MikroTik RouterBoard hAP WiFi: Pros and Cons
The MikroTik RouterBoard hAP (RB951Ui-2nD) router released in 2014. It is powered by Qualcomm Atheros QCA9531 @ 650 MHz chipset, 64 MB of RAM and 16 MB of flash. The N300 router is compatible with IEEE 802.11b/g/n standards, and the maximum speed that you can get with RouterBoard hAP is 300 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 MikroTik RouterBoard hAP, please let us know. Furthermore, we strive to deliver a thorough and precise overview.
The RouterBoard hAP has a user-friendly interface. It is accessible to users with varying levels of expertise. This router has USB connectors. They add features and expand your network's capabilities. MikroTik is widely recognized as a reputable and established manufacturer of networking equipment.
MikroTik RouterBoard hAP specifications
| Brand | MikroTik |
|---|---|
| Name | RouterBoard hAP |
| Type | RB951Ui-2nD |
| Rating | |
| Launch | 2014 |
Body
| Dimensions | 113 x 89 x 28 mm |
|---|
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.
System
| Chipset | Qualcomm Atheros QCA9531 @ 650 MHz |
|---|---|
| RAM | 64 MB |
| Flash | 16 MB |
| OS | RouterOS |
| Power supply | 24 V / 0.8 A |
The Qualcomm Atheros QCA9531 @ 650 MHz CPU provides processing power. It handles tasks and services within the RouterBoard hAP router. You cannot expand the router's memory (64 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. The firmware upgrade process may vary depending on the router model. However, it often involves accessing the router's web-based administration interface. The MikroTik packages the RouterBoard hAP router with 24 V / 0.8 A PSU.
Network
| Protocols | IPv4 |
|---|---|
| LAN ports | 4 x 10/100 Mbps |
| WAN ports | 1 x 10/100 Mbps |
| Mobile network | yes, with USB dongle |
| VPN support | no |
The router supports many networking standards. It ensures compatibility with different devices and systems. The IPv4 uses 32-bit addresses, represented as four sets of numbers separated by periods (e.g. 192.168.0.1). The RouterBoard hAP features a Fast Ethernet WAN port that has a maximum speed of 100 Mbps. You can connect the 3G/4G USB dongle to the USB port on the RouterBoard hAP router.
Wireless
| Antennas | 2 x 1.5 dBi internal |
|---|---|
| 2.4 GHz | yes |
| 5 GHz | no |
| 60 GHz | no |
| Standards | IEEE 802.11b/g/n |
| Class | N300 |
| Speed | 300 Mbps |
| Transmit power | 22 dBm |
| Security | WEP WPA WPA2 WPS |
| Guest network | no |
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. This is a Wi-Fi 4 router, with slower data transfer speeds. This can result in slower downloads, video buffering, and reduced performance. The top speed, 300 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 2.0 |
|---|---|
| Print server | no |
| File server | no |
The USB 2 port has a maximum theoretical data transfer rate of 480 megabits per second (Mbps).
Features
| Specials | POE output |
|---|
Administration
| Default IP | 192.168.88.1 |
|---|---|
| Default username | admin |
| Default password | [blank] |
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 MikroTik 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
- sufficient memory
- 3/4G USB modem capable
- WPS friendly
- USB 2 compatible
Cons
- 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
MikroTik RouterBoard hAP photos
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