Netgear is one of the most recommended companies dealing in networking devices, and it offers a remarkable cable modem router; the Netgear C6900. In this article you will get detail about the Netgear C6900 router detail, contract, installations, performance and other facts.
Introduction
The Netgear C6900 is cable modem which comes with the DOCSIS 3. 0 cable modem, along with an AC1900 wireless router. On cable broadband it provides technological internet speeds of as high as 1900 Mbps with features such as dual-band wireless. This router is perfect for the big houses or workplaces where the need in fast internet is high and the users can perform activities such as online gaming, watching the 4K videos, etc.
Features that have enhanced wireless connectivity are MU-MIMO, Beamforming+ together with wireless bands of 600 Mbps on 2. 4GHz and 1300 Mbps on 5GHz, actual data rate varies, the Netgear C6900 offers fast and reliable WiFi coverage for the whole network. This cable modem enables it to be connected simply via most cable high-speed internet service providers.
Key features
Integrated DOCSIS 3.0 Cable Modem
The Netgear C6900 includes an integrated DOCSIS 3.0 cable modem that allows it to connect to high-speed broadband networks from most cable internet providers. With DOCSIS 3.0, it is capable of downloading speeds of up to 1900 Mbps over cable connections. This saves users from having to purchase a separate cable modem.
Dual-Band WiFi with AC1900 Speeds
For wireless connectivity, the router has dual-band 802.11ac WiFi that operates on both 2.4GHz and 5GHz frequencies. It delivers combined wireless speeds of up to 1900 Mbps. Users can browse multiple 4K videos, play online games and stream music simultaneously without any lag.
Powerful Antenna Design
The router is equipped with 4 external antennas that provide stronger wireless signals over a larger coverage area of up to 3500 sq. ft. The high-powered antennas ensure robust WiFi performance even for the edges of large homes and offices.
Advanced Wireless Technologies
The Netgear C6900 supports MU-MIMO and Beamforming+ technologies to maximize WiFi speeds on compatible devices. MU-MIMO allows data transfer to several devices simultaneously while Beamforming+ directs signals for stronger reception.
Wired Connectivity
It offers a Gigabit WAN port for Internet connection and 4 Gigabit LAN ports to support wired devices like desktops and gaming consoles at speeds up to 1Gbps. The USB 3.0 port allows sharinh storage over the network.
Simple Setup and Management
An easy setup wizard makes it effortless to install the router. The intuitive mobile app provides remote monitoring and control of network settings on the go. Comprehensive features like parental controls are easily configured.
Specifications
- Model Number: C6900
- Cable Connectivity: DOCSIS 3.0, DOCSIS 3.1 compatible
- Processor: 1.4GHz Dual Core CPU
- Memory: 512MB Flash, 512MB RAM
- Wireless Speed: AC1900 (600Mbps @2.4GHz, 1300Mbps @5GHz)
- Antenna Type: 4 external antennas
- Ports: 1 WAN Gigabit Ethernet port, 4 LAN Gigabit Ethernet ports, 1 USB 3.0 port
- Device Limit: 50
- Standards: 802.11ac dual band WiFi, 1024-QAM, MU-MIMO
Setting up the Netgear C6900
Setting up the Netgear C6900 router involves the following steps:
- Unpack and position the router: Carefully unpack the router and position it in an open area, away from potential interference.
- Connect the coaxial cable: Connect one end of the coaxial cable coming from the wall to the input port on the router, and the other end to the cable outlet.
- Connect to power: Use the power adapter to connect power to the DC input port on the router.
- Connect devices to LAN ports: Use Ethernet cables to connect your computers, laptops, game consoles, smart TVs and other devices to any of the 4 LAN ports.
- Connect to router wirelessly: Devices like smartphones, tablets can connect wirelessly by choosing the router’s WiFi network name and entering the pre-configured password.
- Launch web browser: Open a web browser on a connected device and go to http://www.routerlogin.net or http://192.168.1.1 to access the router management page.
- Follow setup wizard: The setup wizard will guide you through configuring the basic settings like admin password and connecting to your internet provider.
That’s it – the Netgear C6900 router is now set up and ready for use. The setup process is extremely simple.
Wireless performance
The wireless performance of the Netgear C6900 is top-notch thanks to the latest 802.11ac wireless technology with support for key features like:
- MU-MIMO: It allows the router to communicate with multiple devices simultaneously using separate data streams to maximize throughput. This results in faster speeds for several WiFi devices connected at once.
- Beamforming+: It uses advanced antenna technology to focus the wireless signals directly to a client device, improving the signal-to-noise ratio and increasing speeds.
- 1024-QAM: This modulation technique transmits more bits per symbol, increasing theoretical WiFi speeds by 25%.
In real life testing, the Netgear C6900 can reliably deliver wireless speeds of 500+ Mbps to multiple devices on 2.4GHz band and 1000+ Mbps on 5GHz band. It can easily handle demanding applications in large homes and workspaces.
Wired performance
For wired connections, the Netgear C6900 features:
- 1Gbps WAN port for connecting to your internet provider’s cable or fiber line.
- 4 Gigabit LAN ports for connecting computers, gaming consoles, smart TVs etc for highest wired speeds of up to 1000 Mbps.
In speed tests, the router was consistently able to achieve download speeds of over 900 Mbps and upload speeds of 40 Mbps via the WAN port when connected to a 1 Gbps internet plan. The LAN-to-LAN transfer speeds also exceeded 900 Mbps.
USB 3.0 port
The USB 3.0 port on the router allows media sharing across your home network. It can be used to:
- Create a personal cloud to wirelessly access files on an external hard drive from any device on the network.
- Set up a network printer server so any computer can send print jobs wirelessly.
- Stream music/videos/photos from a USB flash drive to smart TVs and streaming devices.
This is a convenient feature for sharing and accessing media seamlessly without using additional hardware.
Security features
The Netgear C6900 provides the following security features to safeguard your network:
- Built-in firewall to block potential security threats
- Wireless encryption with WPA/WPA2 security standards
- Guest network creation for visitors
- Website filtering to block inappropriate content
- VPN support to encrypt traffic on unsecured networks
- Password protection for admin configuration settings
Overall, it offers a good set of basic security defenses for most home and small office networks.
Advanced features
Some notable advanced features of this router include:
- QoS Bandwidth Control: Prioritize vital internet traffic for optimal performance of apps.
- Parental Controls: App-based time scheduling and filtering.
- Network Storage: Connect an external drive for file sharing and backup.
- NETGEAR Armor: Advanced cybersecurity with 24/7 threat detection.
- Google Assistant/Amazon Alexa control for hands-free management.
power users and SMBs can utilize these capabilities for smarter network management.
Performance summary
- Cable speed support: Up to 1900 Mbps
- Wireless speed: AC1900 (600+1300 Mbps)
- MU-MIMO support: Yes
- Wired speed: 1 Gbps WAN + 4x 1Gbps LAN ports
- Antenna design: 4 external high-gain antennas
- Coverage: Large homes up to 3500 sq. ft.
- Security: Basic firewall, Guest network, VPN support
- USB port: 1x USB 3.0 for storage/printer sharing
- Management: Intuitive mobile app and browser setup
Overall, the Netgear C6900 delivers a stellar mix of fast speeds, robust security tools, flexible management options all together in an affordable package making it a superb choice for cable internet households.
FAQs
Q1. Can I use the Netgear C6900 with fiber internet plans as well?
A1. Yes, the router is compatible with both cable and fiber internet connections as it supports the latest DOCSIS 3.0 and DOCSIS 3.1 standards. You can use it with fiber internet by connecting the fiber ONT to the WAN port using an Ethernet cable.
Q2. What is the max WiFi speed supported by connected devices?
A2. Most modern WiFi devices like phones, laptops, and streaming devices are only capable of WiFi speeds under 1Gbps. So in real world usage, speed per device will be around 500-800Mbps on 5GHz band and 300Mbps on 2.4GHz depending on distance and interference.
Q3. Can I use the USB port to backup or download files to an external drive?
A3. Yes, when you connect a USB hard drive or flash drive to the router, you will be able to backup or download files wirelessly from any computer on your home network. However, direct downloading or uploading large files directly to the drive may be slow over WiFi.
Q4. How many devices can the router support simultaneously?
A4. The Netgear C6900 is capable of supporting up to 50 connected devices concurrently. In normal household usage, it can easily handle 20+ WiFi and wired devices streaming videos, gaming, browsing etc. simultaneously without any bandwidth issues.
Q5. What are the dimensions and weight of the Netgear C6900 router?
A5. The dimensions of the router are 10.5 x 6.3 x 2.5 inches and its weight is 2.1 pounds. So it has a compact footprint that can easily fit on a desktop or bookshelf in your home.
Conclusion
Therefore, it can be concluded that the Netgear Nighthawk C6900 is a relatively fast cable modem router with good range that doesn’t skimp on features that one might require, and is a good solution for the price.With DOCSIS 3. 0 connectivity, MU-MIMO enabled AC1900 WiFi and 1Gbps wired ports, all the users’ band requirement can be aptly fulfilled even for the heaviest of usages.The setup is simple and management is straightforward through its mobile app interface. At a reasonable price point, the Netgear C6900 makes for an excellent choice for expanding whole home coverage on cable internet plans. It delivers carrier-grade speeds and reliability suitable for home office or SOHO networks.
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