RT-AX86U Pro firmware - will it get 3.0.0.6?

[Tech9]

The barely better processing specs

RT-AX88U Pro doesn't have better processing specs. The same CPU/RAM as RT-AX86U Pro.

 

[bennor]

The barely better processing specs are not worth $20 more if you hate the 88's design and want 2 USB ports.

How often does the average user use the router's USB port, let alone both of them (a USB 2.0 and USB 3.0 port on the RT-AX86U Pro)? If one USB 3.0 port isn't enough on the AX88U Pro, then one can use a USB hub to add more capability. Shrugs.
If one is buying on looks or size alone then buy what works for one's location. Apparently the RT-AX88U Pro is wall mountable which the RT-AX86U Pro is not.
The AX88U Pro may possibly offer slightly or marginally better WiFi capability (or may not). And the AX88U Pro has two 2.5GB ports versus 1 on the AX86U Pro, some may want that extra 2.5GB port. Another factor is the AX88U Pro currently has final release 3.0.0.6.x firmware where as the AX86U Pro (as of the time of this post) has been stuck with a buggy beta version of 3.0.0.6.x for a year now.
One can dig through the multi page discussion on both where a number of the same comments in this discussion for or against either unit are made:

Help me Choose between RT AX 86U Pro Vs RT AX 88U Pro

My network is 2.4Ghz heavy due to IoT devices and therefore I prefer the better 2.4Ghz capacity for concurrent client connections. There is no MU-MIMO and Beamforming in N on 2.4GHz. Your IoTs are served one at a time and most one stream only. How many of your IoTs are AX devices?

www.snbforums.com

At the end of the day everyone is voicing their own individual opinions and experiences. One can choose to evaluate those opinions and draw their own conclusion on which router to buy (or not buy) or go with a completely different router model than the AX88U Pro/AX86U Pro. Everyone's use case and environment is different. And depending on the market/country both routers are currently very close in pricing.

 

[Tech9]

then one can use a USB hub to add more capability. Shrugs.

Not every USB hub will work with AIO routers. Some won't be recognized at all.

Apparently the RT-AX88U Pro is wall mountable which the RT-AX86U Pro is not.

Wall mount brackets are available for RT-AX86U (eBay) as well as small shelves (everywhere).

At the end of the day everyone is voicing their own individual opinions and experiences.

Agreed. No need to voice your opinion in bold though. Obviously there are reasons to prefer RT-AX86U Pro over RT-AX88U Pro.

 

[bbunge]

I can't believe this worthless thread goes on and on and on. Come on Asus. get the release out so we can move on to real problems!

 

[bbunge]

Well, just checked the Asus firmware page for the AX86U Pro and the firmware does not show up on either the Asus US site or the Asus Global site. Other router model router do show firmware. A firmware upgrade being posted????

 

[bennor]

Well, just checked the Asus firmware page for the AX86U Pro and the firmware does not show up on either the Asus US site or the Asus Global site. Other router model router do show firmware. A firmware upgrade being posted????

US firmware page working for me just now. No newer firmware than 3.0.0.4.388_24199.

Edit: Morning of 4/15 the https://www.asus.com/networking-iot-servers/wifi-routers/asus-gaming-routers/rt-ax86u-pro/helpdesk_bios/?model2Name=RT-AX86U-Pro URL resolves correctly. No newer firmware. Still 3.0.0.4.388_24199. Happens from time to time that the Asus router firmware page doesn't load properly. Doesn't show the Driver/Utility menu option sometimes.

 

[blava_b]

I really need VLAN support. Given that 3.0.0.6 still isn't out for the RT-AX86U Pro, I guess I need to go the nuclear route and replace it with an AX88U Pro. If I go that route, do I also need to replace my mesh nodes?

 

[maxbraketorque]

I really need VLAN support. Given that 3.0.0.6 still isn't out for the RT-AX86U Pro, I guess I need to go the nuclear route and replace it with an AX88U Pro. If I go that route, do I also need to replace my mesh nodes?

I think that mesh nodes will also need to be running 3.0.0.6 to get VLAN capability with AI Mesh.

One thought is that it might be worth asking ASUS if there is a beta available like what was done with the GT-AX6000.

 

[bennor]

I really need VLAN support. Given that 3.0.0.6 still isn't out for the RT-AX86U Pro, I guess I need to go the nuclear route and replace it with an AX88U Pro. If I go that route, do I also need to replace my mesh nodes?

If one hasn't seen it yet, the following Asus support article on setting up Guest Network Pro on AiMesh may be relevant (or not) to the discussion on 3.0.0.6 and AiMesh nodes.

[Wireless Router] How to setup Guest Network Pro (SDN) across AiMesh and managed switch? | Official Support | ASUS Global

PS: And if one hasn't seen it yet, the Asus support link on how to setup VLAN.

[Wireless Router] What is VLAN and how to setup in ASUS Wireless Router? | Official Support | ASUS USA

 

[kamanwu]

Just read: https://www.asus.com/us/support/faq/1049415/
RT-AX86U Pro should get version: 3.0.0.6

My router is: RT-AX86U (no pro). Is that possible to get this version as well?

​

 

[jetpack42]

Just read: https://www.asus.com/us/support/faq/1049415/
RT-AX86U Pro should get version: 3.0.0.6

My router is: RT-AX86U (no pro). Is that possible to get this version as well?

​

No. The non-pro variant of the AX86U will not be getting the 3.0.0.6 firmware. It will stay on 3.0.0.4, which lacks VLAN/Guest Network Pro support.

 

[kamanwu]

No. The non-pro variant of the AX86U will not be getting the 3.0.0.6 firmware. It will stay on 3.0.0.4, which lacks VLAN/Guest Network Pro support.

What if I use Asuswrt-Merlin firmware? AX86U and AX86U Pro use the same version: 3004.388.7 . Does this version include VLAN support? Thanks.

 

[Sander_H]

What if I use Asuswrt-Merlin firmware? AX86U and AX86U Pro use the same version: 3004.388.7 . Does this version include VLAN support? Thanks.

No. 3004.388 do not have and will not get VLAN/Guest Network Pro. Only 3006 and that is 86U Pro only and still in beta.

 

[bennor]

What if I use Asuswrt-Merlin firmware? AX86U and AX86U Pro use the same version: 3004.388.7 . Does this version include VLAN support? Thanks.

No the Asus-Merlin firmware does not have the VLAN/Guest Network Pro feature found in the 3.0.0.6.x firmware. See the Rmerlin's comments about current plans for Asus-Merlin that mentions 3.0.0.6.x firmware.

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

Future 3006_102 branch:
I still don't have anything to announce. This includes not being able to confirm whether I will eventually support it or not. I got a preliminary code drop from Asus last year which allowed me to have a first glance at it, but that code wasn't in a compilable state yet. Asus still has no ETA as to when a finalized GPL based on that codebase will be available. For any decision to be made on my part, the following will need to happen:

- A finalized GPL drop need to be prepared for at least one model
- I need to evaluate how much effort will be required to merge it (based on my early look at the code last year - a lot of work)
- I need to decide if it's doable, and if I'm willing to put the effort into doing it. (yes, I may end up deciding not to based on my previous analysis)
- If I go forward with it, I need to decide which model to put on that code base (existing and/or new models)
- I will need to actually do it, which at a rough guesstimate will represent multiple weeks of work, to confirm I actually can do it
- Only after that I will be able to announce my final plans toward it

So the bottom line is, I still have no news to share on the 3006 front. That includes not being able to confirm whether it will happen or not. Anyone asking on when that will happen or whether I will implement support for new Wifi 7 models, people can refer them to this post. I do have a pair of Wifi 7 routers already from Asus, so having a development device isn't the current obstacle - the lack of available code is.

 

[Justinh]

Just read: https://www.asus.com/us/support/faq/1049415/
RT-AX86U Pro should get version: 3.0.0.6

The way that article is written indicates the AX11000 and AX86U should already have 3.0.0.6. I wonder if ASUS just forgot to upload it
It indicates only the ZenWiFi models are in beta. The AX beta firmware is over a year old .

VLAN supported models: ​

• GT-AX11000 Pro, GT-AX6000, GT-AXE16000, RT-AX86U Pro, RT-AX88U Pro
• ZenWiFi Pro ET12, ZenWIFI Pro XT12(only provide beta firmware)