SMC SMCWBR11S-3GN WiFi router: Pros and Cons
The SMC SMCWBR11S-3GN (SMCWBR11S-3GN) router released in 2010. It is powered by Ralink RT3050 chipset, 32 MB of RAM and 8 MB of flash. The N150 router is compatible with IEEE 802.11b/g/n standards, and the maximum speed that you can get with SMCWBR11S-3GN is 150 Mbps. The router has 1 x 10/100 Mbps WAN and 1 x 10/100 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 SMC SMCWBR11S-3GN, 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. SMC has a history of introducing innovative features and technologies into their products.
SMC SMCWBR11S-3GN specifications
| Brand | SMC |
|---|---|
| Name | SMCWBR11S-3GN |
| Type | SMCWBR11S-3GN |
| Rating | |
| Launch | 2010 |
Body
| Dimensions | 93 x 70 x 26 mm |
|---|---|
| Weight | 74 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 | Ralink RT3050 |
|---|---|
| RAM | 32 MB |
| Flash | 8 MB |
| OS | SMC |
| Alternative OS | OpenWRT |
| Power supply | 12 V / 1 A |
The Ralink RT3050 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 8 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. It depends on your router model and hardware. Using a different OS may make it more stable and faster.
OpenWrt offers many features and capabilities. They extend the functionality of networking hardware. The SMC provides the right power supply. It is 12 V / 1 A, this matches the router's voltage needs.
Network
| Protocols | IPv4 |
|---|---|
| LAN ports | 1 x 10/100 Mbps |
| WAN ports | 1 x 10/100 Mbps |
| Mobile network | yes, with USB dongle |
| VPN support | no |
Like many modern routers, the SMCWBR11S-3GN 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. Connect the 3G/4G USB dongle to the SMCWBR11S-3GN router. Then, you can share the internet connection. You can share it with many devices on your local network.
Wireless
| Antennas | 1 x 2 dBi RP-SMA |
|---|---|
| 2.4 GHz | yes |
| 5 GHz | no |
| 60 GHz | no |
| Standards | IEEE 802.11b/g/n |
| Class | N150 |
| Speed | 150 Mbps |
| Transmit power | 17 dBm |
| Security | WEP WPA WPA2 |
| Guest network | no |
The 1 x 2 dBi, RP-SMA antennas allow sending and getting many data streams at once. This boosts overall throughput and improves Wi-Fi performance. The SMCWBR11S-3GN 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 SMCWBR11S-3GN 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 | no |
| File server | no |
The USB 2 port has a maximum theoretical data transfer rate of 480 megabits per second (Mbps).
Administration
| Default IP | 192.168.2.1 |
|---|---|
| Default username | admin |
| Default password | smcadmin |
If you can't log in to your SMC router's setup panel, try resetting it. A reset can help you troubleshoot. It is highly recommended to change the default password of your SMCWBR11S-3GN router. Do this after the initial setup.
Pros and Cons
Every router, including this SMC 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
- OpenWrt compatible
- 3/4G USB modem capable
- USB 2 compatible
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
SMC SMCWBR11S-3GN photos
If there’s information about the SMC SMCWBR11S-3GN that you would like to see on this site, then write to us.
