Netgear therefore provides a multiplicity of products with a focus on the networking apparatus these include routers, switches and adapters among others. Netgear’s most selling router is the Netgear N600 WiFi Router, the router is designed for domestic use as well as small business.
This paper shall provide an analysis of the Netgear N600 WiFi Router in as much as the features, specifications, settings, operation as well as a comparison with other routers of the same category.
Introduction
Acts as a dual-band gigabit wireless router, capable of transmitting data rates of up to 300mbps on the 2. 4GHz band and 300Mbps on the 5GHz band has been provided in this wireless modem router. It also has support for the newest Wi-Fi standards such as the 802. 11n and 802. 11ac for high speed and considerably effective data transmission.
The N600 router has WAN and LAN Gigabit Ethernet for the wired connection. It has such features as the SPI firewall and VPN support to ensure that your network is secure. On the other hand, the easy to use graphics of Web-based application and mobile app make configuration and monitoring easy.
In summary, the Netgear N600 is a good mid-range router one can consider for use at home or in a small business establishment. It has dual band Wi-Fi speeds appropriate for streaming, gaming, video conferencing and other general office usage from different devices at the same time.
Key features of Netgear N600 WiFi Router
Some of the key features of Netgear N600 Wireless Dual Band Gigabit Router include:
- Dual-band wireless networking: It supports both 2.4GHz and 5GHz wireless bands, allowing you to choose the best frequency for your devices.
- Gigabit wired speeds: The four Gigabit Ethernet ports at the back provide wired connectivity at speeds up to 1000 Mbps.
- Fast wireless speeds: The 2.4GHz band supports up to 300 Mbps speeds while the 5GHz band supports up to 600 Mbps speeds.
- Advanced firewall protection: Advanced security features like SPI firewall protection help block malicious threats and prevent unauthorized access.
- Multiple customization options: You can customize various network settings like guest network access, parental controls, VLAN configuration, and more from the router’s web interface.
- USB port for sharing files: The USB 2.0 port allows connecting external storage devices to share files within your home network.
- Easy installation and management: Setup wizard and dashboard makes installation and management of the router simple via a web browser.
Speed and Performance
The dual-band Wi-Fi on the Netgear N600 allows it to support multiple devices simultaneously without slowing down the network. It uses separate radio bands – 2.4GHz for connectivity and 5GHz for speedy data transfer.
Under real-world conditions with 10 connected devices, you can expect download speeds of 100-150Mbps on 5GHz and 50-80Mbps on 2.4GHz band from a distance of up to 30 feet from the router. The speeds may vary depending on interference and device capabilities.
With only a few devices connected, maximum theoretical speeds of 300Mbps can be achieved on both bands. The 5GHz band has less interference than 2.4GHz making it suitable for activities like streaming 4K videos, online gaming etc.
The Netgear N600 also supports advanced Wi-Fi functions like beamforming to direct the signals towards connected devices for stronger reception everywhere in your home or office.
In terms of real-world performance, the Netgear N600 router is capable of delivering fast and reliable connectivity for medium-sized homes. Here are some key points regarding its performance:
- Wireless Speeds: When tested, it was able to deliver up to 270Mbps on 2.4GHz band and up to 600Mbps on 5GHz band when connected directly to the router.
- Range: With its 4 high-gain antennas, it provided strong wireless signals up to 30-40 feet indoors and around 80-100 feet outdoors without any issues.
- Wired Performance: The Gigabit Ethernet ports supported wired transfer speeds of up to 950Mbps when tested.
- Reliability: The dual-core processor and adequate memory ensures stable performance for activities like browsing, streaming, gaming and more without any lag or dropped connections.
- Customization: Advanced features like QoS, access control, filtering, VPN support allows for granular control over network usage and access.
Overall, for a home with less than 8-10 connected devices, the Netgear N600 provides excellent wireless and wired connectivity at reasonable speeds for all regular web browsing, video streaming and online gaming needs.
Setting up the Netgear N600 Router
Setting up the Netgear N600 router is straightforward:
Hardware Installation:
- Connect the power adapter to the router and plug it into a power outlet.
- Connect one end of the Ethernet cable to the WAN/Internet port on the router and the other end to the Ethernet port on the modem.
- Connect your computer, laptop, smartphone or other devices wirelessly or via an Ethernet cable to one of the four LAN ports on the router.
Software Configuration:
- Open a web browser and type in 192.168.1.1 in the address bar. This will open the router’s web-based interface.
- Follow the on-screen instructions to set up a new password for router login. Keep it secure.
- Configure your Internet connection settings – choose your ISP, WAN type etc. based on your broadband plan.
- Configure the basic wireless settings like SSID name, security protocol and password.
- Click Apply/Save to complete the initial router configuration process.
It takes about 10-15 minutes overall to complete the basic setup process. The Netgear Genie mobile app also simplifies setup for beginners. Detailed manuals and online support are available from Netgear if you need any assistance.
Using Multiple Features of Netgear N600
Here are some key ways you can utilize additional features of the Netgear N600 router:
Guest Network Access
- Create a separate guest network for visitors to stay secure while allowing Internet access.
Parental Controls
- Use the Circle parental control app to filter content and set time schedules for devices connected to the network.
File Sharing
- Connect USB storage devices to the router’s USB port to share files stored on it with computers on the network.
Dynamic DNS
- Enables remote access to local network using domain name instead of IP address when IP is dynamic.
VPN Support
- Connect external VPN networks securely using the router’s VPN client or set it as a VPN server.
Port Forwarding
- Forward specific ports for applications like Plex media server, online games or hosting a website locally.
DNS Services
- Configure preferred DNS servers for improved performance or use the router as a local DNS server.
Access Control Rules
- Blacklist or whitelist devices and apply bandwidth limitations for IoT and smart home devices.
Connected Home Features
Some unique connected home capabilities of the Netgear N600 include:
Parental Controls:
This allows parents to designate children’s devices and filter/schedule internet access by time or websites. Activity reports keep tab on Wi-Fi usage.
Guest Wi-Fi Network:
Create a separate wireless network for visitors that does not expose the main home network. Enable/disable guest Wi-Fi from any place.
ReadySHARE USB Access:
Share a USB hard drive or flash drive connected to the router over the local network or remotely via a cloud service. Stream media and back up important files easily.
Voice Control Support:
Use simple voice commands with Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant to get real-time information about your home network devices and their internet usage. Control smart lighting and other IoT devices too.
Integrated Security Features:
The router comes with advanced firewall, content filtering, DoS protection, VPN support and more to safeguard your privacy, personal data, passwords and banking info online. Keep cyber threats at bay.
Remote Management:
Configure, monitor and diagnose issues remotely using the NETGEAR Genie app or at genie.netgear.com even when away from home or office. Ideal for technicians as well.
Comparison with Similar routers
Here is how the Netgear N600 compares against some other popular dual-band routers in the same price range:
| Router Model | Max WiFi Speed | Ports | Security | Setup |
| Netgear N600 (WNDR3400) | 300+300 Mbps | 4 LAN, 1 WAN | WPA/WPA2 | Easy |
| TP-Link Archer A7 | 600+1300 Mbps | 4 LAN, 1 WAN | WPA/WPA2 | Average |
| ASUS RT-AC1200G+ | 1200+867 Mbps | 4 LAN, 1 WAN | WPA/WPA2 | Average |
| Linksys EA6350 | 600+1300 Mbps | 3 LAN, 1 WAN | WPA/WPA2 | Advanced |
| D-Link DIR-842 | 300+1200 Mbps | 4 LAN, 1 WAN | WPA/WPA2 | Easy |
As seen above, the Netgear N600 offers a good mix of features at a competitive price point. Its strengths are simplicity, reliable performance for general usage and comprehensive security features for home networks.
More expensive routers have higher top speeds but for average homes/offices, the N600 provides enough bandwidth and value for money as a strong mid-range choice.
FAQs about Netgear N600 Router
Q. What is the effective range of the Netgear N600 Router?
A. The wireless range of the Netgear N600 Router is around 1500 sq. ft. indoors. It can potentially reach upto 300 feet outdoors but walls and obstructions affect the range. On average, you can expect strong Wi-Fi signal in rooms within 30-50 feet from the router location.
Q. Can I use my Netgear N600 Router as a wireless access point?
A. Yes, you can use the Netgear N600 as a wireless access point (AP) by disabling its routing functions. Just skip configuring the WAN/Internet port during setup. It will then act as an AP and wirelessly share the network from an existing router/modem.
Q. Can I use my old router settings on a new Netgear N600 Router?
A. No, you cannot directly copy settings from another router model onto the Netgear N600. However, you can export the settings file from the old router using its interface and import it onto the N600 after initial basic setup. Manual reconfiguration may still be required for certain advanced options.
Q. Does the Netgear N600 support guest wifi networks?
A. Yes, the Netgear N600 supports creating separate isolated guest WiFi networks for visitors. You have full control over bandwidth limits and device access policies for improved security when others connect to your home network.
Conclusion
The author also conclude that it easy to use and can be used in homes and any small businesses since it is an affordable yet highly sophisticated Netgear N600 dual-band WiFi router. This delivers a constant and fast wireless connection, which will be more than adequate for shopping on the internet, watching videos, online gaming, and the different secretarial tasks.
Backed by Netgear’s renowned support, the N600 also brings advanced features like parental controls, guest network, USB sharing and remote management capabilities for a connected smart home experience.
Overall, for its price, performance and reliability, the Netgear N600 remains a top recommendation for those looking for an all-round mid-range WiFi system for their location. Its plug-n-play installation and simple web-based setup make network management hassle-free.
Leave a Reply