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 DIR-868L to ASUS RT-AC66U with AiMesh, Latest DIR-868L Migration Options

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alucard89
post Apr 6 2021, 04:29 PM

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QUOTE(misk94 @ Apr 5 2021, 01:28 PM)
2.4 GHz WiFi performance Tenda 6 and Tenda 11.

In the past, I did not pay much attention to 2.4 GHz WiFi performance because I will always choose 5 GHz in my phone.

Based on what DIR-868L users saying about the 2.4 GHz mediocre performance, I decide to check other brand routers at my disposal in my workplace.

The results could be use as comparison with DIR-868L 2.4 GHz performance.

We are having Tenda AC6 and AC11. Both are AC1200 class budget routers.  biggrin.gif

Internet connection is capped to 100 Mbps DL/100 Mbps UL.

Attached performance table of my short testing.

user posted image

First value is UL and second value is DL in Mbps. dB is signal strength from 2 m from Oppo F1 Plus phone.

2 m reading is inside same room. 15 m reading from outside room with 2 gypsum board walls.

Interestingly, Tenda AC11 are delivering better 2.4 GHz speeds at 2 m and 15 m.

Tenda AC6 2.4 GHz performance almost same like DIR-868L.

However, Tenda AC6 is better at 5 GHz.

DIR-868L 2.4 Ghz performance definitely mediocre.  sad.gif

Regards,
*
Just to clarify, those speed test on ac6 & ac11 are only for stock firmware correct?
Not flashed with ac66u (if available)

alucard89
post Apr 20 2021, 02:56 AM

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misk94
I’ve successfully flashed my 1st unit, but I’m having some trouble with 2nd one.
I’m on the last step to upload firmware on asustek cfe page, but i would either get timeout issues (within 1 minute) or just page unresponsive before firmware fully uploaded. I can see the upload progress going to 50-60% before timeout

Any solution for this?

I figured i would just keep uploading the firmware till it’s fully uploaded (similar problem on ws880 router) but I’m still stuck there

Since the firmware quite big (35mb) and limited time before timeout, could i try something like this?
Use cfe to install smaller firmware (like freshtomato at 12mb) then install asus firmware when I’m on freshtomato

This post has been edited by alucard89: Apr 20 2021, 06:25 AM
alucard89
post Apr 20 2021, 11:25 AM

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QUOTE(BTS1501 @ Apr 20 2021, 09:00 AM)
Last step ip should be 192.168.1.1,  not 192.168.0.1. If its 192.168.0 1, that means you have not clear nvram properly.  Need to use wps + power on, after internet led blinks for 10 secs,  release the wps button.

If you still can not get in done in miniweb screen,  easiest is to to asus firmware restore,  download from ac68u firmware page,  fast and  easy.  Just make sure your pc is set to static ip like 192.168.1.3 etc
*
I cleared a few times on the nvram (on the miniweb page)
Seems like timeout too soon before complete upload

Followed your second step with using asus firmware restore with ac68u first, later flashed with ac66u which worked for me.
If i use the ac66u firmware directly it just resets at 87% 😅

Another issue found

Nvm, physical nvram fixed the wifi issue

This post has been edited by alucard89: Apr 20 2021, 12:02 PM
alucard89
post Apr 20 2021, 12:51 PM

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QUOTE(fisherman10 @ Apr 20 2021, 12:10 PM)
Next follow my guide at post #98 to fix 2.4G wifi. Choose the AC66U_B1 version

https://forum.lowyat.net/topic/5079525/+80#
*
Thanks, gonna try each one for both routers
Which do you recommend more? Other than 68u able to see more client info
alucard89
post Apr 20 2021, 01:46 PM

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QUOTE(BTS1501 @ Apr 20 2021, 01:40 PM)
WPS + power on, then asus firmware restore is the best method for fresh install 868l, it will not fail. If you use the clear nvram in miniweb, sometimes it will fail, even if you click it a few times.

AC68U and AC66U_B1 are using the same firmware, so there is no need for you to flash ac68u firmware and then ac66u_b1 firmware, the only thing you need to change is the cfe, either the ac68u cfe or the ac66u_b1 cfe. ac68u cfe no lights, ac66u_b1 got lights, its your choice.

ac68u cfe load  more things than ac66u_b1 cfe, for example, in aimesh pairing, ac68u will need to go to 80% then can pair, while ac66u_b1 only need to go to 60% only to pair.
*
I'm using ac66u_b1 for both routers now, still can't get aimesh to work sweat.gif
Once it reaches 100% it just give me this error, already 3 times and the router just next to each other

user posted image

This post has been edited by alucard89: Apr 20 2021, 01:49 PM
alucard89
post Apr 20 2021, 01:48 PM

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QUOTE(fisherman10 @ Apr 20 2021, 01:35 PM)
Both is fine. But just stick with AC66U_B1 so that LED works.
*
I see, if I use ac68u cfe, the firmware will just change to ac68u and no extra steps to install firmware afterwards?
alucard89
post Apr 20 2021, 02:25 PM

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QUOTE(BTS1501 @ Apr 20 2021, 01:54 PM)
For aimesh to pair,
1) power up the node, wait 3 mins, then press the reset button on the bottom until power led flashes for 10 secs, wait another 3 mins
2) at the main router, MUST turn on WPS in wireless tab
3) go to aimesh menu, and add node
that is about it.

If you flash to ac68u stock firmware, you can't get the led working for router, but for node, you can turn off and then turn on the led, and the internet led will on. If you power cycle the node, the led will be gone, need to off/on led in aimesh -> node management menu

If you flash to ac68u merlin firmware, you can put a script in the jffs folder when startup and the led will be on automatically for main router. You need to search snb forum for the script. I remembered if no script, you can turn on the stealth mode and led will also work, but not so sure after power cycle the led will turn on or not.
*
Already done as listed but it's still failing for some reason sad.gif
Could it be i need to update latest firmware first?
Selecting update on the firmware page doesn't seem to do anything so I'll just have to manually upload the firmware

This post has been edited by alucard89: Apr 20 2021, 02:27 PM
alucard89
post Apr 20 2021, 03:14 PM

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QUOTE(fisherman10 @ Apr 20 2021, 02:55 PM)
Did you change all 3 mac addresses and Secret code in the CFE?
*
Yes, I have changed all 3 mac address,
Secret code is the WPS code correct?
I'm just using the default one from your instructions
I've updated both to latest firmware but doesn't look it's still working sad.gif


This post has been edited by alucard89: Apr 20 2021, 03:18 PM
alucard89
post Apr 20 2021, 06:56 PM

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QUOTE(fisherman10 @ Apr 20 2021, 03:27 PM)
You can't use the default one. Default one is 123456789. You must use back the WPS code written on the sticker under your unit. Then only AiMesh can work.
*
Noted, i reupload cfe again with the secret code to the routers
But it's still the same problem error adding aimesh
Maybe have a look in the logs?

https://pastebin.com/HjwvsKzc


alucard89
post Apr 21 2021, 09:50 AM

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QUOTE(fisherman10 @ Apr 20 2021, 07:13 PM)
Are both routers using the correct mac address and WPS PIN as shown on their respective stickers?

For the 3 mac addresses, did you use the same address for all 3?
1:macaddr is supposed to be a bit different than 0:macaddr and et0macaddr.
*
For the 3 mac addresses
I used the same mac address for all 3, after I verify using wifi app with the stock dlink firmware running (5ghz & 2.4ghz had the same mac address)
For example this one:

» Click to show Spoiler - click again to hide... «


Also, I finally got it working by just connecting lan cable from WAN port to LAN for the main router.
Once I disconnect the cable, it setups wifi connection to maintain the mesh


alucard89
post Apr 21 2021, 09:51 AM

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QUOTE(BTS1501 @ Apr 21 2021, 08:41 AM)
after re-flashing cfe,
1. you need to clear nvram using wps +power on until internet led flashes 10 secs, wait 3 mins, then try aimesh pairing.
2. if still can not, then reset button until power led flashes for 10 secs, wait 3 mins then try pairing again.
*
Yeah, i did that, but wireless setup doesn't seem to work for me, I ended just connecting LAN cable between 2 routers and success
alucard89
post Apr 21 2021, 02:28 PM

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QUOTE(fisherman10 @ Apr 21 2021, 01:57 PM)
Cannot cannot. The MAC address has to be different.

Follow the initial guide in the first page when you're doing the conversion.

2 of the MAC address is same number. The 3rd one need to +4.

1:macaddr needs to plus 4 on the last number.

Otherwise your aimesh might not be using 5g backbone. Makes sense why LAN works because LAN is the correct macaddr.
*
That’s the odd thing, when i use wifi scanning app. It shows the same mac address for both 2.4ghz and 5ghz for the router back when it was still on stock d-link

Should i use the mac address on sticker or the one scanned on wifi app?

Current node status so far
» Click to show Spoiler - click again to hide... «

alucard89
post Apr 21 2021, 02:30 PM

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QUOTE(BTS1501 @ Apr 21 2021, 02:21 PM)
1:macaddr  change to ..................29BC (original was ...........29B8)
*
Router Sticker
x.x.x:29:B8

Wifi scanner app
x.x.x:29:BA (i use this one)

Did i even input the correct mac the first time?
alucard89
post Apr 22 2021, 12:53 PM

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QUOTE(fisherman10 @ Apr 21 2021, 02:44 PM)
0:macaddr change to x.x.x:29:B8
et0macaddr change to x.x.x:29:B8
1:macaddr change to x.x.x:29:BC
*
Ok, I’ll try input this
Is there like naming rule for last digit?
And if i mess up the last digit it could brick the router?
alucard89
post Apr 22 2021, 12:55 PM

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QUOTE(BTS1501 @ Apr 21 2021, 04:41 PM)
Asus firmware will change the 5Ghz mac address for you if you specify same mac address in your cfe. that's why .....29BA, not the correct ....29BC.
*
Noted, so i shouldn’t rely on the wifi app?
Better to just check mac in the router settings or refer to sticker mac address
alucard89
post Apr 25 2021, 10:45 AM

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QUOTE(fisherman10 @ Apr 22 2021, 03:33 PM)
The rule is follow your router's sticker but plus 4 numbers.
Convert the HEX number to decimal and then +4. Then convert back to hex number.

Yours is B8 is hex number. Convert to decimal is 184. Now we add 4 and it becomes 188. Convert 188 back to hex and it becomes BC.

0:macaddr change to x.x.x:29:B8 (Follow router sticker)
et0macaddr change to x.x.x:29:B8 (Follow router sticker)
1:macaddr change to x.x.x:29:BC (Convert to Decimal, +4, convert back to Hex)
*
Thanks, now all can pair with aimesh wirelessly with no issues rclxm9.gif
Ended up buying a few more, our sg neighbors sure are selling them cheap
4g usb modem seems to work better as WAN compared to using it on ws880 (assuwrt)
I do wonder how long we can continue getting OTA updates? Is it as long as long as asus continuously support the router model firmware we're using?
alucard89
post Apr 26 2021, 09:18 AM

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QUOTE(fisherman10 @ Apr 25 2021, 10:54 AM)
Where are you buying yours from? Are you from Johor? I actually have 1 extra unit to let go. Still under D-Link warranty.
Since AC66U_B1 and AC68U using same firmware, as long as they keep supporting AC68U, we should be fine. Asus Merlin will also keep supporting as long as Asus supports.
*
Yes, at jb, i think i have enough units now
Still does dlink still cover warranty with the router already flashed to 3rd party firmware?
Never really bothered with warranty before since i just replace them 😅
alucard89
post May 1 2021, 06:27 PM

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Hey guys, just wondering if there’s a way to run duckdns on asus stock firmware?
Been using asus wrt for so long before this i forgot it’s not included in stock firmware
alucard89
post May 15 2021, 11:01 AM

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fisherman10

Once the router is flashed with ac68u firmware for example
Can we flash asuswrt merlin on top of that?
alucard89
post May 15 2021, 12:56 PM

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QUOTE(fisherman10 @ May 15 2021, 11:15 AM)
Yes it's interchangeable. AC66U_B1 and AC68U uses the same firmware. Both ASUSWRT and ASUSMerlin also can.
*
Thanks for the confirmation, just wanna avoid bricked unit

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