ASUS router RT-AC68U

[yorkytime1]

I just purchased this router.  Got it up and running yesterday.  Thank goodness it was pretty easy even for a dummy like me.  But I do not know how use any of the bonus features of this router.  I can see all my devices when connected....that is great.  And I found a traffic analyzer was included.  Beyond that I am pretty clueless.  Thank goodness it seems to work well without any input from me.  LOL  I am wondering do I need to install any software to expand the abilities of this router?

[Gwalk900]

It will require that you install the free firmware update from Merlin to allow the track data by device feature.

I'm going to let BirdDog guide you on that one as I believe he has that router.

[yorkytime1]

okay thanks Gwalk.  Will wait to BirdDog to chime in.

[Gwalk900]

Remember, he is kinda old

[yorkytime1]

hahahaha will do.  I'm old too so we will be in good company.

[BirdDog]

Gwalk, you're one to throw stones about being old.....lol !

yorkytime, I would definitely recommend using the Merlin firmware but up to you, I don't want to be blamed if something goes wrong. Highly doubt it though as I've updated many times without a problem. Just be patient and let it do it thing once you start. The router will eventually reboot and come online with the new firmware. I did highlight the note on the router update page that tells how to recover if a problem.

The upload button is what you press then select where you downloaded the firmware file to on your computer. It is a zip file so will have to unzip it first. You should have a similar page in your router setup GUI. 

Here is the Merlin homepage and also the download page for your firmware, the download is near the top of the page:

http://asuswrt.lostrealm.ca/

https://sourceforge.net/projects/asuswrt-merlin/files/

Happy to help you figure things out once you get it up and running again.

[Amanda]

Sounds like it's gonna be an adventure! Kind of was when I got my Nighthawk. Have fun!

Amanda

[GabeU]

Nice router. Very nice router.  I'm envious. 

[Phyllis McClain]

GabeU, I've not had any problems with my Linksys, nor do I have any complaints on my service, but maybe you could educate us about having better routers. For a start, would I get any better service by having this router?

[GabeU]

Phyllis,

To be honest, I wouldn't really be the one to give advice about routers, as my experience and knowledge of them is limited.  With that said, as long as the router is working properly, and not taking into account the increased number of things that can be done with a more expensive router, they will all pretty much give the same level of basic service.  I'm sure that the performance of my $40 Netgear router is just as good as a $300 router.  But, like mentioned, I'm not able to see many of the more technical aspects that could be seen with a more expensive one, and the router like yorkytime bought has additional capabilities of being able to monitor data usage with a special type of firmware. 

If the speeds you get wirelessly with your Linksys are about the same as what you get when your computer is connected directly to the modem with a cable, and your Linksys has enough range for your home, it's most likely just fine for your purposes and a more expensive router wouldn't be much of an advantage for you.  This is just my opinion, of course. 

Edit: 

I should add that the Netgear router I'm referring to I no longer use much because it started going a little buggy a few months ago, so I have another one, but it's an inexpensive one, as well, and it works just as well as the Netgear did before it started getting buggy.