ZyXEL Armor Z2 router review
ZyXEL introduced the Armor Z2 router in 2016. It is powered by Qualcomm Atheros IPQ8065 @ 1.7 GHz chipset, 512 MB of RAM, and 4096 MB of flash memory.
Wondering if this ZyXEL router is awesome? Stick around until the end of our article!
Table of Contents
- ZyXEL Armor Z2 specifications
- Body, dimensions, weight
- System, chipset, RAM, flash, power supply
- Network, protocols, WAN and LAN ports
- Wireless, antennas, speed, security
- Connectivity
- Administration, user interface, login information
- Links
- Verdict, Pros and Cons
- Photos
- Comparisons
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. If you noticed any mistakes or missing details about the ZyXEL Armor Z2, please let us know.
The Armor Z2 supports dual-band Wi-Fi, offering both 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz bands. ZyXEL provides affordable networking solutions.
ZyXEL Armor Z2 specifications
| Brand | ZyXEL |
|---|---|
| Name | Armor Z2 |
| Type | NBG6817 |
| Rating | |
| Launch | 2016 |
Body
| Dimensions | 250 x 168 x 51 mm |
|---|---|
| Weight | 570 g |
If you live in a small apartment, the size of the router is crucial to deciding whether it will fit. If you buy a router online or have it shipped, the weight may affect the total cost.
System
| Chipset | Qualcomm Atheros IPQ8065 @ 1.7 GHz |
|---|---|
| RAM | 512 MB |
| Flash | 4096 MB |
| OS | ZyXEL |
| Power supply | 12 V / 3 A |
The Qualcomm Atheros IPQ8065 @ 1.7 GHz CPU affects the router's performance, working with RAM and firmware. Some router features and software work best when they have enough RAM to help them.
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 | no |
The Armor Z2 router is compatible with IPv6. IPv6 offers many enhancements and improvements over IPv4. If you have a 1 Gbps or faster internet plan, you need gigabit Ethernet ports. The Armor Z2 ensures that you can use fast internet from your ISP fully.
Wireless
| Antennas | 4 x 2.8 dBi RP-SMA |
|---|---|
| 2.4 GHz | yes |
| 5 GHz | yes |
| 60 GHz | no |
| Standards | IEEE 802.11a/b/g/n/ac |
| Class | AC2600 |
| Speed | 800 + 1733 Mbps |
| Transmit power | 20 dBm |
| Security | WEP WPA WPA2 WPS |
| Guest network | yes |
The router supports the 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi. This router operates on both the 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz frequency bands. The AC Wi-Fi router is backward compatible with older Wi-Fi devices that support 802.11a/b/g/n standards. The introduction of WPA2 (Wi-Fi Protected Access 2) improved upon WEP. It provides stronger security. The Wi-Fi Protected Setup (WPS) lets you join a safe wireless network with the push of a button or a simple PIN entry.
Connectivity
| USB ports | 1 x USB 2.0 1 x USB 3.0 |
|---|---|
| Print server | yes |
| File server | yes |
The USB 2 port has a maximum theoretical data transfer rate of 480 megabits per second (Mbps). 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 lets you connect a printer to your network. Then, computers can print to it without a direct connection. The Armor Z2 router lets you schedule backups. You can back up to the connected USB storage device.
Administration
| Default IP | 192.168.1.1 |
|---|---|
| Default username | [blank] |
| Default password | 1234 |
If you can't log in to your ZyXEL router's setup panel, try resetting it. A reset can help you troubleshoot. It is highly recommended to change the default password of your Armor Z2 router. Do this after the initial setup.
Links
| Official site | https://www.zyxel.com/ |
|---|
Pros and Cons
Every router, including this ZyXEL 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. 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
- works on 5 GHz band
- decent Wi-Fi performance
- WPS friendly
- USB 2 compatible
- USB 3 compatible
- printserver functionality
- fileserver operation
Cons
- missing Wi-Fi 6 support
- incompatible with WPA3
ZyXEL Armor Z2 photos
ZyXEL Armor Z2 comparisons
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Updated: May 25, 2024
