Netgear Nighthawk AC2300 router review
Netgear introduced the Nighthawk AC2300 router in 2016. It is powered by Broadcom BCM4708C0 @ 1 GHz chipset, 256 MB of RAM, and 128 MB of flash memory.
Curious to know if the Nighthawk AC2300 is top-notch? Stay tuned!
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 Nighthawk AC2300, please let us know. Furthermore, we strive to deliver a thorough and precise overview.
The Nighthawk AC2300 is a powerful router. It is full of features and made for advanced networking. The USB connectors on the router add versatility to your network. They enable file sharing, printer sharing, and other USB functions. Netgear offers good customer support, including firmware updates, documentation, and technical assistance.
Netgear Nighthawk AC2300 specifications
| Brand | Netgear |
|---|---|
| Name | Nighthawk AC2300 |
| Type | R7000P |
| Rating | |
| Launch | 2016 |
Body
| Dimensions | 285 x 184.5 x 50 mm |
|---|---|
| Weight | 750 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 BCM4708C0 @ 1 GHz |
|---|---|
| RAM | 256 MB |
| Flash | 128 MB |
| OS | Netgear |
| Alternative OS | OpenWRT |
| Power supply | 12 V / 3.5 A |
The Broadcom BCM4708C0 @ 1 GHz 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 / 3.5 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 |
| VPN support | OpenVPN |
The Nighthawk AC2300 router has built-in security features. They protect your network and devices. Most networking equipment, like routers and switches, supports IPv4. The Nighthawk AC2300 router is also compatible with IPv6. IPv6 has a much bigger address space. It also offers many enhancements and improvements over 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. OpenVPN uses a certificate-based authentication system. This enhances security and provides a stronger method of identity verification.
Wireless
| Antennas | 3 x 3.3 dBi RP-SMA |
|---|---|
| 2.4 GHz | yes |
| 5 GHz | yes |
| 6 GHz | no |
| 60 GHz | no |
| Standards | IEEE 802.11a/b/g/n/ac |
| Class | AC2300 |
| Speed | 600 + 1625 Mbps |
| Transmit power | 24 dBm |
| Security | WEP WPA WPA2 WPS |
| Guest network | yes |
The 3 x 3.3 dBi, RP-SMA antennas allow sending and getting many data streams at once. This boosts overall throughput and improves Wi-Fi performance. This router is 2.4 GHz capable. The 2.4GHz band refers to the portion of the radio spectrum between 2.400 and 2.4835 gigahertz. This router operates on both the 2.4GHz and 5GHz frequency bands. It lets you connect devices to the best band for their needs.
The AC Wi-Fi router is backward compatible with older Wi-Fi devices that support 802.11a/b/g/n standards. Real-world Nighthawk AC2300 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 1 x USB 3.0 |
|---|---|
| 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 Nighthawk AC2300 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 Nighthawk AC2300 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
- generous memory
- adequate flash
- OpenWrt compatible
- IPv6 capable
- high-speed LAN port
- high-speed WAN port
- supports OpenVPN
- works on 5 GHz band
- decent Wi-Fi performance
- WPS friendly
- USB 2 compatible
- USB 3 compatible
- printserver functionality
- fileserver operation
Cons
- missing Wi-Fi 6 support
- incompatible with WPA3
Netgear Nighthawk AC2300 photos
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