Buffalo AirStation HighPower N600 DD-WRT router review
Buffalo introduced the AirStation HighPower N600 DD-WRT router in 2011. It is powered by Atheros AR7161 @ 680 MHz chipset, 128 MB of RAM, and 32 MB of flash memory.
Curious if this Buffalo router is a real gem? Keep reading!
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 Buffalo AirStation HighPower N600 DD-WRT, please let us know. Furthermore, we strive to deliver a thorough and precise overview.
The AirStation HighPower N600 DD-WRT is a powerful router. It is full of features and made for advanced networking. This router has USB connectors. They add features and expand your network's capabilities. Buffalo offers networking solutions that cater to different scales of networks.
Buffalo AirStation HighPower N600 DD-WRT specifications
Brand | Buffalo |
---|---|
Name | AirStation HighPower N600 DD-WRT |
Type | WZR-600DHP |
Rating | |
Launch | 2011 |
Body
Dimensions | 165 x 157 x 36 mm |
---|---|
Weight | 331 g |
If you plan to move or travel a lot and need to take your router with you, the size is important. It needs to be small to be easy to carry. If you purchase a router online or have it shipped, the weight may affect the overall cost.
System
Chipset | Atheros AR7161 @ 680 MHz |
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RAM | 128 MB |
Flash | 32 MB |
OS | DD-WRT |
Alternative OS | OpenWRT |
Power supply | 12 V / 2 A |
The Atheros AR7161 @ 680 MHz CPU provides processing power. It handles tasks and services within the AirStation HighPower N600 DD-WRT router. 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. The firmware upgrade process may vary depending on the router model. However, it often involves accessing the router's web-based administration interface.
Other router operating systems offer more customization options. They also have advanced features. Router makers compare this to the default firmware. OpenWrt offers many customization options. They let users modify and tailor their router's function to their needs. The Buffalo packages the AirStation HighPower N600 DD-WRT router with 12 V / 2 A PSU.
Network
Protocols | IPv4 IPv6 |
---|---|
LAN ports | 4 x 10/100/1000 Mbps |
WAN ports | 1 x 10/100/1000 Mbps |
Mobile network | no |
VPN support | OpenVPN |
The AirStation HighPower N600 DD-WRT router has built-in security features. They protect your network and devices. The IPv4 uses 32-bit addresses, represented as four sets of numbers separated by periods (e.g. 192.168.0.1). The router also supports IPv6. This allows you to use the latest Internet Protocol. If you have a 1 Gbps or faster internet plan, you need gigabit Ethernet ports. They are essential to use all the available bandwidth.
This router ensures that you can use fast internet from your ISP fully. OpenVPN uses a certificate-based authentication system. This enhances security and provides a stronger method of identity verification.
Wireless
Antennas | 2 x 2 dBi fixed |
---|---|
2.4 GHz | yes |
5 GHz | yes |
60 GHz | no |
Standards | IEEE 802.11a/b/g/n |
Class | N600 |
Speed | 300 + 300 Mbps |
Transmit power | 20 dBm |
Security | WEP WPA WPA2 WPS |
Guest network | yes |
A well-positioned antenna can reduce interference and signal weakening. This leads to a more reliable connection. The router supports the 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi. Using the 5 GHz band can move some devices from the crowded 2.4 GHz band. This cuts congestion and boosts the network. This is a Wi-Fi 4 router, with slower data transfer speeds. This can result in slower downloads, video buffering, and reduced performance.
Real-world AirStation HighPower N600 DD-WRT 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). By connecting a USB printer to the AirStation HighPower N600 DD-WRT router, you can make it accessible to all devices on your network. This router has a USB file server. It lets you connect external storage devices to your network. For example, you can connect USB flash drives or hard drives.
Administration
Default IP | 192.168.11.1 |
---|---|
Default username | admin |
Default password | password |
If you can't log in to your Buffalo router's setup panel, try resetting it. A reset can help you troubleshoot. It is highly recommended to change the default password of your AirStation HighPower N600 DD-WRT router. Do this after the initial setup.
Pros and Cons
Every router, including this Buffalo 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
- OpenWrt compatible
- IPv6 capable
- high-speed LAN port
- high-speed WAN port
- supports OpenVPN
- works on 5 GHz band
- WPS friendly
- USB 2 compatible
- printserver functionality
- fileserver operation
Cons
- missing Wi-Fi 6 support
- lacks Wi-Fi 5 compatibility
- reduced Wi-Fi bandwidth
- incompatible with WPA3
Buffalo AirStation HighPower N600 DD-WRT photos
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