Asus N66U or newer AC version?

[x9200]

Probably not, at least not initially unless I have some serious problems with port forwarding or/and routing. The original firmware seems to have pretty good functionality and as far as I know after rather brief reading more safe versions for dd-wrt flashing are only available since May (or so).
I have a lot of experience with openwrt (using it on all my routers since 2006) but I really don't want to brick this one so probably I start more conservatively and if it works I will not try to fix it.

[zzm9980]

Does anyone have an opinion on which Fibre ISP to use? I despise starhub although I have them for cable TV now and would prefer not to use them.

MyRepublic, ViewQuest, or SuperInternet. Basically, the three fiber operators that aren't Singtel, M1, or Starhub.

I have another thread here about all of the reasons why I love MyRepublic.

[zzm9980]

I researched Amazon.com and they do not ship this item to Singapore. Not sure if I have to do anything else to my profile to be able to shop from Amazon. If anyone has purchased this item from Amazon from Singapore, please chime in.

They do. Mine is going to arrive this Monday
Not only they ship, they also do it for free.

just placed the order. I had to go to AmazonGlobal page and search for the item and place the order.

looking forward to set this up with HideMyAss and watch my PBS and Netflix.
Thanks for your help.
Cheers.

This router has an option to become a VPN server, and accept incoming connections. I don't see one for outgoing unless you plan to flash it which may kill a lot of the wireless features which is nice.

If you can get Fiber, look at MyRepublic's Teleporter service. It lets you watch all of that stuff without a VPN connection. They do some magic with internal routing to have your traffic to specific sites come out of pops in the appropriate countries. I don't have to do anything and can use Hulu, NetFlix, etc, from my Apple TV just fine.

[naanwar]

[/quote]If you can get Fiber, look at MyRepublic's Teleporter service. It lets you watch all of that stuff without a VPN connection. They do some magic with internal routing to have your traffic to specific sites come out of pops in the appropriate countries. I don't have to do anything and can use Hulu, NetFlix, etc, from my Apple TV just fine.[/quote]

MyRepblic has a promo for the teleporter service. They even give the ASUS N15U router for free.
Thanks.

[zzm9980]

MyRepblic has a promo for the teleporter service. They even give the ASUS N15U router for free.
Thanks.

I'd top-up for the better model. It's much cheaper than buying it anywhere in Singapore.

[PNGMK]

MyRepblic has a promo for the teleporter service. They even give the ASUS N15U router for free.
Thanks.

I'd top-up for the better model. It's much cheaper than buying it anywhere in Singapore.

I've signed up for MyRepublic. I like the teleporter service idea.

[x9200]

Probably not, at least not initially unless I have some serious problems with port forwarding or/and routing. The original firmware seems to have pretty good functionality and as far as I know after rather brief reading more safe versions for dd-wrt flashing are only available since May (or so).
I have a lot of experience with openwrt (using it on all my routers since 2006) but I really don't want to brick this one so probably I start more conservatively and if it works I will not try to fix it.

Ok, I have it for 4 days already so a few words from my a bit geeky/nerdy perspective.

1. I currently run OpenWrt Backfire on Linksys WRT54GL with two high gain 7dbi antennas. For wireless connection N66U performs only marginally better in my place (below 5% difference in signal strength). When the Linksys and Asus are on at the same time next to each other my laptop (MacBook Air) logs off from Asus after some time and logs in to the Linksys box. Not the best indication of signal stability IMHO. The only clear difference I noticed so far is the downloading speed as tested with speedtest.net. It was like 100% better for the Asus but I tested it only once so it could be also a different day factor. All this using the most recent stock firmware.

2. I have to take back what I said about the functionality which I probably meant by what I could do with the box. It is at best basic. Yes, it has a VPN server but if you are using any form of open source router software don't expect anything but disappointment in what the Asus firmware can offer. Among other things, I could not set proper prerouting to allow access to name based servers within LAN area.

3. Needles to say I had to flash it and I did it with dd-wrt (I used dd-wrt.v24-21676_NEWD-2_K3.x_mega_RT-N66U.trx). It was a reasonably smooth process and did not brick anything. Unfortunately now I can not get WAN to get the IP from the provider. dd-wrt for N66U had some issues with this in past so I am not exactly sure if the history repeats or it is something new. I will probably have to look for some other distribution or releases (dd-wrt "big", Merlin, tomato?). In other words if somebody plans to use an open source router software it may not go as smooth as it should even if the box is still accessible.

4. I like the recovery mode (intrinsic to Asus) but this can also be bricked so not a fool proof recovery.

Conclusion:
If you just want to plug it in and have it working with few guided steps achieving probably good performance it is likely a right thing to have, but if you already have something offering good configureability/functionality, stability and reasonable performance, don't count N66U will take you any further.

[Mi Amigo]

Just to mention that if you have the RT-AC66U, RT-N66U or RT-N65U (running stock Asus firmware), or RT-N56U with 3.x firmware, there is are firmware updates available to fix a vulnerability in the AiCloud functionality.

Firmware can be downloaded here:

http://support.asus.com/download/option ... anguage=en

Actually the list of affected models is longer than those stated above, per this article:

https://threatpost.com/unpatched-vulner ... me-routers

The article states that the vulnerability is unpatched, but that is now out of date information.

If you're not using AiCloud then you're probably safe, but then again it's usually a good idea to keep the firmware current.

[x9200]

Back to my struggle from one post above, I ended up using Merlin. Basically this is the stock firmware with some options added including ssh access and custom scripts executions. The interface is almost identical.

BTW, if you a bit adventurous or have your guaranty already expired you may want to know that the N66U board contains fully functional uSD card slot that is reported to work also under the stock firmware. If one needs some extra on-router space and have the usb ports already taken this is a convenient solution.

[naanwar]

Back to my struggle from one post above, I ended up using Merlin. Basically this is the stock firmware with some options added including ssh access and custom scripts executions. The interface is almost identical.

BTW, if you a bit adventurous or have your guaranty already expired you may want to know that the N66U board contains fully functional uSD card slot that is reported to work also under the stock firmware. If one needs some extra on-router space and have the usb ports already taken this is a convenient solution.

Since I signed up with M1, i got a N56U. My wifi signal is really bad because the ONT is in the back of the condo. Currently in process of moving the router in to the living room with the Ethernet cable snaking through the bomb shelter vents.

I rcvd the N66U last week from Amazon.

i have loaded the latest firmware on both.

Planning to flash the N66U with DD-WRT and install ProVPN (HideMyAss)....anyone in the forum go through this? Looking at the DD-WRT's forum is a bit scary....coz they had all kinds of issues when the N66U came out.....

[pvisav]

Since I signed up with M1, i got a N56U. My wifi signal is really bad because the ONT is in the back of the condo. Currently in process of moving the router in to the living room with the Ethernet cable snaking through the bomb shelter vents.

I rcvd the N66U last week from Amazon.

i have loaded the latest firmware on both.

Planning to flash the N66U with DD-WRT and install ProVPN (HideMyAss)....anyone in the forum go through this? Looking at the DD-WRT's forum is a bit scary....coz they had all kinds of issues when the N66U came out.....

Any update on this? I'm planning on doing the same. So before I go shopping, would like to know your feedback on this process and if possible a guide on what needs to be done.

[zzm9980]

Since I signed up with M1, i got a N56U. My wifi signal is really bad because the ONT is in the back of the condo. Currently in process of moving the router in to the living room with the Ethernet cable snaking through the bomb shelter vents.

I rcvd the N66U last week from Amazon.

i have loaded the latest firmware on both.

Planning to flash the N66U with DD-WRT and install ProVPN (HideMyAss)....anyone in the forum go through this? Looking at the DD-WRT's forum is a bit scary....coz they had all kinds of issues when the N66U came out.....

Any update on this? I'm planning on doing the same. So before I go shopping, would like to know your feedback on this process and if possible a guide on what needs to be done.

I know someone who did exactly this and it works fine. He has an Asus N16, which is just the lower end of the same thing.

Most of us though on this forum seem to be going with ISPs that do this transparently for you via DNS or routing, so a VPN client isn't needed.

[naanwar]

Since I signed up with M1, i got a N56U. My wifi signal is really bad because the ONT is in the back of the condo. Currently in process of moving the router in to the living room with the Ethernet cable snaking through the bomb shelter vents.

I rcvd the N66U last week from Amazon.

i have loaded the latest firmware on both.

Planning to flash the N66U with DD-WRT and install ProVPN (HideMyAss)....anyone in the forum go through this? Looking at the DD-WRT's forum is a bit scary....coz they had all kinds of issues when the N66U came out.....

No not yet. I well get to it in 2 weeks.

Any update on this? I'm planning on doing the same. So before I go shopping, would like to know your feedback on this process and if possible a guide on what needs to be done.

[stiwi]

If VPN is your concern, best buy now is newest Asus model that is available in SG since few days: RT-AC56U (3x times VPN speeds than AC66U). It has worse WiFi than RTC-AC66U though.

If you want best of both worlds, wait until RT-AC68U comes out which should be later this year.

[zzm9980]

If VPN is your concern, best buy now is newest Asus model that is available in SG since few days: RT-AC56U (3x times VPN speeds than AC66U). It has worse WiFi than RTC-AC66U though.

If you want best of both worlds, wait until RT-AC68U comes out which should be later this year.

Why do you say the RT-AC56U is faster than the RT-AC66U? From the official specs, they're essentially the same thing, only the 66 has a third antenna (and transmitter) for faster 3x wireless. The 56 is 2x wireless.

I see nothing that would indicate the 56 would have better VPN performance. Do you have a source? I'd be curious to see it.