ZyXEL NBG6616 WiFi router: Pros and Cons
The ZyXEL NBG6616 (NBG6616) router released in 2014. It is powered by Qualcomm Atheros QCA9557 @ 720 MHz chipset, 128 MB of RAM and 16 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 NBG6616 is 300 + 867 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 ZyXEL NBG6616, please let us know. Furthermore, we strive to deliver a thorough and precise overview.
The NBG6616 supports dual-band Wi-Fi, offering both 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz bands. You can connect supported USB devices to the router. ZyXEL provides affordable networking solutions. They are accessible to many users.
ZyXEL NBG6616 specifications
| Brand | ZyXEL |
|---|---|
| Name | NBG6616 |
| Type | NBG6616 |
| Rating | |
| Launch | 2014 |
Body
| Dimensions | 218 x 145 x 32 mm |
|---|---|
| Weight | 375 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 | Qualcomm Atheros QCA9557 @ 720 MHz |
|---|---|
| RAM | 128 MB |
| Flash | 16 MB |
| OS | ZyXEL |
| Power supply | 12 V / 2 A |
The ZyXEL NBG6616 router has a Qualcomm Atheros QCA9557 @ 720 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. ZyXEL often releases firmware updates. They improve the router's features, security, and bugs. They also add new features. The 12 V / 2 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 10/100/1000 Mbps |
| WAN ports | 1 x 10/100/1000 Mbps |
| Mobile network | no |
| VPN support | no |
The NBG6616 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. 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.
Wireless
| Antennas | 2 x 5 dBi fixed |
|---|---|
| 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 | 20 dBm |
| Security | WEP WPA WPA2 |
| Guest network | yes |
This router has 2 x 5 dBi, fixed antennas. Antennas are key parts of wireless routers. They send and receive radio signals to make wireless connections. 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. The 5 GHz band offers better noise immunity and less interference. It also has more available channels. The AC Wi-Fi router is backward compatible with older Wi-Fi devices that support 802.11a/b/g/n standards.
Real-world NBG6616 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.
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 NBG6616 router. Do this after the initial setup.
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. 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
- IPv6 capable
- high-speed LAN port
- high-speed WAN port
- works on 5 GHz band
- USB 2 compatible
- printserver functionality
- fileserver operation
Cons
- insufficient flash
- missing Wi-Fi 6 support
- incompatible with WPA3
- missing WPS support
ZyXEL NBG6616 photos
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