Netgear Nighthawk AX8 Dual-Band WiFi 6 router: Pros and Cons
The Netgear Nighthawk AX8 Dual-Band WiFi 6 (RAX80) router released in 2018. It is powered by Broadcom BCM4908 @ 1.8 GHz chipset, 1024 MB of RAM and 512 MB of flash. The AX6000 router is compatible with IEEE 802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ax standards, and the maximum speed that you can get with Nighthawk AX8 Dual-Band WiFi 6 is 1148 + 4804 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 AX8 Dual-Band WiFi 6, please let us know. Furthermore, we strive to deliver a thorough and precise overview.
The Nighthawk AX8 Dual-Band WiFi 6 is a popular router. It offers great networking. This is thanks to its advanced features and cutting-edge technology. The USB connectors on the router add versatility to your network. They enable file sharing, printer sharing, and other USB functions. Netgear incorporates energy-efficient features in their products, promoting sustainability and reducing power consumption.
Netgear Nighthawk AX8 Dual-Band WiFi 6 specifications
| Brand | Netgear |
|---|---|
| Name | Nighthawk AX8 Dual-Band WiFi 6 |
| Type | RAX80 |
| Rating | |
| Launch | 2018 |
Body
| Dimensions | 265 x 202 x 72 mm |
|---|---|
| Weight | 1.28 kg |
If you have limited space, like in a small apartment or office, the dimensions can determine if it can fit there. If you plan to mount your router on a wall or ceiling, the weight can affect the mounting process. It also affects the type of mounting hardware needed.
System
| Chipset | Broadcom BCM4908 @ 1.8 GHz |
|---|---|
| RAM | 1024 MB |
| Flash | 512 MB |
| OS | Netgear |
| Power supply | 19 V / 3.16 A |
The Broadcom BCM4908 @ 1.8 GHz CPU is key. It, along with factors like RAM and firmware, decides how well the router works. The 1024 MB of RAM enables the router to handle multiple tasks and processes concurrently. Flash memory retains its data even when the router is off. This allows the router to keep its firmware and settings across reboots. Upgrading router firmware has become simple and user-friendly. The Netgear provides the right power supply. It is 19 V / 3.16 A, this matches the router's voltage needs.
Network
| Protocols | IPv4 IPv6 |
|---|---|
| LAN ports | 4 x 10/100/1000 Mbps |
| WAN ports | 1 x 10/100/1000 Mbps |
| Mobile network | no |
| VPN support | OpenVPN |
Like many modern routers, the Netgear Nighthawk AX8 Dual-Band WiFi 6 supports many features and tech. They improve your network's connectivity and security. Most networking equipment, like routers and switches, supports IPv4. The Nighthawk AX8 Dual-Band WiFi 6 router is also compatible with IPv6. IPv6 has a much bigger address space. It also offers many enhancements and improvements over IPv4. Gigabit Ethernet ports support data transfer rates of up to 1 gigabit per second (Gbps).
A Gigabit WAN port is helpful. It is useful when your internet plan supports high speeds. OpenVPN is available for many operating systems. These include Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, and iOS.
Wireless
| Antennas | 4 x 3 dBi internal |
|---|---|
| 2.4 GHz | yes |
| 5 GHz | yes |
| 6 GHz | no |
| 60 GHz | no |
| Standards | IEEE 802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ax |
| Class | AX6000 |
| Speed | 1148 + 4804 Mbps |
| Transmit power | 30 dBm |
| Security | WEP WPA WPA2 WPA3 WPS |
| Guest network | yes |
The 4 x 3 dBi, internal antennas allow sending and getting many data streams at once. This boosts overall throughput and improves Wi-Fi performance. The Nighthawk AX8 Dual-Band WiFi 6 is compatible with 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi networks. To optimize your Wi-Fi experience, it's often recommended to use a combination of both 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz bands. The Nighthawk AX8 Dual-Band WiFi 6 AX router typically offers improved range and coverage.
The top speed, 1148 + 4804 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. The WPA3 (Wi-Fi Protected Access 3) is the latest Wi-Fi security protocol. WPS (Wi-Fi Protected Setup) provides an easy method. It connects devices to a Wi-Fi network.
Connectivity
| USB ports | 2 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. A USB print server adds print functionality. You can manage settings, watch queues, and control access from one place. The Nighthawk AX8 Dual-Band WiFi 6 router lets you schedule backups. You can back up to the connected USB storage device.
Administration
| Default IP | 192.168.1.1 |
|---|---|
| Default username | admin |
| Default password | password |
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 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
- plentiful flash
- IPv6 capable
- high-speed LAN port
- high-speed WAN port
- supports OpenVPN
- works on 5 GHz band
- 802.11ax certified
- lightning-fast Wi-Fi connection
- WPA3 compatible
- WPS friendly
- USB 3 compatible
- printserver functionality
- fileserver operation
Cons
- too weighty
Netgear Nighthawk AX8 Dual-Band WiFi 6 photos
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