ASUS RT-AC88U AsusWrt-Merlin Firmware 386.2 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:

- NOTE: due to changes in how custom device icons are handled, first time you boot with 386.2 you need to either shift-reload the main index page, or clear your browser cache.
- NEW: Added support for the GT-AX11000. Note that VPN Fusion, as well as the ROG-specific features such as the custom UI are not supported.
- NEW: Added support for the RT-AX68U.
- NEW: Added jittertimer-rngd daemon to HND routers. This will ensure sufficient entropy is generated early on at boot time, reducing boot stalls caused by insufficient entropy for the kernel's random number generator, and also generally improves security related to crypto operations by the router.
- NEW: Added Cake QoS for HND routers. Note that just like Traditional QoS, this is not compatible with hardware acceleration, and therefore might not be usable on connections faster than around 350 Mbps (may vary based on router models).
- UPDATED: Merged GPL 386_42095.
- UPDATED: Openssl to 1.1.1j.
- UPDATED: OpenVPN to 2.5.1.
- UPDATED: iproute2 to 5.11.0 (HND models).
- UPDATED: root certificate bundle to March 9th 2021.
- CHANGED: qos-start "init" user script now runs in blocking mode to ensure it's able to complete any changes it may apply to qos configs before these configs get applied.
- FIXED: Router could get stuck at boot time after the user migrated from stock firmware, or just erased his JFFS partition, requiring a factory default reset.
- FIXED: ATM checkbox could not be enabled on QOS page.
- FIXED: DST not getting applied to some timezones (snauton)
- FIXED: Traditional QoS was broken in 386.1 (dave14305)
- REMOVED: SSH Brute Force Protection option (already handled by Asuswrt's protect service daemon)

Installation

- Simply flash it like any regular update. You should not need to reset to factory defaults (see note below for exceptions). You can revert back to an original Asus firmware at any time just by flashing a firmware downloaded from Asus's website.
- If the firmware upgrade fails, try rebooting your router to free up sufficient memory, without any USB disk plugged in, then try flashing it again.
- If you run into any issue after an upgrade and you haven't done so,try doing a factory default reset as well.
- Always read the changelog, as mandatory resets will be mentionned there when they are necessary.
- In all of these cases, do NOT load a saved copy of your settings! This would be the same thing as NOT resetting at all, as you will simply re-enter any invalid setting you wanted to get rid of. Make sure to create a new backup of your settings after reconfiguring.

NOTE:

- Resetting to factory default after flashing is strongly recommended for the following cases: Updating from a firmware version that is more than 3 releases older or Switching from a Tomato/DD-WRT/OpenWRT firmware

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.