RT-AC88U 3.0.0.4.385.20457(2020/04/16)

[Ryu Connor]

https://dlcdnets.asus.com/pub/ASUS/wireless/RT-AC88U/FW_RT_AC88U_300438520457.zip

ASUS RT-AC88U Firmware version 3.0.0.4.385.20457
- Improved connection stability.
- Optimized CPU utilization.
- Fixed firmware upgrade bugs.

Please note. If router firmware is 3.0.0.4.385.20457(or newer version) and you want to downgrade to 3.0.0.4.384.81116 (or previous version), you need to reset the router after firmware changed.

Please unzip the firmware file first and then check the MD5 code.
MD5: cfed5b6546ead98f23063541728cc557

Apr 17 22:34:52 kernel: EMF_ERROR: Interface wl1.1 doesn't exist
Apr 17 22:37:53 kernel: Register interface [wl1.1]  MAC: <redacted>
Apr 17 22:37:56 rc_service: psta_monitor 307:notify_rc restart_wlcmode 0
Apr 17 22:37:56 FTP Server: daemon is stoped
Apr 17 22:37:56 Samba Server: smb daemon is stoped
Apr 17 22:37:56 kernel: gro disabled
Apr 17 22:37:56 kernel: rtk port_phyEnableAll (off) ok
Apr 17 22:37:57 watchdog: restart httpd
Apr 17 22:37:57 rc_service: watchdog 303:notify_rc stop_httpd
Apr 17 22:37:57 rc_service: waitting "restart_wlcmode 0" via psta_monitor ...
Apr 17 22:38:04 kernel: rtk port_phyEnableAll (on) ok
Apr 17 22:38:06 rc_service: psta_monitor 307:notify_rc restart_wireless
Apr 17 22:38:06 rc_service: waitting "restart_wlcmode 0" via psta_monitor ...
Apr 17 22:38:09 RT-AC88U: start https:8443
Apr 17 22:38:09 RT-AC88U: start httpd:80
Apr 17 22:38:11 rc_service: skip the event: stop_httpd.
Apr 17 22:38:11 rc_service: watchdog 303:notify_rc start_httpd
Apr 17 22:38:11 rc_service: waitting "restart_wlcmode 0" via psta_monitor ...
Apr 17 22:38:16 kernel: EMF_ERROR: Interface wl1.2 doesn't exist
Apr 17 22:38:16 kernel: EMF_ERROR: Interface wl1.1 doesn't exist
Apr 17 22:38:16 kernel: EMF_ERROR: Interface wl1.3 doesn't exist
Apr 17 22:38:18 kernel: dpsta_register: null dpsta_ifnames!
Apr 17 22:38:18 kernel: dpsta_register: null dpsta_ifnames!
Apr 17 22:38:20 kernel: Register interface [wl1.1]  MAC: <redacted>
Apr 17 22:38:20 kernel: Register interface [wl1.2]  MAC: <redacted>
Apr 17 22:38:21 RT-AC88U: start https:8443
Apr 17 22:38:21 RT-AC88U: start httpd:80
Apr 17 22:38:21 kernel: Register interface [wl1.3]  MAC: <redacted>
Apr 17 22:38:24 rc_service: psta_monitor 1483:notify_rc restart_wlcmode 1
Apr 17 22:38:24 FTP Server: daemon is stoped
Apr 17 22:38:24 Samba Server: smb daemon is stoped
Apr 17 22:38:24 kernel: gro disabled
Apr 17 22:38:25 kernel: rtk port_phyEnableAll (off) ok
Apr 17 22:38:34 kernel: rtk port_phyEnableAll (on) ok
Apr 17 22:38:34 RT-AC88U: start https:8443
Apr 17 22:38:34 RT-AC88U: start httpd:80

Still crashes the WiFi driver and switch ports over and over again in Media Bridge mode.

 

[L&LD]

Is this after a full M&M Config/Nuclear Reset to get the router's defaults to a good/known state?

 

[Ryu Connor]

Yeah.

I validated the MD5 checksum of the firmware before upload.
Used recovery mode to erase the NVRAM and update the firmware.
Reconfigured the device from scratch. No imported settings.

You don't even have to actively use the Media Bridge to make it fail. You can just chill at your desk and watch the lights on the 88U. Every few minutes you'll watch the light for the switch ports and/or the WiFi connection go dark, then light up again. System log records the reset of the modules as seen above. Your OS also reports the dropped connection.

Rollback to last stable firmware restored stability.

Despite the fact that Asus actively advises the press(reviewers) to use Media Bridge mode to test out the peak performance of their latest and greatest network equipment, the mode is very clearly the neglected stepchild of their QA department.

For example for many months after Asus updated the configuration wizard in 384, Media Bridge mode was missing the page to setup the username & password. The lack of that configuration prevented you from completing setup. You were stuck in an endless loop of rebooting right back into the wizard and never getting a functional Media Bridge.

It was special, like a snowflake.