In September last year I called Netgear Nighthawk X4 “major disappointment routers second wave.” During testing, the device worked so bad that I promised will certainly come back to it after the company Netgear released a new firmware capable to take full advantage of its existing equipment. Soon it happened, and the current review fully replaces the previous one.

My initial testing based on firmware version 1.0.0.52. In the new version of firmware tests involved 1.0.0.76. If you purchased Nighthawk X4 and still have not updated the firmware, I strongly recommend to do it and install a latest version of the software.

I suspect that competitive pressures forced the company Netgear release their product too early, because the firmware update has led to a significant increase in its performance. If the old firmware Nighthawk X4 RT-AC87U conceded in all respects, the new software Netgear router not only significantly improve their results, but also bypassed in some tests the product ASUS.

Performance when using the bridge

However, to overcome the design of ASUS in all categories failed. If you want to get the best performance 802.11ac router, it must be docked to the second router, which will work as a wireless bridge. Connect client device to the bridge with a cable, and it establishes communication with the router, showing a very high-speed data transmission. Taking, for example, the Roku device or PC to use as a home theater, you’ll get the absolute best performance (of course, provided that the cable connecting Ethernet).

Netgear Nighthawk X4: revised version

The rear panel connectors are Nighthawk X4 5-port switch Gigabit Ethernet, power button and switch the LEDs on the front panel.

When I connected with the second Nighthawk X4 same router that is configured as a wireless bridge with a new firmware its capacity has grown by an average of 20% compared with what we saw earlier. But after installing the new firmware on the two routers from ASUS and configure one of them as a bridge, a combined system of ASUS demonstrated performance that is 24% higher performance Netgear.

Disappointing that Nighthawk X4, configured as a bridge, still can not find the SSID routers attached to the client device (one of them was working at 2.4 GHz and the other at 5 GHz). You have to enter this information manually, and if you make a mistake, it is necessary to reset all the settings and start all over again. Touch screen user interface ASUS RT-AC87U, and the router will find one and all SSID, then you only have to choose only the desired item from the list and enter the password. That’s the way it should be.

New firmware Netgear provides an even higher productivity growth compared with what we saw in the previous test when connected via Wi-Fi-adapter 802.11ac with USB. For these tests, I chose adapter ASUS USB-AC56. In such a scenario actually observed a significant increase in performance, however, most of its growth has fallen short distances (when the client device was at 3 and 6 meters from the router).

Netgear Nighthawk X4: revised version

When connected via Wi-Fi-adapter with USB interface 802.11ac new firmware Netgear provides an even higher productivity growth.

Interestingly, the ASUS RT-AC87U with the new firmware in two bandwidth tests, in contrast, fell, and in the tests at long range fell by almost half. On average, according to the results of testing in this scenario Nighthawk X4 was slightly ahead (4%) of its competitor.

Performance 802.11n network at 5 GHz

If your portable computer does not have built-in adapter 802.11ac, and you do not plan on buying it, perhaps you will be interested to learn how to work with 802.11ac router adapter 802.11n. In this test, I have been involved dual band adapter Intel Centrino Ultimate-N, built-in gaming notebook AVADirect, which I use for testing routers.

With the new firmware Nighthawk X4 performance in the most difficult test (for the organization of communication with home theater) at 5 GHz decreased. Although the client device closer to the router, then when it is placed in my home office, the signal on the way to the customer had to overcome more walls and insulation levels. When running the test elsewhere to improve or maintain performance at a constant level.

New firmware ASUS also proved to be slower than in the previous test. In the kitchen, the gap was minimal, but at longer distances, it increased. However, RT-AC87U with the new firmware generally run faster than Nighthawk X4 with new software code.

Performance 802.11n network at 2.4 GHz

The usefulness of this test is possible to argue because people are actively switching to standard 802.11ac, featuring higher performance. But, looking around your own home, I was surprised to find how many surveillance cameras and other devices are still connected to the network 802.11n 2.4 GHz.

Perhaps this figure looks even more interesting to others, because thanks to the new firmware performance Nighthawk X4 increased significantly (except for data transmission over long distances), while the firmware update ASUS, on the other hand, led to a serious reduction in the rate of RT-AC87U.

Performance with NAS

The New firmware provided a substantial increase in speed of operation both reading and writing. Given the fact that the router Nighthawk X4 is equipped with two USB 3.0 ports and one port eSATA, I decided to make important changes in the testing procedure. Previously, the files were transferred to the client PC via network cable with a mechanical hard drive with an interface USB 3.0. Now, however, I decided instead of a mechanical hard drive to use the solid-state drive with an interface USB 3.0.

The first thing I check how much time it will take to copy a collection of small files, totaling 10 GB SSD portable device in my desktop PC through a router Nighthawk X4 firmware that was used in the first review. Next, the same operation was carried out with a file size of 10 GB. The first two tests were tests “read” because the files were transferred to a portable SSD solid state drive on a desktop PC. In tests “on the record” the same files are copied to the solid state drive back to the desktop portable solid state drive connected to the router.

As can be seen from the chart, the new firmware Netgear really gives certain advantages in this area, especially in terms of the execution speed of write operations. But, in general, my opinion of NAS devices has changed. If they have for you is really important, the dedicated NAS device will be a better alternative.

Is it worth buying?

One of the distinguishing features of the router “second wave» Netgear Nighthawk X4 and ASUS RT-AC87U is the support of multi-technology MIMO, allowing the router to simultaneously serve multiple clients (simultaneously serve more than one client can all modern routers, but they give each client only of their attention, and then move on to the next cycle of the client).

But immediately after the appearance of the two routers on the market technology MU-MIMO are not supported. When this feature in the next firmware update finally included, support for MU-MIMO still does not bode well, in that case, if it is not supported by the client device. Given how the curve of the portable computer market behind the timing of the most modern equipment, it is unlikely in the near future is to wait for the embedded adapters Wi-Fi 802.11ac in laptops.

Given all this, after installing the new firmware and the observed productivity growth I have every right to increase the score Nighthawk X4 from 2.5 to 3.5 stars. New firmware ASUS RT-AC87U helped this device to save the title of the fastest current router. Let’s see what happens when I’m testing another batch.

Netgear Nighthawk X4 (model R7500)

Pluses:

• Dynamic Quality of Service (QoS);

• support for four spatial streams (4×4);

• the presence of two USB 3.0 ports and port eSATA.

Disadvantages:

• Router ASUS RT-AC87U, working together with a bridge 802.11ac standard is still much faster;

• support for MU-MIMO technology has yet to organize (the same applies to the device ASUS).

Findings

The new firmware has significantly changed my opinion of the router Netgear Nighthawk X4. This product was actually launched on the market in the unfinished version. Fortunately, the firmware can be rewritten. And if you bought the device R7500, before taking it to a service center, make sure that the changed firmware.

Price: $ 280.

Rating: 3.5

Source: Netgear

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ReadyNAS to support ReadyCLOUD ™ – a great alternative to cloud services Dropbox or Google Drive, next-generation file system BTRFS helps protect data at once on 5 levels, Easy setup and additional functions (using 100+ additional applications), key functions, features and capabilities ReadyNAS 200 :,

New Netgear NAS-system can transfer files at speeds up to 200 MB / sec. New products from Netgear are perfect for storage, protection and transmission.

The units are available in two- and chetyrehdiskovom desktop design (model RN202, RN204) and are intended primarily for all those who need to store large amounts of audio, video and photo content. Presented at CES 2015 series has managed to get a reward CES Innovations Award in the category “Computer accessories”.

Technical Base ReadyNAS 200 – a dual-core Cortex A15 processor 1.4 GHz, RAM 2 GB and dual Gigabit Ethernet ports with support for the association (aggregation) channels. Performance and speed can surprise even the most experienced user, especially when working in wireless WiFi-network standard 802.11ac. Today ReadyNAS can transmit data at speeds up to 200 MB / s, which is an average of 2 times more than similar devices from other manufacturers.

“Our ReadyNAS 200 – this is the best solution on the market in home network storage,” – says Matt Panke (Matt Pahnke), senior manager of product marketing direction NETGEAR Storage. “These NAS-device ahead of its competitors in all important criteria: performance, speed, memory capacity, data protection, ease of use. In addition, with the help of more than a hundred unique additional features and software applications you can add the system to suit your preferences. Currently on the market there are no other NAS-devices, designed for people keen on collecting media content or photos. The new storage system will provide the user the highest level of performance and security. “

New software core ReadyNAS-devices is the operating system ReadyNAS OS 6.2, which provides data security, backup the data, responsible for synchronizing and managing data using cloud technologies.

ReadyNAS to support ReadyCLOUD ™ – a great alternative to cloud services Dropbox or Google Drive

Among other things, ReadyNAS 200 provide users with a full range of capabilities of public cloud storage data (automatic backups of data (backups), data synchronization, data sharing with different devices). At the same time, for this service do not need to pay a monthly subscription fee. The data will be securely stored and only accessible to you. With features ReadyCLOUD, you’ll be able to access their files on the ReadyNAS from anywhere: you simply run a web browser on any Internet-connected device. Thus, the user can manage his data through the universal interface web. ReadyCLOUD applications for desktop and mobile gadgets running on iOS and Android are setting new standards in ease of use. In particular, using a pair of mouse clicks, you can select any folder on the NAS-device to synchronize it with the appropriate folder on the PC. In order to provide shared access to a particular file or folder, just a click of the mouse. But the most remarkable thing about this story is that your precious files are not somewhere far away on servers Dropbox or Google Drive, and on your own ReadyNAS, located at home or in the office. Prior ReadyCLOUD content sharing has not been as easy and safe.

The file system is the next generation BTRFS allows you to protect data directly on 5 levels

ReadyNAS 200 provides users with the highest level of data protection for this class of products. At the heart of the next-generation file system BTRFS, which provides all five levels of protection: (1) the files are written to several drives for RAID level protection in the event of a disk failure; (2) automatic data protection by phenomena such bitrot, the gradual destruction of the data structure; (3) snapshots of the system for subsequent rollback to a specific point in time; (4) free protection against viruses and malware in real-time; (5) light and easy replication of all data in the cloud or on a second system ReadyNAS.

Easy setup and additional functions (using 100+ additional applications)

Thanks to the innovative OS ReadyNAS, new ReadyNAS storage 200 can be configured only with the help of cloud management system to download additional client applications is required. Your network ReadyNAS 200 is determined automatically. Access device mode hot-swappable hard drives. If the user requests above average, the ReadyNAS 200 functionality can be expanded with more than one hundred additional applications.

Key functions, features and capabilities ReadyNAS 200:

• The dual-core Cortex A15 processor 1.4 GHz and 2 GB of RAM
• Two network Gigabit Ethernet ports with support for link aggregation
• Read / write speed up to 200MB / s * in RAID-configurations
• Filesystem professional level BTRFS with five levels of data protection
• Powerful applications for file synchronization and automatic data backup
• Support for Time Machine® for Mac® computers all
• Increased functionality via 100+ additional applications
• Easy to use features. For example, the provision of public access in one click (with a single mouse click you create a web link to the file)
• Media opportunities with DLNA®, iTunes® and Plex.
• Free mobile applications for cloud access and archiving photos
• Expandable final volume of data storage: up to 12 terabytes in a 2-disc version, up to 24TB in a 4-disc.
• Drive spin to save energy

On the news 3-year warranty on the chassis and telephone technical support 24×7 within 90 days of purchase. NETGEAR experts recommend that you have to have at least one full backup (backup) of all stored data.

Price and availability

Netgear ReadyNAS device 200 Series will be available for purchase in Russia at the end of the first quarter of 2015. The price will be announced later.

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