M1 RT-AC2600 Router

Kyo_kusanagi86

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MyRepublic model is different, it is called RT-AC85MR.
https://support.myrepublic.com.sg/h...SUS-RT-AC85MR-Router-Technical-Specifications

RT-AC85U is selling at S$168 in Challenger. But it does not look like RT-AC85MR.

RT-AC2600 is selling by M1 users at about S$100-120 in Carousell.

https://www.hachi.tech/biz-solution...ac2600-dualband-gigabit-router--0889349630044

Still it is said that RT-AC2600 is also linked to RT-AC85U but with more RAM (256MB vs 128MB).

Outlook may be similar to RT-AC68U but the CPU and features can not be compared with RT-AC68U.

HW in RT-AC85U and RT-AC2600: MediaTek MT7621AT – 880Mhz Dual MIPS cores with Quad thread, 128MB Flash, 128MB /256MB RAM

HW in RT-AC68U: BCM4708A0 @ 800 MHz chipset, Dual Core ARM Cortex A9, 256 MB RAM and 128 MB Flash

Wah, how did you know the RT-AC85U only have 128MB ram? i can't seems to find the details.

So in this case its better to buy the RT-AC2600 over the RT-AC85U? (assuming you can pick only 1)
 

tuntun

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How's the performance of this router on Singtel Fiber network? I am currently using Linksys EA8100, wonder this Asus router perform better?

Ur EA8100 with SingTel line so far performance and coverage OK?
 

lfcd66

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Hi Everyone, my Singtel router has failed on me and I’m interested to get this Asus router from Carousell. But as I’m a noob in setting up, Can I know if this router works with Mio TV and my VOIP phone line? Is the setup easy?
 

tuntun

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That DNS leak issue is probably specific to low cost EA8100 or maybe also EA7500. Both are for Starhub.
https://forums.hardwarezone.com.sg/...clinic-4/issues-linksys-ea8100-5948574-2.html

No issues on my 2014 Linksys WRT1900AC.

DNS leak? Your router didn't accept your assigned static DNS servers from router settings? Only use ISP dns as default?

I got this issue as for singtel line and asus router. Even I assigned to 1.1.1.1 or 208.67.xx.xx slow down and some websites cannot allow to access. when set back to isp assigned auto mode then ok...
 

xiaofan

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DNS leak? Your router didn't accept your assigned static DNS servers from router settings? Only use ISP dns as default?

I got this issue as for singtel line and asus router. Even I assigned to 1.1.1.1 or 208.67.xx.xx slow down and some websites cannot allow to access. when set back to isp assigned auto mode then ok...

Not so sure what you are asking about.

I was referring to old report that there are DNS leaking issues with regards to Linksys routers. I believe that issue is probably related to low end Linksys routers like Starhub issued EA7500 v2 and EA8100 v1.

My reply is saying that there are no DNS leaking issues with my Linksys WRT1900AC router, when using Google DNS or other DNS servers.

If you can not access some other websites with non-ISP DNS, then it is a different issue, not related to DNS leak.
 
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tuntun

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Not so sure what you are asking about.

I was referring to old report that there are DNS leaking issues with regards to Linksys routers. I believe that issue is probably related to low end Linksys routers like Starhub issued EA7500 v2 and EA8100 v1.

My reply is saying that there are no DNS leaking issues with my Linksys WRT1900AC router, when using Google DNS or other DNS servers.

If you can not access some other websites with non-ISP DNS, then it is a different issue, not related to DNS leak.

Ok. now I understand what you meant . May be my case is different from you.. Confirmed as singtel is restricting using external dns rather than his own dns. some features for singtel tv (showed error :06)and cast svc have minor hiccup....once used back auto dns setting in router, all back to normal.
 

newfrog

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I have this M1 AC2600 and Linksys WRT-AC1900AC (oem stock & OpenWrt firmware). The AC1900AC has twice the cpu speed and RAM of AC2600

If I am running one as a router and the other as sub-router or AP mode, which model should be best as router?
Thanks
 

xiaofan

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I have this M1 AC2600 and Linksys WRT-AC1900AC (oem stock & OpenWrt firmware). The AC1900AC has twice the cpu speed and RAM of AC2600

If I am running one as a router and the other as sub-router or AP mode, which model should be best as router?
Thanks

You can use the WRT1900AC as the main router and use the Asus RT-AC2600 as the wireless AP.

WRT-1900AC has more powerful CPU. If you run the OpenWRT FW then the features are pretty decent too. But its wireless is a bit old (decent 5FHz coverage but very poor 2.4GHz coverage, no MU-MIMO support).

RT-AC2600 has lower end CPU but better wireless features (AC2600, MU-MIMO support). So it is better as an AP.
 

xiaofan

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Hi guys, is this worth $80? need it as an AP

It is more worth of S$70-80 if used as a router because Asus keeps updating the firmware.

If you just use it as an AP, there are better options like Huawei AX3 (AX3000) at less than S$50, Redmi AX5 (AX1800) at less than S$60, Huawei AX3 Pro (AX3000) and Redmi AX6 (AX3000) are around S$80.
 

Phen8210

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It is more worth of S$70-80 if used as a router because Asus keeps updating the firmware.

If you just use it as an AP, there are better options like Huawei AX3 (AX3000) at less than S$50, Redmi AX5 (AX1800) at less than S$60, Huawei AX3 Pro (AX3000) and Redmi AX6 (AX3000) are around S$80.

will their range be as good as the asus? i not worried about speed but range
 

xiaofan

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will their range be as good as the asus? i not worried about speed but range

I will think the Redmi and Huawei all have good ranges and better than the Asus RT-AC2600.

But if you are really concerned about range, get Xiaomi AX3600 China version.
 

RagnaParadise

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For cheap routers and those ISP provided routers, get ready to chuck them after 3 years or so. Due to low margins, the manufacturer usually stops supporting them very quickly. Even this RT-AC2600 last firmware update was back in Oct/Nov 2019. Only one firmware update.

The only reason I'm still hanging onto an old RT-AC66U is because there is a 3rd party who's still publishing updates for it.
https://www.snbforums.com/threads/fork-asuswrt-merlin-374-43-lts-releases-v44e5.18914/

For long term use, get an Asus router supported by Merlin firmware mod. Eg: AX56U, AX58U etc...

So, I refused to believe that ASUS made such bespoke hardware for M1 that no custom firmware will run it... and I actually managed to find that OpenWRT can be run on it!

Now I have an RT-AC2600 that is configured to be constantly on VPN. :) Unfortunately compared to Asuswrt-Merlin, this isn't really for the faint-hearted. On the plus side, the sky's the limit on OpenWRT if you're willing to venture into configs and scripts and networking.

The RT-AC2600 is an alternate version of RT-AC85P, so from the site below, you can follow the instructions to install the snapshot builds for OpenWRT (for ease of reference, the file name I had was openwrt-ramips-mt7621-asus_rt-ac85p-squashfs-factory.bin).

https://openwrt.org/toh/asus/asus_rt-ac85p

Hope this helps anyone whose router is currently stuck in the store room :D
 

xiaofan

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So, I refused to believe that ASUS made such bespoke hardware for M1 that no custom firmware will run it... and I actually managed to find that OpenWRT can be run on it!

Now I have an RT-AC2600 that is configured to be constantly on VPN. :) Unfortunately compared to Asuswrt-Merlin, this isn't really for the faint-hearted. On the plus side, the sky's the limit on OpenWRT if you're willing to venture into configs and scripts and networking.

The RT-AC2600 is an alternate version of RT-AC85P, so from the site below, you can follow the instructions to install the snapshot builds for OpenWRT (for ease of reference, the file name I had was openwrt-ramips-mt7621-asus_rt-ac85p-squashfs-factory.bin).

https://openwrt.org/toh/asus/asus_rt-ac85p

Hope this helps anyone whose router is currently stuck in the store room :D

Nice one. RT-AC2600 is basically the same as RT-AC85U/RT-AC85P/RT-AC85MR AC2600 router but double the RAM from 128MB to 256MB RAM.

Good that you can run OpenWRT on it.

Starhub Linksys EA7500 V2 (with OpenWRT snapshot release) and EA8100 (unofficial OpenWRT FW available) have similar HW spec to M1 RT-AC2600.
 

newfrog

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is there a power setting for AC2600 stock fw to reduce its wifi transmission power like in openwrt/ddwrt? Couldn't find it. Am using several APs so no need to have on max power. Thanks
 

xiaofan

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is there a power setting for AC2600 stock fw to reduce its wifi transmission power like in openwrt/ddwrt? Couldn't find it. Am using several APs so no need to have on max power. Thanks

If it has the capability to adjust TX power as other higher end Asus routers, then it is here.
https://www.asus.com/sg/support/FAQ/1011438/

My Asus RT-AX82U has it. I believe anything better than RT-AC68U will have this feature.
 

newfrog

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If it has the capability to adjust TX power as other higher end Asus routers, then it is here.
https://www.asus.com/sg/support/FAQ/1011438/

My Asus RT-AX82U has it. I believe anything better than RT-AC68U will have this feature.

No, it is not there. My old RT-AC56 has it but somehow it skipped on the AC2600. Instead of the power slider, I see an option of Country (China, SG, Asia).

Can anyone with AC2600 check if they have this power option or not? Thanks
 
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devil1158

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If your existing m1 router got problem think you can bring down do a 1 to 1 exchange.. cos now you recontract they will not issue new router.. but can exchange. Can check with M1
 
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