SMC SMCKAR11U router review
The SMC SMCKAR11U (SMCKAR11U) router released in 2015. It is powered by Atheros AR9331 @ 400 MHz chipset, 32 MB of RAM and 4 MB of flash. The N300 router is compatible with IEEE 802.11b/g/n standards, and the maximum speed that you can get with SMCKAR11U is 300 Mbps. The router has 1 x ADSL 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 SMC SMCKAR11U, please let us know. Furthermore, we strive to deliver a thorough and precise overview.
The SMCKAR11U is an affordable and reliable router designed for basic networking needs. You can connect supported USB devices to the router. SMC has a strong presence and offers a wide range of networking products.
SMC SMCKAR11U specifications
| Brand | SMC |
|---|---|
| Name | SMCKAR11U |
| Type | SMCKAR11U |
| Rating | |
| Launch | 2015 |
Body
| Dimensions | 149 x 110 x 35 mm |
|---|---|
| Weight | 600 g |
The dimensions and design of a router can impact its cooling capabilities. Routers with larger dimensions may have more space for internal cooling mechanisms. If you purchase a router online or have it shipped, the weight may affect the overall cost.
System
| Chipset | Atheros AR9331 @ 400 MHz |
|---|---|
| RAM | 32 MB |
| Flash | 4 MB |
| OS | SMC |
| Power supply | 12 V / 1 A |
The SMC SMCKAR11U router has a Atheros AR9331 @ 400 MHz processor. 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. SMC often releases firmware updates. They improve the router's features, security, and bugs. They also add new features. The 12 V / 1 A PSU provides power to the router. If it breaks, you can replace it with a new one.
Network
| Protocols | IPv4 IPv6 |
|---|---|
| LAN ports | 4 x 10/100 Mbps |
| WAN ports | 1 x ADSL |
| Mobile network | no |
| VPN support | no |
The SMCKAR11U router has built-in security features. They protect your network and devices. The IPv4 is the fourth iteration of the Internet Protocol (IP). It is the most widely used version of IP on the internet today. The latest firmware supports IPv6. It provides a system to identify and locate computers on networks. The WAN port on the SMCKAR11U router is a Fast Ethernet port, not a Gigabit Ethernet.
Wireless
| Antennas | 2 x 5 dBi RP-SMA |
|---|---|
| 2.4 GHz | yes |
| 5 GHz | no |
| 60 GHz | no |
| Standards | IEEE 802.11b/g/n |
| Class | N300 |
| Speed | 300 Mbps |
| Transmit power | 19 dBm |
| Security | WEP WPA WPA2 |
| Guest network | no |
This router has 2 x 5 dBi, RP-SMA antennas. Antennas are key parts of wireless routers. They send and receive radio signals to make wireless connections. The router supports the 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi. This is a Wi-Fi 4 (802.11n) router. Wi-Fi 4 improved the range and coverage compared to previous Wi-Fi standards.. Real-world SMCKAR11U 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.
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). USB print servers let you connect a USB printer to your network. This makes it accessible to many devices. You can connect external storage devices such as USB flash drives or USB hard drives to your router.
Features
| Specials | RJ11 connector ADSL modem |
|---|
The SMCKAR11U router uses the RJ11 port to connect a telephone line.
Administration
| Default IP | 192.168.2.1 |
|---|---|
| Default username | admin |
| Default password | smcadmin |
If you can't log in to your SMC router's setup panel, try resetting it. A reset can help you troubleshoot. It is highly recommended to change the default password of your SMCKAR11U router. Do this after the initial setup.
Pros and Cons
Every router, including this SMC 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
- IPv6 capable
- USB 2 compatible
- printserver functionality
- fileserver operation
- telephone line
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
- missing WPS support
SMC SMCKAR11U photos
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