Asus RT-N12E router review
Asus introduced the RT-N12E router in 2012. It is powered by Realtek RTL8196C chipset, 16 MB of RAM, and 4 MB of flash memory.
Wondering if the Asus RT-N12E is a must-have? Stay tuned for the answer!
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-N12E, please let us know. Furthermore, we strive to deliver a thorough and precise overview.
The RT-N12E is an affordable and reliable router designed for basic networking needs. Asus places a strong emphasis on network security.
Asus RT-N12E specifications
| Brand | Asus |
|---|---|
| Name | RT-N12E |
| Type | RT-N12E |
| Rating | |
| Launch | 2012 |
Body
| Dimensions | 168 x 124 x 30 mm |
|---|---|
| Weight | 210 g |
The dimensions and design of a router can impact its cooling capabilities. Routers with larger dimensions may have more space for internal cooling mechanisms. If you purchase a router online or have it shipped, the weight may affect the overall cost.
System
| Chipset | Realtek RTL8196C |
|---|---|
| RAM | 16 MB |
| Flash | 4 MB |
| OS | Asus |
| Power supply | 12 V / 0.5 A |
The Asus RT-N12E router has a Realtek RTL8196C processor. 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. Asus often releases firmware updates. They improve the router's features, security, and bugs. They also add new features. The 12 V / 0.5 A PSU provides power to the router. If it breaks, you can replace it with a new one.
Network
| Protocols | IPv4 |
|---|---|
| LAN ports | 4 x 10/100 Mbps |
| WAN ports | 1 x 10/100 Mbps |
| Mobile network | no |
| VPN support | no |
The RT-N12E router has built-in security features. They protect your network and devices. The IPv4 is the fourth iteration of the Internet Protocol (IP). It is the most widely used version of IP on the internet today. The WAN port on the RT-N12E router is a Fast Ethernet port, not a Gigabit Ethernet.
Wireless
| Antennas | 2 x 2 dBi RP-SMA |
|---|---|
| 2.4 GHz | yes |
| 5 GHz | no |
| 60 GHz | no |
| Standards | IEEE 802.11b/g/n |
| Class | N300 |
| Speed | 300 Mbps |
| Transmit power | 20 dBm |
| Security | WEP WPA WPA2 WPS |
| Guest network | no |
This router has 2 x 2 dBi, RP-SMA antennas. Antennas are key parts of wireless routers. They send and receive radio signals to make wireless connections. 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. This is a Wi-Fi 4 (802.11n) router. Wi-Fi 4 improved the range and coverage compared to previous Wi-Fi standards.. Real-world RT-N12E 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 | no |
|---|---|
| Print server | no |
| File server | no |
The RT-N12E router doesn't have file-server or print-server functionality.
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-N12E 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
- WPS friendly
Cons
- insufficient memory
- insufficient flash
- lack of Gigabit LAN
- Non-gigabit WAN port
- missing Wi-Fi 6 support
- lacks Wi-Fi 5 compatibility
- reduced Wi-Fi bandwidth
- incompatible with WPA3
- no USB connectivity
Asus RT-N12E photos
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