ASUS RT-AC68P AsusWrt-Merlin Firmware 384.10 Beta 2

The AsusWrt-Merlin firmware was developed with the primary goal of boosting the original ASUS firmware, fix bugs and also add new improvements. This package includes a customized firmware targeted at ASUS routers that brings various changes without modifying the interface of the original firmware.

Changes:

- NEW: Added OpenSSL 1.1.1b in parallel to 1.0.2. Some services like AiCloud are still linked against 1.0.2 because only Asus can recompile them. Services that currently use OpenSSL 1.1.1: httpd (webui), OpenVPN, wget, net-snmp, Tor, Strongswan (IPSEC server), inadyn, vsftpd.
- Note: that 1.1.x is slightly slower than 1.0.2, however some services can benefit from the TLS 1.3 support (faster connection establishing). Models that lack AES acceleration will prioritize the use of CHACHA20 over AES-256-GCM, for a small performance improvement (for instance with the webui).
- Note: that OpenVPN 2.4.7's support is still limited. TLS 1.3 is supported, but CHACHA20 support is only expected with OpenVPN 2.5.0. The 1.0.2 userspace tool is still named "openssl", while the 1.1.x version is named "openssl11".
- NEW: Implemented lcp-ident option in PPP (required by some ISPs) (Themiron).
- NEW: Added NFSv2 support to HND models.
- NEW: You can now choose between having your router do internal DNS queries locally (through dnsmasq) or with your WAN configured DNS (like stock firmware). This does not affect DNS lookups from your clients, only those made by the router itself. The option is under Tools -> Other Settings. (Themiron)
- CHANGED: Some firmware cleanups to regain flash space (for use with the parallel OpenSSL 1.1.x install) (RMerlin, Themiron)
- CHANGED: Updated curl to 7.64.0.
- CHANGED: Updated OpenVPN to 2.4.7.
- CHANGED: Updated Tor to 0.3.5.8.
- CHANGED: Updated strongswan to 5.7.2.
- CHANGED: Updated OpenSSL 1.0.x to 1.0.2r.
- CHANGED: Updated dnsmasq to 2.80-44-g608aa9f (Themiron)
- CHANGED: Re-worked the Classification page. New design is much faster, allows filtering, and shows additional info when hovering on a field. Thanks to FreshJr for giving me the motivation to spend more time on it.
- CHANGED: Strongswan is no longer compiled 64-bit on HND, allowing it to use a shared openssl library instead of a static one. This should significantly reduce the memory and flash usage of Strongswan. (Themiron)
- CHANGED: Reworked DNS WAN probe implementation (Themiron)
- FIXED: IPSEC log display wasn't properly formatted (showed entirely on a single line)
- FIXED: Compatibility issues between recent Tuxera NTFS driver and Samba
- FIXED: NFSv2 support
- FIXED: PPP host-uniq support (Themiron)
- FIXED: AiCloud not working on the RT-AX88U
- REMOVED: Beceem Wimax driver. This is deprecated, and was already removed from the HND models. This allows to reclaim close to 2 MB of flash space.
- REMOVED: CFB and OFB ciphers from OpenVPN client

Installation Notes:

- This custom firmware can be applied like any regular update.
- You should not need to reset to factory defaults.
- You can revert back to an original ASUS firmware at any time.
- Do not load a saved copy of your settings. 

About Router Firmware:

Before you consider downloading this firmware, go to the system information page of the router and make sure that the currently installed version isn't either newer or matching this release.

Due to the large variety of router models and different methods for upgrading the device, it is highly recommended that you read and, above all, understand the installation steps before you apply the new firmware, even if you are a power user.

In theory, these steps shouldn't be much of a hassle for anyone, because manufacturers try to make them as easy as possible, even if they don't always succeed. Basically, you must upload the new firmware to the router through its administration page and allow it to upgrade.

If you install a new version, you can expect increased security levels, different vulnerability issues to be resolved, improved overall performance and transfer speeds, enhanced compatibility with other devices, added support for newly developed technologies, as well as several other changes.

If you're looking for certain safety measures, remember that it would be best if you perform the upload using an Ethernet cable rather than a wireless connection, which can be interrupted easily. Also, make sure you don't power off the router or use its buttons during the installation, if you wish avoid any malfunctions.

If this firmware meets your current needs, get the desired version and apply it to your router unit; if not, check with our website as often as possible so that you don't miss the update that will improve your device.