MerlinAU - AsusWRT-Merlin Firmware Auto Updater

v1.3.4

2024-10-23

SUPPORTED MERLIN MODELS (Multi-image models) - i.e. Any model that uses a .w or a .pkgtb file

• GT-BE98_PRO (Tested)
• GT-AX6000 (Tested)
• GT-AXE16000 (Tested)
• GT-AXE11000 (Tested)
• GT-AX11000_PRO (Tested)
• GT-AX11000 (Tested)
• GT-AC2900 (Untested)
• RT-BE96U (Untested)
• RT-BE88U (Untested)
• RT-BE86U (Untested)
• RT-AX88U_PRO (Tested)
• RT-AX88U (Tested)
• RT-AC86U (Tested)
• RT-AC2900 (Tested)
• RT-AX86U (Tested)
• RT-AX86U_PRO (Tested)
• RT-AX86S (Tested)
• RT-AX68U (Tested)
• RT-AX58U V1 (Tested)
• RT-AX56U (Tested)
• RT-AX3000 V1 (Tested)
• XT12 (Tested)

SUPPORTED GNUTON MODELS (Multi-image models) - i.e. Any model that uses a .w or a .pkgtb file

• GT-BE98 Known issues due to missing from manifest2.txt file in Gnuton
• DSL-AX82U (Untested)
• TUF-AX3000 V1 (Untested)
• TUF-AX3000 V2 (Tested)
• TUF-AX5400 (Tested)
• RT-AX5400 (Untested)
• RT-AX82U V1 (Tested)
• RT-AX82U V2 (Untested)
• RT-AX58U V2 (Untested)
• RT-AX92U (Tested)
• RT-AX95Q (Untested)
• RT-AXE95Q (Untested)

UNSUPPORTED MERLIN MODELS: (Single image models) - i.e. Any model that uses a .trx file

Blocked due to being single image models.

• RT-AC87U (Blocked)
• RT-AC56U (Blocked)
• RT-AC66U (Blocked)
• RT-AC3200 (Blocked)
• RT-AC88U (Blocked)
• RT-AC5300 (Blocked)
• RT-AC3100 (Blocked)
• RT-AC68U (Blocked)
• RT-AC66U_B1 (Blocked)
• RT-AC68UF (Blocked)
• RT-AC68P (Blocked)
• RT-AC1900 (Blocked)
• RT-AC1900P (Blocked)
• RT-N66U (Blocked)
• RT-N16 (Blocked)

UNSUPPORTED GNUTON MODELS: (Single image models) - i.e. Any model that uses a .trx file

Blocked due to being single image models.

• DSL-AC68U (Blocked)

Merlin(A)uto(U)pdate

MerlinAU.sh is a versatile shell script designed to automate the firmware update process for ASUS routers running Asuswrt-Merlin firmware. It streamlines the firmware update procedure, automatically detects your router model, fetches the latest firmware, and offers options for installation.

NOTE: It is highly recommended to configure backups using BACKUPMON

• https://github.com/ViktorJp/BACKUPMON/tree/main

Features

• Automatic router model detection and Automatic update detection.
• Automatically install updates to your router with the latest firmware from the Asuswrt-Merlin repository.
• Logic to customize scheduled cron jobs for automated firmware update checks.
• Notifications for new script updates and download the latest version of MerlinAU
• User configurable wait periods. Wait for a set duration after a new firmware release.
• Menu switch to enable or disable automatic update checking within MerlinAU.
• A routine to cleanly uninstall the script, removing all related files and settings.
• Maintains logs for its update checks and flash operations which can be viewed from the logs menu
• Includes functions for cleanup tasks pre-flash and post-flash.
• A visual indicator before starting the firmware update.
• Checks the changelogs for very obvious red flags and prompts for approval.
• Menu option and notifications to pre-approve the changelog verification if enabled with risks before the flash.
• Ability to download the latest changelog notes for manual review from the logs menu.
• Functions to check and manage available memory for firmware update operations.
• Compatible with ROG and non-ROG routers; select ROG or Pure Build for ROG routers.
• Backup the new firmware version to the USB drive. (If USB is selected for storage)
• Email notifications if you configured email options in AMTM. (With format selection in the advanced options)
• Automatic backup with BACKUPMON if installed.
• Allow or Block Alpha/Beta upgrades to Production versions of the same cycle. (388.6.alpha1 or 388.6.beta1 --> 388.6.0)
• Automatically stops all Entware services, if installed, before the flash.
• Automatically stops diversion, if installed, before the flash.
• Unmounts any physically attached storage via USB as the last step before the flash.
• AiMesh Node Update Check from Primary Router. (No Flashing from Primary, MerlinAU needs to be on each node for flashing)
• Automatically remove any loaded cron jobs from third party scripts before flashing.
• Menu switch to keep Tailscale or ZeroTier VPN access active while flashing over SSH in the advanced menu.

Installation

Before using MerlinAU, ensure the following prerequisites are met:

An ASUS router running Asuswrt-Merlin firmware. Access to the router's command line interface (SSH or Telnet). A working internet connection on the router.

To install MerlinAutoUpdate, follow these steps:

Enable SSH on your router if not already enabled. Use your preferred SSH client to connect to the router.

Download the script to your router: Copy and paste:

curl --retry 3 "https://raw.githubusercontent.com/ExtremeFiretop/MerlinAutoUpdate-Router/master/MerlinAU.sh" -o "/jffs/scripts/MerlinAU.sh" && chmod +x "/jffs/scripts/MerlinAU.sh"

• The script is now ready for use!

Usage

The script can be run using the below options:

• To update the firmware: (Run from Root of SSH location)

  /./jffs/scripts/MerlinAU.sh
  

• Check desired cru (cron) schedule has been created:

  cru l
  

• Result should look something like:

  0 0 * * 0 sh /jffs/scripts/MerlinAU.sh run_now
  

• (Cron calculator here: https://crontab.guru/)

Contribution

• Before any contributions, please review: CONTRIBUTING.md Guidelines.
• Also please review the: CODE_OF_CONDUCT.md.
• Feel free to contribute to this script by submitting issues or pull requests on GitHub. Your feedback and contributions are greatly appreciated!

Use this Automatic F/W Update script at your own discretion. By using this script you assume all risks associated with updating a router to a new firmware version.