Safe to use different firmware version on mesh node?

[Parallax]

I currently have an RT-AX88U with firmware 3004.388.8_4 with an RT-AX86U Pro with firmware 3004.388.8_4 as a mesh node. The latest Merlin firmware updates available are 3004.388.9_2 and 3006.102.4 respectively. Is it advisable to update both routers to these firmwares despite having mismatching firmware versions, or leave both on the 3004 firmware?

 

[Tech9]

You don't have to run Asuswrt-Merlin on the node. AiMesh is closed source Asuswrt feature included unchanged into Asuswrt-Merlin. About main router firmware version upgrade - read the changelog, read the release thread, make a decision.

 

[Parallax]

If there are no conflicts or incompatibilities between the two firmware versions, I'll continue keeping both routers on the latest Merlin firmware. Thanks for the clarification.

 

[bennor]

If there are no conflicts or incompatibilities between the two firmware versions, I'll continue keeping both routers on the latest Merlin firmware. Thanks for the clarification.

Most of the extra features found in Asus-Merlin firmware are disabled when running in AiMesh mode. It is why more than a few here recommend running the latest stock Asus firmware rather than Asus-Merlin on Asus AiMesh Node routers. It's up to you and your AiMesh use case, choose the firmware that runs best for your AiMesh Nodes.

 

[Seth Harman]

AiMesh nodes don't appear to benefit from Merlin in real-world use and, frankly, with the way Asus appears to consistently drag their feet on releasing GPLs it's likely any important security patches or general fixes are going to roll out in official firmware long before a new Merlin firmware shows up. I have never encountered any compatibility issues by running Merlin on the main router and official firmware on the nodes.

 

[Parallax]

Thank you very much for the advice - I will update my main router to the latest Merlin firmware and revert the mesh router back to stock Asus firmware.

 

[ducky124]

Thank you very much for the advice - I will update my main router to the latest Merlin firmware and revert the mesh router back to stock Asus firmware.

If you're not having any issues, why bother? If it ain't broke, don't fix it

 

[Tech9]

If it ain't broke, don't fix it

Exactly. I would rather update the main router to the latest 3004 firmware for it and leave the node on the latest available 3004 firmware for it. I’m assuming @Parallax is using the older model router as main because of extra LAN ports. This is fine, let them both run on more mature and stable 3004. I see no point updating the node to 3006.

 

[Parallax]

Exactly. I would rather update the main router to the latest 3004 firmware for it and leave the node on the latest available 3004 firmware for it. I’m assuming @Parallax is using the older model router as main because of extra LAN ports. This is fine, let them both run on more mature and stable 3004. I see no point updating the node to 3006.

Thanks, that makes sense - I'll do that.

 

[Tech9]

If you choose to upgrade your main router with a model running 3006 firmware your node also running 3006 firmware will be a good match. There are new VLAN related AiMesh features in 3006 firmware and they propagate to 3006 nodes. In case you need more LAN ports at the main router location - an additional switch is common inexpensive solution.