Right, but the problem is I believe the ASUS Firmware Restore Utility Reboots the router so it doesn't hold the image. It doesn't matter anyways because I already soldered in a serial cable and was able to hook it up to my computer. I prefer to go that route anyways, using the official image via serial console install method. I have the SolarWinds TFTP server and am trying to figure out the instructions below:
"1. Download the OpenWrt initramfs image. Copy the image to a TFTP server reachable at 192.168.1.70/24. Rename the image to tufax6000.bin.
Connect the TFTP server to the AX6000 (e.g. LAN Port 1).
Connect to the serial console, interrupt the auto boot process by pressing '4' when prompted (your choice will be echoed) to enter the command line interface for loading the image via TFTP or press '1' to load via TFTP using a command line wizard and set client IP, server IP and name of the image. All the available operation options are:
1: Load System code to SDRAM via TFTP. 2: Load System code then write to Flash via TFTP. 3: Boot System code via Flash (default). 4: Entr boot command line interface. 7: Load Boot Loader code then write to Flash via Serial. 9: Load Boot Loader code then write to Flash via TFTP.
When option '4' selected, Download & Boot the OpenWrt initramfs image via:
Transfer the sysupgrade image to the device using scp or similar, install using sysupgrade."
So, on step 3 when do I press 4? I'm also confused because it seems like the instructions are saying you can either press 4 or 1? So if I press 1 I don't have to use step 4? It's ambiguous unless I'm reading it wrong.
b.) Once I'm in LuCi (this has LuCi on there right?) So I just connect to 192.168.1.1 and use the sysupgrade option to upload the sysupgrade file? And then reboot and that's it?
c.) What are the chances of bricking my device when doing this? What are the important things to do, not to do?
I'm not sure the initramfs image has LuCi, I'd just connect via ssh and do sysupgrade on the command line.
Regarding uboot, I've not done an installation on the Asus in this way, but it looks like you need to use "4" to be able to set the TFTP server IP and other parameters. I have no idea from what IP "1" would try to load the image (maybe the given examples for "4" are the defaults, maybe not).
Has anyone successfully upgraded via web CLI? I found a link on its hardware information page. Also, is there any functional difference between flashing via web or TFTP? Here's that trx file Asus TUF Gaming AX6000 support - #151 by remittor
I see there has recently been a pull request and commit to increase the SPI bus frequency from 20Mhz to 52Mhz on a device with a filogic board. The AX6000 is a device that uses the SOC. The theory is that it would increase the performance of the device's NAND or NOR drives. The issue was, since it has not been tested on all OpenWRT devices with the SOC , that the pull request has only been implemented on a few devices. Is anyone here willing to try and test it for the AX6000 and create a pull request?
The flash speed usually isn't all that important for OpenWrt, so only make changes if you are sure that PCB design can actually cope with this - and keep in mind that not all devices falling from the production lines are the same (and you can't test dozens of devices from different production batches), so usually the vendor firmware 'knows best' in how far the vendor trusts their design.
That SPI stuff seems so weird to change. I don't know much about this but the only main advantage I could check from the Redmi 6000 commit was a faster boot time by approx 2 seconds... wow. If we're potentially introducing flash corruption for a 2 second faster boot time when a router is designed to be switched on 24/7 anyway, feels weird. It's asking for problems.
Kind of reminds me when high grade binned B-Die can do 3600C14 at around 1.37v but do that with any generic B-Die chips and you're not even posting at BIOS.
TUF-AX6000 has joined TUF-AX4200 as being discontinued in America.
Microcenter (pickup only) - AX6000 stocked at $139 USD.
Staples (Canada) - AX4200 for $119 CAD if you live near the border.
Used
Asus doesn't appear to be releasing any v2 models. Asus BT8 is filogic and the only choice for an "upgrade." Acer has expanded their W6 filogic routers, but support doesn't seem to be good still.
OpenWrt Two appears to be the only thing coming that would be a replacement for the Asus filogic models that is actually a hardware upgrade.