Netgear WiFi AC1200 R6100 router review
The Netgear WiFi AC1200 R6100 (R6100) router released in 2013. It is powered by Atheros AR9344 @ 560 MHz chipset, 128 MB of RAM and 128 MB of flash. The AC1200 router is compatible with IEEE 802.11a/b/g/n/ac standards, and the maximum speed that you can get with WiFi AC1200 R6100 is 300 + 867 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 Netgear WiFi AC1200 R6100, please let us know. Furthermore, we strive to deliver a thorough and precise overview.
The WiFi AC1200 R6100 is a good choice for users. It is reliable and feature-rich, and it supports the latest Wi-Fi 6 technology. The USB connectors on the router add versatility to your network. They enable file sharing, printer sharing, and other USB functions. Netgear is a well-respected manufacturer in the networking industry. They have a reputation for providing a variety of networking devices.
Netgear WiFi AC1200 R6100 specifications
| Brand | Netgear |
|---|---|
| Name | WiFi AC1200 R6100 |
| Type | R6100 |
| Rating | |
| Launch | 2013 |
Body
| Dimensions | 180 x 170 x 60 mm |
|---|---|
| Weight | 322 g |
If you have limited space, like in a small apartment or office, the dimensions can determine if it can fit there. The weight of a router can matter in some situations. But, it is usually not as crucial as other factors. These factors include features and compatibility.
System
| Chipset | Atheros AR9344 @ 560 MHz |
|---|---|
| RAM | 128 MB |
| Flash | 128 MB |
| OS | Netgear |
| Alternative OS | OpenWRT |
| Power supply | 12 V / 1.5 A |
The Atheros AR9344 @ 560 MHz CPU is key. It, along with factors like RAM and firmware, decides how well the router works. The amount of RAM in a router can affect its performance. It also affects its capacity to handle concurrent operations and traffic. The 128 MB flash memory in the router serves as the storage medium for the router's firmware. Upgrading router firmware has become simple and user-friendly.
It depends on your router model and hardware. Using a different OS may make it more stable and faster. OpenWrt offers many features and capabilities. They extend the functionality of networking hardware. The Netgear provides the right power supply. It is 12 V / 1.5 A, this matches the router's voltage needs.
Network
| Protocols | IPv4 IPv6 |
|---|---|
| LAN ports | 4 x 10/100 Mbps |
| WAN ports | 1 x 10/100 Mbps |
| Mobile network | no |
| VPN support | no |
Like many modern routers, the WiFi AC1200 R6100 supports many network standards too. Most networking equipment, like routers and switches, supports IPv4. The WiFi AC1200 R6100 router is also compatible with IPv6. IPv6 has a much bigger address space. It also offers many enhancements and improvements over IPv4. Wired connections may bottleneck due to the limits of Fast Ethernet ports.
Wireless
| Antennas | 4 x 2 dBi internal |
|---|---|
| 2.4 GHz | yes |
| 5 GHz | yes |
| 60 GHz | no |
| Standards | IEEE 802.11a/b/g/n/ac |
| Class | AC1200 |
| Speed | 300 + 867 Mbps |
| Transmit power | 23 dBm |
| Security | WPA WPA2 |
| Guest network | yes |
The 4 x 2 dBi, internal antennas allow sending and getting many data streams at once. This boosts overall throughput and improves Wi-Fi performance. 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. This router operates on both the 2.4GHz and 5GHz frequency bands. It lets you connect devices to the best band for their needs.
Wi-Fi 5 uses the 5 GHz band. It uses wider channels and advanced techniques to send data faster. Real-world WiFi AC1200 R6100 router speeds are lower than its theoretical maximum speed. The introduction of WPA2 (Wi-Fi Protected Access 2) improved upon WEP. It provides stronger security.
Connectivity
| USB ports | 1 x USB 2.0 |
|---|---|
| Print server | yes |
| File server | yes |
The USB 2 port has a maximum theoretical data transfer rate of 480 megabits per second (Mbps). A USB print server adds print functionality. You can manage settings, watch queues, and control access from one place. The WiFi AC1200 R6100 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 |
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 WiFi AC1200 R6100 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
- lightweight
- sufficient memory
- adequate flash
- OpenWrt compatible
- IPv6 capable
- works on 5 GHz band
- USB 2 compatible
- printserver functionality
- fileserver operation
Cons
- lack of Gigabit LAN
- Non-gigabit WAN port
- missing Wi-Fi 6 support
- incompatible with WPA3
- missing WPS support
Netgear WiFi AC1200 R6100 photos
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