RT-N66R ... preferred firmware? Longtime DD-WRT user.

[ls3c6]

I've noticed on more recent models DD-WRT has issues up to and including degraded wan/lan/wifi performance vs the factory firmware.

What is the recommended firmware these days? stock? merlin?

 

[CooCooCaChoo]

I myself am using an older Merlin firmware: 35-4 SDK5. The wifi is stable and performance is good.

 

[L&LD]

I've noticed on more recent models DD-WRT has issues up to and including degraded wan/lan/wifi performance vs the factory firmware.

What is the recommended firmware these days? stock? merlin?

Depends on what you want.

Latest Stock? Never.

Latest RMerlin? For the most secure, up to date and trouble-free and as otherwise close to stock version.

john9527's firmware based on older RMerlin code but updated where possible and with the older wireless drivers.

hgommes firmware based on latest RMerlin code but opening up the power and channels as needed (up to you to keep your site 'legal').

 

[ls3c6]

my goal is throughput and stability, not using any additional services... just wired and wireless clients (streaming etc).

 

[Nullity]

I would choose stock, unless there are features in merlin's firmware that you need. Or merlin. Proper firewalling along with the disabling of any unneeded services and features will make both merlin (and forks) & stock secure enough. Stability should be similar.

Of course, as the admin of the device, you have the power to improve or ruin the stability & security regardless of the firmware.

 

[wh7qq]

With a few short forays to Merlin's firmware (excellent but lacking some features I need) I have been using Tomato by Shibby on my RT-N66U for several years now and just last week, loaded the 1.28.0000 MIPSR2-132 K26AC USB AIO-64K version without difficulty and it is running fine. See http://tomato.groov.pl/download/K26RT-AC/132-EN/tomato-RT-N66U_RT-AC6x--132-AIO-64K.zip. You are probably aware that the n66u and n66r are the same except for where they were purchased. If you are accustomed to DD-WRT, you should be very comfortable with Tomato and it should load easily with only a reset to defaults after the upgrade.

 

[L&LD]

my goal is throughput and stability, not using any additional services... just wired and wireless clients (streaming etc).

The ones I mentioned in post 3 are all stable, the hggomes fork of RMerlin's work has the highest throughput by a longshot at medium to long range (or many obstacles in-between).

 

[ls3c6]

Thanks guys, I'll have to try a few. 5ghz penetration is terrible in my house.

Goal here is to cut the cord and rely on kodi with fire sticks on 5ghz, most likely going to end up on 2.4

 

[ls3c6]

OK unboxed, loaded 14E1 john firmware and reset to defaults.

Configured 20mhz on 2.4ghz/channel 1, 40mhz on 5ghz 40mhz and 40mhz channel both 120mw tx power... throughput and range is great on both! any recommended other settings?

Is there a place in the gui with rssi/dbm? didn't find it anywhere! very happy.

 

[john9527]

Is there a place in the gui with rssi/dbm? didn't find it anywhere! very happy.

System Log > Wireless Log will show the RSSI for the attached wireless clients. Enjoy!

 

[ls3c6]

In

System Log > Wireless Log will show the RSSI for the attached wireless clients. Enjoy!

Thank you for the firmware John first do you have a donation email? Also just bought a ac68p also compatible firmware for it?