The Asus RT-N56U (alternative to Actiontec router) - Page 33 - Canadian TV, Computing and Home Theatre Forums

file · 2012-05-13, 01:47 PM

The latest firmware is available at http://web.joshua-colp.com/firmware/

file · 2012-05-13, 02:53 PM

An update on the latest firmware with better bandwidth monitoring - I've got the application starting properly, storing information, and having the information viewable from a telnet session. The GUI part is... not going very well, primarily because it's a huge mess and understanding how stuff works is driving me slightly insane.

sgu222e · 2012-05-13, 04:01 PM

I agree with File, I see nothing wrong...
Have you, or could you try connecting the PVR or other STB directly to port 4 on the ASUS?
And I hate to say it, but it is possible you have a faulty port 4...

file · 2012-05-13, 04:08 PM

The firmware question makes me wonder if he installed the first version, which had issues with TV service. Subsequent firmware fixed it up.

Commander_Kang · 2012-05-13, 04:17 PM

I had downloaded a previous version. Updating now. Fingers crossed...

Kang

Commander_Kang · 2012-05-13, 06:43 PM

It was the firmware. As soon as I upgraded to the latest version, the STB's came to life. I must have used an outdated link to download the firmware the first time.

I installed my WRT54G as a switch. Seems a bit buggy in this configuration for now. Time to do some tinkering.

Thanks

Commander_Kang · 2012-05-13, 11:56 PM

Quote:

Nothing stands out - just curious why you would use the WRT54G instead of sticking with the Netgear switch.

It was just a matter of layout. I installed the WRT54G very near the ONT and Asus (my house is wired in a home run config). The tech installed the switch in the basement, next to the PVR box.

This current configuration seems to be working well now. After a few system resets, TV seems to be relatively stable. But geez, those resets seem to take FOREVER to complete. LOL. Hopefully the system will run reliably from here on out.

Also, you mentioned earlier to check the general log to confirm that the hardware NAT is functioning. Can you describe what the log entry will look like?

Oh, and finally, please post your PayPal account deets again. Many, many thanks for your efforts and the continued updates to this project. I will be more than happy to make a donation.

Great work!

Kang

file · 2012-05-14, 08:47 AM

The log entry looks like "Hardware NAT: Enabled"

My Paypal address is jcolp@joshua-colp.com and if you are on Twitter I can be followed at twitter.com/joshnet

Commander_Kang · 2012-05-14, 07:20 PM

Cool. I rebooted the router because I had cleared the log file and sure enough, the Hardware NAT: Enabled message was there. All of the STB's reacquired their signal very quickly, so hopefully this is a good omen for the stability of this setup.

Dropped $20 in your PayPal account. Money well spent, in my opinion.

Thanks again!

Kang

file · 2012-05-14, 07:44 PM

Thanks for the contribution! As for stability I've had zero downtime or problems since switching to the Asus on my two FibreOP lines, and I'm sure this is echoed by others. Once you get your setup done it really "just works".

cjb1 · 2012-05-17, 10:27 AM

Been using FiberOp for a while and was using the actiontec router in advanced DMZ mode with PFsense as my real router but had to reboot the actiontec router every 6-7 days.

Got fed up with that and now playing with the RT-N56U and in standard (BellAliant) mode I get connected without issues. However, I like PFsense (Internet and VOIP security reasons) and been trying to get it to work using the RT-N56U in different modes;

1) BellAliant Wan mode and router in virtual DMZ - that does not work the way I want it, so abandoned that option.

then tried

2) Bell Aliant -Passthrough mode with PFsense Vlan35 with mac address of the actiontec in Pfsense and PFsense connected in port 3 of the RTN56U and got an IP without any trouble, but I cannot get outside of RT-N56U router. If I ping Google.ca I can't get a response. Is there a special setting in PFsense or the rt-NT56U I'm missing? My understanding is passthrough is just pushing PFsense to Bell Aliant and the RT-56U port 4 can be used for IPTV. Port 1 & 2 on the RT-N56U are not active in this mode.

Is there more to be done to get this configuration working?

Thanks
cjb

file · 2012-05-17, 10:32 AM

You don't need to do VLANs in pfSense if you are using passthrough mode. The Asus will do the VLAN tagging/untagging when packets are sent/received over the WAN port. Try changing that. If that continues to not work troubleshoot bit by bit. Another option is to just use the Asus in a DMZ configuration with pfSense like you were doing with the Actiontec. It won't suffer the same problems. (That's how I use pfSense)

acadian33 · 2012-05-23, 07:59 AM

FYI for anyone looking to buy the N56U

NewEgg has it on sale for $109.99 with the coupone code CEMCNEHG62 + free shipping.

binarymelon · 2012-05-23, 01:24 PM

I'm looking at picking one of these up today and was wondering what the setup would look like and if you get the same/similar performance improvements with coax to the pvr?

habskilla · 2012-05-23, 02:47 PM

My TV is all coax. Performance is great.

2012-05-17, 10:27 AM	#491
cjb1 Rookie Join Date: May 2012 Location: Moncton NB Posts: 1	PFsense behind RT-N56U Been using FiberOp for a while and was using the actiontec router in advanced DMZ mode with PFsense as my real router but had to reboot the actiontec router every 6-7 days. Got fed up with that and now playing with the RT-N56U and in standard (BellAliant) mode I get connected without issues. However, I like PFsense (Internet and VOIP security reasons) and been trying to get it to work using the RT-N56U in different modes; 1) BellAliant Wan mode and router in virtual DMZ - that does not work the way I want it, so abandoned that option. then tried 2) Bell Aliant -Passthrough mode with PFsense Vlan35 with mac address of the actiontec in Pfsense and PFsense connected in port 3 of the RTN56U and got an IP without any trouble, but I cannot get outside of RT-N56U router. If I ping Google.ca I can't get a response. Is there a special setting in PFsense or the rt-NT56U I'm missing? My understanding is passthrough is just pushing PFsense to Bell Aliant and the RT-56U port 4 can be used for IPTV. Port 1 & 2 on the RT-N56U are not active in this mode. Is there more to be done to get this configuration working? Thanks cjb

2012-05-23, 07:59 AM	#493
acadian33 Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Moncton, NB (Aliant TV FiberOP) Posts: 88	FYI for anyone looking to buy the N56U NewEgg has it on sale for $109.99 with the coupone code CEMCNEHG62 + free shipping. __________________ http://gamercard.xbox.com/habsnator35.card

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2012-05-13, 01:47 PM	#481
file Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Riverview, NB Posts: 759	The latest firmware is available at http://web.joshua-colp.com/firmware/

2012-05-13, 02:53 PM	#482
file Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Riverview, NB Posts: 759	An update on the latest firmware with better bandwidth monitoring - I've got the application starting properly, storing information, and having the information viewable from a telnet session. The GUI part is... not going very well, primarily because it's a huge mess and understanding how stuff works is driving me slightly insane.

2012-05-13, 04:01 PM	#483
sgu222e Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: 127.0.0.1 Posts: 124	I agree with File, I see nothing wrong... Have you, or could you try connecting the PVR or other STB directly to port 4 on the ASUS? And I hate to say it, but it is possible you have a faulty port 4...

2012-05-13, 04:08 PM	#484
file Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Riverview, NB Posts: 759	The firmware question makes me wonder if he installed the first version, which had issues with TV service. Subsequent firmware fixed it up.

2012-05-13, 04:17 PM	#485
Commander_Kang Join Date: Jan 2010 Posts: 91	I had downloaded a previous version. Updating now. Fingers crossed... Kang

2012-05-13, 06:43 PM	#486
Commander_Kang Join Date: Jan 2010 Posts: 91	It was the firmware. As soon as I upgraded to the latest version, the STB's came to life. I must have used an outdated link to download the firmware the first time. I installed my WRT54G as a switch. Seems a bit buggy in this configuration for now. Time to do some tinkering. Thanks

2012-05-14, 08:47 AM	#488
file Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Riverview, NB Posts: 759	The log entry looks like "Hardware NAT: Enabled" My Paypal address is jcolp@joshua-colp.com and if you are on Twitter I can be followed at twitter.com/joshnet

2012-05-14, 07:20 PM	#489
Commander_Kang Join Date: Jan 2010 Posts: 91	Cool. I rebooted the router because I had cleared the log file and sure enough, the Hardware NAT: Enabled message was there. All of the STB's reacquired their signal very quickly, so hopefully this is a good omen for the stability of this setup. Dropped $20 in your PayPal account. Money well spent, in my opinion. Thanks again! Kang

2012-05-14, 07:44 PM	#490
file Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Riverview, NB Posts: 759	Thanks for the contribution! As for stability I've had zero downtime or problems since switching to the Asus on my two FibreOP lines, and I'm sure this is echoed by others. Once you get your setup done it really "just works".

2012-05-17, 10:32 AM	#492
file Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Riverview, NB Posts: 759	You don't need to do VLANs in pfSense if you are using passthrough mode. The Asus will do the VLAN tagging/untagging when packets are sent/received over the WAN port. Try changing that. If that continues to not work troubleshoot bit by bit. Another option is to just use the Asus in a DMZ configuration with pfSense like you were doing with the Actiontec. It won't suffer the same problems. (That's how I use pfSense)

2012-05-23, 01:24 PM	#494
binarymelon Rookie Join Date: Jan 2012 Posts: 16	I'm looking at picking one of these up today and was wondering what the setup would look like and if you get the same/similar performance improvements with coax to the pvr?

2012-05-23, 02:47 PM	#495
habskilla Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Moncton, NB Posts: 865	My TV is all coax. Performance is great.