Wi-Fi router Zyxel Keenetic Extra II - Reviews. ZyXEL Keenetic Extra: simple and advanced setup of a Wi-Fi router Zyxel keenetic extra ii connecting a router

Proper configuration of routers for home use involves editing certain parameters through proprietary firmware. All functionality and additional tools of the router are adjusted there. In today's article we will talk about ZyXEL Keenetic Extra network equipment, the setup of which is quite easy.

If the router in question was connected only using wires, there would be no questions about its location in a house or apartment, since it is important to start from only one condition - the length of the network cable and the wire from the provider. However, Keenetic Extra allows you to connect via Wi-Fi technology, so it is important to consider the distance to the source and possible interference in the form of walls.

The next step is to connect all the wires. They are inserted into the corresponding connectors on the rear panel. The device has only one WAN port, but there are four LAN ports, as in most other models, so just plug the network cable into any free one.

Most users work on computers running the Windows operating system, so before moving on to editing the router itself, it is important to note one item in the network settings of the OS itself. In Ethernet properties, IP version 4 protocols should be obtained automatically. You will learn more about this in our other article at the link below.

The configuration procedure is carried out entirely through a unique web interface. For all router models of the company in question, it has a similar design, and the login is always the same:

After successfully connecting to the firmware, you have a choice whether to use the Quick Setup Wizard or set all parameters manually. We will tell you in detail about these two modes, and you, guided by our recommendations, can choose the most optimal option.

Quick configuration

A feature of the Wizard on ZyXEL Keenetic routers is that it is not possible to create and adjust a wireless network, so we will only consider working with a wired connection. All actions are performed in this way:

Skip the next section, if the wired connection was configured correctly, go straight to the Wi-Fi access point configuration. In case you decide to skip the step with the Wizard, we have prepared instructions for manually setting up a WAN.

Manual configuration in the web interface

Selecting parameters yourself is not difficult, and the whole process will take just a few minutes. Just do the following:

The last section in this category is "DyDNS". The dynamic DNS service is ordered separately from the provider and is used when local servers are located on the computer.

Setting up a wireless access point

Nowadays, many devices use Wi-Fi technology to access the network. Correct functioning will only be guaranteed when the parameters in the web interface have been set correctly. They are displayed as follows:

This completes the WAN connection and wireless point configuration stage. If you do not want to activate security settings or edit your home group, you can finish your work in the web interface. If further adjustments are required, please refer to the following manuals.

Home group

Most often, several devices are connected to the router at the same time. Some of them use WAN, others use Wi-Fi. In any case, they are all united in one home group and can exchange files and use shared directories. The main thing is to make the correct configuration in the router firmware:

Safety

The correct configuration of security policies allows you to filter incoming traffic and limit the transmission of certain packets of information. Let's look at the main points of these rules:

If during quick setup you did not enable the DNS function from Yandex and now have such a desire, activation occurs through the corresponding tab in the category "Safety". Just place a marker next to the desired item and apply the changes.

Completing actions in the web interface

The complete configuration of the ZyXEL Keenetic Extra router is coming to an end. All that remains is to determine the system parameters, after which you can safely leave the Internet center and start working on the network. Be sure to pay attention to these points:

Before leaving, make sure once again that the Internet is working correctly, the wireless access point is displayed in the list of connections and is transmitting a stable signal. After this, you can finish working in the web interface and this will complete the configuration of the ZyXEL Keenetic Extra router.

Today in the article we will talk about the updated Wi-Fi router Keenetic Extra KN 1710. This configuration is characterized by the presence of additional Wi-Fi amplifiers and USB connectors for pairing with 4G modems or file storages. Such technical characteristics of the device allow it to be installed not only in apartment buildings and offices, but also in the private sector and country houses, where the number of network cables is limited.

WiFi router Keenetic is sold in a cardboard box with a laconic design, which contains all the information about the technical characteristics of the device with its main features. The package is standard - router, power supply, patch cord (network cable), instruction manual and warranty card.

Appearance

This device belongs to the updated line, separated into a separate brand. Thanks to this, the router has improved design features, and changes have been made to the appearance. The design is technological and discreet; the body is dominated by light gray and white colors.

On the lid there is a control panel with several LED indicators, and there are also markings there. On the right side of the case there is a multifunctional key, which with one click turns on Wi-Fi and activates the WPS connection. In the web interface, in the appropriate sections, you can configure its action.

The left side of the case is equipped with a full-size USB connector; if desired, you can connect a modem, external drive, flash drive, or a cable from a printer to it.

Not far from this connector is the FN button, which by default allows you to remove connected devices in safe mode.

The Keenetic Extra KN 1710 router is equipped with 4 LAN ports and 1 WAN port. To connect to the Internet via a network cable, you can use any port or even several.

The design is equipped with 4 non-removable antennas, each amplified by 5 dBi. Thanks to the mounting with hinges, the antennas are able to change the angle of inclination relative to the mounting point.

There is a sticker on the bottom of the case indicating the MAC address, serial number, Wi-Fi network data and a QR code for quick connection. Using a special mount, the device can be installed not only on horizontal surfaces, but also attached to a wall.

Filling

Reviews of the Keenetic Zyxel Extra KN 1710 router showed that the model is equipped with a MediaTek MT7628AN processor with a clock frequency of 580 MHz. The volume of DDR2 memory is 128 MB, and the internal memory is 32 MB. The device operates in two bands: 2.4 GHz with speeds up to 300 Mbit/s and 5 GHz with maximum speeds up to 867 Mbit/s. All network connectors with a speed of no more than 100 Mbit/s.

Software for smartphone

The Keenetic Extra Wi-Fi router is capable of interacting with the My.Keneetic application for Android and iOS mobile platforms. The main screen of the mobile application displays a list of available routers for management.

In the control window, devices located on the local network are added to the list. Information about data exchange activity is also displayed here. The application itself allows you to make an initial connection to a local provider. In the appropriate sections, you must enter the wireless and wired network parameters.

The application interface has a separate tab for managing and viewing connected drives to the router.

Control Panel

The device web interface has been updated. Users noted that it has become much clearer, more convenient and functional. Direct management fully complies with modern standards.

The home page displays network usage activity, as well as a list of connected drives, general data, network port activity, etc.

In the “Wi-Fi Clients” section you can see the list of connected devices. If desired, restrict access.

In the “Home Network” tab, you set information about the main wireless network in two bands. The device supports seamless roaming.

Setting up Internet access

Setting up a router is not difficult and you don’t need any experience at all. The main thing is to strictly follow the instructions.

First of all, you need to go to the router’s web interface and make basic settings.

note: The manufacturers of this company call routers Internet centers.

To enter the settings, you need to open any browser installed on your PC and enter the combination 192.168.1.1 into the address bar. To go to the keyboard you need to press Enter. The first thing the router will ask you to do is change the administrator password. Depending on your settings, the browser may prompt you to save it.

To set up Internet Access, you need to select the Internet icon on the desktop. It is located in the lower right corner.

In the web interface, click on Broadband connections. The configurator will automatically redirect the user to the “Ethernet connection setup” page.

To enter your personal account, you need to know your login and password to identify yourself in the system. If the user has forgotten it and there is no way to restore it, you need to update the MAC address by clicking on the button with the same name. Finally, click on the “Apply” button.

Setting up Internet access is now complete.

Wi-Fi setup

To set up a wireless connection, the following parameters must be set on the router in the Wi-Fi network section:

• Enable hotspot.
• The network name (SSID) can be written in any Latin letters (it is important that the access points on 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz are different).
• WPA2-PSK network protection.
• The network key is the set Wi-Fi password.

For all changes to take effect, you must save them by clicking on the “Apply” button.

This completes the router setup. For the device to work correctly, the router must be rebooted.

Setting up a router for DC++

For correct and uninterrupted operation of the file sharing network, you need to make the following settings:

1. Assign a range of IP addresses to a specific PC. This is necessary for port forwarding to work correctly. The peculiarity of the system is that the PC must be able to receive incoming data from the outside. For this reason, Port Forwarding is used. To ensure that IP addresses remain unchanged, you must additionally configure Static DHCP.
2. Configure redirection of the incoming data flow to the appropriate IP addresses (set in the previous paragraph).

To reserve specific addresses in your home network, you need to open the “Home Network” tab and select “Network Organization”. The “Leased IP Address” pop-up window will display the MAC and IP addresses of all connected computers. It is necessary to select those that need to be assigned to the corresponding MAC addresses. To save the change, click the “Commit” button.

note: Reserved addresses need to be remembered, they will be needed for port forwarding.

Configuring Port Forwarding

When setting up port forwarding, you need to open the “Home Network” menu and go to the “Servers” section. Next, the algorithm of actions is as follows:

1. In the pop-up window, check the box next to the item “open access to home network services” (in some versions the item may be called - Enable port forwarding).
2. To save the changes, click the “Apply” button.

1. In the “Service” section, select an empty line or “Other”.
2. In the “Computer IP address” column, indicate the one that was previously reserved.
3. In the “Protocol” tab, make TCP and UDP active.
4. In the “Port range” section, enter the number 4000.
5. In the “To” field also indicate 4000.
6. In the “Description” tab, enter DC++.

Finally, be sure to click the “Add” button.

note: If DC++ is planned to be used on several computers, similar operations must be performed.

WiFi router Keenetic Extra KN 1710 are the latest generation routers, which are characterized by high functionality, stable operation and a long service life. It is recommended to purchase the device in large chain stores or from official representatives.

The broadcasting power of the Zyxel Keenetic Extra router will satisfy the majority of people living in apartments and houses with small living space. The good functionality and numerous capabilities of the device are more than sufficient for home use.

Support for dual-band mode allows you to comfortably use high-speed Internet in apartment buildings, even in the presence of a lot of interference emitted by neighboring wireless points. The manufacturer also equipped the “Extra” model with gigabit ports and USB port support.

Box and contents

The ZyXEL company has traditionally printed on the Keenetic Extra packaging an overview of the main characteristics of the device, which distinguishes it favorably from competitors in the same price range. It should be noted that the entire description is in Russian, so the buyer will not have to guess what he will receive after purchasing the device.

The manufacturer carefully packed everything necessary for quick commissioning of the equipment.

The complete list consists of the following elements:

1. The Zyxel Keenetic Extra device itself;
2. Patch cord;
3. Adapter for connecting to a 220 V power supply;
4. Instructions and warranty card.

Appearance

The Zixel company took a conservative approach to the design of the appearance of the router in question. The shape of the glossy case and its black color emphasize the practicality of the equipment. The front panel is decorated with nine light indicators for operating modes.

The front panel also has a key that the owner of the router can configure at his discretion. On the side of the device, in addition to the ventilation holes, the user will find a full-fledged USB connector. One WAN and 4 LAN sockets, as usual, are located on the back, and there is also a place for a round hole for connecting the power adapter and the following three buttons: “On/Off,” “Fn” and “Resert.” The user can independently configure the functionality of the “Fn” key at his own discretion.

A pair of front legs are designed to ensure reliable mounting on the wall in any position, and when installed on a horizontal surface, the rear polymer legs will not allow the device to slide.

Hardware design

As a rule, kinetics are equipped with a good set of functionality. Zyxel Keenetic Extra was no exception. In addition to the main function of Wifi broadcasting in 2 bands - 2.4 and 5 GHz, the device has support for USB routers of cellular operators, DLNA and torrent. The disadvantages include the only USB port, since for a significant number of users this is no longer enough.

A powerful processor operating at a frequency of 580 MHz and a volume of RAM (128 Mb), sufficient to solve most tasks at home, will allow you to comfortably operate the device without frequent freezes. 16 MB of built-in memory easily accommodates all the necessary software.

Four gigabit LANs ensure high-speed operation of home network computers, and a gigabit WAN connector is responsible for connecting to the World Wide Web, which will allow you to fully use the capabilities of your Internet provider.

Unfortunately, the manufacturer equipped the router with external non-removable antennas, so purchasing them with a higher gain for owners of large apartments is a useless idea (unless you have the appropriate skills in using a soldering iron).

When using the Keenetic Plus DECT external unit, the router supports telephony, but it is not included in the standard box, and if necessary, you will have to pay extra for this USB module. You can connect an external drive or printer to USB 2.0, and you can print documents from any device connected to the wireless network created by the router.

The security of the created network is ensured by SPI technology, Wi-Fi encryption via WPA2-PSK and a firewall. A convenient parental control option will appeal to families with minor children. Experienced users highly appreciate the presence of a command line control mode.

Software

Entering the settings via a computer is done by typing “192.168.1.1” into the search field of the browser. Next, in the menu that appears, you should print the access code of the owner of the router.

The appearance of the program for entering settings and network parameters is similar to other kinetics models.

The used “NDMS v2” firmware has several connection methods with analysis of channel availability, as well as through USB devices of all mobile operators in the Russian Federation.

Effective traffic filtering has been implemented with the ability to block access to resources marked “for adults.”

In order to adjust the Wi-Fi network parameters, you need to go to the appropriate section and fill in the fields in the “Access Point” tabs for both frequency ranges of the wireless network.

The remaining tabs are used to configure guest connections. All columns have hints, so the entire procedure for entering parameters is usually not difficult.

Setup via smartphone

The absence of a computer at home does not pose a problem for owners of Zyxel Keenetic Extra, since several convenient programs have been developed specifically for smartphones.

ZyXEL Keenetic NetFriend

This is a way out of a difficult situation for users of smart phones, but without a PC.

In addition to entering settings parameters, using the utility you can easily analyze the Wi-Fi connection, as well as upgrade the firmware.

ZyXEL My.Keenetic

This program has an even more expanded list of tools. It can remotely log into the router interface and control devices on the wireless network.

Main advantages of the model

Many users leave positive reviews about the high speed of gigabit ports and the ability to broadcast at 5 GHz. The web interface has everything you need to manage numerous modules.

Main disadvantage

There is insufficient power of external antennas, which cannot be changed, so the device copes well with its tasks only in two-room apartments, sometimes in “three rubles” if there are no thick interior partitions. Another disadvantage is the only USB port, since for a significant number of users this is no longer enough.

Conclusion

Rich functionality and good hardware allow you to create an uninterrupted home Wi-Fi network. But if you need a router for installation in a small office or a large apartment, then purchasing the device is not recommended.

They are equipped with two access points: 802.11n in the 2.4 GHz band with a maximum connection speed of 300 Mbps and 802.11ac in the 5 GHz band with a maximum connection speed of 867 Mbps. At the same time, ports for connecting wired devices are designed to operate at a speed of 100 Mbit/s. Keenetic Air has only two such ports, while Keenetic Extra II has five ports and is also equipped with a USB 2.0 port, which significantly expands the capabilities of the device. Both routers run proprietary firmware NDMS 2.0, developed by domestic programmers. It has a user-friendly interface, flexible settings for the provider and many additional services that are in demand in our market.

Contents of delivery

Routers are supplied in boxes made of strong cardboard. At first glance, they are too large for the budget segment, but they are thin. Compared to the previous version, they have clearly become more convenient due to the lack of a dust jacket.

The design has also changed - corporate colors and a new logo are used. Traditionally, for this manufacturer, the packaging provides a lot of useful information about devices, use cases, and key features. So the space is not wasted.

Inside the box there is a specially shaped insert that houses the router, an external power supply (9 V for Keenetic Air and 12 V for Keenetic Extra II), a yellow network patch cord, and detailed printed instructions. Quite a standard option for the budget segment. However, in routers, oddly enough, given the cost of top models, the user is very rarely offered an extended delivery option.

Appearance

For the new devices, the company used completely new colors and body shapes. Overall dimensions excluding antennas are 16×11×3.5 centimeters. The antennas are located on both sides and rear, so in any case the actual space required will be at least two centimeters larger on these sides. The maximum dimensions in the “widest” version are 51x29 centimeters.

All antennas are non-removable and have hinges with two degrees of freedom. The length of the moving part is about 17 centimeters. The distribution of bands was chosen correctly: one antenna on the side and rear. In addition, the manufacturer is not lying when using such large housings for antennas - inside there are full-length boards.

The cases consist of two parts: a white glossy lid with an unusual texture in the form of a grid of small dots and a black matte base. Four rubber feet are provided for placement on a table, and when mounted on a wall, two special loops are used.

In this case, the models can be hung with the connectors oriented in any direction. In addition, there is an information sticker on the bottom, the QR code on which can be used to set up a wireless connection on your smartphone. Additionally, we note that the weight of routers is very light.

There is one button on the top cover, the function of which can be configured via the web interface (with three press options - short, long and double, and by default it allows you to launch WPS and turn off Wi-Fi), as well as four green indicators - power, Internet connection, two for two Wi-Fi bands for Keenetic Air or Wi-Fi and USB for Keenetic Extra II. During operation, the LEDs do not irritate with excessive flashing and are practically invisible in bright external lighting. Beta versions of the firmware provide software for disabling indicators.

On the right side there is only a ventilation grille and one antenna. On the left side of the Keenetic Air everything is exactly the same, while the Keenetic Extra II has one USB 2.0 port and a second button (the action for it can also be configured in the firmware, for example, to safely turn off the drive).

The Keenetic Air on the back has a hardware mode switch, two antennas, one WAN and LAN port each with activity indicators (blinking when data is being transferred), a power supply input and a hidden reset button. Keenetic Extra II, in addition to antennas, a power input and a reset button, has one WAN port and four LAN ports, but there is no mode switch.

The original design of the front panel of the routers with a chrome-plated manufacturer’s logo gives some “zest” to the design.

Hardware configuration

The routers are built on the Mediatek MT7628N SoC, which has one computing core operating at a frequency of 580 MHz. The RAM/flash memory volumes of Keenetic Air and Keenetic Extra II are 64/16 MB and 128/32 MB, respectively. Note that current versions of firmware, even in the maximum configuration, occupy less than half of the formal volume of installed flash memory, since the company plans to further implement a scheme with storing two images at once for safer flashing.

This SoC implements an access point for the 2.4 GHz band with support for 802.11b/g/n protocols, capable of providing connection speeds of up to 300 Mbps. In addition, the boards have an external radio module based on the MT7612E chip, which provides operation with 802.11a/n/ac in the 5 GHz band with a maximum connection speed of 867 Mbit/s. Moreover, the devices support 16 channels in this range, which allows you to organize up to four networks that do not overlap in frequencies. So if suddenly you have neighbors with similar equipment, you don’t have to share the airwaves with them.

The printed circuit boards of the devices are identical. Keenetic Air does not have circuits associated with the implementation of USB and three LAN ports, but there is a hardware operating mode switch. The soldering is neat, the manufacturer clearly did not skimp on the textolite, so all the elements are located freely.

The main processor has a small heatsink. The same radiator, but on top of the metal screen, is also on the radio chip for the 5 GHz range. When operating under high load, the router cases heat up, but this does not cause any negative consequences. The cables from the antennas for 5 GHz are connected through connectors, and for 2.4 GHz they are soldered. The board has space for installing a console port.

Settings and features

Like other current models of Zyxel Keenetic wireless routers, the new products are running proprietary firmware NDMS 2.0. We have written about it more than once, so there is no point in repeating it in detail in this material. The devices provided for review worked with version v2.07 C2, with which we conducted most of the tests.

The NDMS firmware was developed by domestic programmers taking into account the requirements of the local market and the operating characteristics of our providers. In particular, there are flexible settings for Internet connection modes, IPTV services that work out of the box in most cases, Internet filters SkyDNS and Yandex.DNS, a Ping Check service for ease of working with channel reservation, organization of secure remote access via PPTP and IPSec, guest wireless networks, speed limiting for clients, blocking Internet access and much more.

Relatively recently, the company implemented its own dynamic DNS service - KeenDNS, which supports operation also through the cloud when only a “gray” IP address is available. In conjunction with it or separately, you can use the My.Keenetic program for configuration and control from mobile devices.

We also remind you that the devices can work not only in router mode, but also as an access point, adapter or amplifier. For Keenetic Extra II, switching is done via the web interface, while Keenetic Air has a hardware switch and independent configurations for each mode.

For Keenetic Extra II, the services associated with the USB port are fully presented: support for drives with access via SMB, FTP and AFP, as well as access rights control, work with USB printers, connecting to the Internet via 3G/4G cellular modems and the Keenetic Plus module DSL, built-in offline file download system based on the Transmission program, support for Time Machine in OS X, DLNA media server, support for the Opkg open package management system, telephone exchange based on the Keenetic Plus DECT module. Note that if you need to work with several external devices at once, you can use a USB hub.

At the time of writing, version v2.08 A12 was also available, which introduced new features that will be included in official updates after the devices go on sale. At the same time, a discussion of the new firmware, which is already available for other models, as well as its functions, is being conducted on the public portal forum.keenetic.net. In particular, there you can familiarize yourself with the change log and make your suggestions for the development of the project.

For example, the new version includes support for schedules, which many users were expecting. For each schedule, you can specify any number of intervals accurate to the minute and taking into account the days of the week. Schedule management is provided for the Internet channel, wireless access points (including guest access points), firewall rules and port translation rules, and client Internet access.

Testing

Testing of routers was carried out according to our standard methodology on a special stand. Considering that the routers are almost identical in terms of hardware platform, we tested Keenetic Air only in the first test - routing speed. The differences from Keenetic Extra II were minor, so to save space we will fully test only the older model.

Despite the fact that the Mediatek MT7628N SoC does not have hardware NAT, it can handle routing at speeds up to 100 Mbit/s inclusive in all Internet connection modes. Some decrease in performance is observed only in the most difficult scenario, which is unlikely to be encountered in practice.

There are no comments on the implementation of the scenario of simultaneous access to the resources of the provider’s network and the Internet in modes using VPN technologies.

The main testing of wireless access points was carried out using Asus PCE-AC68 adapters. Of course, in this case they do not correspond at all to the class of routers, but they are the ones we use in all materials for ease of comparison. In addition, let us remind you once again that the routers in question are equipped with wired ports that support a speed of 100 Mbit/s, which is quite normal for a budget class. At first glance, it may seem that installing wireless access points at 300 and 867 Mbit/s in this case looks like a strange decision, but there are reasons for such a choice. Firstly, these are different technologies, and it is impossible to make a perfect match: in any combination, something will be better - wire or Wi-Fi. Secondly, the SoC and external radio unit used already use configurations for two antennas, and savings on external elements may be insignificant. Third, if there was one antenna for 2.4 GHz, then on most clients the maximum real-world speed would be limited to approximately 30 Mbps due to working with only one channel. Fourthly, installing two antennas allows for a wider area of ​​stable operation. Fifthly, in conditions of unpredictable broadcasting, it is always useful to have a reserve. And, of course, marketing plays a role: consumers love big numbers, although not everyone knows the exact characteristics of their client devices.

It is quite simple to predict the maximum results when testing between WLAN and LAN segments - they will be limited precisely by the speed of the wired port.

Under ideal conditions, when the client is located in the same room at a distance of four meters from the router, we get about 90 Mbit/s when working in one direction and 130-180 Mbit/s in duplex mode. Overall, everything was as expected.

Let's try to find the benefit of dual antenna configurations in a data exchange scenario between two wireless clients.

The greatest effect was deservedly observed in two devices operating in the 5 GHz band: the speed between them was up to 200 Mbit/s or more. Also, the hardware platform used turned out to be useful when exchanging data between clients connected to different bands. And for 2.4 GHz clients, the presence of a 300 Mbit/s access point made it possible to show speeds of 60 Mbit/s and higher. If there was only one antenna here, the results would be significantly lower. In addition, let us recall that in the scenario of data exchange between two devices via Wi-Fi on one access point, they, in a certain sense, compete for the airwaves and with each other, therefore the results shown in this test can be considered to be in good agreement with the technical characteristics of the access points.

The following graph shows the results of using Keenetic Air as a wireless client for Keenetic Extra II. The conditions for this measurement are the same as in the first Wi-Fi test. Since the computers between which data is exchanged are connected to wired ports, the maximum speeds here are limited to 100 Mbit/s.

In general, Keenetic Air here proved to be no worse than individual adapters, taking into account its configuration. So if you need to wirelessly connect to your home local network a TV, game console or media set-top box that does not have a Wi-Fi controller (or is not suitable for some reason), Keenetic Air can easily perform the function of a media bridge. By the way, in this mode, both wired ports are available for connecting clients, which may be useful.

The last two tests of routers for coverage quality were carried out with the Zopo ZP920+ smartphone. Its built-in wireless module has a single antenna, supports dual bands and supports 802.11n and 802.11ac protocols. Their formal maximum connection speeds are 150 and 433 Mbit/s, respectively. The smartphone was located at three points in the apartment - at four meters of line of sight, at four meters through one wall and at eight meters through two walls. There were several dozen networks on the air in the 2.4 GHz band, so the quality of communication at the third point in this mode did not allow us to get stable results, so they are not on the graph.

In the 2.4 GHz band, despite difficult conditions, you can count on speeds of about 50-60 Mbit/s, which is quite good. At the third point we got about 20 Mbit/s. This is enough to view websites and online videos.

But in the 5 GHz range the picture is completely different: the maximum data reception and transmission speed is about 90 Mbit/s. Moreover, it does not depend on the point of measurement, which confirms the correctness of the configuration chosen for the routers and the quality of the installed antennas.

Let's now look at the capabilities of devices for organizing remote access to a home local network. Both models can be equipped with a PPTP server, a built-in client for which is available in most modern operating systems, including mobile ones. Let us remember that this scenario assumes that the router has a “white” IP address. The test was carried out for four Internet access configurations for the main router. The measurements were carried out for scenarios of receiving, transmitting and simultaneous reception and transmission of data between a remote client and a computer on a local network. For convenience, the graph shows the result averaged over these scenarios.

In the absence of encryption, the operating speed ranges from 60 to 90 Mbit/s, depending on the type of router connection to the Internet. Enabling encryption reduces the performance to approximately 30 Mbps. In general, the results can be called excellent for the segment under consideration. Working with the IPSec protocol differs little in performance from PPTP - we managed to get 20-35 Mbit/s with it, depending on the protocol settings.

You can connect an external drive to Keenetic Extra II into the USB port and provide network access to the data on it via the SMB and FTP protocols. Of course, here again there will be a limitation due to wired ports, but for some tasks this will be enough - in particular, for working with a media library. Let's see what speeds we can expect here. The test was carried out with a 1 GB file.

Most results show a maximum value of about 11 MB/s. The only option where there is a dependence on the file system on the disk is recording via the SMB protocol. There is a slight decrease in speed for file systems of the EXT family, and NTFS and FAT32 benefit, which is largely due to the Zyxel programmers.

It will also be interesting to see what the results will be when accessing the NAS via Wi-Fi. In this test, we tested operation only with NTFS. The client was a computer with an Asus PCE-AC68 wireless adapter, as in the tests above.

In general, the results can be considered good. We just note that in this scenario, when operating in the 5 GHz band, the speed is lower than for 2.4 GHz, which is likely due to the use of an external radio chip and the significant consumption of processor resources in this task.

Since FTP can also be used over the Internet, as a load test we decided to check the access scenario to this server for different network connection options. The disk in this case worked with NTFS.

For IPoE and PPPoE, the speed of external access is practically no different from work within the local network. But work via PPTP and L2TP is slower, although in most cases it is not critical.

In the current firmware used for testing, the built-in Transmission file download client has a set download and upload speed limit of 3 MB/s. Testing has confirmed that it is quite capable of showing such results on popular tasks. At the same time, the router interface remains responsive, and when traffic appears from other applications, priority is automatically given to them, so the operation of the file download system has little effect on access to the Internet.

Conclusion

Despite the fact that the Keenetic line of Internet centers today includes more than ten current models, Zyxel decided to add a couple more to them. In our opinion, several reasons can be found for this decision. Firstly, the company needs to maintain the image of a first-tier manufacturer by announcing new models. Secondly, of the previously presented devices, only a few models could operate in the 5 GHz band, of which only one was classified in the mass segment with some stretch. Third, with a strong development team and excellent software, porting it to new hardware platforms is relatively easy.

Getting to know the new routers left an extremely positive impression. Everything worked exactly as expected, which unfortunately doesn't happen too often these days.

Zyxel Keenetic Air and Keenetic Extra II are positioned in the mass segment of dual-band devices of the AC1200 class. As we have said many times, today operation in the 5 GHz band, and especially with 802.11ac, is perhaps the most popular and practically useful step forward from the simplest representatives of home routers. Of course, this also requires the user to have clients capable of working in this mode. But this is a familiar “chicken and egg” problem, and you can decide for yourself where to start moving. The main thing is that there are offers on the market. By the way, we note that in terms of the formal characteristics of the wireless modules, the devices reviewed do not differ from the top models in the line.

Testing has shown that from the point of view of wireless modules, the new products are doing well. Yes, they don’t break records for gigabit AC devices, but they are quite capable of providing you with comfortable Internet access from smartphones, tablets and laptops. Moreover, thanks to high-quality antennas and a clear reserve in these platform blocks, not only when placed under ideal conditions in the same room with the router, but also at a considerable distance. As for the main routing task, it is enough to note that the devices run on the popular Mediatek platform. Its performance is sufficient not only for the efficient use of speeds up to 100 Mbit/s inclusive, but also for the implementation of additional services, including remote access servers and applications connected to the USB port in Keenetic Extra II. Optimizations in the built-in software also help to cope with the task, so that even under high load there are no comments on the responsiveness of the devices.

Keenetic Air is the most simplified model for those users who primarily require a wireless Internet connection. In this case, the existing LAN port can be used for a TV set-top box or even connecting a backup channel. In addition, this device can act as an access point, wireless bridge or repeater, which compensates for the lack of separate models on the local market from the manufacturer to solve these problems. The Keenetic Extra II model, compared to its predecessor, “lost” gigabit ports, but received faster Wi-Fi in the 5 GHz range and support for all scenarios for using the USB port. One could argue here because of the chosen name, but it does not affect the actual use of the router.

In conclusion, a few words about the new buildings. Probably, the company decided to make a slight restyling to attract additional attention to its products. From a practical point of view, there is nothing to complain about here - the ports are accessible, the indicators are not annoying, wall mounting is provided, there is no overheating, the colors and design are universal. In any case, it’s quite a decent and convenient option for this class of devices.

It is expected that the routers will go on sale at the beginning of the year, and the estimated retail price will be 2900 and 3500 rubles for Keenetic Air and Keenetic Extra II, respectively. The new products not only fit well into the existing Keenetic line, but also look good compared to competitors.

We also suggest watching our video review of the Zyxel Keenetic Air and Keenetic Extra II wireless routers: