Asus RT-N66U

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* Serial inside is: 8, n, 1, no flow control, 115200. * Serial inside is: 8, n, 1, no flow control, 115200.
* Possible ways to update CFE (once a 32k+ CFE is released for this router), see [http://www.dd-wrt.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=86437&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=496 Forum, LOM] * Possible ways to update CFE (once a 32k+ CFE is released for this router), see [http://www.dd-wrt.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=86437&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=496 Forum, LOM]
 +* Positive report of running svn18740, see [http://www.dd-wrt.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=86437&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=706 Forum post]
[[Category:Asus guides]] [[Category:Asus guides]]

Revision as of 23:01, 14 July 2012

Contents

Preliminary

I have just ordered one of these routers (June 23, 2012), and it'll be here any day now - so i'll be loading DD-WRT to it.

So far I am gathering information about this router.

NVRAM issue

As of June 2012 there is an issue with NVRAM all but being filled by the default DD-WRT installation. Until this issue is resolved, please know about the pro and cons of this issue, before you install DD-WRT on this router.

There are however frequent general news about this issue. If not daily, then weekly news. And eventually a solution to (preferably a 60/64K solution) will also reach the DD-WRT community.

As of this writing (June 30, 2012) https://github.com/RMerl/asuswrt-merlin/downloads has implemented a solution, that lives with 32k NVRAM for CFE, but extends to ~60k in firmware.

Hardware

The ASUS RT-N66U is a Dual Band N-Router (2.4GHz and 5GHz bands) with lots of RAM (256Mb) and FlashRAM (32Mb), so it is well equipped to run DD-WRT

The ASUS RT-N66U is in the GigaBit Routing class, meaning it can route at higher speeds than a 100Mbps WAN connection can handle. Performance details below.

If you are looking for less expensive routers, that are also well suited to run DD-WRT, you might want to check out the Asus RT-N16 Single Band N-Router (2.4GHz only) but still with lots of RAM (128Mb) and FlashRAM (32Mb). Even cheaper is the Asus RT-N10U Single Band N-Router with 32Mb RAM and 8Mb FlashRAM.

Specifications

  • Dual Band Router - 2.4GHz and 5GHz bands
  • Wireless controller Broadcom BCM4331
  • MIMO 3x3 on both frequencies (see Forum, BrainSlayer)
  • Gigabit LAN and WAN switching
  • 2x USB 2.0 connectors
  • CPU Broadcom 4706 @ 600MHz
  • 256MB RAM
  • 32MB FlashRAM
  • Built-in Micro SDHC socket (for up to 8GB Micro SDHC card)
  • Power supply: DC Output, 19 V, max. 1.58 A current (=> max 30W)

Installation Instructions

Please note: The RT-N66U does REQUIRE the K26 Firmware builds as Broadcom has not released drivers for the non-K26 builds. (Read more here: Recommended Firmwares).

Note: use build 18946, it fixes the WAN port issue.

Principle steps

  • Clear settings (Clear NVRAM) select Factory Default settings
  • Install the INITIAL ASUS RT-N66U version of DD-WRT (file name ends in .trx) using either the Web GUI method or the Recover Utility method. Both methods are described below
  • Clear settings (Clear NVRAM) select Factory Default settings
  • "Upgrade" to your final version of DD-WRT (filename ends in .bin) using Web GUI or Recovery Utility
  • Clear settings (Clear NVRAM) select Factory Default settings
Note: is IMPORTANT to clear NVRAM (to select Factory Default settings) BEFORE and AFTER upload of any new firmware.

Upload Firmware via Web GUI

  • Clear settings (Clear NVRAM) select Factory Default settings.
  • Upload the .trx file using the stock web GUI.
  • Wait for the router to re-boot on its own. This may easily take 10-15 minutes to happen, so just be patient. You want both ping response and web-gui response to know that the router is fully re-booted.
  • Clear settings (Clear NVRAM) select Factory Default settings. Wait for the router to re-boot on its own!!! May take 10 minutes or more

Upload Firmware via Recovery Utility

  • Set your NIC card to static IP 192.168.1.12, Subnet 255.255.255.0, Default gateway192.168.1.1 (Static IP guide)
  • Put router into recovery mode by holding down the reset button while powering up the router, wait until the power led is blinking slowly, then release the reset button.
  • In the Asus Recover utility Access the router’s built in recovery mode by issuing 192.168.1.1 in browser field.
  • When completed wait until the router re-boots on its own. This takes at least 10 minutes.
  • Put router into recovery mode by holding down the reset button while powering up the router, wait until the power led is blinking slowly, then release the reset button.
  • Flash the final DD-WRT build, could be any of:
  • When completed wait until the router re-boots on its own. This takes at least 10 minutes.
  • Put router into recovery mode by holding down the reset button while powering up the router, wait until the power led is blinking slowly, then release the reset button.
  • Select Reset NVRAM defaults when it completes (should be quick), in the browser field, type in http://192.168.1.1/do.htm?cmd=nvram+commit. When done press enter. When complete select reboot and wait 5-10 minutes for the router to reboot and start building its layers.
  • Now you should be able to access via web gui 192.168.1.1 and it should be DD-WRT.

Upgrade to newer DD-WRT

  • Clear settings (Clear NVRAM)
  • use the DD-WRT web gui: Administration -> Firmware upgrade
  • Clear settings (Clear NVRAM)

Install an internal MicroSD card

Open the case

  • Unscrew the four screws at the buttom
  • Then you want to release the plastic clips that holds the top and buttom parts together.
  • You want to "pry" the bottom case outward. The clips have the male part molded into the bottom, the female part is molded into the top cover.
  • For easier access next time, you can either snip off the "U" clips on the top cover, or round off the square edges on the male part of the clip with a nail file. Eithe solution makes it easier to get the case apart next time.

Install MicroSD card

Make use of the MicroSD card

You could install OTRW (Optware, the Right Way) and add OTRW Take 2

Performance

This router is in the GigaBit Routing class, meaning it can route at quite a bit higher speeds than a 100mpbs internet connection can handle.

Test Description                                RT-N66U
WAN - LAN	                                       732 Mbps
LAN - WAN                                         729 Mbps
Total Simultaneous                            810 Mbps
Maximum Simultaneous Connections   34,925
Firmware Version                                3.1.0.3.90  (stock firmware number)
Sources: [1] Testing methods: [2]

Links and Notes

Trouble shooting

  • WAN issue fixed in svn18835, see Forum post, Eko
  • Serial inside is: 8, n, 1, no flow control, 115200.
  • Possible ways to update CFE (once a 32k+ CFE is released for this router), see Forum, LOM
  • Positive report of running svn18740, see Forum post