A while back I needed a new router for my home network. I found that an ASUS RT-N66U would fit the bill both feature and cost wise. It’s a great piece of home network hardware that works relaibly providing Internet access througout my house.
I got to know the router’s web based configuration interface and started looking around for information on how to set it all up for best perfomance, security and reliability. That’s when I stumbled upon an alternative firmware for newer ASUS routers. It’s called ASUSWRT-Merlin and is developed by ‘Merlin’ based on stock ASUS firmware.
The primary goals for this firmware project are fixing bugs, add a few new basic features and tweaks to the original firmware. This firmware will try to remain as close as possible to the original. If you want something with tons of new features and is experienced in flashing alternative firmware onto devices you may want to look elsewhere. But if you prefer something as close as possible to the manufacturer’s firmware that is easy to install and set up, then this is for you (and me).
The ASUSWRT-Merlin firmwares expands the original manufacturers code. In some cases it fixes bugs, sometimes completes features, and sometimes adds features not present in ASUS’ firmware. ASUS has even provided Merlin with beta code to test and work with. So the underlying code in ASUSWRT-Merlin is still ASUS’ which should be reassuring for those who doesn’t want to stray too far off the beaten track
Merlin’s firmware provides the following changes over the original firmware:
– WakeOnLan web interface (with user-entered preset targets)
– JFFS persistent partition
– User scripts executed at init, services startup, WAN up, firewall up and shutdown.
– SSHD (through dropbear)
– OUI (MAC address) lookup if you click on a MAC on the Client list (ported from DD-WRT)
– Saving your traffic history to disk (USB or JFFS)
– Displaying monthly traffic history
– Cron jobs
– Monitor your router’s temperature (under Administration -> Performance Tuning)
– Display active/tracked network connections
– Allows tweaking TCP/UDP connection tracking timeouts
– Various bugfixes: crash issues related to VPN, etc…
– Layer7 and cifs kernel modules added
– Optional user-settings for the WAN DHCP client (required by some ISPs)
– Description field added to DHCP reservation entries
– Dual WAN support (RT-N66U, RT-AC66U)
– Disk spindown after user-configurable inactivity timeout
– System info summary page
– Wireless client IP, hostname, rate and rssi on the Wireless Log page
– OpenVPN client and server.
– Customized config files for router services
– Customized config files for router services
– LED control – put your Dark Knight in Stealth Mode by turning off all LEDs
– Option to force your router in becoming the SMB master browser.
– DNS filtering (OpenDNS etc,)
I do not use all of these and some I do not even know how to use, but others have been really helpful like DNS filtering for parental control and the VPN client.
The ASUSWRT-Merlin firmware adds a lot of value to the ASUS’ stock firmware. The main focus on bug-fixing provides improved stability. And his selective approach to feature addition doesn’t put that improved stability at risk by possibly introducing new bugs along with features.
If you own a newer ASUS router you should really try this. Don’t let having to flash firwmare onto your router scare you. It is very easy through a web interface and has never caused me any problems. And if you do not like it it’s easy to go back to the stock firmware from ASUS. Merlin is providing frequent updates fixing bugs and sometimes adding or improving a feature. And in the user forum there’s always someone who can help if you should need it.
You’ll find all the information you need on ASUSWRT-Merlin here:
http://forums.smallnetbuilder.com/forumdisplay.php?f=42
