QUOTE(neuromancerx @ Oct 5 2018, 11:43 PM)
i have strong feeling that i'm officially bricked this router. going from 384.6 to 384.7_beta3 then downgrade to 380.69_2, after that all way back to 384.6. so frustrated that asus app unable to detect this router, i decided to clear the nvram or reset the router from the UI (not button), clicked the initialize button then after reboot SYS & LAN led no longer lit
bricked the router after 6 hours owning it
https://www.snbforums.com/threads/382-18547...itialize.42139/i observed below things when flash to merlin (compared to my existing Huawei WS880 with Merlin):
1. Traffic Analyzer, not showing clients under statistic
2. DDNS not working, showing ddns unable to connect to internet. I'm using the same hostname on asuscomm.com --> happened in all merlin version
3. Case 1 and 2 above could be related to Asus is blocking the functionality when you turned on this feature, there is a message saying they will collect some router data including model version when you clicked agree (Administration -> Privacy). MAYBE when some parameter is difference from the expected value, ASUS classify this unit as rogue/unofficial (since some feature are using trend micro proprietary engine).
4. Performance wise, not much difference compared to WS880. The reason I bought AC18 is because it having double RAM, 256MB.
5. Most annoying, ASUS app stopped working. Hopefully someone will be able to find the workaround.
6. Entware-NG confirmed working fine.
7. Ad-Blocking from AB-Solution is working as expected.
For no. 5, Asus App, I got it working by following the instructions.
This is ssh to router and using nvram commands from the prompt.
Nvram set model=RT-AC68U
Nvram set HW_ver=170
Nvram set odmpid=RT-AC68U (or what you want )
Nvram commit
Reboot
I also overclocked cpu from 800 to 900mhz and ram
666 to 700mhz. Temperature without ext. cooling fan is is ~75degC and after overclock is 78-80degc.
With laptop cooling fan, now running at 67degC.
When come to performance BTW AC18 and WS880, you are right not major different found yet.
Ac WiFi 5G comparison using P20pro at ~1m range.
AC18 - 328 mbps DL & 429 Mbps UL
WS880 - 273 Mbps & 359 Mbps UL.
I also noticed WS880 Cpu usage and temperature is much more lower than AC18.
This post has been edited by muncheno: Oct 25 2018, 12:42 PM