WPS supports authentication using Open System, WPA-Personal,and WPA2-Personal. WPS does not support a wireless network that usesa Shared Key, WPA-Enterprise, WPA2-Enterprise, and RADIUS encryptionmethod. The feature set hasn’t been cut down, either: open the management interface and you’ll find all the same functions and settings as on the top- end model. Those include outbound VPN support, so you can route all your household traffic via a third-party provider to hide your identity or spoof your location, and a built-in VPN server for securely accessing your home network from elsewhere. Nine different dynamic DNS services are supported too, along with a flexible QoS function that lets you prioritise certain types of traffic or clients. The Asus firmware also excels when it comes to parental controls.

With the addition of the QoS, set to gaming priority, in each case the fps increased compared to our baseline results. On the gaming port, we measured a 4.7% increase, while the regular Ethernet port showed a 9.7% improvement. Compared to the congested testing, the 5 GHz Wi-Fi also showed an 18.7% increase in fps, though performance was 4.6% slower than the uncongested network performance. Regardless, the results demonstrate the value of the QoS feature. The actual transfer speed of USB 3.0, 3.1, 3.2, and/or Type-C will vary depending on many factors including the processing speed of the host device, file attributes and other factors related to system configuration and your operating environment. Different models might have slight differences, please confirm the related information in the user manual if you have any concern.) You’re probably wondering why this router is so much cheaper than the RT-AX88U, since it seems to offer very nearly all the same benefits. One point is that while the RT-AX88U has eight Gigabit Ethernet ports, the AX82U provides only four. It also sports a single USB connector rather than the pair found on the RT-AX88U. Wireless tests were done on the 5 GHz frequency (with a single 2.4 GHz test just out of curiosity to confirm our suspicions). We played the game Overwatch and measured the frames per second (fps) with the software FRAPS. While normally fps in a multiplayer game like Overwatch can vary quite a bit depending on where you are in a level and what's happening with other players. To minimize this variance, we ran our tests in the training level, where we're technically connected to the servers but there aren't a bunch of other players running around, shooting at us.When we ramp up the network congestion and stream videos, the fps remains pretty consistent on Ethernet. It does take a modest hit to performance when connected via 5 GHz, dropping down to a still very playable 93.75 fps. Obviously, the game of choice and your specific hardware will impact performance as well. In the meantime, all the LED indicators of the router should be off and it’s a normal phenomenon because the router is rebooting itself. Actual data throughput and WiFi coverage will vary from network conditions and environmental factors, including the volume of network traffic, building material and construction, and network overhead, result in lower actual data throughput and wireless coverage. Quoted network speeds and bandwidth based on current IEEE 802.11ac specifications. Actual performance may be affected by network and service provider factors, interface type, and other conditions. Connected devices must be 802.11ac-compatible for best results. Notice: After resetting the router, all the settings will be cleared and will need to be setup again.

Press the RESET button around 5~10 seconds until the Power LED indicator of router starts flashing, then you could stop pressing. We started with the Asus Router app and were pleased to see that it starts by giving you the option of setting up separate networks on the 2.4GHz and 5.0GHz bands, or merging the two bands together into a single network.The Asus RT-AX82U strikes a good balance between ease-of-use for beginners, and advanced features for gamers and more experienced users. And wait until the Power LED indicator and WiFi LED indicators are on again, you could try to enter the GUI of the router again. While gaming can be done on the 2.4 GHz frequency, take note that with this older technology, the 48.6% dropped frames result was the highest of any of the tests. In addition, we had the highest number of Pingplotter spikes on this frequency. Friends don't let friends game on 2.4 GHz.

If you want to isolate visitors or untrusted devices, there’s the ability to create up to three separate guest networks on the 5GHz band and another three over 2.4GHz. A final feather in Asus’ cap is USB support. The USB connector is of the ultrafast 20Gbits/sec type, and you can plug in anything from an external hard disk to a printer or a 3G/4G modem. Storage devices can even be shared over the internet via the free AiCloud service.