ZyXEL Keenetic Extra: reviews. ZyXEL Keenetic Extra: setting up the router

ZyXEL is one of the most famous brand-manufacturers of communication equipment. Among the most technologically advanced products of this manufacturer is the Keenetic Extra router. What are the main features of its configuration? What do users say about their experience of using the router in practice?

Device Features

What do you need to say before you consider the features of the device configuration, study the characteristic of his feedback? ZyXEL Keenetic Extra is a very common device, and so opinions about using it are found on many thematic online portals. In this connection, one can be sure of the reliability of the data obtained. So, now consider the main characteristics of the device.

The device in question is equipped with:

- processor with a frequency of 600 MHz;

- a module of RAM with a capacity of 128 MB;

- flash memory in the size of 16 MB;

- 3 antennas;

- 5 Ethernet ports supporting 1 Gbps data transfer;

- USB ports;

- Hardware modules that allow you to connect to 3G and 4G networks, provided that the USB modem is used;

- ports for connection to lines operating in the standard ADSL2;

- modules supporting telephony.

The router can function in the mode of the access point, the signal amplifier, and also the adapter. The main performance indicators of the device:

- data transmission over the wireless network at a speed of 300 Mbps;

- providing routing of flows using the standard PPPoE with a speed of 950 Mb / s, in PPTP format with a speed of 500 Mbps;

- reading data from USB-media with a speed of 17 MB / sec.

The main functions of the wireless network:

- application of modern protection algorithms WPA-PSK;

- Support for the guest network in the format of Wi-Fi;

- providing access control using MAC-addresses;

- support for quick setup of WPS;

- Support for Wi-Fi Multimedia technology.

The device is compatible with a large number of types of software - in particular, with mobile applications for iOS and Android platforms. The device can operate at temperatures up to 40 degrees and humidity up to 95%. The device can be managed via a web interface, command line via TELNET, and also from an external network. If necessary, you can use the backup option, as well as restore settings. Another noteworthy option for controlling a device is software update of its functions. The device also supports journaling of system processes.

As evidenced by the reviews presented on thematic portals, ZyXEL Keenetic Extra, in terms of characteristics, is one of the most functional devices in its segment. Consider now the features of setting the required parameters of the router hardware modules to ensure its correct operation.

Configuring the Router: Connecting

Setting up the ZyXEL Keenetic Extra router , as well as practically any other device, is performed from the correct connection of the corresponding device to the communication infrastructure that is installed in the apartment or office of the user. Despite the fact that the main task of the owner of the router is to configure the wireless Internet, the initial parameters of the device will need to be established through a wired connection to the device in question.

But before that, it is necessary to bring the router into a functional state by connecting an antenna, a power supply unit, and a wire that connects to the PC network card. In addition, it is necessary to connect the wire leading from the provider to the router. As a rule, there are no special problems in order to bring the ZyXEL Keenetic Extra router into functional state - user feedback can testify about it.

After the device is put into operation - turn on the power and wait for the appearance on the body of the router of indicators that the device is working and receiving a signal from the provider's network. If the connection is OK, you can configure the ZyXEL Keenetic Extra router through the operating system tools.

Network settings in the operating system

First of all, you need to enter the "Control Panel" of Windows, then go to the "Network Connections" option. In it, you need to find the point responsible for the connections to the local network. You need to right-click on it and select the "Properties" item. In the window that opens, select the option that is responsible for configuring the TCP / IP protocol, then click on the "Properties" button.

In turn, in the loaded menu it is necessary to set the settings by which the IP address, as well as the DNS server address should be obtained automatically. Now you can proceed directly to configure the router.

Basic settings of the router

First of all, it makes sense to reset the current settings if the ZyXEL Keenetic Extra Wi-Fi router has already been used before, since the options within the network infrastructure involved may be very different from those in which the router functioned earlier. In order to reset the device settings, it is necessary to press the Reset button located in the recess of the case of the router, and hold for about 30 seconds. In this case, the router must be plugged into the socket. Then you need to wait until the device reboots.

Then you need to re-enable the Windows tools. In this case, in order to configure the ZyXEL Keenetic Extra router, we will mainly need only a browser. Suitable for almost anyone, including standard Internet Explorer. You must open the browser and enter the address 192.168.1.1. In the opened page it is necessary to enter the login of the administrator of the network - admin, and the password is 1234. It is possible that the combination of the user name and the password, in case the router was used earlier, will be different. If this is the case, and the reset is not performed, it will be necessary to learn from the previous administrator. But when resetting the original parameters, the default login and password are set - exactly the ones listed above. If the data for logging into the control panel of the router is OK - the user will enter the appropriate interface.

In case the WiFi ZyXEL Keenetic Extra is purchased in Russia, the menu in the device control panel is likely to be Russian-speaking. If this is the case, it is necessary, as soon as the start window of the panel opens after entering the login and password, select the option "Internet". After that, click on the "Authorization" tab. After that it is necessary to enter correct data in the fields that are present in the opened settings.

Configuring a network connection: PPPoE

Typical for many providers is a scheme in which Internet access is provided through the PPPoE protocol. If this is the case, you must select the appropriate option in the router settings. Also, check the box next to the option that is responsible for activating the IP address for the WAN. But in some cases it is not required to put it - you need to clarify this point at the provider. After you need to specify a username and password for access to the network. They should also be consulted by the provider or viewed in the contract for the supply of communication services, if available at hand. The next item in the MTU connection settings interface. As a rule, no changes in it are required. But, again, some providers recommend setting certain values in the corresponding option. Therefore, it makes sense to clarify this point by contacting the support of the provider of Internet access services.

Configure the connection: PPTP

Another popular mechanism for organizing access to the network is the use of the PPTP protocol. If this is the case, it is necessary to select the option "Authorization" while in the "Internet" interface within the WiFi ZyXEL Keenetic Extra router control panel. In the window that opens, select the appropriate protocol. After that, enter the address of the provider's server. As a rule, it is also fixed in the contract for the delivery of Internet access services. If this document is not available, you need to clarify the relevant data in the provider's support service. Similarly, the login and password for access to the network are indicated, which are reflected in the contract or provided by the provider of communication services.

Connection setup: NAT protocol

Another scheme for connecting to the network is to use the NAT infrastructure. As experts note, this mechanism is one of the easiest from the point of view of the correct configuration of the connection of the router in question to the network. In order to set the required NAT options, you need to enter the "Internet" interface of the router control panel, then select the "Connection" option. Then you need to make sure that the option "Automatic" is activated in front of the point where the settings for IP parameters are fixed. However, the application of this scheme is possible, if it allows the network infrastructure used by the provider.

In many cases, the NAT interface is functional provided that the necessary settings are manually set. If so, the user will need to specify the parameters, as well as the IP addresses, which are fixed in the contract with the provider of communication services. To do this, go back to the "Connection" item, located in the "Internet" menu, after - select the option "Manual" in front of the field in which the settings for the IP parameters are fixed. Then you will need to enter parameters such as IP address, network mask, configure the default gateway, set up DNS 1, and DNS 2.

These are the basic network parameters of the ZyXEL Keenetic Extra router. Setting up, in fact, a wireless Internet connection - the next task of the user. Let us consider the details of its solution in more detail.

Setting up a wireless connection

In order to configure WiFi in the router in question, you must go back to the router control panel through the browser. After downloading the main interface, you must select the "Wi-Fi network" option, then the "Connection" menu item. After that, you need to check on the opened page whether a checkmark is selected next to the option that is responsible for activating wireless access. Then - specify the name of the Wi-FI network in the SSID field - any that the owner of the router will prefer. It will then be displayed in the list of wireless connections in the network interfaces of the operating system. After that, click on the "Accept" button and fix the settings.

Then you need to return to the "Wi-Fi network" option, and then select the "Security" menu item. Here you will need to fix the password for Wi-Fi. In addition, you need to activate effective algorithms for data encryption. In the Authentication option, select WPA2-PSK. In the security settings, it makes sense to install a mixed encryption protocol - TKIP / AES. The format that you need to set for the network key is ASCII.

After the required settings have been entered, click on the "Accept" button. Then you need to save the changes in the settings of the router, after which it will reboot - this procedure takes about 1-2 minutes. After the device can be disconnected from the PC and used as a wireless device.

So, we learned how to configure a Wi-Fi connection on such a device as the ZyXEL Keenetic Extra router - user feedback can indicate that this procedure can be performed quickly enough. As a rule, there are no special difficulties with the solution of the corresponding task - provided that the information needed to configure the device is available to the owner of the router.

Consider now what users are saying about their experience using WiFi ZyXEL Keenetic Extra. Reviews about the relevant device can be found on a large number of thematic online portals.

Feedback on the device

Users' opinions about the device can be classified into the following main categories:

- assessing the ease of use of the interface settings router;

- feedback on the stability of the wireless connection;

- opinions about the functionality of the device.

Let's consider the features of these types of reviews in more detail.

Reviews about the device: the convenience of using the settings

Reviews - ZyXEL Keenetic Extra, like many other similar devices, can be evaluated from a wide variety of points of view. The opinions on the convenience of using the device in question may indicate that the owners of the device tend to consider the management interface of the router as quite typical for devices of the corresponding type.

In general, the router configuration algorithms in question are similar to those that characterize the procedure for setting the required parameters in similar interfaces of other devices. And this, as users can note, is rather an advantage, from the point of view of managing such a device as WiFi router ZyXEL Keenetic Extra. Feedback about the device can often include points of view on which the versatility of the interfaces to working with settings is one of the most important criteria for making a positive evaluation of the router. That, in principle, is not surprising, since such routers are designed mainly for home use, and not for professional use.

Thus, if a person has the experience of setting settings in other popular routers, then entering the required parameters into the management interfaces of a device such as the Wi-Fi router ZyXEL Keenetic Extra (user reviews can confirm this) will not be difficult.

It is also important how the owners appreciate the stability of his work.

Feedback on the stability of the router

The router in question, as its owners can assume, functions sufficiently steadily - both in terms of ensuring the constant connection of the connected devices to the Internet, and in terms of maintaining the stability of the internal hardware modules of the router. The main thing is that the router should be used in a room in which there is no significant interference in the form of radio waves or reflective surfaces.

Of course, the placement of the router must be adequate, in terms of the presence of walls and other obstacles between the corresponding device and the device connecting to it, as well as the distances between them. Actually, this regularity characterizes not only the use of such a device as the ZyXEL Keenetic Extra router - feedback about other devices, from the point of view of stability evaluation the devices will be based on similar features of the wireless networks functioning.

Reviews about the functionality of the device

Another category of reviews about the router in question are those that reflect the evaluation of the functionality of the device by users. In this case, it makes sense to compare the opinions of the owners of the router with the characteristics that we discussed above.

If you study the reviews, ZyXEL Keenetic Extra, as users can count, is almost as good as the leading competing router models in its segment. In terms of basic hardware components, as well as support for communication standards, the router is among the most advanced devices. As the testimonials testify, ZyXEL Keenetic Extra - the router is sufficiently universal. It is suitable for both the organization of the wireless home network and for building the appropriate infrastructure in the office.