Sexeh design and sexeh speeds?
This dual-band 802.11n Wireless-N
router from ASUS is designed to provide a complete Wireless-N networking
extension to your existing wired network for both the standard 2.4GHz and newer
5GHz wireless ranges.
ASUS has put a lot in to the RT-N56U’s
design, both technically and aesthetically, and its exterior case design is as
impressive as the shiny specification lurking inside it.
The 5GHz 802.11n (aka Wireless-N
networking) protocol is of key importance because, in theory, using twice the
frequency should also double the speeds. However, the practical outcome is far
from that simple.
Despite far less crowding in the 5GHz
range, plus the availability of more free channels, the 5GHzfrequency is
hampered by being absorbed far more readily by objects. Back it up with MIMO to
compensate and perhaps you could hope for a 50 per cent increase in throughput
over2.4GHz.
These abilities, coupled with its
Gigabit LAN, cable-ready WAN port, full complement of security and management
features, and easy-to-use web interface, should make this a winning
combination.
Two
routers for one
At the heart of the ASUS TR-N56U are
two sets of 802.11n wireless antennas. These create the distinct spatial
streams for the 2.4GHz and 5GHz radio frequencies.
Typically, better 2.4GHz routers will
offer three or four distinct antenna, as more spatial streams increase the MIMO
effect, thereby it at a longer distance, it tailed off to LIMB/s. That was a
disappointment but at 5GHz, with its three internal antenna, it maintained a
3.8MB/s transfer speed.
Unusually for a router, the RT-N56U
looks good and offers an equally pleasing web interface. It's slick, well
presented, easy to navigate and speedy to use.
This makes setting up what is, in
effect, two routers in one a quick and easy job. A WPS fast-setup button that
ties into Windows 7 is included too.
A barrage of status LEDs is tastefully
implemented while the USB ports can handle storage, printers, compatible 3G
adaptors. And that USB storage ties in beautifully with the UPnP capabilities
so it serves as a media streamer, bittorrent, FTP and HTTP download server too.
There's an awful lot to like about the
RT-N56U and it has a confident air. You really feel that ASUS’s engineers and
designers know how to squeeze every drop of juice from their hardware.
The Ai Radar technology overcomes any
limitations of the 2.4GHz twin antenna to provide leading-class performance
and, at 3.8MB/s, the 5GHzspeed is equally impressive. All in all, an attractive
buy.
Price $192
Manufacturer ASUS
Web http://uk.asus.com
Protocol 802.11n
Frequency
Dual-band
2.4GHz/5GHz
Antenna 2 at 2.4GHz/3 at 5GHz
Gigabit
Ethernet
4x ports
Ports lx WAN, 2x USB
Security WEP 64/128-bit,
WPA1/2-PSK, WPA1/2
