Netgear Nighthawk X6 AC3200 router review
The Netgear Nighthawk X6 AC3200 (R8000) router released in 2014. It is powered by Broadcom BCM4709A0 @ 1 GHz chipset, 256 MB of RAM and 128 MB of flash. The AC3200 router is compatible with IEEE 802.11a/b/g/n/ac standards, and the maximum speed that you can get with Nighthawk X6 AC3200 is 600 + 1300 + 1300 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 Nighthawk X6 AC3200, please let us know. Furthermore, we strive to deliver a thorough and precise overview.
The Nighthawk X6 AC3200 is a good choice for users. It is reliable and feature-rich, and it supports the latest Wi-Fi 6 technology. You can connect supported USB devices to the router. Netgear incorporates energy-efficient features in their products, promoting sustainability and reducing power consumption.
Netgear Nighthawk X6 AC3200 specifications
| Brand | Netgear |
|---|---|
| Name | Nighthawk X6 AC3200 |
| Type | R8000 |
| Rating | |
| Launch | 2014 |
Body
| Dimensions | 295.5 x 226.8 x 54.5 mm |
|---|---|
| Weight | 1.1 kg |
The dimensions and design of a router can impact its cooling capabilities. Routers with larger dimensions may have more space for internal cooling mechanisms. The weight of router is not typically a critical factor for most home or office setups.
System
| Chipset | Broadcom BCM4709A0 @ 1 GHz |
|---|---|
| RAM | 256 MB |
| Flash | 128 MB |
| OS | Netgear |
| Alternative OS | OpenWRT |
| Power supply | 12 V / 5 A |
The Netgear Nighthawk X6 AC3200 router has a Broadcom BCM4709A0 @ 1 GHz processor. You cannot expand the router's memory (256 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. Netgear often releases firmware updates. They improve the router's features, security, and bugs. They also add new features.
Using a custom OS on a router has benefits. But, it also has risks. OpenWrt has a community that actively develops it. They continuously work on improving its security. The 12 V / 5 A PSU provides power to the router. If it breaks, you can replace it with a new one.
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 |
The router supports many networking standards. It ensures compatibility with different devices and systems. The IPv4 is the fourth iteration of the Internet Protocol (IP). It is the most widely used version of IP on the internet today. The latest firmware supports IPv6. It provides a system to identify and locate computers on networks. The router has Gigabit Ethernet ports. They allow for faster communication between devices on your local network.
A Gigabit WAN port is helpful. It is useful when your internet plan supports high speeds. OpenVPN is popular for VPNs. This is because it is strong, flexible, and works on many devices.
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 | AC3200 |
| Speed | 600 + 1300 + 1300 Mbps |
| Security | WEP WPA WPA2 |
| Guest network | yes |
This router has 6 x 6 dBi antennas. Antennas are key parts of wireless routers. They send and receive radio signals to make wireless connections. The router supports the 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi. The 5 GHz band is less crowded. This leads to less interference and a clearer wireless signal. The Nighthawk X6 AC3200 router is 5 GHz capable. This Wi-Fi router supports multiple spatial streams, typically up to 4 streams.
The top speed, 600 + 1300 + 1300 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.
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. USB print servers let you connect a USB printer to your network. This makes it accessible to many devices. You can connect external storage devices such as USB flash drives or USB hard drives to your router.
Administration
| Default IP | 192.168.1.1 |
|---|---|
| Default username | admin |
| Default password | password |
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 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
- USB 2 compatible
- USB 3 compatible
- printserver functionality
- fileserver operation
Cons
- too weighty
- missing Wi-Fi 6 support
- incompatible with WPA3
- missing WPS support
Netgear Nighthawk X6 AC3200 photos
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