Linksys WRT1200AC WiFi router: Pros and Cons
The Linksys WRT1200AC (WRT1200AC) router released in 2015. It is powered by Marvell 88F6820 @ 1.33 GHz chipset, 512 MB of RAM and 128 MB of flash. The AC1200 router is compatible with IEEE 802.11a/b/g/n/ac standards, and the maximum speed that you can get with WRT1200AC is 300 + 867 Mbps. The router has 1 x 10/100/1000 Mbps WAN and 4 x 10/100/1000 Mbps LAN ports.
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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 Linksys WRT1200AC, please let us know. Furthermore, we strive to deliver a thorough and precise overview.
The WRT1200AC is a popular router. It offers great networking. This is thanks to its advanced features and cutting-edge technology. The USB connectors on the router add versatility to your network. They enable file sharing, printer sharing, and other USB functions. Linksys offers good customer support, including firmware updates, documentation, and technical assistance.
Linksys WRT1200AC specifications
| Brand | Linksys |
|---|---|
| Name | WRT1200AC |
| Type | WRT1200AC |
| Rating | |
| Launch | 2015 |
Body
| Dimensions | 246 x 194 x 52 mm |
|---|---|
| Weight | 833 g |
If you have limited space, like in a small apartment or office, the dimensions can determine if it can fit there. The weight of router is not typically a critical factor for most home or office setups.
System
| Chipset | Marvell 88F6820 @ 1.33 GHz |
|---|---|
| RAM | 512 MB |
| Flash | 128 MB |
| OS | Linksys |
| Alternative OS | OpenWRT DD-WRT |
| Power supply | 12 V / 2.5 A |
The Marvell 88F6820 @ 1.33 GHz CPU is key. It, along with factors like RAM and firmware, decides how well the router works. You cannot expand the router's memory (512 MB). When choosing a router, it is important to consider the RAM specifications. A larger flash memory allows for more space to store configuration backups. Upgrading router firmware has become simple and user-friendly. It depends on your router model and hardware. Using a different OS may make it more stable and faster.
OpenWrt has a community that actively develops it. They continuously work on improving its security. The Linksys provides the right power supply. It is 12 V / 2.5 A, this matches the router's voltage needs.
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 | no |
The router supports many networking standards. It ensures compatibility with different devices and systems. Most networking equipment, like routers and switches, supports IPv4. The WRT1200AC router is also compatible with IPv6. IPv6 has a much bigger address space. It also offers many enhancements and improvements over IPv4. The router has Gigabit Ethernet ports. They allow for faster communication between devices on your local network. A Gigabit WAN port is helpful. It is useful when your internet plan supports high speeds.
Wireless
| Antennas | 2 x 3.8 dBi RP-SMA |
|---|---|
| 2.4 GHz | yes |
| 5 GHz | yes |
| 60 GHz | no |
| Standards | IEEE 802.11a/b/g/n/ac |
| Class | AC1200 |
| Speed | 300 + 867 Mbps |
| Transmit power | 22 dBm |
| Security | WEP WPA WPA2 WPS |
| Guest network | yes |
The 2 x 3.8 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. To optimize your Wi-Fi experience, it's often recommended to use a combination of both 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz bands. This Wi-Fi router supports multiple spatial streams, typically up to 4 streams.
The top speed, 300 + 867 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
| USB ports | 1 x USB 3.0 1 x USB 2.0 / ESATA |
|---|---|
| Print server | yes |
| File server | yes |
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 WRT1200AC router lets you schedule backups. You can back up to the connected USB storage device.
Features
| Specials | ESATA port |
|---|
Administration
| Default IP | 192.168.1.1 |
|---|---|
| Default username | admin |
| Default password | admin |
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 Linksys 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
- generous memory
- adequate flash
- OpenWrt compatible
- IPv6 capable
- high-speed LAN port
- high-speed WAN port
- works on 5 GHz band
- WPS friendly
- USB 2 compatible
- USB 3 compatible
- printserver functionality
- fileserver operation
Cons
- missing Wi-Fi 6 support
- incompatible with WPA3
Linksys WRT1200AC photos
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