Linksys WRT120N WiFi router: Pros and Cons
The Linksys WRT120N (WRT120N) router released in 2009. It is powered by Atheros AR7240 @ 400 MHz chipset, 32 MB of RAM and 2 MB of flash. The N150 router is compatible with IEEE 802.11b/g/n standards, and the maximum speed that you can get with WRT120N is 150 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 Linksys WRT120N, please let us know. Furthermore, we strive to deliver a thorough and precise overview.
The WRT120N has a user-friendly interface. It is accessible to users with varying levels of expertise. Linksys is another well-known manufacturer in the networking industry.
Linksys WRT120N specifications
| Brand | Linksys |
|---|---|
| Name | WRT120N |
| Type | WRT120N |
| Rating | |
| Launch | 2009 |
Body
| Dimensions | 203 x 35 x 160 mm |
|---|---|
| Weight | 238 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 | Atheros AR7240 @ 400 MHz |
|---|---|
| RAM | 32 MB |
| Flash | 2 MB |
| OS | Linksys |
| Power supply | 12 V / 1 A |
The Atheros AR7240 @ 400 MHz CPU provides processing power. It handles tasks and services within the WRT120N router. You cannot expand the router's memory (32 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 WRT120N router with 12 V / 1 A PSU.
Network
| Protocols | IPv4 |
|---|---|
| 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 WRT120N features a Fast Ethernet WAN port that has a maximum speed of 100 Mbps.
Wireless
| Antennas | internal |
|---|---|
| 2.4 GHz | yes |
| 5 GHz | no |
| 60 GHz | no |
| Standards | IEEE 802.11b/g/n |
| Class | N150 |
| Speed | 150 Mbps |
| Transmit power | 13.5 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, 150 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 WRT120N router doesn't have file-server or print-server functionality.
Administration
| Default IP | 192.168.1.1 |
|---|---|
| Default username | [blank] |
| 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
Cons
- 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
Linksys WRT120N photos
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