MikroTik RouterBoard hAP AC review
MikroTik introduced the RouterBoard hAP AC router in 2016. It is powered by Qualcomm Atheros QCA9558 @ 720 MHz chipset, 128 MB of RAM, and 16 MB of flash memory.
Keen to discover if this MikroTik router lives up to the hype? Keep reading to find out!
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 MikroTik RouterBoard hAP AC, please let us know. Furthermore, we strive to deliver a thorough and precise overview.
The RouterBoard hAP AC is a popular router model from MikroTik. Many users have given it positive reviews. This router has USB connectors. They add features and expand your network's capabilities. MikroTik is another well-known manufacturer in the networking industry.
MikroTik RouterBoard hAP AC specifications
| Brand | MikroTik |
|---|---|
| Name | RouterBoard hAP AC |
| Type | RB962UiGS-5HacT2HnT |
| Rating | |
| Launch | 2016 |
Body
| Dimensions | 114 x 137 x 29 mm |
|---|
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.
System
| Chipset | Qualcomm Atheros QCA9558 @ 720 MHz |
|---|---|
| RAM | 128 MB |
| Flash | 16 MB |
| OS | RouterOS |
| Power supply | 24 V / 1.2 A |
The Qualcomm Atheros QCA9558 @ 720 MHz CPU provides processing power. It handles tasks and services within the RouterBoard hAP AC router. The amount of RAM in a router can affect its performance. It also affects its capacity to handle concurrent operations and traffic. The 16 MB flash memory in the router serves as the storage medium for the router's firmware. The firmware upgrade process may vary depending on the router model. However, it often involves accessing the router's web-based administration interface. The MikroTik packages the RouterBoard hAP AC router with 24 V / 1.2 A PSU.
Network
| Protocols | IPv4 IPv6 |
|---|---|
| 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 RouterBoard hAP AC supports many network standards too. 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. This router has Gigabit Ethernet LAN ports. They provide data transfer speeds of up to 1000 Mbps (1 Gbps) over Ethernet connections.
This router ensures that you can use fast internet from your ISP fully. You can connect the 3G/4G USB dongle to the USB port on the RouterBoard hAP AC router.
Wireless
| Antennas | 3 x 2.5 dBi internal |
|---|---|
| 2.4 GHz | yes |
| 5 GHz | yes |
| 60 GHz | no |
| Standards | IEEE 802.11a/b/g/n/ac |
| Class | AC1000 |
| Speed | 150 + 867 Mbps |
| Transmit power | 29 dBm |
| Security | WPA |
| Guest network | no |
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. Using the 5 GHz band can move some devices from the crowded 2.4 GHz band. This cuts congestion and boosts the network. Wi-Fi 5 uses the 5 GHz band. It uses wider channels and advanced techniques to send data faster. Real-world RouterBoard hAP AC router speeds are lower than its theoretical maximum speed.
Connectivity
| USB ports | 1 x USB 2.0 |
|---|---|
| Print server | no |
| File server | yes |
The USB 2 port has a maximum theoretical data transfer rate of 480 megabits per second (Mbps). 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.
Features
| Specials | POE input POE output SFP |
|---|
PoE (Power over Ethernet) is a technology. A single Ethernet cable can send data and power.
Administration
| Default IP | 192.168.88.1 |
|---|---|
| Default username | admin |
| Default password | [blank] |
If you can't log in to your MikroTik router's setup panel, try resetting it. A reset can help you troubleshoot. It is highly recommended to change the default password of your RouterBoard hAP AC router. Do this after the initial setup.
Pros and Cons
Every router, including this MikroTik 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
- sufficient memory
- IPv6 capable
- high-speed LAN port
- high-speed WAN port
- 3/4G USB modem capable
- works on 5 GHz band
- USB 2 compatible
- fileserver operation
- POE operation
Cons
- insufficient flash
- missing Wi-Fi 6 support
- incompatible with WPA3
- missing WPS support
MikroTik RouterBoard hAP AC photos
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