How to install Download Master on ASUS Wireless routers?

Write for Us: Familiar with Smart Home Automation, Media Streaming, HTPC, and Home Server topics? Write for us and get paid. Writing experience not required. APPLY HERE.

In this post, I will show you how to install Download Master on ASUS wireless routers. Download Master is a multipurpose download client that is capable of downloading torrent and NZB files to an attached USB storage device. It is part of the AsusWRT router firmware. We have described the installation of several bittorent clients (qBittorrent, Deluge, and Transmission) and news readers (SABnzbd+). The disadvantage with using these clients is that they require a dedicated network attached storage or computer to work. Asus routers (N56U, N66U, AC68U, AC87U, etc.) are capable of serving as a network attached storage and a download station. If this is all you want, you can eliminate the dedicated server and just run with router, which is normally always-on and uses just about 10 Watts of power. I recently upgraded to Asus RT-AC68U router and have been dabbling with its features. In this post, I will show you how to install Download Master on ASUS wifi routers.

Asus Ac68UASUS (RT-AC68U) Wireless-AC1900 Dual-Band Gigabit Router Asus Ac68U ReviewsFind out why it is rated the best wireless router in its class.

Partition External USB Storage Device

Different ASUS routers support different sizes of external storage devices. They also require specific file systems. Review this page to understand what file system should be used to partition your USB device. In this example, I am using a 16 Gig USB flash drive. You could use a external hard drive (this is normally the case). For RT-AC68U the drive should be formatted to EXT4. Although other file systems are compatible, I recommend using EXT4.

Partition Usb Drive For Download Master
Partition Usb Drive For Download Master

For partitioning the drive on Windows, I recommend using the Free MiniTool Partition Wizard. Partition the drive as shown in the picture above. Once partitioned, plug in the drive into the router's USB port.

Setup Download Master on ASUS Router

Next, to ASUS Download Master setup open your router administration page (typically, 192.168.1.1 from within your network) and navigate to USB Application. Scroll down and click install Download Master.

Asus Download Master

In the next page, available USB drives will be listed. If a drive is not listed then there may partition file system compatibility issues. Hover your mouse over the left side of the drive listing until the icon changes (see picture below). Then click to install ASUS Download Master.

Install Download Master
Install Download Master

Let the Download Master installation continue. Just follow the installation process onscreen.

Installing Asus Download Master

Upon completion, you should see Download Master installation confirmation message on the screen as shown in the picture below. You will also see a link that should take you to Download Master web interface.

Install Download Master Asus Router

Finally, navigate to the download master webui, set it up like you want it and add torrent or NZB files that you would like to download. [Read: Asus Wireless N and AC router automatic reboot setup]

Asus Download Master Interface
Asus Download Master Interface

The key question now is, how can I access the downloaded files. This is where the filesystem used for partition is important. You can setup SAMBA or NFS share from the router administration page and map the drives on Windows, Linux, or Mac systems. This gives you a low cost, simple, and energy efficient network attached storage with a basic download manager. So there you go, install Download Master on your ASUS router and convert it to a download station.

Did this post help you?
SmartHomeBeginner brings in-depth tutorials easy enough to understand even for beginners. This takes a considerable amount of work. If this post helps you, please consider supporting us as a token of appreciation:
  • Feeling generous? Become a Sponsor (discounted options) or a Patron. You will receive privileges on our Discord Server.
  • Just want to thank us? Buy us a Coffee or a Ko-Fi.
  • May be another day? Shop on Amazon using our links. Your prices won't change but we get a small commission.
  • Don't feel like spending? You can still show your support by sharing this post, linking to it in forums, or even commenting below.

Anand

Anand is a self-learned computer enthusiast, hopeless tinkerer (if it ain't broke, fix it), a part-time blogger, and a Scientist during the day. He has been blogging since 2010 on Linux, Ubuntu, Home/Media/File Servers, Smart Home Automation, and related HOW-TOs.