Asus RT-N56U WiFi router: Pros and Cons

300 + 300 Mbps

IEEE 802.11a/b/g/n

Ralink RT3662F @ 500 MHz

128 MB / 8 MB

The Asus RT-N56U (RT-N56U) router released in 2010. It is powered by Ralink RT3662F @ 500 MHz chipset, 128 MB of RAM and 8 MB of flash. The N600 router is compatible with IEEE 802.11a/b/g/n standards, and the maximum speed that you can get with RT-N56U is 300 + 300 Mbps. The router has 1 x 10/100/1000 Mbps WAN and 4 x 10/100/1000 Mbps LAN ports.

The RT-N56U is a powerful and feature-packed router that caters to advanced networking requirements. You can connect supported USB devices to the RT-N56U router. The external storage devices such as USB flash drives or external hard drives add file-server functionality to this router. Asus products typically adhere to industry-standard networking protocols and standards, ensuring compatibility with other devices and systems.

Asus RT-N56U (RT-N56U) pictures

The specifications below are based on the official data published by the manufacturer, but we also take user reviews into consideration. If you found an error or something lacking in the specifications above for the Asus RT-N56U, then don’t hesite and signal the problem to us.

Asus RT-N56U (RT-N56U) specifications

Brand	Asus
Name	RT-N56U
Type	RT-N56U
Rating	★★★★★ Rated 4/5 based on 1255 user votes.
Launch	2010

Body

Dimensions	172 x 145 x 60 mm
Weight	330 g

The dimensions and design of a router can impact its cooling capabilities. Routers with larger dimensions may have more space for internal cooling mechanisms, such as larger fans or heat sinks, which can help dissipate heat more effectively. If you plan to mount your router on a wall or ceiling, the weight can influence the mounting process and the type of mounting hardware required. Heavier routers might require more robust mounting solutions to ensure stability and prevent damage or accidents.

System

Chipset	Ralink RT3662F @ 500 MHz
RAM	128 MB
Flash	8 MB
OS	Asus
Alternative OS	OpenWRT
Power supply	19 V / 1.58 A

The Asus RT-N56U router is equipped with Ralink RT3662F @ 500 MHz processor. The 128 MB of RAM enables the router to handle multiple tasks and processes concurrently. It allows for the efficient switching and allocation of resources among different processes running on the router, facilitating multitasking and ensuring smooth operation. The flash memory in a Asus router is different from the volatile memory (RAM) that is used for temporary storage of data while the router is powered on. Flash memory of the RT-N56U retains its data even when the router is powered off, allowing the router to maintain its firmware and configuration settings across reboots.

To upgrade the firmware of the RT-N56U router, you typically need to visit the manufacturer's website, locate the specific model of your router, and download the latest firmware version provided. The firmware upgrade process may vary depending on the router model, but it often involves accessing the router's web-based administration interface and uploading the downloaded firmware file. Using a custom OS on a router can offer certain benefits and advantages, but it also comes with potential risks and considerations. Installing custom firmware on theAsus router voids the manufacturer's warranty and may impact your ability to receive official support.

The Asus firmware of the RT-N56U can be replaced with OpenWRT. OpenWrt is an open-source operating system that provides a customizable and feature-rich firmware solution for embedded devices, particularly routers and access points. The Asus RT-N56U router comes with 19 V / 1.58 A PSU. This unit is responsible for providing electrical power to the router, and if it becomes faulty, it can be replaced with a new, compatible one.

Network

Protocols	IPv4
LAN ports	4 x 10/100/1000 Mbps
WAN ports	1 x 10/100/1000 Mbps
Mobile network	yes, with USB dongle
VPN support	no

Like many modern routers, the Asus RT-N56U supports a variety of features and technologies to enhance your network connectivity and security. The IPv4 is the fourth iteration of the Internet Protocol (IP) and is the most widely used version of IP on the internet today. The Asus RT-N56U has 4 x 10/100/1000 Mbps LAN and 1 x 10/100/1000 Mbps WAN ports. LAN or Ethernet ports (RJ-45) are used to connect devices to the local area network (LAN).

Gigabit Ethernet ports support data transfer rates of up to 1 gigabit per second (Gbps), which is significantly faster than the maximum speed of 100 megabits per second (Mbps) supported by standard Ethernet ports. WAN ports are used to connect the router to your internet service provider (ISP). They typically use Ethernet cables or fiber optic connections to establish a high-speed link between your local network and the wider internet.

The RT-N56U router supports Gigabit WAN. Having a Gigabit WAN port is beneficial when your internet service plan supports high-speed connectivity, as it ensures that your router's WAN connection can handle the maximum speed provided by your ISP. The RT-N56U router supports 3G or 4G dongles, allowing you to connect to a cellular network. This feature can be useful in areas with limited wired internet access or as a backup option in case of an internet outage.

Wireless

Antennas	3 x 5.1 dBi 2 x 3.8 dBi internal
2.4 GHz	yes
5 GHz	yes
60 GHz	no
Standards	IEEE 802.11a/b/g/n
Class	N600
Speed	300 + 300 Mbps
Transmit power	20 dBm
Security	WEP WPA WPA2
Guest network	yes

This router has 3 x 5.1 dBi, 2 x 3.8 dBi, internal antennas. Antennas play a significant role in Wi-Fi performance and coverage. They are essential components of wireless routers that transmit and receive radio signals to establish wireless connections with devices. The RT-N56U is compatible with 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi. Many IoT (Internet of Things) devices, smart home devices, and older Wi-Fi-enabled devices primarily operate on the 2.4 GHz band.

The 2.4 GHz band is heavily utilized by various devices like cordless phones, Bluetooth devices, and microwaves, leading to higher interference levels. The 5 GHz band is less congested, resulting in reduced interference and a clearer wireless signal. The RT-N56U router is 5 GHz capable. The RT-N56U is a Wi-Fi 4 (802.11n) router. Wi-Fi 4 improved the range and coverage compared to previous Wi-Fi standards. The use of MIMO technology and other enhancements help to mitigate signal degradation and provide better coverage in larger homes or office environments. This allows devices to maintain a stable connection even when located farther away from the Wi-Fi router.

The N600 is a performance indicator that represents the router's theoretical maximum speed. The theoretical maximum speed (300 + 300 Mbps) represents the highest data transfer rate that the router is capable of achieving under ideal conditions. The TX power (20 dBm) of a router refers to the transmission power or signal strength at which the router broadcasts its Wi-Fi signal. It determines the range and coverage area of the wireless network.

The RT-N56U router offers several security protocols: WEP, WPA, WPA2. The WEP (Wired Equivalent Privacy) was the first security protocol for Wi-Fi networks but is now considered weak and easily compromised. It uses a static encryption key and has known vulnerabilities, so it is no longer recommended for securing Wi-Fi networks. The WPA2 (Wi-Fi Protected Access 2) was introduced as an improvement over WEP and provides stronger security. If WPA3 is not available, WPA2-Personal with AES encryption is still considered secure. A guest network on the RT-N56U router is a separate network that provides internet access to guests or visitors without giving them access to your main or primary network. It allows you to create a dedicated network segment for guests, keeping their devices isolated from your private network, thereby enhancing security and privacy.

Connectivity

USB ports	2 x USB 2.0
Print server	yes
File server	yes

USB ports can offer additional functionality depending on the router's capabilities. The USB 2 port has a maximum theoretical data transfer rate of 480 megabits per second (Mbps), which is equivalent to 60 megabytes per second (MB/s). You can attach a compatible USB printer to the Asus RT-N56U device. USB print servers allow you to connect a USB printer to your network, making it accessible to multiple devices. This eliminates the need for each device to have a direct USB connection to the printer. It has built-in NAS functionality. You can connect external storage devices such as USB flash drives or USB hard drives to your router. This allows you to share files, documents, photos, and media across devices on your network. It can be convenient for accessing and sharing files without the need for separate file servers or cloud storage.

Administration

Default IP	192.168.1.1
Default username	admin
Default password	admin

The default IP addresses of the Asus RT-N56U device is 192.168.1.1. These address allows you to access the router's console login page. Regularly changing the password is a good security practice to protect your network and devices from unauthorized access. It is also recommended to use strong, unique passwords for other devices and online accounts connected to your network for enhanced security. By changing the default password, you improve the security of your router and reduce the risk of unauthorized individuals gaining control over your network. It helps prevent unauthorized access to your router's settings, network configurations, and sensitive information.