AsusWrt-Merlin Firmware 3.0.0.4.376.44 Beta 1 for RT-AC56S

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:

- Merged with Asus's 376_1779 GPL
- New networkmap, lets users edit device names, assign icons to devices, etc…
- Reworked IPv6 support
- Fix for Traffic Monitoring (replaces our own fix)
- 3G/4G fixes
- New filesystem driver provider for NTFS/HFS+/FAT
- Added support for RT-AC87U.
- The JFFS partition on ARM devices now uses Asus's code, which means the whole unused space is now used for the JFFS partition. (AC56, AC68)
- Download Master packages are no longer included in the firmware on AC56/AC68 devices due to lack of space. This simply means that on first install, they will be downloaded from Asus's servers instead of copied from flash - it might slow down the initial install, however everything will work the same afterward. AC87 is fine due to its larger rootfs partition. (AC56, AC68)
- The wifi notification icon will now report channel and channel width for the 5 GHz band, as the extension channel wasn't always accurately reported.
- Reworked layout of SSH settings on System page (based on Asus's own WIP)
- Allow FQDN (hostname + domain) rather than just hostnames on the WAN page (some ISPs require that)
- Made all models (except RT-N16) use the new filesystem drivers from Tuxera, resulting in general improved USB disk performance (and hopefully improved reliability as well).
- Reverted various IPv6-related patches as they conflicted with Asus's own changes. These might make it back at a later time if deemed necessary.
- Removed layer7 filtering support in Netfilter from ARM devices due to compatibility issues (AC56, AC68)
- Missing mDNSResponder daemon preventing mt-daapd from working on MIPS devices (N16,N66,AC66)
- System Log wouldn't properly be positioned at the bottom (Patch by John9527)
- DNSFilter clients configured to bypass DNSFilter would still be prevented from using an IPv6 DNS.
- Broken WPS button on webui (fix backported from Asus's 376_2044)

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 mentioned 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.