On Fri, 20 May 2016 02:20:44 -0400, Paul wrote:

Dan wrote:
On Thu, 19 May 2016 03:16:22 -0400, Paul wrote:

Dan wrote:

Cheers Paul,

the zip file contains only the firmware
RT-N66U_3.0.0.4_380_3264-g79f6bde.trx and no readme. By your
description I cannot use the update for my UK rtn66u. So what can I do
then?
http://www.asus.com/Networking/RTN66...Desk_Download/

Try setting the OS to "Others". In the picture
here, I'm seeing a few more firmwares.

http://s32.postimg.org/v1u5w9cqt/others.gif

I got the hint from this FAQ page (noticed while
I was wandering around in there). Since there are
so many FAQs, it takes persistence to find anything
really interesting.

http://www.asus.com/support/FAQ/1010600/

There is even source code (implying the software
base is FOSS and the GPL says the source must
be released if it is used).

But I still don't know how the country-specifics
are handled. The release notes don't seem to mention
it.

Paul


Hello Paul,, I took a look at 'others' at
http://www.asus.com/support/FAQ/1010600/


Driver & Tools

There are 3 download servers available on ASUS Download Site - Global,
China and P2P. Each server provides exact the same content no matter
where you download from, except for the speed which you are connected
to.


It shows Firmware (14)
Version 3.0.0.4.380.3264

ASUS RT-N66U Firmware version 3.0.0.4.380.3264
ASUS has been dedicated to cooperate with third party developers to
come up with more innovative features.
To comply with regulatory amendments, we have modified firmware
verification rule to ensure better firmware quality.
This version is not compatible with all previously released ASUS
firmware and uncertified third party firmware.


It does not mention country specific but
"Driver & Tools

There are 3 download servers available on ASUS Download Site - Global,
China and P2P. Each server provides exact the same content no matter
where you download from, except for the speed which you are connected
to." Does this mean that this firmware can be used for any part of
the world?

I expect we're getting the same download version. You can
compare the details on the copy you get.

http://dlcdnet.asus.com/pub/ASUS/wir...732.1463641536

Version 3.0.0.4.380.3264

30,590,052 bytes

f68d0653374c013a7b5216f0ce26e47f *FW_RT_N66U_30043803264.ZIP --- MD5SUM

And this statement:

"To comply with regulatory amendments, we have modified firmware
verification rule to ensure..."

To ensure something. My guess would be, the router has some mechanism
to know it should turn off Channel 13 in North America. But such statements
don't explain how the router knows what to do.

*******

There are third party firmwares for routers. And
some of those expose the mechanism the router uses
for "remembering details about itself". Reading sites
like this, can teach you more about how the innards
of the router work. I'm not recommending you switch
to stuff like this, on a whim. Some risk is involved.

http://www.dd-wrt.com/wiki/index.php/Asus_TFTP_Flash

I found a page for your device here. Maybe this will
help fill in some knowledge gaps, as to whether
using a current Asus firmware is useful or
restrictive or whatever. The "K2" or "K3" references
could be Linux kernel versions, with the software
built on that (stripped down) Linux kernel.

http://www.dd-wrt.com/wiki/index.php/Asus_RT-N66U

http://www.dd-wrt.com/phpBB2/viewtop...sc&st art=450

And here's a definition of CFE. I still don't
understand it, but here it is.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Common...re_Environment

*******

One of the reasons a user might use a firmware like
that, is for the size of the connection table. Some
routers in the past, didn't dump zombie connections
fast enough. And if you use BitTorrent all night long,
it eats up thousands of entries in the connection table.
Eventually resulting in the router needing to be
rebooted. So for a Torrent user, there are "good" routers
and "bad" routers, the bad ones having insufficient
connection table size, or generally not being able
to tolerate the usage pattern of Torrent all that
well (everything stops at some point). It's possible
your Asus doesn't need any help at all in this matter.
But, connection table size might be an incentive to
change things.

So when you use the latest Asus firmware, I think it's
going to "police" the channel allocation all by itself,
to be compliant with the FCC/DOC/OFCOM rules, whatever
they are. Maybe some NVRAM loaded at the factory, declares
your unit was sold in the UK or Europe.

Paul


Thanks a lot Paul. I will look at your extensive post & try to e mail
Asus. Last time I left a message on their contact me website it took
about 3 months to get back to me. They make great hardware but their
customer service is exceptionally poor.