Netgear N300 WNR3500L v2 router review
The Netgear N300 WNR3500L v2 (WNR3500Lv2) router released in 2011. It is powered by Broadcom BCM47186B0 @ 480 MHz chipset, 128 MB of RAM and 128 MB of flash. The N300 router is compatible with IEEE 802.11b/g/n standards, and the maximum speed that you can get with N300 WNR3500L v2 is 300 Mbps. The router has 1 x 10/100/1000 Mbps WAN and 4 x 10/100/1000 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 Netgear N300 WNR3500L v2, please let us know. Furthermore, we strive to deliver a thorough and precise overview.
This router is basic 2.4 GHz router. It provides reliable for small networks. The USB connectors on the router add versatility to your network. They enable file sharing, printer sharing, and other USB functions. Netgear provides good customer support services through their website.
Netgear N300 WNR3500L v2 specifications
| Brand | Netgear |
|---|---|
| Name | N300 WNR3500L v2 |
| Type | WNR3500Lv2 |
| Rating | |
| Launch | 2011 |
Body
| Dimensions | 175 x 130 x 35 mm |
|---|---|
| Weight | 327 g |
If you have limited space, like in a small apartment or office, the dimensions can determine if it can fit there. If you purchase a router online or have it shipped, the weight may affect the overall cost.
System
| Chipset | Broadcom BCM47186B0 @ 480 MHz |
|---|---|
| RAM | 128 MB |
| Flash | 128 MB |
| OS | Netgear |
| Alternative OS | OpenWRT DD-WRT |
| Power supply | 12 V / 1.5 A |
The Broadcom BCM47186B0 @ 480 MHz CPU is key. It, along with factors like RAM and firmware, decides how well the router works. 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. 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 offers many customization options. They let users modify and tailor their router's function to their needs. The Netgear provides the right power supply. It is 12 V / 1.5 A, this matches the router's voltage needs.
Network
| Protocols | IPv4 |
|---|---|
| LAN ports | 4 x 10/100/1000 Mbps |
| WAN ports | 1 x 10/100/1000 Mbps |
| Mobile network | no |
| VPN support | no |
The N300 WNR3500L v2 router has built-in security features. They protect your network and devices. Most networking equipment, like routers and switches, supports IPv4. 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.
Wireless
| Antennas | 2 x 3 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 | 24 dBm |
| Security | WEP WPA WPA2 |
| Guest network | no |
The 2 x 3 dBi, internal antennas allow sending and getting many data streams at once. This boosts overall throughput and improves Wi-Fi performance. The N300 WNR3500L v2 is compatible with 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi networks. Older routers have a more limited range than newer Wi-Fi standards. So, they are less suitable for larger homes or offices. Real-world N300 WNR3500L v2 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.
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). A USB print server adds print functionality. You can manage settings, watch queues, and control access from one place. The N300 WNR3500L v2 router lets you schedule backups. You can back up to the connected USB storage device.
Administration
| Default IP | 192.168.1.1 |
|---|---|
| Default username | admin |
| Default password | password |
If you can't log in to your Netgear router's setup panel, try resetting it. A reset can help you troubleshoot. It is highly recommended to change the default password of your N300 WNR3500L v2 router. Do this after the initial setup.
Pros and Cons
Every router, including this Netgear 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
- adequate flash
- OpenWrt compatible
- high-speed LAN port
- high-speed WAN port
- 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
- missing WPS support
Netgear N300 WNR3500L v2 photos
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