MikroTik RouterBoard hAP Lite WiFi: Pros and Cons
The MikroTik RouterBoard hAP Lite (RB941-2nD-TC) router released in 2014. It is powered by Qualcomm Atheros QCA9533 @ 650 MHz chipset, 32 MB of RAM and 16 MB of flash. The N300 router is compatible with IEEE 802.11b/g/n standards, and the maximum speed that you can get with RouterBoard hAP Lite is 300 Mbps. The router has 1 x 10/100 Mbps WAN and 3 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 MikroTik RouterBoard hAP Lite, please let us know. Furthermore, we strive to deliver a thorough and precise overview.
The RouterBoard hAP Lite has a user-friendly interface. It is accessible to users with varying levels of expertise. MikroTik incorporates energy-efficient features in their products, promoting sustainability and reducing power consumption.
MikroTik RouterBoard hAP Lite specifications
| Brand | MikroTik |
|---|---|
| Name | RouterBoard hAP Lite |
| Type | RB941-2nD-TC |
| Rating | |
| Launch | 2014 |
Body
| Dimensions | 124 x 100 x 54 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 QCA9533 @ 650 MHz |
|---|---|
| RAM | 32 MB |
| Flash | 16 MB |
| OS | RouterOS |
| Power supply | 5 V / 0.7 A |
The Qualcomm Atheros QCA9533 @ 650 MHz CPU provides processing power. It handles tasks and services within the RouterBoard hAP Lite 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 MikroTik packages the RouterBoard hAP Lite router with 5 V / 0.7 A PSU.
Network
| Protocols | IPv4 |
|---|---|
| LAN ports | 3 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 RouterBoard hAP Lite features a Fast Ethernet WAN port that has a maximum speed of 100 Mbps.
Wireless
| Antennas | 2 x 1.5 dBi internal |
|---|---|
| 2.4 GHz | yes |
| 5 GHz | no |
| 60 GHz | no |
| Standards | IEEE 802.11b/g/n |
| Class | N300 |
| Speed | 300 Mbps |
| Transmit power | 22 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. The top speed, 300 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 | no |
|---|---|
| Print server | no |
| File server | no |
The RouterBoard hAP Lite router doesn't have file-server or print-server functionality.
Administration
| Default IP | 192.168.88.1 |
|---|---|
| Default username | admin |
| Default password | [blank] |
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 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
- WPS friendly
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
- no USB connectivity
MikroTik RouterBoard hAP Lite photos
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