New RT-AC66U Hardware Revision - B1

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hikent
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Joined: 08 Jul 2008
Posts: 7

PostPosted: Sun Nov 27, 2016 6:23    Post subject: New RT-AC66U Hardware Revision - B1 Reply with quote
Hi,

I can't get my replacement RT-AC66U to work. Apparently there was a hardware revision -- now B1. (MY old one had no hardware revision listed.) ASUS web site indicates ASUS firmware V3.0.0.4 dated Nov 04, 2016 is initial release for this hardware revision.

Any info on DD-WRT timeline for this hardware? (Or was failure to intstall operator error on my part -- always likely.)

Thanks.
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js1662
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Joined: 23 Jul 2014
Posts: 1237
Location: BC, CA

PostPosted: Sun Nov 27, 2016 7:18    Post subject: Reply with quote
A look at wikidevi shows that the revision is quite big. CPU changed from single core BCM4706 to dual core BCM4708C0 and 2.4G controller from BCM4331 to BCM4360. That explain why the current RT-AC66U build doesn't work on the new hardware. You have to wait for the new revision for the new hardware to come out which I have no idea when.
hikent
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Joined: 08 Jul 2008
Posts: 7

PostPosted: Sun Nov 27, 2016 7:28    Post subject: Reply with quote
So not looking like operator error. Bummer. Thanks for looking up the particulars. Hopefully the delta won't take too long...
Malachi
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Joined: 17 Jul 2012
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Location: Columbus, Ohio

PostPosted: Sun Nov 27, 2016 12:47    Post subject: Reply with quote
Some on the smallnetbuilder forum have successfully flashed the RMerlin firmware for the rt-ac68u on their new rt-ac66u B1.
Now I'm not saying the same think can be done with dd-wrt but since asus has a firmware restoration utility and the fact that asus routers are easy to unbrick, if I had the unit, I might try it.
Of course I also have the means to do serial recovery if needed.

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Dodzen
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Joined: 03 Dec 2016
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PostPosted: Sat Dec 03, 2016 2:03    Post subject: Reply with quote
I can confirm the asus_rt-ac68u-firmware.trx working on the RT-AC66U B1 Rev A1.

This is the first time I install any open source firmware on a router. Worked perfectly.

AC66U B1 being the new model name used and A1 the H/W Ver or as some call it Rev.


Last edited by Dodzen on Sat Dec 03, 2016 2:11; edited 1 time in total
Malachi
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PostPosted: Sat Dec 03, 2016 2:09    Post subject: Reply with quote
Dodzen wrote:
I can confirm the asus_rt-ac66u-firmware.trx working on the RT-AC66U B1 Rev A1.

This is the first time I install any open source firmware on a router. Worked perfectly.

AC66U B1 being the new model name used and A1 the H/W Ver or as some call it Rev.


That seems unusual.

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Dodzen
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Joined: 03 Dec 2016
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PostPosted: Sat Dec 03, 2016 2:11    Post subject: Reply with quote
That was a Typo, used ac68u-firmware.
Typo corrected.
This is the firmware version I used.
betas/2016/09-14-2016-r30631/asus-rt-ac68u/
Malachi
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Location: Columbus, Ohio

PostPosted: Sat Dec 03, 2016 2:25    Post subject: Reply with quote
That makes more sense.
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Reinvented
DD-WRT User


Joined: 06 May 2012
Posts: 60

PostPosted: Sun Dec 04, 2016 9:02    Post subject: Reply with quote
Is the B1 revision of this on par now with the AC68U, minus the 5 GHz AC @ 1300 Mbps?

Or would it just be worth it to get the AC1900P from Best Buy? And does the 68U FW work on the 1900P still?
jhnmdahl
DD-WRT Novice


Joined: 23 Dec 2016
Posts: 5

PostPosted: Fri Dec 23, 2016 23:57    Post subject: Reply with quote
Did you just download the latest RT-ac68u beta and install it using recovery mode and the Asus firmware recovery tool? Mine doesn't seem to want to take...

Edit - worked after the third try or so. Boots to the firmware recovery screen (viewed using web interface) for about 30 seconds then loads dd-wrt every time it is unplugged and plugged back in, but otherwise seems OK.

Thanks!
maimer
DD-WRT Novice


Joined: 10 Feb 2009
Posts: 2

PostPosted: Wed Jan 18, 2017 18:20    Post subject: Reply with quote
I was able to flash my RT-AC66U B1 CFE version 1.1.2.0
using the method Dodzen provided.

Thank you Dodzen much appreciated![/quote]
fonix232
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Joined: 28 Apr 2013
Posts: 18

PostPosted: Mon Feb 06, 2017 16:59    Post subject: Reply with quote
Reinvented wrote:
Is the B1 revision of this on par now with the AC68U, minus the 5 GHz AC @ 1300 Mbps?

Or would it just be worth it to get the AC1900P from Best Buy? And does the 68U FW work on the 1900P still?


Apparently the AC66U_B1, AC68U (rev. C and up, up to and including E), and 1900 seem to be the virtually same hardware.

The AC66U actually comes with 1300Mbps 5GHz AC, and drops the 600Mbps N support (so instead of 600Mbps+1150Mbps to get 1750Mbps, you get 450Mbps + 1300Mbps). As the 600Mbps N interface is a software feature (I'm not understanding it completely, but I believe it has some MIMO aggregation or what), installing the AC68U firmware (either DD-WRT or AsusWRT-Merlin) will result in full-blown 1900Mbps support.

Basically Asus re-used the AC68U board (specifically one of the C or E designs), moved the USB3.0 to the front, and software downgraded it to 1750Mbps, to provide a still capable router at a lower price point (or even provide as replacement for broken, warranty-covered regular AC66U units, in which case, you're lucky).
treed873
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Joined: 31 Mar 2017
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PostPosted: Fri Mar 31, 2017 14:34    Post subject: Reply with quote
Has anyone else tried the ac68u firmware on the ac66u B1? I'm getting ready to buy one, but I am a little nervous about it.
Thanks,
MDA400
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Joined: 10 Jan 2015
Posts: 270
Location: Minnesota

PostPosted: Fri Mar 31, 2017 18:45    Post subject: Reply with quote
treed873 wrote:
Has anyone else tried the ac68u firmware on the ac66u B1? I'm getting ready to buy one, but I am a little nervous about it.
Thanks,


Two people (maimer and dodzen) have already confirmed it works with ac68u firmware. Up to you, but as mentioned by Malachi, Asus routers are fool-proof with their recovery mode if you happen to soft-brick it in any way trying.

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treed873
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Joined: 31 Mar 2017
Posts: 2

PostPosted: Sat Apr 01, 2017 11:25    Post subject: Reply with quote
Thanks for the reply. I pulled the trigger on the new one. I had the original ac66u, but lightning look it out. Just a side question, will the configuration file from the old one work with the different firmware? Thank you

No.
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