Asus RT-N12E router review
Asus introduced the RT-N12E router in 2012. It is powered by Realtek RTL8196C chipset, 16 MB of RAM, and 4 MB of flash memory.
Wondering if the Asus RT-N12E is a must-have? Stay tuned for the answer!
Table of Contents
- Asus RT-N12E specifications
- Body, dimensions, weight
- System, chipset, RAM, flash, power supply
- Network, protocols, WAN and LAN ports
- Wireless, antennas, speed, security
- Connectivity
- Administration, user interface, login information
- Links
- Verdict, Pros and Cons
- Photos
- Comparisons
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. If you noticed any mistakes or missing details about the Asus RT-N12E, please let us know.
The RT-N12E is an affordable and reliable router designed for basic networking needs. Asus prioritizes network security to keep data safe and secure.
Asus RT-N12E specifications
| Brand | Asus |
|---|---|
| Name | RT-N12E |
| Type | RT-N12E |
| Rating | |
| Launch | 2012 |
Body
| Dimensions | 168 x 124 x 30 mm |
|---|---|
| Weight | 210 g |
The dimensions of a router can impact its cooling capabilities. Larger routers have more room for internal cooling. If you buy a router online or have it shipped, the weight may affect the total cost.
System
| Chipset | Realtek RTL8196C |
|---|---|
| RAM | 16 MB |
| Flash | 4 MB |
| OS | Asus |
| Power supply | 12 V / 0.5 A |
The Asus RT-N12E router has a Realtek RTL8196C processor. Some router features and software work best when they have enough RAM to help them.
Network
| Protocols | IPv4 |
|---|---|
| LAN ports | 4 x 10/100 Mbps |
| WAN ports | 1 x 10/100 Mbps |
| Mobile network | no |
| VPN support | no |
The WAN port on the RT-N12E router is a Fast Ethernet port, not a Gigabit Ethernet.
Wireless
| Antennas | 2 x 2 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 WPS |
| Guest network | no |
The 2.4GHz band refers to the part of the radio spectrum between 2.400 and 2.4835 gigahertz. This is a Wi-Fi 4 router, with slower data transfer speeds. This can result in slower downloads, buffering, and reduced performance. The introduction of WPA2 (Wi-Fi Protected Access 2) improved upon WEP. It provides stronger security. The Wi-Fi Protected Setup (WPS) lets you join a safe wireless network with the push of a button or a simple PIN entry.
Connectivity
| USB ports | no |
|---|---|
| Print server | no |
| File server | no |
The RT-N12E router doesn't have file-server or print-server functionality.
Administration
| Default IP | 192.168.1.1 |
|---|---|
| Default username | admin |
| Default password | admin |
If you can't log in to your Asus router's setup panel, try resetting it. A reset can help you troubleshoot. It is highly recommended to change the default password of your RT-N12E router. Do this after the initial setup.
Links
| Official site | https://www.asus.com/ |
|---|
Pros and Cons
Every router, including this Asus 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. Just remember, this is just what I think, and you might see things differently.
Pros
- lightweight
- WPS friendly
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
- no USB connectivity
Asus RT-N12E photos
Asus RT-N12E comparisons
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Updated: May 25, 2024
