Install partly failed on Asus RT-AC85P

[9bit]

Dear All,

It's the first time I attempted to flash my new Asus RT-AC85P using the designated factory image and using the SHH method.

After the installation I can SSH to the router and login as root. But I cannot access the luci web interface. It doesn't give me any error message via the web browser, it just loads and loads forever...

I reverted back to the OEM firmware and then tried again using the installation via TFTP method. Same results, I still cannot access the luci web interface.

I am also not able to access the internet. My asus router is connected to an ISP modem, which is set in bridge mode. With the OEM firmware I was able to access the internet just fine.

The asus router's DHCP works fine, so I do get a proper LAN IP assigned on my desktop. The router's 2g/5g WIFI doesn't work though, so I cannot connect other devices yet.

Via SSH I can see that the luci installation is in place and the uhttpd is running (I also restarted it a couple of times).

Please advise as this is the end of my understanding! Shouldn't all of this work out of the box???

FYI:

network.@device[0]=device
network.@device[0].name='br-lan'
network.@device[0].type='bridge'
network.@device[0].ports='lan1' 'lan2' 'lan3' 'lan4'
network.lan=interface
network.lan.device='br-lan'
network.lan.proto='static'
network.lan.ipadrr='192.168.1.1'
network.lan.netmask='255.255.255.0'
network.wan=interface
network.wan.device='wan'
network.wan.proto='dhcp'

[tmomas]

@9bit

After the installation I can SSH to the router and login as root. But I cannot access the luci web interface.

I guess you have installed the factory image (marked in yellow) instead of the one linked above in the table (marked in red), right?

[9bit]

No, I used the one you marked in red! Shouldn't I? I am confused.

The one you marked in yellow links to "https://downloads.openwrt.org/snapshots/targets/ramips/mt7621/openwrt-ramips-mt7621-asus_rt-ac65p-squashfs-factory.bin
". This appears to be for the AC65P, I have the AC85P.

What is the difference in any case and why did I get so confused?

[tmomas]

Don't worry, you have flashed the correct file.

You could try the method described here:
Problem with ASUS RT-AC85P after first flashing - #3 by MrLink

[9bit]

I flashed https://downloads.openwrt.org/releases/21.02.0/targets/ramips/mt7621/openwrt-21.02.0-ramips-mt7621-asus_rt-ac85p-initramfs-kernel.bin

I now have a working internet and luci web interface! Is it still necessary to update using https://downloads.openwrt.org/releases/21.02.0/targets/ramips/mt7621/openwrt-21.02.0-ramips-mt7621-asus_rt-ac65p-squashfs-sysupgrade.bin ?

Also, my wireless cards are not recognized at all. Do I need to install plugins manually?

[bill888]

Yes, you should flash the sysupgrade.bin file as instructed in the link provided by @tmomas

ps. Initramfs is for temporary use. See this reference:
https://openwrt.org/docs/techref/image.format

[9bit]

When I try to flash with the sysupgrade.bin file I get the message that

1. My device is not supported by this image. Supported devices: asus rt-ac65p. The uploaded image doesnt contain a suppported format. Make sure that you choose the generic image format for your platform.
2. • had to "force upgrade"*

After the flash, my modem is recognized as a RT-AC65P (instead of the actual RT-AC85P). Is that ok?

My 2 wirelesss cards are recognized as "Mediatek MT7615E bgn and MT7615E nac". From the specs I see that in reality it is a bit different MT7615N. Is that a problem?

I see the 2 wifi cards are working at 2GHz and 5GHz.

[bill888]

You downloaded the wrong sysupgrade.bin image.

There is one specifically for RT-AC85P in the wiki page for the RT-AC65/85P.

http://downloads.openwrt.org/releases/21.02.0/targets/ramips/mt7621/openwrt-21.02.0-ramips-mt7621-asus_rt-ac85p-squashfs-sysupgrade.bin

I believe you should be able to just flash the correct RT-AC85P sysupgrade.bin using LuCI. Do NOT 'Keep Settings' when prompted

If you are a Windows user, the wiki page does describe how to use the Asus Firmware Restoration tool to revert back to AsusWrt firmware, if you need to start over.
https://openwrt.org/toh/asus/rt-ac85p#asus_rescue_mode_verified_for_rt-ac65p_only

The AsusWrt firmware is here. Click on 'More' to reveal the 'ASUS Firmware Restoration version 2.1.0.2' under 'Drivers & Utilities'.

RT-AC85P｜WiFi Routers｜ASUS Global

[9bit]

I successfully re-flased with the "sysupgrade" image you pointed out using luci. I have to say, I don't remember if I un-checked the "keep settings" What is the worst that can happen?

After the re-flash, my modem is recognized as a RT-AC85P, which is awesome.

My 2 wirelesss cards are still recognized as MT7615E (instead of MT7615N, based on the specs. Does anyone know of more appropriate drivers?

I see the 2 wifi cards are working at 2GHz and 5GHz and tested them also. I will provide feedback on the speeds later.

Finally, I hope I won't encounter any 5GHz issues as others have mentioned! For now it looks like it is working.

Everyone, Thanks again!

[bill888]

fwiw, you could go into Backup/Flash firmware menu option and click 'Reset' to clear all openwrt settings back to defaults if in doubt?

Does 5 GHz wireless setup menu in LuCI offer 'AC' and '80 MHz' ?

eg.

(I don't own a RT-AC65/85P btw)

[9bit]

Yes it offers AC and 80HMhz, as well as 160 MHz. Until now it seems it is working well

[bill888]

Please mark as solved if firmware successfully installed and 802.11ac wifi appears to be working.

Regarding MT7615E vs MT7615N. I think there is just the one openwrt driver MT7615E for all routers which use MT7615 family of chipsets. Someone will correct me if I'm wrong.

[9bit]

@bill888 and @tmomas your support is greatly appreciated!

I confirm everything is working well (for now). Marked as resolved.

Happy to hear if someone knows a better/more applicable driver/firmware for my MT7615N network card .

FYI, some first speed tests from run with Passmark Advance Network test from my laptop (win 10) wifi (connected over 5GHz AC Nominal T866/R866 Mbps) to a desktop (win 10) connected over 1Gbps ethernet via the ASUS/Openwrt router:

IPv4/TCP | Send | Avg: 524 Mbps | Max: 562 Mbps
IPv4/TCP | Receive | Avg: 517 Mbps | Max: 614 Mbps

IPv4/UDP | Send | Avg: 566 Mbps | Max: 617 Mbps
IPv4/UDP | Receive | Avg: [didn't work] | Max: [didn't work]

Should I be happy with these?
Btw the UDP receive test was not successful, but I suspect its the passmark, all packets were dropped.. I will check later with another piece of software if I can.