Linksys EA6100 Smart Wi-Fi AC1200 router review
Linksys introduced the EA6100 Smart Wi-Fi AC1200 router in 2014. It is powered by MediaTek MT7620A @ 580 MHz chipset, 128 MB of RAM, and 128 MB of flash memory.
Keen to discover if this Linksys router lives up to the hype? Find out soon!
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 Linksys EA6100 Smart Wi-Fi AC1200, please let us know. Furthermore, we strive to deliver a thorough and precise overview.
The EA6100 Smart Wi-Fi AC1200 is a versatile router that offers more than basic functionality. It has advanced features and capabilities. It provides a reliable, fast network for homes and offices. This router has USB connectors. They add features and expand your network's capabilities. Linksys has established a solid reputation as a reliable and reputable networking brand.
Linksys EA6100 Smart Wi-Fi AC1200 specifications
Brand | Linksys |
---|---|
Name | EA6100 Smart Wi-Fi AC1200 |
Type | EA6100 |
Rating | |
Launch | 2014 |
Body
Dimensions | 174 x 32 x 200 mm |
---|---|
Weight | 298 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 | MediaTek MT7620A @ 580 MHz |
---|---|
RAM | 128 MB |
Flash | 128 MB |
OS | Linksys |
Power supply | 12 V / 1.5 A |
The MediaTek MT7620A @ 580 MHz CPU provides processing power. It handles tasks and services within the EA6100 Smart Wi-Fi AC1200 router. You cannot expand the router's memory (128 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 Linksys packages the EA6100 Smart Wi-Fi AC1200 router with 12 V / 1.5 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 EA6100 Smart Wi-Fi AC1200 features a Fast Ethernet WAN port that has a maximum speed of 100 Mbps.
Wireless
Antennas | 2 x 3 dBi fixed |
---|---|
2.4 GHz | yes |
5 GHz | yes |
60 GHz | no |
Standards | IEEE 802.11a/b/g/n/ac |
Class | AC1200 |
Speed | 300 + 867 Mbps |
Transmit power | 30 dBm |
Security | WEP WPA WPA2 WPS |
Guest network | yes |
A well-positioned antenna can reduce interference and signal weakening. This leads to a more reliable connection. This router is 2.4 GHz capable. The 2.4GHz band refers to the portion of the radio spectrum between 2.400 and 2.4835 gigahertz. The 5GHz band provides faster data transfer speeds compared to the 2.4GHz band. This Wi-Fi router supports multiple spatial streams, typically up to 4 streams. The top speed, 300 + 867 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. WPS (Wi-Fi Protected Setup) provides an easy method. It connects devices to a Wi-Fi network.
Connectivity
USB ports | 1 x USB 2.0 |
---|---|
Print server | yes |
File server | yes |
The USB 2 port has a maximum theoretical data transfer rate of 480 megabits per second (Mbps). By connecting a USB printer to the EA6100 Smart Wi-Fi AC1200 router, you can make it accessible to all devices on your network. This router has a USB file server. It lets you connect external storage devices to your network. For example, you can connect USB flash drives or hard drives.
Administration
Default IP | 192.168.1.1 |
---|---|
Default username | admin |
Default password | admin |
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 Linksys 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
- adequate flash
- IPv6 capable
- works on 5 GHz band
- WPS friendly
- USB 2 compatible
- printserver functionality
- fileserver operation
Cons
- lack of Gigabit LAN
- Non-gigabit WAN port
- missing Wi-Fi 6 support
- incompatible with WPA3
Linksys EA6100 Smart Wi-Fi AC1200 photos
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