ZyXEL NBG-418N v2 router review
The ZyXEL NBG-418N v2 (NBG-418N) router released in 2014. It is powered by Realtek RTL8196E chipset, 16 MB of RAM and 4 MB of flash. The N300 router is compatible with IEEE 802.11b/g/n standards, and the maximum speed that you can get with NBG-418N v2 is 300 Mbps. The router has 1 x 10/100 Mbps WAN and 4 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 ZyXEL NBG-418N v2, please let us know. Furthermore, we strive to deliver a thorough and precise overview.
The NBG-418N v2 has a user-friendly interface. It is accessible to users with varying levels of expertise. ZyXEL is a well-established brand and has a significant market presence globally.
ZyXEL NBG-418N v2 specifications
| Brand | ZyXEL |
|---|---|
| Name | NBG-418N v2 |
| Type | NBG-418N |
| Rating | |
| Launch | 2014 |
Body
| Dimensions | 142 x 102 x 23 mm |
|---|---|
| Weight | 148 g |
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 router is not typically a critical factor for most home or office setups.
System
| Chipset | Realtek RTL8196E |
|---|---|
| RAM | 16 MB |
| Flash | 4 MB |
| OS | ZyXEL |
| Power supply | 5 V / 1 A |
The Realtek RTL8196E CPU provides processing power. It handles tasks and services within the NBG-418N v2 router. You cannot expand the router's memory (16 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. The firmware upgrade process may vary depending on the router model. However, it often involves accessing the router's web-based administration interface. The ZyXEL packages the NBG-418N v2 router with 5 V / 1 A PSU.
Network
| Protocols | IPv4 IPv6 |
|---|---|
| LAN ports | 4 x 10/100 Mbps |
| WAN ports | 1 x 10/100 Mbps |
| Mobile network | no |
| VPN support | no |
The router supports many networking standards. It ensures compatibility with different devices and systems. 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. The NBG-418N v2 features a Fast Ethernet WAN port that has a maximum speed of 100 Mbps.
Wireless
| Antennas | 2 x 5 dBi RP-SMA |
|---|---|
| 2.4 GHz | yes |
| 5 GHz | no |
| 60 GHz | no |
| Standards | IEEE 802.11b/g/n |
| Class | N300 |
| Speed | 300 Mbps |
| Transmit power | 20 dBm |
| Security | WEP WPA WPA2 |
| Guest network | no |
A well-positioned antenna can reduce interference and signal weakening. This leads to a more reliable connection. Many IoT devices, smart home devices, and older Wi-Fi devices mainly use the 2.4 GHz band. This is a Wi-Fi 4 router, with slower data transfer speeds. This can result in slower downloads, video buffering, and reduced performance. The top speed, 300 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 | no |
|---|---|
| Print server | no |
| File server | no |
The NBG-418N v2 router doesn't have file-server or print-server functionality.
Administration
| Default IP | 192.168.1.1 |
|---|---|
| Default username | admin |
| Default password | 1234 |
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 ZyXEL 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
- IPv6 capable
Cons
- insufficient memory
- 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
ZyXEL NBG-418N v2 photos
If there’s information about the ZyXEL NBG-418N v2 that you would like to see on this site, then write to us.
