ASUS 802.11ac RT-AC66U Next Generation Dual-Band Router

• ASUS 802.11ac RT-AC66U Next Generation Dual-Band Router Review and Specifications

ASUS Reveals the Next Generation 802.11ac RT-AC66U Dual-Band Router

2012/06/03

Offers users new 5th generation Wi-Fi (5G WiFi) with speeds up to 1.75Gbps alongside ASUS PCE-AC66 and USB-AC53 802.11ac-capable client models

The ASUS RT-AC66U router integrates dual-band Gigabit wireless with fifth generation 802.11ac Wi-Fi technology, also known as 5G WiFi, which enables speeds up to three times faster than existing 802.11n. As one of the first routers to achieve this, it tops Gigabit wireless requirements with a combined 2.4GHz/5GHz bandwidth of 1.75Gbps. This massive data rate makes it an excellent high speed router for demanding online applications, coupled with exclusive ASUS AiRadar signal amplification and shaping technology. Easy ASUSWRT setup, multiple SSIDs, and IPv6 support further enhance networking, while strong USB-based capabilities turn the RT-AC66U into a 3G, FTP, DLNA, and printer server for genuine multi-role functionality.

Going beyond Gigabit Wi-Fi to triple wireless-N speeds

The RT-AC66U goes even further than the successful high speed RT-N66U dual-band router. Working in both 2.4GHz and 5GHz, it is one of the world’s first dual-band wireless routers to support the advanced 802.11ac wireless protocol, enabling 5GHz operation at up to 1.3Gbps. These new capabilities are made possible by the inclusion of Broadcom’s powerful 5G WiFi chips. As the 2.4GHz band can work at 450Mbps on its own, the concurrent combined bandwidth of the RT-AC66U is 1.75Gbps. It uses sophisticated ASUS AiRadar technology to strengthen signals to devices, amplifying transmission in all directions to better overcome environmental obstructions and improve data rates. The inclusion of 5G WiFi makes the RT-AC66U one of the most future-proof routers on the market, ready for the next generation of high speed networks.

Extensive feature list enhances networking experiences

The RT-AC66U maintains the tradition of networking excellence established by previous ASUS high speed routers. It allows for easy and fast setup in just three steps with the ASUSWRT dashboard, and upholds strict QoS standards for the most reliable networking and download multitasking available. With QoS, the RT-AC66U has better bandwidth optimization, and offers Download Master capabilities, which mean fast background downloading even post-shutdown. Up to eight SSIDs are supported, so users can easily setup distinct networks with different access privileges and levels of security without having to compromise passwords. The RT-AC66U supports the new IPv6 standard for better packet transmission and addressing.

USB applications extend router versatility

With its twin USB ports, the RT-AC66U becomes a true multi-role device. Attaching a 3G dongle allows it to share 3G connections among several users on different devices, while full DLNA compatibility affords smooth connectivity with a variety of entertainment platforms, including game consoles, Blu-ray players, smart TVs, and set-top boxes. The RT-AC66U can also serve as a dedicated FTP server and printer server, letting users share resources for greater productivity while reducing costs as there is no need to buy standalone server hardware.

Full 802.11ac product lineup

In addition to the RT-AC66U router, ASUS has also released the PCE-AC66 and USB-AC53 clients, both capable of 802.11ac speeds. The dual-band PCE-AC66 offers a PCI Express client card for desktops, with 3 x 3 high-powered transmission. It can sustain 1.3Gbps in 5GHz and up to 450Mbps in the 2.4GHz band. For easy USB upgrades to 802.11ac, the USB-AC53 compact dongle plugs into any USB port, with 2 x 2 802.11ac. In 5GHz, the attachment can maintain 867Mbps, while in 2.4GHz it works at 300Mbps, achieving a total throughput of around 1.3Gbps. The PCE-AC66 and USB-AC53 are enabled by Broadcom’s 5G WiFi chips, and demonstrate ASUS technology leadership in bringing an 802.11ac ecosystem to consumers.

ASUS 802.11ac RT-AC66U Next Generation Dual-Band Router Overview and Technical Specifications

RT-AC66U

802.11ac Dual-Band Wireless-AC1750 Gigabit Router

• 5th generation 802.11ac chipset gives you concurrent dual-band 2.4GHz/5GHz for up to super-fast 1.75Gbps
• Gigabit Ethernet ports for the fastest, most reliable internet performance
• AiRadar optimizes wireless coverage with detachable high-powered antennas
• Enjoy the ASUSWRT dashboard UI for 3 steps easy setup, signal monitoring, and network application control
• Download Master for wireless data storage and access to your router-connected USB storage devices
• File sharing, printer sharing, and 3G sharing via two multi-functional built-in USB ports 

Technical Specifications

Network Standard	IEEE 802.11a, IEEE 802.11b, IEEE 802.11g, IEEE 802.11n, IEEE 802.11ac, IEEE 802.3u, IPv4, IPv6
Data Rate	802.11a : 6,9,12,18,24,36,48,54Mbps 802.11b : 1, 2, 5.5, 11Mbps 802.11g : 6,9,12,18,24,36,48,54Mbps 802.11n : up to 450Mbps 802.11ac: up to 1300Mbps
Antenna	Detachable antenna x 3
Operating Frequency	2.4G~2.4835GHz /5.1~5.8GHz
Encryption	64-bit WEP, 128-bit WEP, WPA2-PSK, WPA-PSK, WPA-Enterprise, WPA2-Enterprise
Firewall & Access Control	Firewall: SPI intrusion detection,DoS protection Access control: Parental control, Network service filter, URL filter, Port filter
Management	UPnP, DLNA, DNS Proxy, NTP Client, DDNS, Port Triger, Virtual Server, DMZ
VPN Support	IPSec Pass-Throuth PPTP Pass-Through L2TP Pass-Through
WAN Connection Type	Internet connection type : Automatic IP, Static IP, PPPoE(MPPE supported), PPTP, L2TP Dual Link support Multicast Proxy support
Utilities	．Download master - support BT, NZB, HTTP, ED2K - support encryption, DHT, PEX and magnet link - upload and download bandwidth control - download scheduling ．Media server: Image: JPEG Audio: mp3, wma, wav, pcm, mp4, lpcm, ogg Video: asf, avi, divx, mpeg, mpg, ts, vob, wmv, mkv, mov ．QoS: WMM User definable rules for IP/MAC/Port. Upload and Download bandwidth management. ACK/SYN/FIN/RST/ICMP with Highest priority ．Guest Network 2.4GHz guest network x 3, 5GHz guest network x 3 ．Printer Server: multifunctional printer support(Windows nly), LPR protocol support ．File server: Samba and FTP server with account management ．PPTP VPN server ．Network map ．Traffic monitor
Ports	1 x RJ45 for 10/100/1000 BaseT for WAN, 4 x RJ45 for 10/100/1000 BaseT for LAN, Support Ethernet and 802.3 with max. bit rate 10/100/1000 Mbps and auto cross-over function(MDI-X) USB 2.0 x 2
Button	WPS Button, Reset Button, Power Button
LED Indicator	PWR x 1 LAN x 4 WAN x 1 AIR x 2 USB x 1
Power Supply	AC Input : 110V~240V(50~60Hz) DC Output : 19 V with max. 1.58 A current
Dimensions	207 x 148.8 x 35.5 mm (WxDxH)
Weight	450 g
Package Content	RT-AC66U Dual Band 3x3 802.11AC Gigibit Router Router stand RJ-45 cable Support CD (User manual and utility software)* Power adapter Quick start guide Warranty card

Data taken from http://www.asus.com/News/rZcy4jXiQPQ5F8YL/ and http://www.asus.com/Networks/Wireless_Routers/RTAC66U/ (accessed on June 07 2012)

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