I have the router. Stock firmware has nothing to shout about, it's basic and it works.

If you want more features, get the Asus-Merlin firmware. Though it's kind of 'illegal' to install it on non-Asus routers, it adds tons of features. WiFi strength gets a bit weaker but the additional features are worth it.

Mikrotik's lineup for 250-500 range is quite simple.

Router only, 5 x GBe, no wifi, can handle 800Mbps, 256MB RAM
hEX ~RM260
hEX S As above with 1 SFP port.

WiFi Routers with 5 x GBe, 5GHZ AC
hAP AC Lite - Single Stream (1:1 MIMO) (5 x Fe) hAP AC Lite only has 100mbit ethernet and is too slow for 800Mbps or even 500Mbps so is out.
hAP AC2 - Dual Stream (2:2 MIMO, 128MB RAM)
hAP AC - Triple Stream (3:3 MIMO, 128MB RAM)

One thing to note is that Mikrotik positions these as APs but they work fine as routers too. They only have half the RAM of the hEX. However 128MB is still a lot for a Mikrotik.

hAP AC2 and AC are both comparable. On paper, the newer model, hAP AC2, seems faster for routing but obviously slower for Wifi. I guess probably best to choose one of these. I forgot exactly but the price approx RM300 vs RM500?. You should check the Mikrotik forums for comments, they're all fanboys but they complain a lot too.

A few points about Mikrotik's wifi. While they have cutting edge stuff for PtP wireless, their home wifi products are just average. For example, they don't have MU-MIMO in their firmware even though some of their newer products are MU-MIMO capable. To be fair, I've not used the latest hAP AC or AC2. Been meaning to get the hAP AC but just haven't got round to it. Currently I'm using the hEX and the hAP AC Lite and RB2011UAS-2HnD as APs. Quite happy with them.

Lastly, firmware. It's the best thing about Mikrotik. It's updated regularly, more regularly than I can keep track of. One version of firmware works for all their devices. From the cheapest hAP Lite to their CloudCoreRouter, it's the same firmware and same features. Of course, subject to hardware limitations.

Some other cool things about Mikrotik routers.
- They can take a range of voltage. The hEX can be supplied with 8-30V. So in a pinch, you can even use a 19V laptop PSU as long as the plug fits.
- If it has PoE, you can plug-in both PoE and DC. It'll use the one with the higher voltage. If that fails, it'll change to the other even if it's a different voltage. In fact, it's recommended that you use a different voltage so you can monitor the voltage and if it changes, you'll know that there's a failure with one of them.
- The low-end models uses 5V micro-USB for power so you can use a phone charger or a powerbank in case the stock PSU fails. Or you can use the PSU to charge your phones. LOL.
- Some models have a beeper and there're scripts to play a tune. LOL. OK, nvm this.
- Scripting. So many things you can do with this. Update DDNS, send an email and message me on Telegram when the IP changes.

This post has been edited by soonwai: Jul 13 2018, 10:31 PM

Very extensive write-up bro. Thank you. Very much appreciated. Will explore the products and see what options they are offering.

I'll probably just go with asus or even tplink like the Archer C7. Tp link was quick to patch KRACK vulnerability in Nov 2017, which sounds good enough for me. https://www.tp-link.com/my/download/Archer-...4.html#Firmware

not sure can use the latest firmware or need to stick with 380.66_6?

Follow this guide, it's better: https://translate.google.com/translate?sl=a...t-text=&act=url

For firmware mentioned in the guide, you can download it here: https://source.wifihell.com/9-firmware.koolshare.cn/MERLIN/

As far as I know, the firmware is customised version of Merlin by Koolshare. What I notice is it has Webshell built-in. Not sure what else is different.

Thank you bro for the help! actually i can read chinese, also the firmware just download the latest ac68u one?

It's good that you can read Chinese, it took me a few rounds of reading the translated page to fully understand the guide.

I started with firmware RT-AC68U_378.56_beta2-X5.7-20151017 as in the guide. Then, I upgraded to RT-AC68U_380.59_X6.6.1 by using the Merlin's firmware upgrade page under Administration. Lastly, I upgraded to RT-AC68U_380.70_0-X7.9.

I guess you can skip 380.59_X6.6.1 and go directly to 380.70_0-X7.9, but you gotta add the Webshell app manually under 'Koolshare Merlin software center'. I think it's important that you start with 378.56 as the base firmware though, so don't skip this firmware.

Reason: https://github.com/RMerl/asuswrt-merlin/wiki/Installation


Edit: Added more info.

This post has been edited by fli_guy84: Jul 23 2018, 10:05 AM

ok. so much info here! really appreciate it bro. thanks again
seems the 5g light won't light up ahaha is it? and u using it rn?

This post has been edited by prokiller1199: Jul 22 2018, 11:30 PM

Just noticed that 378.56 firmware is not available on the link. I've uploaded it here: https://drive.google.com/open?id=1N9pJO11ZD...-V7buCQxN7RZ3yC

Yup, I'm using it right now and just noticed that the '5G' and 'USB3.0' LEDs are not lighted up even though I've enabled them both. I guess it's a bug.

awww you are so caring! much thanks. I go try then let you know the outcome. tq

Hi guys have anyone having problem when upgrading to asus merlin firmware. Mine keep showing format error. I only able to flash firmware that is from tenda.

With the knowledge I now have, I believe you can emulate the ASUS routers on both the Tenda AC15 as well as the Tenda AC18. You will just have to compile a custom CFE, utilizing the real Tenda Variables in stead of the ASUS variables, together with something like the above modifications.

If someone has a Tenda router, my suggestion would be to do a NVRAM dump. Then update the variables in the vortex CFE with the Tenda Variables... but only use the ones used in the Vortex CFE. Not necessary to add other variables. Flash your Tenda with your modified Vortex CFE, and then your Tenda router will also be an ASUS clone. (This is my working theory.. unfortunately I don't have a Tenda to experiment on)... maybe some readers in this group can comment, or do the experiment and enlighten us all.

See this post

ASUSWRT Merlin Build 384.5 or later ON Linksys EA6900 or EA6700

Hello! I'm not very pro at routers and stuff but I thinking to replace my AC1200 since im getting the 800MBps turbo soon. everyone is saying this stock router is not strong enough for 800MBps so im thinking to change to Tenda AC1900. is it any good? the reviews in this lazada page says it has local unifi firm ware installed and it said it supports 800mbps Unifi. TENDA AC1900 Lazada

on LAN connection confirm can. WiFi definitely not

Thanks for replying friend. But is it still better overall compared to Archer C1200 ?
also any recommendations for routers than can go up to 800mbps via Wifi?

it definitely will better than c1200 but WiFi is a very tricky thing. both the client and router side must be good. about the router that can go up till 800mbps will be very expensive ~2k above maybe can't even achieve.

Speed-wise, C1200 max out around 200-300mbps. While Tenda AC18 can get around 400-500mbps.

The following routers below should be able to exceed 500mbps:

Smallnetbuilder router rank

Was thinking of getting this router for my Time 100Mbps plan. Does it not work right out of the box?

It does for TIME.