Asus RT-AC88U router review

The RT-AC88U is a powerful router. It is full of features and made for advanced networking. The USB connectors on the router add versatility to your network. They enable file sharing, printer sharing, and other USB functions. Asus has received recognition and awards for their networking products.

Asus RT-AC88U specifications

Body

If you have limited space, like in a small apartment or office, the dimensions can determine if it can fit there. If you plan to mount your router on a wall or ceiling, the weight can affect the mounting process. It also affects the type of mounting hardware needed.

System

The Broadcom BCM4709C0 @ 1.4 GHz CPU is key. It, along with factors like RAM and firmware, decides how well the router works. The 512 MB of RAM enables the router to handle multiple tasks and processes concurrently. Flash memory retains its data even when the router is off. This allows the router to keep its firmware and settings across reboots. Upgrading router firmware has become simple and user-friendly. The Asus provides the right power supply. It is 19 V / 3.42 A, this matches the router's voltage needs.

Network

Like many modern routers, the Asus RT-AC88U supports many features and tech. They improve your network's connectivity and security. Most networking equipment, like routers and switches, supports IPv4. The RT-AC88U router is also compatible with IPv6. IPv6 has a much bigger address space. It also offers many enhancements and improvements over IPv4. Gigabit Ethernet ports support data transfer rates of up to 1 gigabit per second (Gbps).

A Gigabit WAN port is helpful. It is useful when your internet plan supports high speeds. Connect the 3G/4G USB dongle to the RT-AC88U router. Then, you can share the internet connection. You can share it with many devices on your local network. OpenVPN is available for many operating systems. These include Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, and iOS. PPTP creates a VPN tunnel between two endpoints. It allows secure communication over an insecure network, such as the internet.

Wireless

The 4 x 3 dBi, RP-SMA antennas allow sending and getting many data streams at once. This boosts overall throughput and improves Wi-Fi performance. This router is 2.4 GHz capable. The 2.4GHz band refers to the portion of the radio spectrum between 2.400 and 2.4835 gigahertz. To optimize your Wi-Fi experience, it's often recommended to use a combination of both 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz bands. The Wi-Fi router offers fast data speeds. They are good for streaming HD video, online gaming, and large file transfers.

The top speed, 1000 + 2167 Mbps, is the highest data rate the router can reach. It's the theoretical limit in perfect conditions. 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

The USB 2 port has a maximum theoretical data transfer rate of 480 megabits per second (Mbps). The USB 3 ports provide a fast interface for external storage with data transfer rates of up to 4.8 Gbps. A USB print server adds print functionality. You can manage settings, watch queues, and control access from one place. The RT-AC88U router lets you schedule backups. You can back up to the connected USB storage device.

Administration

Changing the password often is a good security practice. It protects your network and devices from unauthorized access. Changing the default password improves your router's security. It reduces the risk of unauthorized individuals controlling your network.

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.

Asus RT-AC88U photos

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Robert Miller

For over 15 years, I've immersed myself in the world of networking devices as a tech aficionado. I've dedicated myself to thoroughly testing and analyzing routers and other networking gear. I aim to provide thorough reviews. They will give you the knowledge needed to improve your network.