ASUS WAN slot with notebook network slot. Connection was established.

I guess you did that just to check that the cable link was working?

What is the ISP equipment you are plugging your router into? A cable modem?

Actually, ISP can see if I use wrong MAC address and tell me to use a correct one. The problem is that both ISP and ASUS RT-AC86U does not see the network connection at all. Looks like that network cable is just 'unplugged', but it is not.

Have you tried using a different cable.

 

[Serge]

Have you tried using a different cable.

Cable is ok - if I plug it into notebook, it works.
Just rolled back to ASUS firmware - internet works. Seems like a bug in the Merlin's firmware.

 

[ColinTaylor]

Just rolled back to ASUS firmware - internet works. Seems like a bug in the Merlin's firmware.

Oh dear. What firmware was it that didn't work, 384.7_2? There looks to be quite a lot of bugs fixed in the latest beta, 384.8_beta1.

 

[Serge]

Oh dear. What firmware was it that didn't work, 384.7_2?

Yes, I tried this one. I expected that a release version mature product is quite stable and does not contain 'showstopper' bugs.

There looks to be quite a lot of bugs fixed in the latest beta, 384.8_beta1.

So, will wait for release 384.8 (or 384.9).
Anyway, thanks a lot for your help.

 

[ColinTaylor]

I expected that a release version mature product is quite stable and does not contain 'showstopper' bugs.

I get the impression that the firmware for the RT-AC86U is still a "work in progress" because it's such a new code base.

 

[ApexRon]

@Serge Who is your ISP? What is the type/model of your ISP equipment?

 

[Serge]

Who is your ISP? What is the type/model of your ISP equipment?

It eastern europe ISP. They does not provide any information about their equipment. Anyway, I rolled back to ASUS 3.0.0.4.384 and reported a bug to Merlin asuswrt.

 

[ApexRon]

It eastern europe ISP. They does not provide any information about their equipment. Anyway, I rolled back to ASUS 3.0.0.4.384 and reported a bug to Merlin asuswrt.

Here in the US I have a cable company for an ISP and I use my own cable modem (Netgear CM600). I just downloaded Merlin and I just have to download ASUS firmware in case Merlin does not work out. Back at you in less than an hour, I hope.

 

[ApexRon]

@Serge My ISP WAN connection works fine.

 

[Serge]

@Serge My ISP WAN connection works fine.

Good for you, I pretty sure that my issue is caused by provider's networking configuration.