Buffalo AirStation N450 DD-WRT WiFi router: Pros and Cons
The Buffalo AirStation N450 DD-WRT (WZR-450HP2D) router released in 2014. It is powered by Qualcomm Atheros QCA9558 @ 720 MHz chipset, 128 MB of RAM and 16 MB of flash. The N450 router is compatible with IEEE 802.11b/g/n standards, and the maximum speed that you can get with AirStation N450 DD-WRT is 450 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 Buffalo AirStation N450 DD-WRT, please let us know. Furthermore, we strive to deliver a thorough and precise overview.
If you need more features, you may want to consider better Buffalo routers. Or, you can look at other routers on the market. Buffalo has established a solid reputation as a reliable and reputable networking brand.
Buffalo AirStation N450 DD-WRT specifications
| Brand | Buffalo |
|---|---|
| Name | AirStation N450 DD-WRT |
| Type | WZR-450HP2D |
| Rating | |
| Launch | 2014 |
Body
| Dimensions | 165 x 158 x 35 mm |
|---|---|
| Weight | 390 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. If you purchase a router online or have it shipped, the weight may affect the overall cost.
System
| Chipset | Qualcomm Atheros QCA9558 @ 720 MHz |
|---|---|
| RAM | 128 MB |
| Flash | 16 MB |
| OS | DD-WRT |
| Power supply | 12 V / 1 A |
The Qualcomm Atheros QCA9558 @ 720 MHz CPU provides processing power. It handles tasks and services within the AirStation N450 DD-WRT router. Some router features and software need a certain amount of RAM. They need it to work well. More storage space comes from a larger flash memory. It can accommodate future firmware upgrades. The firmware upgrade process may vary depending on the router model. However, it often involves accessing the router's web-based administration interface. The Buffalo packages the AirStation N450 DD-WRT router with 12 V / 1 A PSU.
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 AirStation N450 DD-WRT router has built-in security features. They protect your network and devices. 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. If you have a 1 Gbps or faster internet plan, you need gigabit Ethernet ports. They are essential to use all the available bandwidth.
This router ensures that you can use fast internet from your ISP fully. OpenVPN uses a certificate-based authentication system. This enhances security and provides a stronger method of identity verification.
Wireless
| Antennas | 3 x 5 dBi RP-SMA |
|---|---|
| 2.4 GHz | yes |
| 5 GHz | no |
| 60 GHz | no |
| Standards | IEEE 802.11b/g/n |
| Class | N450 |
| Speed | 450 Mbps |
| Transmit power | 20 dBm |
| Security | WEP WPA WPA2 WPS |
| 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. Real-world AirStation N450 DD-WRT 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. WPS (Wi-Fi Protected Setup) provides an easy method. It connects devices to a Wi-Fi network.
Connectivity
| USB ports | no |
|---|---|
| Print server | no |
| File server | no |
The AirStation N450 DD-WRT router doesn't have file-server or print-server functionality.
Administration
| Default IP | 192.168.11.1 |
|---|---|
| Default username | admin |
| Default password | password |
If you can't log in to your Buffalo router's setup panel, try resetting it. A reset can help you troubleshoot. It is highly recommended to change the default password of your AirStation N450 DD-WRT router. Do this after the initial setup.
Pros and Cons
Every router, including this Buffalo 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
- sufficient memory
- IPv6 capable
- high-speed LAN port
- high-speed WAN port
- supports OpenVPN
- WPS friendly
Cons
- insufficient flash
- missing Wi-Fi 6 support
- lacks Wi-Fi 5 compatibility
- reduced Wi-Fi bandwidth
- incompatible with WPA3
- no USB connectivity
Buffalo AirStation N450 DD-WRT photos
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