ASUS RT-AC86U AsusWrt-Merlin Firmware 386.3 Beta 3

Changes:

- NOTE: First time you boot into this version, you need to either shift-reload the main index page, or clear your browser cache.
- NEW: Introducing VPN Director, which replaces the original policy routing management interface for OpenVPN clients. A bit similar to Asus's own VPN Fusion, OpenVPN routing rules are now managed through a central web interface, and they are stored in JFFS instead of nvram, to allow creating more rules, and free up some nvram for nvram-limited devices such as the RT-AC68U.
- NEW: Added QR codes to the networkmap as well as the Guest Network page, to allow easily connecting a mobile device just by scanning the QR code. The generated QR code can also be saved as a file if you'd like to print it.
- CHANGED: Rewrote OpenVPN routing handling. The firmware will now handle route creation itself rather than letting the openvpn client create/remove routes.
- CHANGED: Reworked OpenVPN's DNS Exclusive mode implementation and interaction with dnsmasq.
- CHANGED: Moved OpenVPN Custom settings content to JFFS, and increased max storage length from around 350 chars to 4095 chars.
- UPDATED: nano to 5.7.
- UPDATED: curl to 7.76.1.
- UPDATED: dnsmasq to 2.85-openssl.
- UPDATED: openvpn to 2.5.3.
- UPDATED: getdns to 1.7.0.
- UPDATED: stubby to 0.4.0.
- FIXED: Setting an OpenVPN client's DNS mode to Exclusive could fail to work for certain configurations
- FIXED: DNS Exclusive redirections applied in Policy mode could be executed in the wrong order if you had overlapping policy rules in two separate clients.
- FIXED: Clients connected to Guest Network 1 couldn't be routed through an OpenVPN tunnel.
- FIXED: Clients connected to Guest Network 1 would bypass DNSFilter rules.
- FIXED: USB disks not properly unmounted on reboot on some router models.
- FIXED: Missing error report on OpenVPN client connection failure
- FIXED: profile.add getting used even if JFFS scripting was disabled (dave14305)
- FIXED: Freedns authentication errors would not properly be reported as errors.

The new implementation brings a few changes:

- "Force Internet traffic through tunnel" can now be set to "No", "Yes (All)" or "VPN Director".
- This setting will now override whatever setting pushed by the server regarding gateway redirection.
- The kill switch can now be used in both "Yes" and "VPN Director" routing modes
- Manually stopping a client will remove the kill switch. It will now only be applied at boot time (if client was set to start at boot), or if the tunnel is disconnected through a non-user event

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.

  It is highly recommended to always use the most recent driver version available.

Try to set a system restore point before installing a device driver. This will help if you installed an incorrect or mismatched driver. Problems can arise when your hardware device is too old or not supported any longer.