Asus RT-AC56U User manual

Contents
1 Hardware
Specifications
1.1 RT-AC56S♦
•
2 Flashing DD-WRT
Firmware
•
3 Reset• 4 Recovery Mode
Flashing
4.1 OEM
Firmware
Installation
♦
•
5 VLAN Configuration• 6 Overclocking•
Hardware Specifications
FCC ID: MSQ-RTAC56U (or MSQ-RTAC56UA)
CPU: Broadcom BCM4708A0 (800 MHz, 2 cores)• Flash / RAM: 128 MiB / 256 MiB• WAN: 1 port, 10/100/1000• LAN: 4 ports, 10/100/1000• USB: 2 ports, USB 3.0, USB 2.0• WI1: Broadcom BCM4352, an+ac
MIMO config: 2x2:21. Antenna connector: none2.
•
WI2: Broadcom BCM43217, bgn
MIMO config: 2x2:21. Antenna connector: none2.
•
ETH chip1: Broadcom BCM4708A0• Switch: Broadcom BCM4708A0• Power Supply: 19V (DC) @ max 1.75A•
RT-AC56S
This uses the single-core CPU variant (BCM47081A0), has 128 MiB RAM, and different power supply.
There is no evidence that it is supported at all, despite the FCC ID being listed as MSQ-RTAC56UA (CPU in
the Internal Photos is BCM4708A0). Do not try AC56U firmware on an AC56S unless willing to brick.
AsusWRT-Merlin might work on the AC56S with AC56U firmware, but no official support is mentioned.
Flashing DD-WRT Firmware
Brainslayer builds for ARM Broadcom routers have their own directory. Do not use the /broadcom*/
directories. Example: asus_rt-ac56u-firmware.trx tested here but this isn't a recommendation. New build links:
Asus_RT-AC56U
Flashing DD-WRT Firmware 1

here.
Kong also supports the AC56U: dd-wrt.v24-K3_AC_ARM_STD.bin
Flash through the GUI or using the bootloader recovery mode (see below)• Reset after flashing; do not 30-30-30• Set a password, and then configure the router.•
Reset
Do not use 30-30-30 hard reset on any ARM router.
Power off the unit.1. Press and hold on to the WPS button.2. While holding down the WPS button, power on the unit.3. Keep holding the WPS button until the power led starts to blink a few times.4. When the power led starts blinking / flashing, release the WPS button.5.
Recovery Mode Flashing
Reset the router (see above)1. Power off the unit.2. Press and hold on to the reset button.3. While holding down the reset button, power on the unit.4. Keep holding the reset button until the power led starts to blink on and off repeatedly (recovery
mode).
5.
Plug the computer running the ASUS recovery tool into a LAN port on the router.6. Run the ASUS Recovery software, select the correct firmware, and click the "Upload" button.7. The ASUS recovery software should detect the router and start to upload.8.
If it doesn't detect the router, try disabling the firewall, or disable then re-enable the network adapter.•
Once flashed and rebooted, set your network adapter settings back to DHCP.1. Reset again (see above), and open 192.168.1.1 in the browser.2.
OEM Firmware Installation
Download the Asus firmware and recovery tool (or use any TFTP utility)1. Set a static IP of e.g. 192.168.1.5, subnet 255.255.255.0 (Gateway & DNS blank or 192.168.1.1)2. Do a reset and use the Asus recovery mode to flash the OEM firmware.3.
VLAN Configuration
https://www.dd-wrt.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?p=907650#907650
Asus_RT-AC56U
VLAN Configuration 2

Overclocking
The following commands should be run via SSH or Telnet:
nvram set clkfreq=1200,800 (click enter)
nvram commit && reboot (click enter) - router may freeze, wait several minutes before rebooting manually
According to the thread below, monitor CPU temp, it should stay below ~60 degrees Celcius. For comparison
- the stock is 800 MHz CPU / 533 MHz Memory
https://www.snbforums.com/threads/overclocking-rt-ac56u.12578/
Asus_RT-AC56U
Overclocking 3