Netgear Nighthawk AC1900 router review
The Netgear Nighthawk AC1900 (R6900P) router released in 2016. It is powered by Broadcom BCM4708C0 @ 1 GHz chipset, 256 MB of RAM and 128 MB of flash. The AC1900 router is compatible with IEEE 802.11a/b/g/n/ac standards, and the maximum speed that you can get with Nighthawk AC1900 is 600 + 1300 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 Netgear Nighthawk AC1900, please let us know. Furthermore, we strive to deliver a thorough and precise overview.
The Nighthawk AC1900 is a popular router. It offers great networking. This is thanks to its advanced features and cutting-edge technology. This router has USB connectors. They add features and expand your network's capabilities. Netgear provides good customer support services through their website.
Netgear Nighthawk AC1900 specifications
| Brand | Netgear |
|---|---|
| Name | Nighthawk AC1900 |
| Type | R6900P |
| Rating | |
| Launch | 2016 |
Body
| Dimensions | 285 x 184.5 x 50 mm |
|---|---|
| Weight | 750 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 | Broadcom BCM4708C0 @ 1 GHz |
|---|---|
| RAM | 256 MB |
| Flash | 128 MB |
| OS | Netgear |
| Power supply | 12 V / 3.5 A |
The Broadcom BCM4708C0 @ 1 GHz CPU provides processing power. It handles tasks and services within the Nighthawk AC1900 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 Netgear packages the Nighthawk AC1900 router with 12 V / 3.5 A PSU.
Network
| Protocols | IPv4 IPv6 |
|---|---|
| LAN ports | 4 x 10/100/1000 Mbps |
| WAN ports | 1 x 10/100/1000 Mbps |
| VPN support | OpenVPN |
The Nighthawk AC1900 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 3.3 dBi RP-SMA |
|---|---|
| 2.4 GHz | yes |
| 5 GHz | yes |
| 6 GHz | no |
| 60 GHz | no |
| Standards | IEEE 802.11a/b/g/n/ac |
| Class | AC1900 |
| Speed | 600 + 1300 Mbps |
| Transmit power | 24 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. Using the 5 GHz band can move some devices from the crowded 2.4 GHz band. This cuts congestion and boosts the network. The AC Wi-Fi router is backward compatible with older Wi-Fi devices that support 802.11a/b/g/n standards.
Real-world Nighthawk AC1900 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 | 1 x USB 3.0 |
|---|---|
| Print server | yes |
| File server | yes |
The USB 3 ports provide a fast interface for external storage with data transfer rates of up to 4.8 Gbps. By connecting a USB printer to the Nighthawk AC1900 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 | password |
If you can't log in to your Netgear router's setup panel, try resetting it. A reset can help you troubleshoot. It is highly recommended to change the default password of your Nighthawk AC1900 router. Do this after the initial setup.
Pros and Cons
Every router, including this Netgear 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
- generous memory
- adequate flash
- IPv6 capable
- high-speed LAN port
- high-speed WAN port
- supports OpenVPN
- works on 5 GHz band
- decent Wi-Fi performance
- WPS friendly
- USB 3 compatible
- printserver functionality
- fileserver operation
Cons
- missing Wi-Fi 6 support
- incompatible with WPA3
Netgear Nighthawk AC1900 photos
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