Another Firmware Option ASUS N66U

[CaptainSTX]

Sabai Technology today announced that they are now offering the N66U installed with their latest updated dual gateway VPN software.

I use their dual gateway software on my E3000 and it is something to consider if you need or want the ability to run a VPN with best possible throughput.

I use my ASUS N66U as an AP running Merlin's V24, but I prefer the Sabai software on my E3000 for the feature set in addition to the VPN.

[F1nchy]

Is it possible to buy the sabai OS only? I already have an RT66 but like the idea of being able to split VPN between devices so some go through and others don't.

[CaptainSTX]

Originally Posted by F1nchy

Is it possible to buy the sabai OS only? I already have an RT66 but like the idea of being able to split VPN between devices so some go through and others don't.

You probably can if your purchase their annual support package, which is worth the money even if you don't need their software.

Support is fantastic. People are great worth the price just to have an articulate networking professional to converse with. No extended hold times.

[F1nchy]

Just to update on this, I bought the SabaiOS from Sabai with that support package. Installed it on my Asus RT-N66u. It's a modified version of Tomato and does let you set up a VPN service and specify which devices go through it and which don't. Unfortunately the LAN wireless performance is awful (on all devices, ie including those not going through VPN) and not worth the benefit of being able to specify which use VPN so I've flashed back to Merlin's Asus firmware and wireless speeds (ie Internet and local transfer across LAN) are back to normal.

sabai have been helpful but don't know what configuration settings to change to improve performance - 2.4ghz was poor but on 5ghz only one device could even find it and only when sat very near to the router!

Shame, and a waste of $70

[joegreat]

Originally Posted by F1nchy

sabai have been helpful but don't know what configuration settings to change to improve performance - 2.4ghz was poor but on 5ghz only one device could even find it and only when sat very near to the router!

Shame, and a waste of $70

Hi,

Thee SabaiOS might be based on a older version of Tomato (with not good Broadcom drivers), so you can't do much to improve WLAN performance.

They should follow the releases from ASUS to update to actual drivers and incorporate also other fixes for the WLAN problems.

Bad luck, but without spending some money you would not know it!

With kind regards
Joe

[RMerlin]

One thing I'm not really fond of regarding this project is the fact that they take an open source project (Tomato), sell a product based on it, without releasing any source code containing their changes that would fall under the GPL license.

Basically, they are taking the work of the Tomato devs, and making money out of it without giving anything back in return.

[F1nchy]

Hadn't really thought of it like that but, yes, I can see what you mean.

Well they got my money for nothing!

Is there any reason why none of the open source firmwares allow you to set up an Open VPN account and specify which devices on the network (ie by IP address/MAC) go through the VpN service and which get routed normally?

It certainly is a useful option, just not worth the crap performance I found with it compared to the stock Asus and your modified firmware (as a user of which, thanks, btw!)

[RMerlin]

Originally Posted by F1nchy

Is there any reason why none of the open source firmwares allow you to set up an Open VPN account and specify which devices on the network (ie by IP address/MAC) go through the VpN service and which get routed normally?

Because no one has found the time or will to implement it at the webui level. Our respective projects are mostly one-man shows, so priorities have to be established.

Note that you can still accomplish what you describe through iptables and a user script. There are a lot of discussions about this, both here and on the Tomato forums. Not as easy as a webui would be, but it does work.

[F1nchy]

Ak, ok, thanks. Probably beyond my ability/knowledge to be honest!

[F1nchy]

Just to update on this, Sabai have said they're working on an update but did offer me a refund. I'm due to move out in the next few days and will need reliable wireless over the lit VPN option so went for the refund, and they have been quick to refund them. Their customer services have been very good to be fair.