Wireless Type | 802.11n |
---|---|
Number of USB 2.0 Ports | 1 |
Number of USB 3.0 Ports | 1 |
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ASUS N900 WiFi Router (RT-N66U) - Dual Band Gigabit Wireless Internet Router, 4 GB Ports, Gaming & Streaming, Easy Setup, Parental Control
Brand | ASUS |
Model Name | RT-N66U |
Special Feature | WPS |
Frequency Band Class | Dual-Band |
Wireless Communication Standard | 802.11n |
Compatible Devices | Laptop, Personal Computer, Tablet, Printer, Smartphone |
Frequency | 5 GHz |
Recommended Uses For Product | Gaming |
Included Components | Computer Peripherals^Routers^Network Routers^ |
Connectivity Technology | WiFi^Wired |
About this item
- 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz Concurrent Dual-Band Transmissions for Strong Signal Strength and Ultra-Fast Connection Rates up to 900Mbps
- Gigabit Ethernet Ports for the Fastest, Most Reliable Internet Performance
- Download Master for Wireless Data Storage and Access to Router-Connected USB Storage Devices
- Expanded Wireless Coverage with 3 Detachable High-Powered Antennas
- File Sharing, Printer Sharing, and 3G Sharing via Two Multi-Functional Built-in USB Ports
- ASUSWRT Dashboard UI for Easy Setup, Signal Monitoring, and Network Application Control
- WAN Ports - 1 x 10/100/1000M, LAN Ports - 4 x 10/100/1000M
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- ASUS RT-AX5400 Dual Band WiFi 6 Extendable Router, Lifetime Internet Security Included, Instant Guard, Advanced Parental Controls, Built-in VPN, AiMesh Compatible, Gaming & Streaming, Smart HomeAmazon's Choicein Computer RoutersFREE Shipping by AmazonGet it as soon as Sunday, Mar 31
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Disclaimer: Actual data throughput and WiFi coverage will vary from network conditions and environmental factors, including the volume of network traffic, building material and construction, and network overhead, result in lower actual data throughput and wireless coverage.
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This Item ASUS N900 WiFi Router (RT-N66U) - Dual Band Gigabit Wireless Internet Router, 4 GB Ports, Gaming & Streaming, Easy Setup, Parental Control | Recommendations | dummy | dummy | dummy | dummy | |
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Price | $88.00$88.00 | -12% $219.99$219.99 List: $249.99 | -20% $239.99$239.99 List: $299.99 | -17% $149.99$149.99 List: $179.99 | -27% $94.99$94.99 List: $129.99 | -10% $179.99$179.99 List: $199.99 |
Delivery | Get it Apr 3 - 4 | — | Get it as soon as Sunday, Mar 31 | Get it as soon as Sunday, Mar 31 | Get it as soon as Sunday, Mar 31 | Get it as soon as Sunday, Mar 31 |
Customer Ratings | ||||||
WiFi signal | 4.3 | 4.5 | 4.2 | 4.5 | 4.4 | 4.4 |
Tech Support | 3.8 | 3.8 | 3.5 | 4.0 | 3.9 | 4.0 |
User interface | 4.3 | 4.3 | 4.3 | 4.4 | 4.2 | — |
Value for money | — | — | 2.8 | 3.9 | 4.3 | 4.3 |
For gaming | — | 4.6 | 4.1 | 4.6 | — | — |
Sold By | qualictronic | Amazon.com | Amazon.com | Amazon.com | Amazon.com | Amazon.com |
connectivity tech | WiFi^Wired | Wi-Fi, Ethernet, USB | Wi-Fi, Ethernet, USB | Wi-Fi, Ethernet, USB | Wi-Fi | ✅EDITORS‘ CHOICE |
number of ports | 2 | 6 | 6 | 5 | 5 | 5 |
data transfer rate | 450 megabits per second | 5700 megabits per second | 6000 megabits per second | 5400 megabits per second | 2976 megabits per second | 5400 megabits per second |
wireless standard | 802 11 N | 802 11 AX, 802 11 AC, 802 11 N, 802 11 G, 802 11 A | 802 11 AX, 802 11 AC, 802 11 G, 802 11 G, 802 11 A | 802 11 AX, 802 11 AC, 802 11 G, 802 11 G, 802 11 A | 802 11 AX, 802 11 AC, 802 11 B, 802 11 G, 802 11 N | 802 11 AX, 802 11 AC, 802 11 N, 802 11 G, 802 11 B |
frequency band class | dual band | dual band | dual band | dual band | dual band | tri band |
lan port bandwidth | 10/100 megabits per second | 2.5 Gigabit | 2.5 Gigabit | Gigabit | 10/100/1000 Mbps | 10/100/1000 Mbps |
What's in the box
Product Description
Product Description
Introducing the ASUS RT-N66U Dual Band N900 Ultra Fast Wireless Router. With 3 x detachable R-SMA type antenna, 50% wider coverage than standard N SPEC, VPN Server function enable and IPv6 support ASUS RT-N66U is a true Business class router yet affordable from regular consumers.Support IPv6.2 years parts and labor warranty.
Amazon.com
From the Manufacturer
RT-N66U Dual-Band Wireless-N900 Router
Incredible Performance with Incredible Control
From the Black Diamond series that brought the world's most powerful router, the RT-N56U, The ASUS RT-N66U dual-band wireless-N900 gigabit router delivers incredible performance and coverage range. With ASUSWRT, quickly setup your network, customize user access, and monitor signal strength. Following the award-winning RT-N56U, the RT-N66U increases Wi-Fi speed for both 5 GHz and 2.4 GHz transmission by 50% up to 900Mbps that makes it ideal for bandwidth demanding tasks such as HD video steaming, multiplayer gaming, USB hard drive file sharing, and USB connected printer sharing. Built-in Wi-Fi amplifiers make the RT-N66U the perfect wireless router for larger, multi-level homes and buildings with signal range that reaches virtually any area.
Whether you're a tech-savvy enthusiast or a first-time user, the RT-N66U is exceptional easy to use with CD-free, Quick Installation Setup (QIS) that lets you plug-n-surf right out of the box and connect PCs, smartphones, tablets, and other wireless devices quickly. Thanks to its refined interface tools, you get control like never before, letting you monitor signal strength, setup parental settings, and other useful functions in a robust yet intuitive way.
Learn More
Designed for Class-Leading Speed and Range
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Designed with the latest in networking technology, the RT-N66U delivers exceptionally fast wired and wireless connectivity. What's more, it comes with a powerful detachable Wi-Fi antenna to further extend wireless range.
Dual-Band Connectivity for Lag-Free Entertainment
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Delivering both 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz concurrent bands up to 450Mbps and 450Mbps respectively, the RT-N66U has a total speed of up to 900Mbps connectivity to provide speed with stability. Perform basic internet tasks like Web browsing and file downloading under the 2.4 GHz band, whil e also simultaneously streaming HD content and other demanding applications smoothly on the 5 GHz band.
Optimized and Reliable Wireless Coverage via Ai Radar
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ASUS Ai Radar intelligently strengthens connections to wireless devices. With high-powered amplification and beam forming, it provides optimized signals in any direction with better coverage to improve data throu ghput.
Easy Setup Through Your Tablet, Smartphone, or PC
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With the RT-N66U, setup is simple. Simply power and connect the router and then open a bowser on a Wi-Fi-enabled device like a laptop o r tablet. You will be taken to a setup page with a prompt to enter the ID/password listed in your manual and that's it! Now setting up your net work is easier than ever.
Powerful functions, easiest management
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With the ASUSWRT Dashboard UI, setup, monitor, and control network applications all in one intuitive area. The whole new dashboard interface lets you manage all clients and settings on a single graphic al interface and provides 1-click updates.
Optimize Your Network for You
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Do you game a lot, or spend most of your time streaming videos? Whatever your planned use is, the RT-N66U has a Quality of Service (QoS) that lets you select how much bandwidth is prioritized for virtually any task. Plus, the traffic monitor allows you to check your Web usage in a clear and graphical interface.
Two Multi-Functional Built-in USB ports
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Featuring connectivity to devices, FTPs, SAMBA, UPnP AV servers, and DLNA support, the RT-N66U makes sharing and networking easier with two built-in USB ports. Download HTTP, FTP, and P2P files to a router-connected USB storage device all day a nd without a PC. Additionally, the twin USB ports allow for networked printer and file server connections, so you perform multiple tasks at on ce.
Key Features
- 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz Concurrent Dual-Band Transmissions for b Signal Strength and Ultra-Fast Connection Rates up to 900Mbps (Learn more)
- Gigabit Ethernet Ports for the Fastest, Most Reliable Internet Performance (Learn more)
- Download Master for Wireless Data Storage and Access to Router-Connected USB Storage Devices (Learn more)
- Expanded Wireless Coverage with Detachable High-Powered Antennas (Learn more)
- File Sharing, Printer Sharing, and 3G Sharing via Multi-Function Twin USB Ports (Learn more)
- IPv6 enabled for future proof Web surfing compatibility
- ASUSWRT for Easy Setup, Signal Monitoring, and Network Appli cation Control (Learn more)
Specifications
Hardware
- Processor: Broadcom 470 @ 600MHz
- RAM: 256MB DDR2
- Flash: 32MB Flash + Micro SD slot
- WAN: 1 x Gigabit Ethernet or USB 3G/4G dongle
- LAN: 4 x Gigabit Ethernet
- USB: 2 x USB 2.0 ports
- Antenna: 3 x external detachable for 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz
- Dimensions: 207 x 148.8 x35.5 (L x W x H)
- Power Supply: AC Input: 100~240Vac/1.2A 50~60Hz
- DC Output: 19V/ 1.58A
- Buttons: WPS Button, Reset Button, Power Button
Wireless Features
- Frequency: 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz (concurrent)
- Data Rate: 802.11n (2.4 GHz & 5 GHz) up to 450Mbps; 802.11a/g up to 54Mbps; 802.11b up to 11Mbps
- Output Power: High po wer: 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz (user adjustable); 802.11n 17~26 dBm; 802.11g 17~26 dBm; 802.11b up to 26 dBm
- Encryption: 64/128 bit WEP , WPA-PSK/WPA2-PSK, WPA-Enterprise, WPA2-Enterprise
- Authentication: Wi-Fi Protected Setup (WPS & PIN)
Software
- Network Protocol: Automatic IP, Static IP, PPPoE (MPPE support), PPTP, L2TP IPv4, IPv6
- DHCP: Server, Cl ient, DHCP, Client list, IP and MAC binding
- QoS: WMM, User definable rule for IP/MAC, Port, Protocol, upload and download band width management
- Port Forwarding: Port forward, Port Trigger, UPnP, DMZ
- Dynamic DNS: ASUS DDNS, DynDNS, TZO, Z ONEEDIT
- NAT Pass through: IPSec, PPTP, L2TP, RTSP pass through, PPPoE relay
- Firewall: NAT and SPI, intrusion detection, DoS protect, Port filter, MAC filter
- Access Control: Parental controls, MAC filter, Network service filter, URL fil ter
- Management: Network map, Traffic monitor, Performance tuning, Telnet server, System log
- Operation Mode: Rou ter Mode, AP Mode
- Download Master: Support BT, NZB, HTTP, FTP, E2DK download; Support encryption: DHT, PEX and Magnet Link; Upl oad and download bandwidth control; Download scheduling
- DLNA Server: Image: JPEG; Audio: MP3, WMA, WAV, PCM, MP4, LPCM, OGG; Vi deo: ASF, AVI, DIVX, MP2P, MPEG, MPG, TS, VOB, WMV, MKV, MOV
- Printer Server: Multifunctional printer support
- Fil e Server: Samba server & FTP server with account management
- VPN Server: PPTP VPN server
What's in the Box
- RT-N66U Dual-Band Wireless-N900 Router
- RJ-45 Cable
- Support C D (User Manual and Utility Software)
- Power Adapter
- Warranty Card
- Quick Start Guide
Videos
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Product information
Technical Details
Brand | ASUS |
---|---|
Series | RT-N66U |
Item model number | RT-N66U |
Item Weight | 1.8 pounds |
Product Dimensions | 11 x 14 x 3.5 inches |
Item Dimensions LxWxH | 11 x 14 x 3.5 inches |
Color | Black |
Voltage | 19 Volts |
Department | wireless router |
Manufacturer | ASUS |
ASIN | B006QB1RPY |
Is Discontinued By Manufacturer | No |
Date First Available | December 22, 2011 |
Additional Information
Customer Reviews |
4.4 out of 5 stars |
---|---|
Best Sellers Rank | #36,465 in Computers & Accessories (See Top 100 in Computers & Accessories) #1,232 in Computer Routers |
Warranty & Support
Feedback
Customer reviews
Customer Reviews, including Product Star Ratings help customers to learn more about the product and decide whether it is the right product for them.
To calculate the overall star rating and percentage breakdown by star, we don’t use a simple average. Instead, our system considers things like how recent a review is and if the reviewer bought the item on Amazon. It also analyzed reviews to verify trustworthiness.
Learn more how customers reviews work on AmazonCustomers say
Customers like the performance, quality and ease of setup of the networking router. For example, they mention that it works well, is well built and has good range. Some appreciate the speed, and ease to use. That said, some disagree on connectivity, and value.
AI-generated from the text of customer reviews
Customers like the performance of the router. For example, they mention it works well, has good range, and is very fast. Some say that it has some minor quirks. That said, most are happy with the performance and functionality of the product.
"...I also like that it works great with my the roku3 and roku HD devices for streaming and there are never problems not even in a house like my parents...." Read more
"...Tried streaming some AVCHD 1080p content from the drive and it worked perfectly, no stutters at all, so HD streaming from attached storage looks..." Read more
"...It's been almost a week and it has worked very well. As long as it continues to be reliable, I'd recommend it to others...." Read more
"...This router is amazing. If you are a techie responsible for setting up wireless at conferences this is a great device to stick in your bag of tricks...." Read more
Customers like the quality of the router. They mention that it's well built, extremely solid, and has been very stable. The heat sink is solid, so it hasn't had a single hiccup. The router doesn't lose quality as long as you keep it on wireless N. It comes with the adapter, a 5 foot Ethernet cable of decent quality, and a clip on stand in case. Overall, customers find it to be an excellent router.
"...what updates they have made for other similar routers this is an excellent router to get you through several years of changes before they switch to..." Read more
"...After loading the Merlin firmware build, it seems to be quite reliable. Like Pavlov's dog though, I'm hesitant to get too comfortable...." Read more
"...Under the covers it runs BusyBox Linux which means it should be extremely solid. The ASUS generates a little bit of heat and needs ventiallation...." Read more
"......" Read more
Customers like the ease of setup of the router. They say the setup/admin interface is nice and simple to use, and it works right out of the box. Customers also appreciate the ability to set up a secure guest network with a time limit.
"...Despite the few cons it does work right out of the box and loads on to the router page, when I clicked on the internet for my macbook pro...." Read more
"...+ Very powerful and flexible set of features/options, with an easy way to configure them through the Dashboard UI...." Read more
"...It's very easy to do and can clear up problems fast, not to mention, save you a ton of time and aggravation trying to make the ASUS firmware..." Read more
"...The ASUS AP was easy to setup and came loaded ith the latest firmware...." Read more
Customers are satisfied with the range of the router. They mention that it has a significant better range on both 2.4 and 5 GHz bands, and has sufficient range for their purposes. The signal seems strong in the locations they've tested with 5 GHZ devices. They also say that there was a small but noticeable increase in signal strength. Overall, customers are happy with the performance and range of this router.
"...It doesn't lose quality as long as you keep it on wireless N, has capability for b/g on my father's old computers but I think its just the computer..." Read more
"...Simple, fast access to shared file storage. Getting just 5MBps (40 Mbps) transfer rates to the attached RAID volume. Slowish, but useable...." Read more
"...VoIP was crystal clear and pings were normal...." Read more
"...Here is the story, and some tips:Pros: amazing range, incredible performance, very configurable (and sometimes tricky) settings GUI...." Read more
Customers are satisfied with the speed of the networking router. They mention that it is awesome, responds very quickly, and shows consistent Internet speeds. They also appreciate the good download and upload speeds, and the strong wireless connection. Customers also mention that the router has better processing power, more memory, and more cache. Overall, customers are happy with the performance and range of the product.
"...Super fast speeds and long range on 5ghz or 2.4ghz, I setup on both using the same name of network/pass so it will automatically..." Read more
"...some AVCHD 1080p content from the drive and it worked perfectly, no stutters at all, so HD streaming from attached storage looks pretty good...." Read more
"...It's very easy to do and can clear up problems fast, not to mention, save you a ton of time and aggravation trying to make the ASUS firmware..." Read more
"...VoIP was crystal clear and pings were normal...." Read more
Customers find the interface of the networking router easy to navigate and use. They also say the user interface is nicely organized and intuitive. Customers also appreciate the high-end features and great security. The web interface is somewhat basic but pretty. Overall, customers are satisfied with the ease of use and the plethora of features available.
"...what you want from this router, BUT, fortunately, the Dashboard UI is pretty straight forward given the degree of flexibility built into this..." Read more
"...The GUI is fantastic and it is easy to navigate...." Read more
"...Annoying if you want to play with the settings + Interface isn't as easy as some cheaper routers, but still very good and well laid out...." Read more
"...The web interface is somewhat basic but pretty...." Read more
Customers are mixed about the connectivity of the router. Some mention that it has additional guest networks, USB support for various add-ons, and that it allows them to host their USB printer for multiple computers to access. However, others say that the 2.4 GHz wifi connection would drop almost immediately, and the 5 GHz band would always drop connection.
"...several problems, including inconsistent link speeds, highly variable file transfer speeds with frequent connection drops to my USB connected HD on..." Read more
"...Excellent Stability (No Restarts in 3 Weeks!)* Hidden Usable MicroSD Card Slot*..." Read more
"...the ASUS firmware was devices that were stuck in a loop, unable to detach from the router. My wife's iPad was one of these devices...." Read more
"...and setup a secure VPN. It works!* USB support for various add-ons, like sharing a disk drive, ITunes server, Print Server, and WiMax.*..." Read more
Customers are mixed about the value of the networking router. Some mention it's well worth the money, with a great price and a good mix of performance and price. However, others say that it was abysmal, very buggy, and utterly unreliable.
"...***Overall this is a great system for the price and no matter what updates they have made for other similar routers this is an excellent router to..." Read more
"...Bottom line -- unless you're willing to put up with crappy firmware that can stop working - don't buy this...." Read more
"...For $170 this is a great value and a good core piece of hardware for your home/office network...." Read more
"...The problem is that things started getting stupid, the thing just dropped out every 2 or 3 days a week, one time maybe two. No reasons...." Read more
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Pros:
1) Super fast speeds and long range on 5ghz or 2.4ghz, I setup on both using the same name of network/pass so it will automatically detect the better signal.
2) Sleek design and black color blends nicely with other electronic devices
3) Easy to setup screen popped up directly on my macbook pro, and I was able to update the firmware
Cons:
1) Gets hot around the ports so to maintain coolness don't lay flat, can use the stand to elevate like in amazon pic, but stand needs additional support since it doesn't stay connected properly to the device.
2) Antennas are not exactly appealing but they do provide the necessary range to reach all bedrooms in my parents' one story house, and my apartment.
3) Firmware doesn't directly download from router page, you have to go to asus website and do a direct download. When first receiving your device I suggest uploading all firmware from website. The button on the router page falsely states that it is updated which is one of the glitches of the old firmware, but once all updates are made it will solve itself. The updates took a while with generic instructions but it was well worth it once they all were made.
Despite the few cons it does work right out of the box and loads on to the router page, when I clicked on the internet for my macbook pro. Other systems like windows you would have to check specifications or find out how to download the latest firmware through that system. I'm no expert nor do I claim to be just searched around the internet and found my answers, saw some people downloaded tomato firmware and stuff, but I just provided the way I handled the situation that was easiest for me. I downloaded all the firmware on the router through my macbook pro before giving it to my parents, and although my father had an HP with windows 7 it had no problems working on the router page with his laptop.
***Overall this is a great system for the price and no matter what updates they have made for other similar routers this is an excellent router to get you through several years of changes before they switch to AC routers and even if they do I'll stick with this. I did have my last linksys router for about 7 years so this will stand the test of time as well. It works excellent and as a suggestion it is worth it to upgrade the system so you get the full capacity of the internet speeds your paying for which in my case was Comcast blast service.
I can only vouch for the router that was purchased directly from amazon any other sellers I cannot vouch for their effectiveness in electronics. I had problems in the past purchasing electronics from other sellers so just be careful. Amazon does give you 30 days to test out the products though, and fortunately I never had to return any products purchased directly from amazon including this one.
Researched VERY carefully before choosing the Dark Knight as the foundation for home network upgrade. The primary goals for the upgrade were increased device to device speed and to enable a more robust file sharing and backup scheme. The Dark Knight reviewed the best, and has delivered on all these counts so far in my setup. BUT, you do have to master some aspects of the the configuration to get the most out of it. Specifically rejected the ASUS RT-AC66U and the draft 802.11AC devices generally as too immature. While I like *leading* edge and the promise of 802.11AC speeds (which will be fabulous when they are actually delivered reliably), it seemed that AC is on the *bleeding* edge right now based on device reviews and the status of the draft AC spec. So, Dark Knight it is!
Here is what I learned so far. Note that this is what works for me in my specific suburban home and neighborhood setting, and other environments will of course affect router function...
Who is this for?
*Tech savvy who want maximum performance at reasonable cost and with a pretty straight forward configuration process. I conclude this because, at the end of the day, I believe you have to dig into the configuration a bit to really get what you want from this router, BUT, fortunately, the Dashboard UI is pretty straight forward given the degree of flexibility built into this device.
*The less sophisticated user who still wants top performance. They can use the Quick Internet Setup to be up and running about as painlessly as is possible these days, and the defaults plus the raw capability of the device will give good performance. But they may not realize full benefits if they don't poke into the config, and at least run firmware updates.
Paired Adapter
TRENDnet 450 Mbps Dual Band Wireless N USB Adapter TEW-684UB (Black)
*Of course you have to pair the N66U with a similarly spec'd adapter, and the TRENDnet 684UB works great! Am getting full 450Mbps links speeds on 5GHz band, and 2.4GHz speeds in the 144-300 Mbps range despite the crowding in this band.
Router Configuration
*Update Firmware. Obviously for this router, regularly updating the firmware is important, and Asus makes this super easy right from the top of the main device screen (i.e., the Dashboard). I think it's really cool how Asus is working the firmware constantly with a community of users, and also supports open source firmware as well. Asus is easily the most responsive and proactive firmware developer I've ever seen in 20 years of working with wireless networks and routers. To me, this is a competitive advantage vs. the "few updates then done" approach of other vendors who leave us stuck with firmware issues as they move on to the next device.
*Crank the power. Once I made my way to the >Advanced Settings/Wireless/Professional/Tx Power Adjustment< setting and maxed it out (200mW), link speeds and connection stability went WAY up in my home. 5GHz connections benefited the most, going right up to link speeds of 450 Mbps a 3 rooms away, and 2.4GHz link speeds increased 50%.
*Allow 40MHz band width on 5GHz. The total bandwidth of 5GHz wifi is much greater than 2.4GHz, AND it's less crowded so far, so setting the router to use the higher capacity of a 40MHz connection maximizes speed on this band. >Advanced Settings/Wireless/General/Channel Bandwidth/20/40< I find that my router + adapter combination regularly bumps the 5GHz connection up to 40MHz channel bandwidth with the resultant link speed of 450Mbps.
Connected Dual Drive RAID1 USB Hard Drive = Cheap NAS
Vantec Dual 3.5-Inch SATA to USB 3.0 and eSATA with JBOD/RAID 0/1 External Hard Drive Enclosure (NST-400MX-S3R)
WD Red 3 TB NAS Hard Drive: 3.5 Inch, SATA III, 64 MB Cache - WD30EFRX
Popped two Western Digital RED 3TB drives (optimized for 24/7 NAS use) into the Vantec 400MX dual slot RAID enclosure, configured for RAID1, formatted the resultant RAID drive through direct connection to PC, then attached this to the USB port on the Dark Knight, and it was immediately recognized. Kudos to ASUS for firmware that now supports connected hard drives larger than 2TB! Accessed the new shared drive through \\192.168.1.1 as an address in a Windows Explorer window (not browser, the FILE explorer). Then added the USB drive as a Favorite in Explorer. Simple, fast access to shared file storage. Getting just 5MBps (40 Mbps) transfer rates to the attached RAID volume. Slowish, but useable. Tried streaming some AVCHD 1080p content from the drive and it worked perfectly, no stutters at all, so HD streaming from attached storage looks pretty good.
Summarizing Pros and Cons to date
Pros
+ Outstanding speed when combined with similarly spec'd adapter
+ Ability to bump up Transmit power makes for much better link speeds across typical house size.
+ Very powerful and flexible set of features/options, with an easy way to configure them through the Dashboard UI.
+ Easy storage attachment and access
+ Can stream HD from attached storage
+ Frequent Firmware updates with lots of user input to the process
+ Supports attached storage greater than 3TB, with GUID vs. MBR partitions.
+ Active user community online
Cons
- Slowish write speeds through network to attached storage. Wish for this to be de-bottlenecked somehow, either in firmware, QoS settings, or through faster connection from router to storage device.
Features I like but have not explored
* VPN, FTP, secure Internet access
* Apps for router
* Multimedia server/sharing
* UPnP integration, e.g., with DirectTV or AV Receiver
Will update as I learn more...
Highly recommended!
*******1/11/2013 update successful UPnP/DNLA access **********
Successfully connected to the attached drive on the router from both my AV Receiver Onkyo HT-S8409 7.1-Channel Network A/V Receiver/Speaker Package , and BluRay DVD player Panasonic DMP-BDT220 Integrated Wi-Fi 3D Blu-ray DVD Player . Accessed both videos and photos stored on the attached drive and displayed them on connected HD TV. So, the DNLA/UPnP features of the Black Knight router worked successfully with DNLA-enabled AV devices on my home network. Very handy!
*******7/22/2013 update - Firmware and other learning **********
Just went through a bit of trouble with the firmware, but all is well again with firmware v. 3.0.0.4.372_1363.
'4.260 firmware would not auto update, i.e., when on the router setup page, checking for firmware update always returned something to the effect that I had the latest. After a few months of this, I got pretty suspicious, as frequent firmware updates had been a real plus of this router. So, went to the Asus support site and found '4.370 firmware, downloaded, and did a "manual" update from the Firmware Upgrade tab by clicking "Choose File", browsing to the extracted firmware file I had downloaded, and then clicking "Upload". This worked fine, and in about 3 minutes I was running on '4.370. BUT, this firmware gave me several problems, including inconsistent link speeds, highly variable file transfer speeds with frequent connection drops to my USB connected HD on the router, and finally an inability to reconnect to my ISP. SO, dug out my old Netgear router, got back on the WAN, downloaded '4.372 firmware, connected my router to my laptop via wire, and did another manual update. Result is that everything is once again working, and to some extent, even better than ever. File transfers to USB connected drive are now very consistent without any drops so far, perhaps a tad faster, peaking out at about 5-6 MBps (40-48 Mbps), and link speeds seem more consistent as well, esp. 5GHz connections. Net, this router's performance is, of course but especially for this model, a product of BOTH hardware and software (firmware), and regular updates are required to get the most out of it, or, sometimes, are required to get it to work. Still highly satisfied with the Dark Knight, and will not be moving to 802.11AC for some time yet, until I see stable second or third generation AC hardware that reviews better with faster LAN file transfer speeds than the Dark Knight.
******* 11/16/2013 update on 2.4 and 5 GHz settings *********
Use 2.4 GHz as my "do everything" band, so keep the settings focused on flexibility instead of absolute max speed.
2.4 GHz settings
Mode - Auto
Bandwidth - 20 MHz
Control Channel - Auto
5GHz I optimize for speed, but, since I have good luck with the auto intelligence built in to the router for use here in my neighborhood, this really amounts to just one setting difference:
Mode - Auto
Bandwidth - 40 MHz
Control Channel - Auto
Channel Bandwidth of 20MHz on 2.4 prevents the router from hogging bandwidth from neighbors, while 40MHz on 5 GHz doubles the max link speed. Figure this is OK as 1) not so many 5GHz signals in our neighborhood and 2) 5GHz does not reach as far anyway.
Practically, this means most of the household links at 2.4 GHz for simplicity and convenience, but I link my laptop and AV desktop at 5 GHz for the added throughput.
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It came with no Manuel and no set up disk. I had to get Asus tech support to help and they couldn't do anything and they told me never to buy refurbished IT products as they are s total waste of time and rarely work. So, I'm sending it back for a refund. I have since bought a brand new one - same make and model and will review that later....
I use this router with my Rogers Cable internet service. The Rogers modem that I have is the Cisco DPC3825 gateway, and I have it set to bridge mode. Make sure that you do this before connecting it to the Asus (or any other) router to avoid networking woes.
Now, for the tech-savvy folks who like advanced router features I must say that I've never before used a router with such an advanced configuration menu. The customization options and performance functions are world class and you can literally customize the settings of this beauty in whatever way you'd like. On top of that, the menu is sleek, elegant, and easy to use and navigate.
All in all, this is absolutely the best router available on the market in terms of speed, range, customization, and ease of use. You cannot go wrong with this router... I literally do not have one negative thing to say about it! If you are looking for a new router, do not look any further than this. The ONLY other router I would ever consider is the Asus RT-AC66U because it is identical to this with the addition of wireless AC... however, since this technology is not in any devices that I currently own or will own in the near future, the dual band N is more than sufficient.
Now, click Add-To-Cart - you need not look any further!
1. It is Dual-band (2.4 GHz and 5Ghz). Having the 5GHz is nice since I find out that I have too many neighbors' routers around at 2.4GHz but in the 5GHz band there is no single one, so new devices such smartphones may operate more reliable.
2. Wireless signal is powerful enough. The router sits in the basement but at the 2nd floor reception is still good (uo to maximum speed of the modem).
3. It is based on DD-WRT and has numerous features such as OpenVPN server to access the home network remotely.
4. IPv6 support (but my ISP is still IPv4 only).
5. All expected settings for the WiFi router: guest access, port forwarding, QoS, advanced routing, DMZ, etc, etc.
6. "Asuswrt-Merlin" makes it even better!
7. Stable and quick.
8. Cool design.
Mixed:
1. Initial setup was quick, though not ideal: the router was not able to connect to Internet at the first attempt and suggested to reboot the cable modem. After that it proceeded successfully, though it forgot that it prompted to change the password and I had to figure out that I still have to use the default password after the router reboot.
2. Does not have wall mount but holes for the stand may be used for this purpose.
Cons:
Actually nothing.
Some thoughts: today it is hard to find a good inexpensive wired router, so WiFi routers are still good choice for that purpose.