We use a Zyxel router to expand the Wi-Fi network. Setting up Zyxel Keenetic in repeater mode (amplifier). We use a Zyxel router to expand the Wi-Fi network Zyxel keenetic ultra ii connection

ZyXEL Communications Corporation has continued to specialize in Internet access solutions since 1990, since the development of the first modem. V this moment operator and subscriber equipment is a priority in the company's business development, broadband access with xDLS, LTE, PON and Metro Ethermet technology, wireless professional networks and network security systems.

More than three thousand employees are working on the creation of new products in the company. Three R&D centers supply products to more than 150 countries around the world. For twenty years of experience gained and established relationships with partners of the largest chipset manufacturers, ZyXEL can adapt most quickly to any projects and, accordingly, the requirements set for them.

Founding of Zyxel

Since 1992, the ZyXEL corporation has been operating on the territory of the countries of the former USSR. The quality of the goods and the active development of partnerships allowed us to fully adapt to local conditions and actively develop, uniting more than 230 system resellers and integrators, thus providing an opportunity ZyXEL occupy a leading position in the telecommunications equipment market.

At the moment in the CIS countries Ethernet - ZyXEL communicators are used in access networks, as well as traffic aggregation for large operators. And for use with a number software platforms NGN / IMS, IP NGN - communicators are certified by ZyXEL.

Six authorized training centers for the training of qualified specialists are located in the territories of countries such as: Russia, Ukraine, Belarus, Kazakhstan. These customers of ZyXEL include: Rostelecom, MTS, UKrtelecom, Megafon, Kazakhtelecom, Moldtelecom, Central Telegraph, Tat Telecom, Yota. You can buy Zyxel from our company.

The Taiwanese company Zyxel was founded in 1989, and a representative office in Russia was opened in 1992. The popularity of the company was brought about by dialup-modems widely used in Russia. Today, all over the world, Ethernet and DSL equipment is especially popular, in particular, Internet centers, routers and ADSL modems... A distinctive feature of the company's professional equipment is its own scalable operating system real-time XyNOS, successfully applied in home Internet technology. The first version of the operating system was produced in 1998.

Zyxel Equipment

It was originally developed as a major competitor to the Cisco IOS operating system. In Russia, where, according to experts, dial-up telephone lines will remain the main method of data transmission for a long time, the fact that the company plans to continue improving its modem products is of particular importance. Simultaneously with the improvement of modems, the company opens up new areas of its activities related to the development of advanced digital forms of communication. Taking into account the fact that digital communication is becoming more widespread in Russia, the presence of a trusted manufacturer on the Russian market has a positive effect on the overall development of modern digital communication. The most important task of the state is to create a highly effective telecommunications environment, since in its absence, the construction of an information community is not possible, as is the introduction of modern information technologies in the areas of business management, production and science.

Today, information is a strategic resource; the greatest social and economic success is guaranteed to those who actively propose and use modern facilities telecommunication and information technologies. It is precisely to such needs that the company's solutions are addressed Zyxel.

Zyxel varieties

Zyxel network equipment has been used all over the world for many years, both for connecting home Internet and in various industries. The first Zyxel modems to be connected to telephone line(dial-up) is known to almost every experienced network user. However, let's not go deep into history, let's talk about modern network devices for Internet access produced by Zyxel.

Zyxel Internet Centers.
Multifunctional wireless Wi-Fi routers, presented by the manufacturer as "Internet centers", are designed to obtain broadband Internet access. Over the past few years, Zyxel routers have changed dramatically in both speed and functionality. The popular today series of routers ideally combines high performance and the maximum set of functions, and all Zyxel routers have a price that is an order of magnitude lower than the market average.

Zyxel lineup

Zyxel routers are convenient and compact; they can be placed anywhere in your apartment, home or office. Rubber feet are built into the lower part of the case to improve stability on a horizontal surface; there are also grooves for fixing the router on the wall.

Range of action.
Range of action Wi-Fi networks set by the manufacturer is 400m, provided that there are no walls or other obstacles to the signal, after passing one wall, the radius is reduced to 60 meters. A router located behind two walls will operate at a distance of 9 meters.
On all routers of this brand, the Wi-fi on / off button is located on the top of the case, which is a great advantage in ease of use compared to other brands of routers.

Modern routers Zyxel have a glossy black body. The devices are equipped with a powerful multi-threaded processor MediaTek RT6856 with a frequency of 700 MHz, thanks to which the routers can operate smoothly even under maximum load. High performance allows you to use 3G and 4G modems connected via USB port, distribute Wi-Fi to multiple devices at once, and even use two Wi-Fi network bands.

Zyxel Features and Benefits

On the front of the case there are indicators of the operation of the main functions and the number of active ports of the device. On the side faces there are ventilation holes for the cooling system. In the process of work, routers of the Zyxel lineup practically do not heat up, which positively distinguishes them from older models of routers of other brands.
On the right side of the case there are one or two USB ports of version 2.0, as already mentioned, you can insert 3G or LTE modems, or a regular USB drive for storing information.
The bottom cover contains useful information about the router, which contains the address for accessing the web interface and the default password.
The wireless network of the first series of routers operates at 2.4 GHz. Older generation routers operate at a frequency of 5 GHz, which makes it possible to achieve a data transfer rate of 300 Mb / s.

Operating system of Zyxel routers.
The operating system of the Zyxel Internet Center is based on Linux. The volume of built-in memory is 16 megabytes, which is quite enough for storing firmware and installing additional modules that expand functionality. All available modules can be turned on / off and updated in the corresponding section of the menu. By default, all functions are enabled in the settings, including support for 3G, 4G modems emulating Ethernet and RS-232 ports, YOTA USB modems based on Samsung and Beceem WiMAX networks, external Flash drives, Transmission torrent client, IP TV, guest networks, printers, etc. many other useful settings.

Setting up the device does not require deep knowledge, and given that the entire interface has been translated into Russian, it will not be difficult to figure out the connection. For an ordinary user, everything is clear at an intuitive level. When connecting for the first time, the router automatically recognizes the type of connection, the type of device for accessing the network, you just have to click “ready” and specify the password for access if the factory one seems too complicated. If difficulties arise during the setup process, the operating instructions detail each stage of setup when connected to the Internet. In the event of a problem that cannot be resolved by reading the instructions, you can contact support at Zyxel the official website, the company's employees will promptly solve it if it is not related to damage to the Internet cable or device malfunction due to marriage.

Rear panel device.
1. One or more connectors for Wi-fi connections antennas
2. Reset button (also labeled "reset")
3. The function button (designated “FN”) is used to enable additional functions, by default it is configured to safely disconnect devices connected via USB.
4. Port for connecting an Internet cable (designated “Internet”)
5. Ports for connecting computers to the network (1-4)
6. On / off button.
7. Connector for power supply
One of the important advantages of the router is the completely Russian-language interface.

Complete set of Zixel routers.
"Internet centers" include:

• One, two or four detachable Wi-fi antennas
• Power supply unit (to 220V socket)
• Ethernet cable (some models come with an optional USB modem extension cable)
• Router
• Technical passport and warranty card

As you can see, inside the package there are only the most necessary elements for a quick and convenient connection of the router to the network. No disks (all items software can be downloaded / updated / installed directly from the device's web interface), no extra wires and adapters.

Conclusion.
Routers Zyxel the updated line is able to fully use the channel of any existing internet provider. Performance tests have shown a result that is sufficient for most users. File sharing speed when connected USB stick above the average.

The Zyxel Keenetic Giga II model is a product of a higher level compared to its predecessors.

The router is designed to organize local cable and wireless wi-fi networks, receiving the provider's Internet information both via cable and from mobile operators. Supports IPTV. The Keenetic Giga 2 model is distinguished by its high performance, as well as the speed of receiving and transmitting information.

The hardware part of the model is designed to download information from file-sharing networks at speeds up to 1 Gbps over Gigabit Ethernet lines. Speed ​​up to 300 Mbps, according to the manual, is provided to wi-fi users.

The Zyxel Keenetic Giga 2 router has a high load capacity, is used as the main router wireless network, and also serves as an amplifier, adapter, repeater (repeater) to expand the coverage area of ​​w-ifi when routers work together.

The presence of two USB ports allows you to connect to it various peripherals and external drives. As well as 3G / Internet operators of all types of connections.

The Internet Center allows you to set individual settings for some built-in functions, for example, a torrent client or a media server.

Unfortunately, the model does not support the ability to change the assignment of the function buttons.

Appearance

Keenetic "Giga" 2 front panel indicators, corresponding to the description, with conventional symbols applied to them, help the user to monitor the status of the router, enabled modes, serviceability of communication lines with devices local network... These include the following:

• "Status": steady light indicates that the product is powered on and its normal operation. A slow flashing indicates either a startup or an internal fault.
• "0-4": connection to the network connectors on the back of the Keenetic Giga. The glow matches established connection, blinking informs about the transfer of information.
• Symbol wireless wifi- constant light - informs about the normal operation of the network. The indicator flashes quickly during data transfer. Slow flashing corresponds to a quick setup session using WPS technology.
• "Internet Globe": a constant glow indicates the establishment of a connection and the receipt of the Keenetic Giga II IP address in the provider's network.
• The symbol for connecting to USB connectors: a "light" corresponds to a connected and ready-to-use device, rapid blinking indicates preparation for safe removal from a USB storage connector. There are two multifunctional USB connectors on the right side panel of Keenetic Giga II. They are connected to devices compatible with the Internet center: 3G / 4G modems of mobile Internet operators, external flash drives, HDD or SSD, printers.The back panel of Keenetic Giga II is designed to accommodate various connectors and control buttons on its surface:
• « home network 1-4 ": RJ-45 network LAN connectors for wired LAN subscribers, one of which is loaded with a switch.
• Internet 0: WAN-type RJ-45 connector of the ISP cable.
• Two high-frequency RP-SMA connectors where detachable wireless wi-fi antennas are screwed in.
• "Power": plug-in connector for connecting an AC adapter with a stand-alone on / off button.
• FN is a multifunctional button, the properties of which are assigned in the Keenetic Giga II web interface. By default, it performs the function of preparing safe extraction USB devices from the connector.
• "Reset": Button of current user settings to factory defaults.
  On the top cover of the Zixel Giga II case there is a wireless network control button. It is used in two modes, depending on how long it is held down. A short press and release creates a quick router setup using WPS. Pressing and then holding for more than three seconds enables or disables wi-fi.

Connecting the Giga and getting it up and running

If the provider has saved the MAC address of the computer used before the Keenetic Giga installation in the database, you need to inform the technical support service of the new physical address. Information about it is located on the product label in the form of a 12-digit set of letters and numbers. The address is assigned by the manufacturer and is a unique identifier.

The provider's cable is connected via a dedicated Ethernet line to the RJ-45 connector of the router marked "0" on its rear panel. When connected to the internet mobile operator a 3G / 4G USB modem and one of the universal connectors are used. It is possible to connect the modem via an additional adapter cable and place it in the area of ​​reliable radio signal reception.

To configure Keenetic Giga, we use a computer (PC), the network card connector of which is connected with a "patch cord" (from the butt to the router) with any of the RJ-45s marked "1-4". The manufacturer recommends "1". The AC adapter must be plugged into the Power jack and plugged into a home AC outlet. The "Power" button is pressed in last... Do not forget to screw the detachable antennas into the Keenetic Giga RF connectors. To improve the propagation conditions of Wi-Fi radio waves, their vertical position is preferable.

Settings

After turning on the mains supply, we wait for the constant glow of the "Status" and "1" indicators. Then we check the configuration of the PC network card to obtain an IP address in automatic mode (properties of the TCP / IPv4 protocol).
For the Zyxel Keenetic Giga II router, we configure it via the web interface. To access it, you need to use the information on the Keenetic Giga-2 product label. We are interested in the IP address on the Internet. The found value - 192.168.1.1 - is entered into the address bar of any browser open on the PC, press the Enter key.

If the actions are performed correctly, the authorization page opens. After entering the standard default values: username and password - admin / 1234 (admin), executing the login command, an offer to change standard password... The decision is made by the user.

Automatic tuning

On the main page of the Keenetic Giga interface, options for setting up the Keenetic are provided. When connecting to the Internet via a dedicated line, you can use the services of the "Wizard" and work in a dialogue mode. To do this, press the "Quick Setup" button.
In the window that opens, we make a decision on the need to bind to the MAC address of the device. For Keenetic Giga II, this will depend on the chosen internet provider.

After continuing, the next page opens, where the mode of obtaining an IP address is configured. Leave the "Automatic" value by default or select the static IP mode, if used.
After executing the "Next" command, we get to the page for connecting Keenetic Giga to the Internet. Here you need to enter in the appropriate fields the login and password data from the contract concluded with the service provider or check the box for the absence of the latter.
After executing the "Next" command, a window with the final summary information and the result of connecting to the Internet will open.
The "wizard" has completed automatic configuration.

Connecting to the Internet manually using the example of some providers

Manual connection is provided from the start page by clicking on the "Web configurator" stencil. First, you will be prompted for authorization with standard values ​​or with a new and confirmed user password. Click "Apply" and go to the start page of the Keenetic configurator with a horizontal row of tabs. For all providers, the user first configures the connection to the "global network". To do this, in the "Internet" section, go to the "List" tab.

"Home ru"

Select the item Broadband Connection, click on it with the cursor.
Next, select the port for connecting to the provider, marking it with a tick. Keenetic Giga II allows you to choose any of the five possible. Then we assign a name to the new connection, mark the "Enable interface" item with a marker, leave the IP setting mode "Without an IP address". Write down the MAC address "By default", press the "Apply" button.

At the next step, click on the "Authorization" tab, select the "Add connection" item.
This provider uses the PPPoE type. We indicate it in the appropriate field, put a check mark in the boxes "Enable", "Authentication chap". We write down the name and password issued by the provider and execute the “Apply” command.
There is a transition to a page with a list of created connections and YES marks in the last cell. On the front panel of Keenetic Giga II, there is a constant glow of the indicator with the "Internet Globe" symbol.

Rostelecom

In addition to a PPPoE connection, the operator provides subscribers with a dedicated static IP paid for on the basis of an agreement and a connection of the "Dynamic IP" type. PPPoE was discussed above. A static IP address is allocated mainly to corporate clients of companies at the request of organizations. In this case, the settings add information about the assigned address, provider's subnet mask and default gateway.
In addition, the check mark in the "Obtaining an address via DHCP" item is unchecked.

"Dynamic IP" does not require the information provided by the provider in the contract when setting up the connection, but the Zyxel Keenetic rule about binding to the MAC address of the router or cloning the address of the used PC on this dedicated line must be observed. On last step the "Apply" command is executed, the created connection is controlled in the interface, and the glow of the indicator on the front panel of Keenetic Giga is checked.

Beeline

To work with the operator in the "List" tab with the subsequent transition to creating a Broadband Connection, we control the setting of markers in the following points:

After clicking on the "Authorization" tab, put a check in the "Activate" item. The connection protocol used will be L2TP. In the server address line, write tp.internet.beeline.ru. Fill in the following fields with data (login / password) from the contract with the provider, execute the "Apply" command.
The connection is monitored by obtaining an IP address from a DHCP server. On the front panel of the Keenetic Giga "Globe" will light up.

NetByNet

PPPoE is the type of connection used by this operator. After concluding an agreement with him, choosing a tariff plan, the setting should not cause any difficulties for an ordinary user of Keenetic Giga II devices. You must first inform the provider of the physical MAC address used.

Backup connection via 3G, 4G

We first use the USB port to connect the modem directly or through an adapter extension cable. Internet connection is created using mobile operators. For this on start page interface, select the tab with the USB designation, upon opening which it is possible to get acquainted with information about the connected modem, its technical characteristics and software version.

On the page in the upper right corner there is an additional tab “Quick NetFriend setup”, when you click it, the program built into Keenetic Giga will set the necessary connection parameters for the selected model, taking into account the inserted SIM card of the mobile operator. The procedure ends by pressing the button "Go to the Internet".

Wireless network

The configuration begins with the selection in the interface of the Keenetic Giga router of the section with the designation Wi-Fi. In it, click on the "Operation Mode" tab, tick the "Access Point" item for organizing a local network based on the router used.
We execute the "Apply" command. After that, go to the "Access Point" tab.

On the new page, we assign a name to the network, by which it can be identified among the rest. The 802.11n format is set by default, the radio channel number is left in the "Auto" position, we mark the "Connection protection" item and use it maximum level(WPA2). We write in the corresponding field the security key (password), to create which we use 12-15 characters. For reliability, it must be written down and saved. We finish the procedure by executing the "Apply" command.

Do not forget about Keenetic Giga support for quick setup mode using the WPS button. Pressing it quickly without holding it allows you to connect to any wi-fi network when using the router as a client, amplifier or repeater (repeater). An illuminated LED on the front with a Wi-Fi symbol indicates uptime.

Configuring in repeater (repeater), amplifier, adapter or access point mode

Keenetic Giga II support for these modes allows the router to expand the access area to an existing wireless network. The new "grid" will have the same name as the existing one. Subscribers within its limits can move, automatically choosing the source, the strength of the radio signal, which is greater. In this case, a condition for reliable operation is the coincidence of the working channels of the devices of the main router and the Keenetic Giga, which works as a repeater. The name and number of the channel on both routers are set in their settings based on the analysis of the smallest number of available networks working side by side.

You can switch Keenetic Giga II to the wi-fi range extension mode from its interface by selecting the "System" section, and in it - the "Mode" tab. In the drop-down list, mark the "Amplifier" item with an asterisk. Click on the "Apply" stencil.
After that, a window appears prompting you to reboot the Keenetic Giga router. Click on the "Now" button and get an extended wireless wi-fi coverage area. To install a Zyxel router, the location is chosen empirically.

IPTV

The main providers supply TV traffic in "untagged" form. This makes it easier to set up the connection. It boils down to the allocation of a LAN port (1-4), to which a set-top box will be connected using a cable with RJ-45 connectors at both ends. At the same time, the program built into Keenetic Giga will switch it to the mode of direct reception of IPTV traffic from the WAN port of the provider used (transparent "bridge").

The "Internet" icon (globe) is selected in the main menu of the interface. In the menu that opens, click on the "Connection" tab, where we find the Broadband Connection item and click on it.
On the new page, activate the "Use connector ..." box by checking the box and executing the "Enable" command. After saving the settings with the "Apply" button, the port is used only for broadcasting television signal transmitted to the user from the Internet provider for the operation of the set-top box.

Keenetic Giga supports DyDNS function. It was created for Internet users searching for the resource they need through search string by entering the domain name into it. When the provider uses a dynamic IP connection, the new assigned address will no longer match the previous "remembered" name, and this will cause difficulties for regular users of the site. Dynamic DNS keeps the domain name constant whenever the IP address changes.

You can enter the settings by expanding the "Internet" section and then clicking on the DyDNS tab. After concluding an agreement on the server website, the user fills in the appropriate fields on the page that opens.

IPv6 protocol

The Keenetic supports IP version 6 only on NDMS v2 and higher firmware. It is recommended to first go to the vendor's official website and check for the latest versions of the router OS. How to update will be described below in a separate section of the article.

Security Settings

Any router with an IP address on the Internet performs the function of protecting local network subscribers from various types of Internet attacks, being a kind of firewall. Keenetic Giga II is no exception. When configuring it, the user determines the rules of access for Internet users and their priority. This list contains both wired Keenetic Giga clients and mobile network members.

Certain hosts are assigned unhindered access, others are denied. The page for creating rules opens after selecting the "Security" section on the main page of the interface, and in it - the "Firewall" tab. A list of interfaces opens with IP addresses and an indication of what to do if they are found. The list can be expanded or shortened. And also the actions applied to each participant change. Finally, we execute the "Save" command.

Parental control

For the most part, this function is the control of the boss over his employees in local networks, units led by them to create a work schedule for its participants. In addition, there is a filter for devices allowed to connect. This parameter is configured in Keenetic Giga in the "System" section home page interface and go to the "Schedule" tab.

The new interface is presented in the form of a visual graphical image with the days of the week and the permitted work schedule with the indication of time (hours, minutes). As well as devices operating according to the established schedule. After executing the "Apply" command on the "Schedule" page, Keenetic Giga will display a list of devices allowed to work in the network at a certain time.

Setting up the printer

The Giga 2 has two USB ports that connect to a printer. It is also possible to configure a network printer using the internal DHCP server... We go into its configuration, select the section responsible for reserving IP addresses, enter the printer address.

DLNA setup on the router

The Internet Center supports the media server option. To do this, you need to connect an external media via a USB connector - a flash drive or an external HDD, for example. Go to "Control Panel" network device... Go to the Applications section, DLNA Server item. Check the box next to "Enable". Leave the "TCP port number" field empty. Select media file directory: specify the path to the USB drive.

Media server support is provided only if the corresponding component is installed. Its availability is checked in the "System" section, the "Components" item.

Setting up a torrent client on a router

The router supports the torrent client function built into the Keenetic Giga software. The user does not need to wait for the end of the "download". He needs an external storage device with a USB interface, to which the received information will be loaded.

Before configuring the VPN server, you need to make sure that the component is installed. To do this, go to the "System" tab, the "Components" item. We check for the presence of the corresponding option. If it is present, there is a "birdie" opposite, which indicates its activation.

Possible malfunctions and ways to eliminate them

Usually, the malfunctions of the Giga router are divided into points:

• operator errors in the process of setting parameters;
• malfunctions in the hardware of the device;
• software malfunctions either during configuration or as a result of external influences.

Most faulty cases are resolved by rebooting the network device or resetting to factory settings. In the first situation, it is enough to simply turn off the power, wait 2-3 minutes, and then turn it on again. The second option is detailed below.

Sometimes the "culprit" is the service provider and the malfunctioning of its equipment. Analysis of each of the reasons is a topic for a separate article. If a malfunction occurs during the warranty period, contact the technical support of your Internet provider for an explanation of all the steps taken.

Firmware upgrade

Every router user knows about this operation. The firmware not only eliminates the failures that occur, but also adds new functions to the device, introduced by the manufacturer as a result of the analysis of operating statistics. When going to the "System" section, select the "Firmware" item. To update the software, look at the current version of the Keenetic Giga II software and check it with latest version for the current date on the website zyxel.ru.

Through the web interface

To update, if required, download the .bin file from the Firmware section and save it on your PC.
On the "Firmware" page, press the "Browse" button, find the path to the downloaded file.
We execute the "Update" command. After completing the process, the system will reboot with the new software.
The entire procedure must be carried out with the power supply of the system from the UPS, or uninterrupted source nutrition. You can check the version of the new Keenetic Giga firmware by returning to the Firmware item. After the performed procedure, the current settings of the Keenetic Giga have to be repeated.

Via mobile app

The vendor has released an application for mobile platforms with Android and iOS support called My keenetic. We install the program on a mobile device and launch it. After connecting to the router, an update message will appear. We click on it, we are waiting for the end of the process.

Via USB device

Download the current version of the firmware from the official website, copy it to a flash drive. Next, we connect it to a network device.

We go to the "Router Control Panel", go to the "Updates" section. We indicate the path of the installed USB flash drive, start the update process. After it finishes, the Keenetic will automatically reboot.

Resetting the router settings to factory defaults

In all devices to factory values. They are used in cases of errors in settings, incorrect operation of the device, or loss of a previously changed password for entering the product interface. For the first method (hardware), there is a Reset / Reset button recessed into the case on the back panel of the Keenetic Giga II. Pressing and holding it for 10-15 seconds. starts the update process. At the end of the blinking of the indicators, the interrupted setting is carried out again.

Soft reset is carried out from the "Control Panel". In it you need to go to the "System" section, click the "Parameters" tab.
At the bottom of the page, click the "Return to factory settings" stencil. At the subsequent warning about resetting the settings, we press the stencil "Yes", agreeing with this. After restarting the router, you can continue to work with Keenetic Giga.

Output

The Taiwanese manufacturer Zyxel, when releasing a new model, tried not only to assign a new name to the product, expanding the lineup, but make significant changes to the hardware and software filling. Using the latest components, Zyxel has achieved a significant increase in the performance of Keenetic Giga II, which especially delighted fans of downloading information from file-sharing sites.

External antennas combined with a powerful amplification module ensured high-quality wireless communication anywhere in the consumer's living space. The addition of Giga (gigabits per second) to the name is quite justified.

pros

As a positive feature, users consider the increased performance of Keenetic Giga II by increasing the speed of writing and reading through the channel of external drives connected to any USB connector. If in its predecessors it was 4-5 MB / s, this model's speed is limited to 15 MB / s. This allows you to "download" HD movies, spending no more than half an hour, using the built-in BitTorrent client. The function of smart distribution of traffic for Intelliqos consumers has been implemented.

The ability to use a mobile 3G / 4G modem of any operator allows you to use Keenetic Giga II not only in urban environments, but also in country houses where the cable network is not developed. DLNA support gives you the chance to view and listen to video and audio content, as well as information from a connected external USB storage device.

Minuses

Keenetic Giga-2 has few negative assessments. Those who only have dial-up Internet access will not have to take advantage of the speed of the provider. It can be noted that there is only one Wi-Fi band (2.4 GHz), which in urban conditions requires searching for the optimal channel and its bandwidth to ensure a minimum of interference. The rest of the "cons" are associated with personal preferences and habits of users (color, body shape, and so on).

Almost every modern Wi-Fi router can work in repeater mode. Zyxel routers are no exception. All Zyxel Keenetic routers can be used to expand the coverage area of ​​an existing network. You just need to make some settings. Thanks to Alexey, who, in the comments to this article, told me how and how, I figured out everything, tested it, and now I will tell you how to set up the "Amplifier" operating mode on Zyxel devices.

The article is suitable for all devices starting with NDMS V2.05 firmware. In any case, if during the setup process, you see that you do not have the opportunity to select the desired operating mode, you can.

A bit of theory:

What is Repeater Mode? This is when the router strengthens the already existing Wi-Fi network. It's better to use an example: you already have one Wi-Fi router installed. It doesn't matter which one. It can be Zyxel, Tp-Link, Asus, D-Link, etc. But, wireless coverage may not be throughout the house or apartment. Simply put, due to a weak router, Wi-Fi does not catch you in all rooms. Or catches, but not stable. There are special devices called repeaters (repeaters). They take the Internet via Wi-Fi from the first router, and pass it on. That is, they amplify the signal. The exact same function is available in Zyxel routers. It is called "Amplifier".

Our Zyxel Keenetic router will connect to an existing network and will strengthen it. At the same time, there will be one Wi-Fi network (with one name), throughout the house and, of course, with one password. Devices will automatically switch from one router to another (where the network is stronger)... You won't even notice it. But the range of your Wi-Fi network will increase significantly.

Very often the question is asked: "Is there internet via cable, in repeater mode?" Checked on Zyxel Keenetic Start internet works on the cable.

I will show the setup process using an Asus router as an example, it will be the main one for us. And, which we have recently, will be with us as a repeater. As I wrote above, I tested everything, no problems arose.

Your main router must be configured, it must distribute the Internet over a Wi-Fi network. You don't need to make any special settings on the main router.

Setting up Zyxel as a repeater. Operating mode - "Amplifier"

First, you need to change the operating mode of our Zyxel to "Amplifier". This can be done in the control panel of the router. And only if you have a Keenetic Lite III model, then you need to change the operating mode with a special switch on the back of the device. Select the "Amplifier" mode, and skip the mode selection in the control panel. If you do not have Keenetiс Lite III, then things like this:

In the settings, go to the tab System(bottom). And select the tab on top Mode... We put the switch near the mode Booster - Wi-Fi Zone Expansion, and click on the button Apply.

A window will appear prompting you to restart the router. Click the button "Now".

On the main router settings page, look for the section where you can see all connected devices. Something like "Client List". On my old Asus it looks like this:

Our "repeater" will be in the list of devices. For some reason, his IP address was even active for me. I followed it, and immediately got into the settings of my Zyxel Keenetic Start. If you don't know what IP you need, then you can use the poke method :)

There you can see all the necessary information: operating mode, IP addresses, list of clients, Wi-Fi network status, etc. The menu in the "Amplifier" mode will be truncated in comparison with the standard "Internet Center" mode.

How to return the Zyxel Keenetic router to standard operation mode?

If you want to use your router in normal mode, for normal distribution of Wi-Fi when connecting to the Internet via cable, then we just need to change the operating mode to the main one. This can be done from the settings, as I showed above. Just open the tab System(bottom), then a tab on top Mode, select the mode Internet Center - Basic Mode and reboot the router.

Alternatively, you can use a method that works 100% -.

After that, the settings page will be available at 192.168.1.1 .

Conclusion

Everything is set up very simply if you figure it out. And everything really works stably. My Zyxel router cloned the main Asus router network without any problems, and strengthened it. The range of the network turned out to be very large. By the way, it is very important to install the repeater correctly, in the right place. That would be as useful as possible from him. The main thing is that there is a stable signal from the main router.

And what is very convenient is that the network remains alone, and the devices automatically switch between routers. Well, all connected devices are on the same network. Which is very important, for example, for watching movies via DLNA, or setting up a local network.

Share your experience in the comments. And if you can't customize something, then ask questions. Good luck!

In the spring of this year, three new models were announced in the popular line of Zyxel Keenetic Internet centers. Despite the common name, almost everything has changed in the new products - appearance, hardware platform and firmware. Keenetic II, Keenetic Giga II and Keenetic Ultra are based on Mediatek's high-performance platform - RT6856 (formerly Ralink). The differences lie in the parameters of the wired ports and the built-in wireless access point. At the same time, all three devices have two USB 2.0 ports, thanks to which the standard set of functions for home wireless routers has been significantly expanded. The manufacturer emphasizes that the development of the devices used the entire experience of the company in working with this platform and domestic operators over the past few years, which made it possible to achieve high speed performance in routing and working with external devices, as well as to maintain legendary reliability and compatibility.

In this article, we will get acquainted with the top model of the line - Keenetic Ultra, which boasts gigabit network ports and a dual band access point. In fact, most of the information in the article will also apply to Keenetic Giga II, which is distinguished by the use of a 300 Mbps single-band access point. All other parameters, including processor, gigabit ports and firmware, are the same for these devices. By the way, the younger model - Keenetic II - also has the same firmware and differs from the older brothers by using a 100 Mbps network switch instead of a gigabit one.

Contents of delivery

The router comes in a fairly large cardboard box with an outer cover. It is decorated with traditional Zyxel colors - White background, black text, blue logo. It shows a photograph of the device, detailed specifications, use cases, and other useful information.

Note that all this is presented in Russian, in addition there is short descriptions in Ukrainian and Kazakh languages.

The bundled router comes with an external pulse unit power supply (12 V 2 A), network patch cord, user manual in Russian, warranty card.

Appearance

In the updated line of Keenetic, the manufacturer has radically changed the design. Now they use black glossy plastic instead of white, and the shape has become more angular. External dimensions of the model under consideration, excluding antennas and connectors, are 186 × 121 × 38 mm. To connect the main cables and place the antennas, you may need about 4 cm more at the back, and when using the USB ports, you must also take into account the dimensions of these plugs (also about 4 cm when it comes to the cable).

The top cover has an unusual "wavy" pattern, which will perfectly collect dust. But for placing the WPS button on it, a special thank you should be said. It will be easily available in most installations and will allow you to quickly and conveniently connect wireless clients, especially if you remember that with default settings, wireless networks are already secured. Its second function is to promptly disable wireless interfaces.

The bottom is also glossy and covered with holes for passive ventilation of the device filling. There are also grilles on the side ends (their coating is already matte). Two USB 2.0 ports are installed on the right side. They are located at a great distance from each other, so that no modems, even the largest modems, will block the second port.

At the back are all the other connectors and controls: Gigabit WAN, four Gigabit LANs, hidden reset button, FN button (used to safely disconnect USB drives), power supply input, and switch. It is strange that the antennas were made non-removable this time. Of course, in reality, few people use the installation and connection options. alternative models antennas, but nevertheless, such a solution is typical for budget devices, to which Keenetic Ultra can hardly be attributed not so much in terms of cost, but in terms of capabilities and functions. By the way, the manufacturer this time uses not "5 dBi detachable omnidirectional antennas", but "external omnidirectional Wi-Fi antennas(3 dBi) ". Note that other representatives of the second generation, in particular Keenetic Giga II, use the first option. Most likely, such a decision was associated with the support of two operating ranges, for which it was not possible to find good replacement options.

Operation indicators are collected at the front end. The following LEDs are located here: power / status, activity of wired ports, status of wireless access points, Internet, status of USB ports. It is easy to understand the logos, the brightness of the indicators is average, the color is green. They flash when the interfaces are active. The indicators are not provided with the ability to determine the speed of a wired connection (100 or 1000 Mbps), but if necessary, you can find out this information through the web interface. The body rests on two rubber and two plastic legs. The latter are also used in combination to mount the router on the wall. There is only one orientation option - antennas downward.

In general, with the exception of the gloss, there are no significant comments on the new case.

Hardware configuration

The router is based on the Mediatek RT6856 chip. Recall that relatively recently, this manufacturer merged with Ralink Technology and this solution, presented more than a year ago, is the first product after the merger and the most powerful SoC in the company's line of solutions. The computing core has a MIPS architecture and operates at a frequency of 700 MHz, it has support for two USB 2.0 ports and PCIe buses. The latter are used to connect two Ralink RT5392L and RT3593L radio units. The first is responsible for the operation of 802.11b / g / n in the 2.4 GHz band with a maximum connection speed of 300 Mbps, and the second ensures the implementation of 802.11a / n in the 5 GHz range with a maximum connection speed of 450 Mbps. It should be noted that this is the first Zyxel dual-band solution for home users available in the Russian market. It is worth mentioning that for 5 GHz the router can use sixteen channels.

For storing the firmware, 16 MB of flash memory is installed, and the volume random access memory is 256 MB. There is room for a console port on the board. The antennas are connected by cables with micro connectors. For 2.4 GHz, two antennas are used - the center and right, and for 5 GHz - all three. The network switch is represented by the RTL8367RB microcircuit, which can work with Jumbo Frames, which are also supported in the firmware. Heatsink plates are installed on the main processor and the switch. The casing of the device heats up slightly during heavy use.

In general, the configuration turned out to be quite interesting - a fast core, a lot of RAM, separate wireless interfaces, two USB 2.0 ports. Note that the total number of models on this SoC is less than two dozen.

Customization and capabilities

In the new series of NDMS 2 firmware, it is no longer so easy to name the version number. The fact is that the firmware has a modular structure and can be updated by individual modules. This allows you to more quickly implement new functions or fix old ones. Updates are checked and installed via the Internet in the corresponding item of the web interface. "Full" versions of images are also released if you need to install the firmware without connecting the router to the Internet, although this situation is rare. In testing, we used the release denoted in the interface as v2.02 (AAGJ.6) C0.

It should be noted that it is NDMS 2 that is one of the most interesting features of the new series, and it deserves a separate publication, since a lot of new features are implemented in it. So in this post we will only touch on the most important characteristics, and leave the detailed description for the next time.

The standalone NetFriend utility is no longer used. Its functionality has been moved to the corresponding firmware module. So when you first turn on the devices, you will be prompted to use the setup assistant or go from full version web interface. There is no built-in provider base yet, but in general the system is quite convenient and simple to configure the basic connection modes, including PPPoE / PPTP / L2PT. Given that wireless networks are password-protected by default, NetFriend's capabilities will suffice for many users. After setting up the connection, the router will check for software updates. If new versions of modules are available in the on-line directory of the server, they will be automatically downloaded and installed.

The router's web interface has support for two languages ​​- Russian and English. Unfortunately, the manufacturer has not yet implemented the built-in help system. Considering the increase in the number of functions and the expansion of the possibilities, it would come in handy. Note that the appearance and organization of the interface have changed significantly and are more in line with the internal structure of the new firmware. The main menu of the settings groups is on the bottom line of the page. In this case, the groups themselves are indicated by icons without text captions, but with tooltips. To navigate between pages, use the bookmarks at the top of the window.

In the "System Monitor" you can find out all the information about the current state of the router. In addition to the traditional for Zyxel detailed page status, here information about IPv6, routing table, list of current sessions, table of local network clients, information about USB devices are provided.

The "Internet" group has collected all the parameters for connecting to the global network. New firmware allows you to program several connections of different types at the same time and set priorities for them.

It supports IPoE, PPPoE, PPTP, L2TP, 802.1x, Wi-Fi client and 3G / 4G cellular networks (via USB modem). You can also install a special authorization module Kabinet, which once again confirms the convenience of the new firmware structure. Additionally, IPv6 protocol, DDNS client and creation of your own routes are implemented. Built-in VPN clients can also be used to securely connect to an office network.

Note that the device allows flexible configuration of wired ports, which allows not only to implement the work IPTV set-top boxes but also use multiple WAN connections.

Switching between providers is possible as in manual mode and automatic, which is ensured by indicating the priorities of different connections and monitoring connections (connections for modes with a name and password and 3G / 4G, a physical link for IPoE, loss of a network or address for Wi-Fi).

Next comes the "Home network", which indicates the data of the local network segment, including the router's own IP address, DHCP server settings, use of NAT and IGMP Proxy options.

The wireless networks section includes two pages of standard parameters for two ranges: network name, security mode (open network, WEP, WPA / WPA2-PSK, region, standard, channel, signal strength, WPS. There is only no choice of channel width (using the setting "Auto "Suitable for the vast majority of users.) The Internet Center can also create a guest network in the 2.4 GHz band, for which you can choose your own name, security settings and IP address range. Clients of this network can only communicate with each other and leave In addition, there is an access filter by MAC-addresses.

The device has a traditional firewall. The user can flexibly program rules for him, involving not only ports, addresses and protocols, but also the interface. Access to the resources of the local network is provided by the port forwarding table. It can use translation of single ports as well as ranges.

There is built-in support for the UPnP protocol, which can be disabled by removing the module. As with the firewall, it is possible to specify in the interface rules. A very useful feature is support for SkyDNS and Yandex.DNS services. With DNS filtering technologies, they can increase the protection of your computers and mobile devices from questionable and harmful content. In the case of Yandex.DNS, the user can define his own filtering level for each client. A similar opportunity is available on paid SkyDNS accounts.

As we said above, the work with settings and firmware in this device is implemented non-standard. In particular, the configuration is presented in the form system file that you can download or replace.

On the "Components" page, the user can check the current versions of software modules, select the ones he needs (for example, support for NTFS or 4G modems) and update the firmware. For modules, the volume occupied by them is also indicated, but it is not very clear what flash memory resources are currently available.

For diagnostics possible problems there is a traditional event log (with the ability to send to the syslog server) and a built-in ping utility. Let's note the possibility of convenient communication with technical support thanks to the built-in individual service code in each instance of the router. Other system options include setting the network name and workgroup name, setting the built-in clock, and rebooting. Since the device has a wide range of functions, the system for differentiating user rights looks quite organic here. Each entry contains a name and password, as well as services available to the user, for example network access or work with an FTP server.

The last group of interface pages is responsible for working with additional applications of the Keenetic. Since most of them involve using USB peripherals, we'll cover them in the next section. Here we will only mention the presence of the built-in udpxy service, which is capable of converting multicast broadcasts into unicast, which significantly reduces the load on the network (especially wireless) when using IPTV.

Assessing the device as a whole, we can say that the Internet Center has a wider set of capabilities and functions relative to mass models. The new implementation of the web interface may take some getting used to. However, it is not difficult to change the basic parameters of the device, and NetFriend will help novice users to set up Internet access.

Professionals may find it useful to be able to configure the device from the command line in a special language similar to that used in network equipment professional level. In this case, there will be much more opportunities than when working with the web interface. The electronic version of the manual for this mode, available on the manufacturer's website, consists of more than one and a half hundred pages.

Working with USB devices

Two USB 2.0 ports can be used to connect storage devices, modems and printers. If necessary, the user can simultaneously connect more devices via a USB hub (in some cases, additional power may be required).

Drives can have several partitions, each with its own network folder. Supported work with file systems FAT32, NTFS, EXT2, EXT3, HFS + (the latter option - after installing the appropriate module). The Internet Center remembers the connected devices by identifier, so that in case of reconnection, the network name and settings are saved.

Data access is provided via SMB and FTP protocols. In the first case, you can change the network name and workgroup name of the device, enable the master browser mode and anonymous access. A network resource is created for each partition; additionally, you can add your own shared folder corresponding to the selected directory on the disk.

For FTP server there is a general service switch, anonymous access permission and a choice of a home directory for each user. The port number cannot be changed, there is no speed limit either. Note that it is possible to provide access to the server from the side of the WAN interface. Supports passive mode and work with Russian file names.

The device provides several options for controlling access to network resources. In the simplest configuration, you can allow all network users to work with the servers without restrictions. The second option is to require user authorization by name and password. In this case, read and write access is provided only to the accounts programmed in the router, and you can select the allowed protocols in the user properties. For FTP, here you can additionally specify the home directory for users, above which they will not be able to climb. The most complete option is implemented when installing an additional user identification module. In this mode, you can flexibly set the rights to each user for each directory, including the modes "no access", "read-only" and "read-write".

Script performance network storage is given in the graph. The results were obtained when reading and writing a large file.

In general, the speed of work with USB-drives can be assessed as high for this class of devices. This is explained in particular by the use of commercial implementations of CIFS and NTFS support.

It is also worth mentioning the ability to download files through the standard web interface of the router.

The Internet Center can act as DLNA server to distribute multimedia files to the local network. The service supports indexing of popular formats such as JPEG, MP3, WMA, M4A, AAC, AVI, MP4, MKV, WMV, MPEG, TS, M2TS. It is possible to work with only one selected directory with files.

Implemented in the firmware and offline file download service using the BitTorrent protocol. For this, the popular transmission utility is used. The program has all the standard settings and the ability remote control not only through the browser, but also special utilities(including via the Internet).

The maximum download and upload speeds are limited to 5 MB / s to ensure the operation of the basic functions of the Keenetic. Testing has shown that when working on a hard drive with NTFS, you can get real performance at the level of 3 MB / s on several popular tasks with an IPoE connection. In L2TP mode, the speed is slightly lower - about 2.5 MB / s. At the same time, despite the high load on the router processor, you can use Internet access and other services.

In the case of intensive use of additional services, the user can create a swap file for the embedded operating system on the connected drive, but in most cases this is not required for the model in question, since the amount of installed RAM is more than enough.

The Internet Center can be used to access the network via cellular modems. The list of supported models includes most of the devices popular on the local market, including those supporting 4G networks of domestic operators MegaFon and Yota. For modern models, it is possible to work in NDIS mode, which allows you to achieve high speeds for both reception and transmission. In particular, with the test Huawei E392 and connection to the MegaFon operator, the indicators practically did not differ from other tested devices and direct connection of the modem to a PC - 25-42 Mbps for reception and 10-25 Mbps for transmission.

The printer is accessed through the standard Windows network environment. At the same time, it is possible to provide it only to selected users.

Performance

New products in the Keenetic line have a high-performance platform, so for most current configurations, there should be no questions about routing speed. Testing with a real provider was carried out with connection to the service " Home Internet»Beeline over L2TP. We did not encounter any difficulties with setting up. The speed of work corresponded to the tariff plan (70 Mbps). The high load in the form of a p2p client built into the router and an external (without restrictions on speed or number of connections) client with simultaneous viewing of two IPTV streams over a wired and wireless network was also within the power of the Internet center. It was possible to continue to comfortably use access to the network, pictures television channels"Did not crumble" and the sound did not disappear.

The main study of the performance of the router was carried out on a special stand using synthetic tests. The connection modes available in the device were checked - IPoE, PPPoE, PPTP and L2TP. Setting up the device consisted only in choosing the parameters for connecting to the provider. The rest of the options have not been changed. The check was carried out with one and two streams, as well as with sixteen data streams simultaneously.

In IPoE mode, the device is capable of providing over 800 Mbps, which can be considered a good result. In PPPoE, the router also performed well with 420-450 Mbps. But I was especially pleased with the speed in PPTP and L2TP - we managed to reach almost 300 Mbps in multi-threaded scenarios. So on popular tariff plans up to 100 Mbit / s inclusive, the Internet center will not have any difficulties with processing traffic at full speed, including in full duplex mode.

Correctly handles the device and the dual access mode - to the provider's local network and the Internet (Link Duo technology), as can be seen from the following graph.

Note that the given results for PPPoE mode are limited by the performance of our test bench. In the reality given type connections in the model under consideration in terms of speed is almost the same as IPoE.

After the publication of the article, we decided to add to it the results of testing the wired segment of the router in question on the updated stand, which provides high speed in some modes. The results are shown in the following two graphs.

As we can see, the update really turned out to be in demand. Modern technologies hardware processing of packets in IPoE and PPPoE modes allow them to get routing speed almost at the level of a wired gigabit network. It remains only to wait for the massively available offer of such channels from domestic providers.

Considering the above values ​​of the routing speeds, it makes no sense to investigate the speed of a wireless connection when using VPN modes of access to the Internet. So this time we limited ourselves to a test between LAN and WLAN segments with multiple adapters. TP-Link TL-WDN4800 (802.11n, 2.4 and 5 GHz, up to 450 Mbps) took part in the testing as a well-known participant for comparison. And new items represent a new generation of adapters with support for 802.11ac: ASUS USB-AC56, Intel Dual Band Wireless-AC 7260, NETGEAR A6200. All three models with the router discussed in this article operate at speeds up to 300 Mbps in the 2.4 and 5 GHz bands and use Realtek, Intel and Broadcom chipsets, respectively. In this case, we are rather interested in the question of their working together with 802.11n equipment than the speed performance itself, which we will examine a little later in the materials with the participation of 802.11ac routers. Note that this time USB-AC56 worked on the USB 2.0 bus and without external antenna... Testing was carried out at a distance of about four meters. Three scenarios were tested - transmission, reception, simultaneous transmission and reception. The total number of threads was eight in each case. It is also worth noting that by the time the wireless segment was tested, the router's firmware had been updated to version v2.02 (AAGJ.0) C1. Results are reported relative to an external client.

With a TP-Link adapter in the 5 GHz range, the router achieves speeds of around 150-190 Mbps, which is slightly less than what we've seen on other high-performance routers. However, the difference is not very significant when it comes to typical use cases. 2.4 GHz operation is also quite typical for 300 Mbps access points in modern routers. Interestingly, the 802.11ac USB adapters are even slightly faster. Intel, on the other hand, did not perform well. Although, of course, it is not worth drawing conclusions from the test with one router. In general, we can say that the implementation of Wi-Fi in Zyxel Keenetic Ultra does not stand out for its high performance, but rather is at an average level. It is possible that with firmware updates, the speed in the 5 GHz range will "catch up" a little, but the task of tuning a radio channel is not easy.

conclusions

Based on the results of our acquaintance with the representative of the second generation of Zyxel Keenetic, we have developed in general positive impression about the product. Keenetic Ultra has a powerful hardware platform that not only provides high routing speed, but also allows you to implement many additional services. The completely redesigned firmware of the NDMS 2 series plays an important role in this, and boasts unique functions. Among them, we note the support of multiple connections to the Internet, fast work with external storage, support for a wide range of 3G / 4G modems and the availability of clients for SkyDNS and Yandex.DNS services. Its modular structure allows the manufacturer to quickly fix bugs and add new features. At the same time, when comparing the device with modern top models on the market, some of the features in the web interface are currently missing, including a VPN server, QoS, cloud file access, Wi-Fi scheduling and other functions. In addition, the firmware is closed, so that the set of functions is completely determined by the manufacturer and users cannot expand it on their own.

In performance tests, the Internet Center showed a routing speed of about 300 Mbps in the most difficult case, which is an excellent result. We also note the exceptional stability of the device even under high load. Testing the speed of the wireless connection gave mixed results. It seems that the company did not have enough time to effectively implement work in the 5 GHz band. In the scenario of use as a NAS, the Keenetic can provide speeds of 14-22 MB / s, depending on direction, file system and protocol. The built-in p2p client shows a fairly high speed of work and does not interfere with other functions. We will also mention support for working with major IPTV implementations and the udpxy module.

The device can be recommended to two categories of users. The first group includes those who require high speed, reliability and compatibility and who are willing to pay extra for it. The second possible use case is the implementation of non-standard solutions and services using the capabilities of embedded software, in particular, channel reservation, and requiring highly qualified users.

The KEENETIC ULTRA II router was developed by ZyXEL to reliably connect home appliances to TV and the Internet. The device is configured to work with service providers that use different types connections. To access the network, you just need to use the built-in VPN server(you don't need to be at home). The device has many advantages, and in this review we will look at them in more detail.

Users are satisfied with their choice

• Management and configuration are carried out via special applications... Save time with this utility for Android or iOS. Full network management is provided by the My.Keenetic program.
• IPSec VPN can help you connect networks or connect to your office network.
• NDMS 2 OS and Managed Switch allow you to connect to multiple providers at once. This solution will guarantee a constant Internet connection without unexpected interruptions. The router will switch to a normal link automatically. The main thing is to enable access checking and prioritize.
• IntelliQoS technology intelligently distributes speed across all devices. You will be able to watch IPTV or video online without interruption (the system will not allow torrents and other applications to occupy the entire channel).
• Dual band access point. With the KEENETIC ULTRA II signal amplifiers and antennas, the user gets high quality communication at high speed.
• USB ports for printers, storage devices and models. Maximum speed connected by this interface devices is 50 Mbps. The presence of two of these ports is an interesting feature of the new ZyXEL instruments. This does not require any special costs from the manufacturer inside the device (all ports are connected to the host built into the SoC), but for the user this arrangement is very convenient.
• VPN server allows you to access the network with mobile phone wherever you are.
• Filtering using Yandex.DNS will help protect you from visiting malicious resources.
• SkyDNS. The option works through a special service, with its help parents can keep an eye on how the younger family members behave in the network. It is enough to select the categories available for viewing and apply filtering.

Specifications:

• RAM 256 Mb;
• 8 Ethernet ports;
• Wi-Fi;
• 4G / 3G connection;
• DLNA server;
• 0 ... 40 degrees Celsius;
• Transmission program for working with torrent;
• weight 310 grams.

The kit includes an instruction manual, a patch cord, a power adapter (batteries with a capacity of 15–20 mAh can be recharged from 1.5–2 A) and the ZYXEL KEENETIC ULTRA II device itself.

Connection

At the first stage, it is important to correctly connect the device to the PC. To do this, connect a patch cord between the "machines" network card and the router. The provider's cable must be connected to the WAN port of the device. After that, you can connect the router to the mains and turn on the power.

Quick setup

All settings are performed in a convenient web interface. It's easy to get into it: enter "192.168.1.1" in the browser, fill in the standard login / password fields (login - admin; pass - 1234).

After that, the system will invite you to the Configuration Wizard. We recommend clicking on "Quick setup" to understand the basic options.

In the quick setup mode, you must enter the MAC address (if provided by the provider's contract), the type of IP address.

Having dealt with the addresses, you will be taken to the authorization parameters. The subsequent settings depend on the specific ISP.

If the company uses L2TP, PPTP, PPPoE connection(Dom.ru, most branches of Rostelecom, MTS, Beeline, TTK), then we recommend setting the following parameters:

• uncheck the box "I don't have a password";
• enter login / pass for ZYXEL KEENETIC ULTRA II;
• press the "Next" button.

Some providers (Rostelecom Udmurtia, TTK-Ural) use a dynamic address. For them, set the flag in the "I do not have a password" field, and go to the next step.

This completes the quick setup, now you can proceed to manual setting through the interface.

Do not forget to change the information for authorization in the interface (the system itself will offer to change the standard login / pass). Now you can set the parameters to work.

Setting up the Internet

Regardless of the provider, the initial procedure looks like this:

• Go to the "List" item in the "Internet" section.
• Broadband connection.
• Configure the WAN port. To do this, it is important to check the box next to the "Use connector" field.
• Check the box "Enable interface".
• Opposite "Obtain an address via DHCP" uncheck the box.

Connection for PPPoE:

• "Description" - come up with a name;
• protocol type - PPPoE;
• server address - by default;
• "Connect through" - ISP;
• password / login - given by the provider.

Connection created!

Connection for L2TP (Beeline):

• L2TP protocol;
• "Engage" - check the box;
• "Description" - name the connection;
• login / password (see the agreement issued by the provider);
• tp.internet.beeline.ru (server);
• "Connect through" - ISP.

Setting up a DHCP server and LAN

Enable "Home Network" in the interface. Here you will see several submenus. You can change the device address in the network in the "IP-address" item. To enable the DHCP server, just check the box next to the "Enabled" box. Addresses from 1 to 32 are set statically, the rest will be assigned by the server in auto mode. The address pool can be changed as required. In addition, the user is able to set his own DNS addresses.

Wi-Fi setup

Go to the "Operation mode" section of the "Wi-Fi" section. Then select the "Access Point" mode, and fill in the fields as follows:

• Recommended protection WPA / WPA2 - maximum level;
• network key - create your own password;
• name (SSID) - enter a name for new network ZYXEL KEENETIC ULTRA II;
• basic defense - do not change.

To make the access point work, click "Apply".

If you want to improve the wireless connection between the router and the network devices that are connected to it, we recommend that you follow these steps:

• for greater coverage, move the router to the center of the wireless network;
• update the firmware;
• install the device away from direct sunlight and metal obstacles;
• open the cooling holes of the router;
• try to place the router away from powerful motors, refrigerators, cordless phones, fluorescent lamps.

Firmware

An overview of this device would be incomplete without information on how to flash the router. So, the router system will check the components for relevance at the start connection. If there are updates, a message will appear in the interface about the possibility to download them, and then press the corresponding key. Thus, the device will download the updates on its own. The status of the process will be shown in a separate window.

The firmware of the router takes some time, you cannot reboot the device during this period, and you should also not turn off the computer. This could permanently damage the router!

If the process is successful, the router will automatically reboot and connect to the Network.

Installing the update manually is also not difficult: download the archive with the firmware from the manufacturer's resource, unpack it into separate folder and enter the path to the folder in the interface.

Outcomes

The KEENETIC ULTRA II router has rich functionality and a well-thought-out interface. The device has a good transmission speed. It's not hard to set it up by reading this overview.