Netgear N450 WNR2500 WiFi router: Pros and Cons
The Netgear N450 WNR2500 (WNR2500) router released in 2013. It is powered by Qualcomm Atheros QCA9558 chipset, 32 MB of RAM and 4 MB of flash. The N450 router is compatible with IEEE 802.11b/g/n standards, and the maximum speed that you can get with N450 WNR2500 is 450 Mbps. The router has 1 x 10/100 Mbps WAN and 4 x 10/100 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 Netgear N450 WNR2500, please let us know. Furthermore, we strive to deliver a thorough and precise overview.
The N450 WNR2500 is a good choice for users. It is reliable and feature-rich, and it supports the latest Wi-Fi 6 technology. Netgear has actively developed innovative networking solutions.
Netgear N450 WNR2500 specifications
| Brand | Netgear |
|---|---|
| Name | N450 WNR2500 |
| Type | WNR2500 |
| Rating | |
| Launch | 2013 |
Body
| Dimensions | 217.74 x 147.73 x 34.92 mm |
|---|---|
| Weight | 413 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 a router can matter in some situations. But, it is usually not as crucial as other factors. These factors include features and compatibility.
System
| Chipset | Qualcomm Atheros QCA9558 |
|---|---|
| RAM | 32 MB |
| Flash | 4 MB |
| OS | Netgear |
| Power supply | 12 V / 1 A |
The Qualcomm Atheros QCA9558 CPU is key. It, along with factors like RAM and firmware, decides how well the router works. The amount of RAM in a router can affect its performance. It also affects its capacity to handle concurrent operations and traffic. The 4 MB flash memory in the router serves as the storage medium for the router's firmware. Upgrading router firmware has become simple and user-friendly. The Netgear provides the right power supply. It is 12 V / 1 A, this matches the router's voltage needs.
Network
| Protocols | IPv4 |
|---|---|
| LAN ports | 4 x 10/100 Mbps |
| WAN ports | 1 x 10/100 Mbps |
| Mobile network | no |
| VPN support | no |
Like many modern routers, the N450 WNR2500 supports many network standards too. Most networking equipment, like routers and switches, supports IPv4. Wired connections may bottleneck due to the limits of Fast Ethernet ports.
Wireless
| Antennas | 3 x 5 dBi fixed |
|---|---|
| 2.4 GHz | yes |
| 5 GHz | yes |
| 60 GHz | no |
| Standards | IEEE 802.11b/g/n |
| Class | N450 |
| Speed | 450 Mbps |
| Transmit power | 23 dBm |
| Security | WEP WPA WPA2 |
| Guest network | no |
The 3 x 5 dBi, fixed antennas allow sending and getting many data streams at once. This boosts overall throughput and improves Wi-Fi performance. The 2.4 GHz band is widely supported by many devices. This includes older ones that may not work with the 5 GHz band. This router operates on both the 2.4GHz and 5GHz frequency bands. It lets you connect devices to the best band for their needs. Older routers have a more limited range than newer Wi-Fi standards. So, they are less suitable for larger homes or offices.
Real-world N450 WNR2500 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 | no |
|---|---|
| Print server | no |
| File server | no |
The N450 WNR2500 router doesn't have file-server or print-server functionality.
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 N450 WNR2500 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
- works on 5 GHz band
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
- missing WPS support
- no USB connectivity
Netgear N450 WNR2500 photos
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