Netgear Nighthawk X6 AC3000 WiFi router: Pros and Cons
The Netgear Nighthawk X6 AC3000 (R7900) router released in 2015. It is powered by Broadcom BCM4709A0 @ 1 GHz chipset, 256 MB of RAM and 128 MB of flash. The AC3000 router is compatible with IEEE 802.11a/b/g/n/ac standards, and the maximum speed that you can get with Nighthawk X6 AC3000 is 450 + 1300 + 1300 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 Netgear Nighthawk X6 AC3000, please let us know. Furthermore, we strive to deliver a thorough and precise overview.
The Nighthawk X6 AC3000 is a popular router. It offers great networking. This is thanks to its advanced features and cutting-edge technology. This router has USB connectors. They add features and expand your network's capabilities. Netgear offers networking solutions that cater to different scales of networks.
Netgear Nighthawk X6 AC3000 specifications
| Brand | Netgear |
|---|---|
| Name | Nighthawk X6 AC3000 |
| Type | R7900 |
| Rating | |
| Launch | 2015 |
Body
| Dimensions | 295.5 x 226.8 x 54.5 mm |
|---|---|
| Weight | 1.1 kg |
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. 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 | Broadcom BCM4709A0 @ 1 GHz |
|---|---|
| RAM | 256 MB |
| Flash | 128 MB |
| OS | Netgear |
| Power supply | 19 V / 3.16 A |
The Broadcom BCM4709A0 @ 1 GHz CPU provides processing power. It handles tasks and services within the Nighthawk X6 AC3000 router. The amount of RAM in a router can affect its performance. It also affects its capacity to handle concurrent operations and traffic. The 128 MB flash memory in the router serves as the storage medium for the router's firmware. The firmware upgrade process may vary depending on the router model. However, it often involves accessing the router's web-based administration interface. The Netgear packages the Nighthawk X6 AC3000 router with 19 V / 3.16 A PSU.
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 | OpenVPN |
Like many modern routers, the Nighthawk X6 AC3000 supports many network standards too. The IPv4 uses 32-bit addresses, represented as four sets of numbers separated by periods (e.g. 192.168.0.1). The router also supports IPv6. This allows you to use the latest Internet Protocol. This router has Gigabit Ethernet LAN ports. They provide data transfer speeds of up to 1000 Mbps (1 Gbps) over Ethernet connections.
This router ensures that you can use fast internet from your ISP fully. OpenVPN is a full-featured SSL VPN solution. It uses OSI layer 2 or 3. It extends secure networks using SSL/TLS, an industry standard.
Wireless
| Antennas | 6 x 6 dBi |
|---|---|
| 2.4 GHz | yes |
| 5 GHz | yes |
| 60 GHz | no |
| Standards | IEEE 802.11a/b/g/n/ac |
| Class | AC3000 |
| Speed | 450 + 1300 + 1300 Mbps |
| Security | WEP WPA WPA2 WPS |
| Guest network | yes |
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. Using the 5 GHz band can move some devices from the crowded 2.4 GHz band. This cuts congestion and boosts the network. Wi-Fi 5 uses the 5 GHz band. It uses wider channels and advanced techniques to send data faster. Real-world Nighthawk X6 AC3000 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 3.0 |
|---|---|
| Print server | yes |
| File server | yes |
The USB 3 ports provide a fast interface for external storage with data transfer rates of up to 4.8 Gbps. By connecting a USB printer to the Nighthawk X6 AC3000 router, you can make it accessible to all devices on your network. This router has a USB file server. It lets you connect external storage devices to your network. For example, you can connect USB flash drives or hard drives.
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 X6 AC3000 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
- IPv6 capable
- high-speed LAN port
- high-speed WAN port
- supports OpenVPN
- works on 5 GHz band
- WPS friendly
- USB 3 compatible
- printserver functionality
- fileserver operation
Cons
- too weighty
- missing Wi-Fi 6 support
- incompatible with WPA3
Netgear Nighthawk X6 AC3000 photos
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