Asus RT-AC51U WiFi router: Pros and Cons
The Asus RT-AC51U (RT-AC51U) router released in 2014. It is powered by MediaTek MT7620A @ 580 MHz chipset, 64 MB of RAM and 16 MB of flash. The AC750 router is compatible with IEEE 802.11a/b/g/n/ac standards, and the maximum speed that you can get with RT-AC51U is 300 + 433 Mbps. The router has 1 x 10/100 Mbps WAN and 4 x 10/100 Mbps LAN ports.
Table of Contents
Our personal experiences and opinions form the basis of this article. We aimed to share insights on a topic, and we hoped others would find it useful and inspirational. The specs below rely on official manufacturer data, but we also consider user reviews. If you noticed any mistakes or missing details about the Asus RT-AC51U, please let us know. Furthermore, we strive to deliver a thorough and precise overview.
The RT-AC51U is a good choice for users. It is reliable and feature-rich, and it supports the latest Wi-Fi 6 technology. The USB connectors on the router add versatility to your network. They enable file sharing, printer sharing, and other USB functions. Asus incorporates energy-efficient features in their products, promoting sustainability and reducing power consumption.
Asus RT-AC51U specifications
| Brand | Asus |
|---|---|
| Name | RT-AC51U |
| Type | RT-AC51U |
| Rating | |
| Launch | 2014 |
Body
| Dimensions | 189 x 129 x 36 mm |
|---|---|
| Weight | 270 g |
If you have limited space, like in a small apartment or office, the dimensions can determine if it can fit there. If you purchase a router online or have it shipped, the weight may affect the overall cost.
System
| Chipset | MediaTek MT7620A @ 580 MHz |
|---|---|
| RAM | 64 MB |
| Flash | 16 MB |
| OS | Asus |
| Power supply | 12 V / 1 A |
The MediaTek MT7620A @ 580 MHz CPU is key. It, along with factors like RAM and firmware, decides how well the router works. Some router features and software need a certain amount of RAM. They need it to work well. More storage space comes from a larger flash memory. It can accommodate future firmware upgrades. Upgrading router firmware has become simple and user-friendly. The Asus provides the right power supply. It is 12 V / 1 A, this matches the router's voltage needs.
Network
| Protocols | IPv4 IPv6 |
|---|---|
| LAN ports | 4 x 10/100 Mbps |
| WAN ports | 1 x 10/100 Mbps |
| Mobile network | yes, with USB dongle |
| VPN support | PPTP L2TP OpenVPN |
The RT-AC51U router has built-in security features. They protect your network and devices. Most networking equipment, like routers and switches, supports IPv4. The RT-AC51U router is also compatible with IPv6. IPv6 has a much bigger address space. It also offers many enhancements and improvements over IPv4. Wired connections may bottleneck due to the limits of Fast Ethernet ports. Connect the 3G/4G USB dongle to the RT-AC51U router. Then, you can share the internet connection. You can share it with many devices on your local network.
OpenVPN uses a certificate-based authentication system. This enhances security and provides a stronger method of identity verification. PPTP uses the Password Authentication Protocol (PAP). It also uses the Challenge Handshake Authentication Protocol (CHAP) for user authentication.
Wireless
| Antennas | 2 x 5 dBi RP-SMA |
|---|---|
| 2.4 GHz | yes |
| 5 GHz | yes |
| 60 GHz | no |
| Standards | IEEE 802.11a/b/g/n/ac |
| Class | AC750 |
| Speed | 300 + 433 Mbps |
| Transmit power | 18.5 dBm |
| Security | WEP WPA WPA2 WPS |
| Guest network | yes |
The 2 x 5 dBi, RP-SMA antennas allow sending and getting many data streams at once. This boosts overall throughput and improves Wi-Fi performance. Many IoT devices, smart home devices, and older Wi-Fi devices mainly use the 2.4 GHz band. This router operates on both the 2.4GHz and 5GHz frequency bands. It lets you connect devices to the best band for their needs. The AC Wi-Fi router is backward compatible with older Wi-Fi devices that support 802.11a/b/g/n standards.
Real-world RT-AC51U router speeds are lower than its theoretical maximum speed. WEP was the first Wi-Fi security protocol. But it is now seen as weak and easy to hack. The introduction of WPA2 (Wi-Fi Protected Access 2) improved upon WEP. It provides stronger security. WPS (Wi-Fi Protected Setup) provides an easy method. It connects devices to a Wi-Fi network.
Connectivity
| USB ports | 1 x USB 2.0 |
|---|---|
| Print server | yes |
| File server | yes |
The USB 2 port has a maximum theoretical data transfer rate of 480 megabits per second (Mbps). A USB print server adds print functionality. You can manage settings, watch queues, and control access from one place. The RT-AC51U router lets you schedule backups. You can back up to the connected USB storage device.
Administration
| Default IP | 192.168.1.1 |
|---|---|
| Default username | admin |
| Default password | admin |
If you can't log in to your Asus router's setup panel, try resetting it. A reset can help you troubleshoot. It is highly recommended to change the default password of your RT-AC51U router. Do this after the initial setup.
Pros and Cons
Every router, including this Asus one, has its good sides and not-so-good sides. Let's take a closer look at both to get a full understanding of what this router can do. We'll talk about what it does well and also where it could use some improvements. Just remember, this is just what I think, and you might see things differently.
Pros
- lightweight
- sufficient memory
- IPv6 capable
- 3/4G USB modem capable
- supports OpenVPN
- works on 5 GHz band
- WPS friendly
- USB 2 compatible
- printserver functionality
- fileserver operation
Cons
- insufficient flash
- lack of Gigabit LAN
- Non-gigabit WAN port
- missing Wi-Fi 6 support
- incompatible with WPA3
Asus RT-AC51U photos
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