If the router already runs supported OpenWrt 24.10 or later, including the documented iStoreOS path, install VilaNet OpenWrt. If it already shows the Koolshare Software Center (rogsoft) on supported HND firmware, install VilaNet Merlin. If it runs stock vendor firmware or a firmware family that is not listed, use the VilaNet app on each phone, computer or TV. Do not flash unfamiliar firmware only to follow a guide.
Back up the router first. Generic Asuswrt-Merlin without the supported Koolshare environment is not enough for the Merlin package.
Start from the firmware you already have
| Your router today | What to do |
|---|---|
| It already runs supported OpenWrt 24.10 or later | Install VilaNet OpenWrt |
It already has the Koolshare Software Center (rogsoft) on supported HND firmware | Continue with Install VilaNet on Koolshare Merlin |
| Stock vendor firmware, or a firmware family that is not listed | Use the VilaNet app on each device |
| You would have to flash unfamiliar firmware to continue | Stop. Do not flash |
OpenWrt has the broader documented package and recovery path. Merlin is only for the narrower Koolshare HND environment. Physical-router verification of that Merlin procedure is still pending, so the package must not be treated as something that runs on every ASUS router.
Before you choose
- Write down the router model, CPU architecture and exact firmware version.
- Export a configuration backup and store it somewhere other than the router.
- Confirm that another device can still open the router administration page over the local network if internet routing stops.
- Confirm that the guide you will follow explicitly supports the firmware family that is installed.
- Keep a copy of the package that works today and of the recovery steps. Keep the Merlin backup until physical HND verification is finished.
Choose OpenWrt when
- The router already runs supported OpenWrt, or the documented iStoreOS path.
- A package exists for that router's architecture.
- You can open LuCI and, if needed, an SSH terminal.
- You can test page loads from a separate device on the LAN.
Start with How do I install VilaNet on OpenWrt? Do not substitute a package from another architecture, and do not use the retired manual-copy installer. After the router connects as a transparent gateway, devices on the LAN do not need their own client. The three modes are explained in What is the difference between transparent gateway, transparent proxy, and manual proxy on OpenWrt?
Choose Merlin when
- The router already shows Koolshare Software Center / 软件中心 (
rogsoft). Koolshare Merlin and Koolshare official-mod are in this group. - The package family is
hnd, on supported Broadcom HND firmware. - You accept that installation, routing and rollback still need to be checked on your physical router.
This package does not support generic Asuswrt-Merlin without the Koolshare Software Center, stock ASUSWRT, legacy arm380 or arm384, QCA, MIPS, MIPSEL, or other Merlin package families. If you cannot confirm both rogsoft and HND, do not upload the package.
When the router qualifies, install by offline upload in the Software Center. Do not extract the archive first. The installer refuses to run when the Software Center markers are missing or the router is outside the public HND range. Do not bypass that check, and do not install it with a generic shell script. If a command on merlin.vilavpn.com differs from the documentation page, follow the package and Web UI steps on the documentation page.
How to tell you chose correctly
Before you install, you should be able to name four things: which guide, which package, where the backup is, and how you will open the administration page from the LAN if routing stops. If any of those is still uncertain, do not change the router firmware. Install official VilaNet on the phone, computer or TV instead.
Still not sure?
Do not flash unfamiliar firmware for VilaNet. For stock or unlisted firmware, use the VilaNet app for that device. If you are already on OpenWrt or iStoreOS, continue to installation. If you already have the Koolshare HND Software Center, open the Merlin installation guide. Before you change routing mode, upgrade or remove VilaNet, read Recovery and rollback.