Comparison Zyxel Keenetic III vs TP-LINK TD-W8960N

General device type. Nowadays, in addition to the routers familiar to many (both regular and gaming), you can find ADSL routers, access points(including directional ones), MESH systems, Wi-Fi adapters and Wi-Fi amplifiers on the market. Here is a detailed description of these types of equipment:

— Router. Devices known to many as the most popular means of wireless Internet access. However, the use of such electronics is not limited to this — it can also be used to create local networks and for some other, more specific purposes. On the technical side, a router is an access point to a wireless network that supports NAT mode; for more details about this mode, see "Functions and Capabilities", here we note that it is thanks to NAT that it is possible to access the Internet from several computers / gadgets at once, working through one provider account.

— Gaming router. A variation of the routers described above, optimized for use in online games. The features of such devices are support for the latest communication standards, high connection speed with a minimum of lags, as well as the availability of special tools and functions (game traffic priority, connection accelerators, integration wit...h gaming services or even certain online games, etc.). The specific functionality of a gaming router may be different, but if you strive for maximum speed and comfort in online games, it makes sense to choose a device from this category.

— ADSL modem/router. Wireless routers (see above) that provide Internet access through ADSL technology. The key benefit of this technology is that it allows the use of existing telephone networks without the hassle of running wires; at the same time, the Internet and telephone communication work independently and do not interfere with each other. On the other hand, such a connection is inferior to wired Ethernet in terms of speed and functionality (for more details, see "Data input (WAN-port)"); therefore, nowadays, ADSL is gradually “departing from the stage”, and there is not much equipment for this technology on the market.

— Access point. Devices intended mainly for use as a kind of "adapter" between wired networks and wireless devices, as well as for connecting individual network segments to each other via a wireless channel. The fundamental difference between such devices and routers (see above) is the absence of the NAT function (see "Functions and Capabilities") — thus, each wireless device connected to the access point transmits its own IP address to the network. A typical example of a network based on such equipment is a common router for connecting to the Internet, plus several access points located in key locations and connected to the router by wire.

— Directed access point. A variation of the access points described above, in which the coverage area has a clear direction. Simply put, the signal from such a device does not diverge uniformly in all directions, but in a certain direction, in the form of a beam or sector. Such equipment has two main areas of application. The first is situations when the access point needs to be installed not in the centre, but on the edge of the overlapped zone — for example, in the corner of the room. In this case, the directional design allows you to concentrate almost all the transmitter power in the working area, without wasting it on "unnecessary" directions. The second use case is wireless communication over long distances, for example, between networks in different buildings in bridge mode (see "Features"); in some directional access points, the communication range reaches 10 km. Of course, for such communication, the device on the other side of the wireless channel must also have the appropriate range, so the easiest way in such cases is to use two access points with the same characteristics.

— MESH system. Equipment for building wireless networks in MESH format. The idea of this format is to use numerous compact and relatively low-power wireless transceivers that can interact with each other in a coordinated manner. In this way, you can block a significant area (up to a small city), providing a reliable connection at any point in the coverage area. This happens as follows: a laptop, smartphone or other Wi-Fi gadget interacts with the nearest node of the MESH network, then the data is transmitted to the main router or access point wirelessly, along the chain between the nodes. In this case, the so-called dynamic routing is used: the network itself determines the optimal data transfer path and automatically changes this path when the user moves between individual nodes.
Actually, dynamic routing is the key difference between MESH devices and more traditional Wi-Fi amplifiers. At the same time, the work is carried out in a “seamless” format: when switching from one node to another, the connection is not lost and network functions that require a stable connection (downloads, watching videos, online games, authorization sessions) are not interrupted. In other words, the user does not notice switching between individual nodes at all. In addition, this format of operation allows you to maintain a stable connection speed (whereas the use of traditional amplifiers, especially in the form of chains, significantly reduces the speed). Thus, a MESH network can be an excellent solution for situations where a set of several Wi-Fi amplifiers is needed — from a private house on 2-3 floors to office and industrial complexes, and even urban areas. At the same time, equipment for such networks can be sold in sets of several units (up to 8); see "Included" for details.

— Wi-Fi adapter. Adapters for connecting to Wi-Fi networks designed for desktop PCs and other equipment that does not initially have built-in Wi-Fi modules. Such equipment can be both external and internal — see "Interfaces (for adapters)" for details. Also note here that buying a Wi-Fi adapter can be a good alternative to a wired connection — especially if the router is located far away and it would be inconvenient to pull the wire.

— Wi-Fi booster. Devices designed to amplify the Wi-Fi signal from an existing router or access point. They allow you to expand the coverage area, get rid of "dead zones", as well as improve the overall quality of communication and make the signal more stable. This type of device differs from MESH equipment (see above), which has a similar purpose, in the absence of dynamic routing (Wi-Fi amplifiers are designed to work directly with the router, in extreme cases, via a fixed chain), as well as the impossibility of seamless operation (the amplifier is visible as separate network — see "Features — Repeater Mode" for details). In addition, connecting through such a device can significantly reduce the speed. On the other hand, Wi-Fi amplifiers are much cheaper than nodes in MESH systems. So this particular type of equipment may be the best option for simple domestic use, when you only need to slightly expand the existing coverage and there is no need to build an extensive network with many equivalent connection points.

Methods for connecting to the Internet (or other external network, such as in bridge mode) supported by the device.

The classic, most common version of such a connection nowadays is LAN (Ethernet), but this is not limited to this. A wired connection can also be made via ADSL or SFP fiber, and wirelessly via mobile networks (using a SIM card, SIM card 5G or an external modem for 3G or 4G), as well as via Wi-Fi. Here is a more detailed description of each option:

— Ethernet (RJ45). Classic wired connection via a network cable via an RJ-45 connector. Also known as "LAN", although this designation is not entirely correct. Nowadays, it is one of the most common methods of wired Internet connection, and is also widely used in local networks. This is due to the fact that the speed of Ethernet is actually limited only by the capabilities of network controllers; at the same time, even the simplest modules support up to 100 Mbps, and in advanced equipment this value can reach 10 Gbps.

— ADSL. A technology primarily used for wired Internet connections over existing landline telephone lines. This is its main advantage — you can use ready-made lines without fiddling with laying numerous addi...tional wires; at the same time, ADSL works independently of telephone calls and does not interfere with them. At the same time, the speed of such a connection is noticeably lower than via Ethernet — even in advanced equipment it does not exceed 24 Mbps. In addition, ADSL traffic is distributed asymmetrically: full speed is achieved only when working for reception, data transmission speed is much lower, which creates problems for video communication and some other tasks. So nowadays, ADSL is gradually being replaced by more advanced standards, although the complete disappearance of this technology is still far away.

— Wi-Fi. Connect to an external data source via Wi-Fi. By definition, this format of operation is used by Wi-Fi adapters (see "Device type"), as well as by most MESH equipment. (However, if the MESH system package includes both nodes and the main control device for them, then the WAN input can be specified for the control device, and often this is not Wi-Fi). Also, this type of data input can be provided in other types of equipment — in particular, routers and access points (for example, to work in bridge or repeater mode).

— 3G modem (USB). Internet connection via 3G mobile network using a separate external modem connected to the USB port. Most often, we are talking about UMTS networks (the development of GSM mobile communications), the most common in Europe and the post-Soviet space; however, it may also be possible to use modems for CDMA networks (EV-DO technology). These nuances, as well as compatibility with specific modem models, need to be clarified separately. However, anyway, 3G may be a good option for situations where a wired Internet connection is difficult or impossible, such as in the private sector. In addition, some Wi-Fi devices with this feature are equipped with autonomous power supplies and can even be used on the go. The data transfer speed of 3G is close to broadband wired connection (from 2 to 70 Mbps with a normal signal, depending on the specific technology); however, it is less than in 4G networks (see below), but 3G coverage is more extensive, and equipment for this standard is cheaper.

— 4G (LTE) modem (USB). Internet connection via 4G mobile network (LTE) using a separate external modem connected to the USB port. The main features are similar to the 3G connection described above, adjusted for the fact that in this case more advanced fourth-generation networks are used. The data transfer rate in such networks reaches about 150 Mbps; they are not as widespread as 3G-connection, but soon we can expect a change in the situation. In addition, it should be noted that in Europe and the post-Soviet space, LTE networks are usually deployed on the basis of 3G UMTS and GSM networks; so in the absence of full-fledged 4G coverage, modems for such networks can work according to the 3G and even GSM standard.

— SIM card. Connecting to the Internet via a mobile network using a mobile operator's SIM card installed directly in the device. The specific type of supported networks depends both on the capabilities of the router and on the conditions of a particular mobile operator; however, all such equipment is compatible with at least 3G networks, and often 4G as well. The features of these networks are described in detail above (you can also read about the advantages of a mobile Internet connection there). This option is convenient because it allows you to do without a separate USB modem — you just need to purchase a SIM card, the cost of which is negligible. In addition, the use of "sim cards" has a positive effect on compactness and ease of carrying. On the other hand, the built-in mobile communication module significantly affects the overall cost — and you will have to pay for it anyway (whereas a model with support for external modems does not have to be bought immediately with a modem, such devices usually allow wired connection). Therefore, you should pay attention to this option if you initially plan to connect to the Internet through mobile networks.

- SIM card (5G). The ability to operate Wi-Fi equipment in high-speed 5G mobile networks with a peak bandwidth of up to 20 Gbps for reception and up to 10 Gbps for data transmission. Implemented via a SIM card with appropriate 5G support. This standard reduces power consumption compared to previous versions, and it also uses a number of complex solutions aimed at improving the reliability and overall quality of communication - in particular, multi-element antenna arrays (Massive MIMO) and beamforming technologies (Beamforming).

— SFP (optics). Connection via fiber optic cable of the SFP standard. Such a connection can be carried out at high speeds (measured in gigabytes per second), and the fiber, unlike the Ethernet cable, is practically insensitive to external interference. On the other hand, the support of this standard is not cheap, and its capabilities are unnecessary for domestic use. Therefore, SFP is found mainly in professional-level Wi-Fi devices.

The maximum speed provided by the device when communicating wirelessly in the 2.4 GHz band.

This range is used in most modern Wi-Fi standards (see above) - as one of the available or even the only one. The theoretical maximum for it is 600 Mbit. In reality, Wi-Fi at a frequency of 2.4 GHz is used by a large number of client devices, from which congestion of data transmission channels emerges. Also, the number of antennas affects the speed performance of the equipment. It is possible to achieve the speed declared in the specification only in an ideal situation. In practice, it can be noticeably smaller (often by several times), especially with an abundance of wireless technology simultaneously connected to the equipment. The maximum speed at 2.4 GHz is specified in the characteristics of specific models to understand the real capabilities of Wi-Fi equipment. As for the numbers, according to the capabilities in the 2.4 GHz band, modern equipment is conditionally divided into models with speeds up to 500 Mbit inclusive and over 500 Mbit.

Reassignable WAN / LAN port in the design of the device, which can work both with an external WAN network and with a local LAN. This solution allows you to reduce the total number of connection ports and at the same time expand the functionality of the equipment for flexible adaptation to user needs.

The number of USB 2.0 ports provided in the design of the device.

USB in this case plays the role of a universal interface for connecting peripheral devices to the router. The specific USB devices supported and how they are used may vary. Examples include working with a flash drive that plays the role of a drive for working in FTP or file server mode (see "Functions / Capabilities"), connecting to a printer in print server mode(see ibid), connecting a 3G modem (See "Data input (WAN-port)"), etc.

Specifically, USB 2.0 allows you to transfer data at speeds up to 480 Mbps. This is noticeably less than that of more advanced standards (starting with USB 3.2 gen1 described below), and the power supply of such connectors is low. However, even such characteristics are often quite enough, taking into account the specifics of the use of Wi-Fi devices. In addition, peripherals for newer versions can also be connected to the USB 2.0 port — the main thing is that the power supply is enough. Therefore, although this standard is considered obsolete, it is still widely used in modern wireless equipment. There are even models that provide 2 or even more USB 2.0 ports; this allows you to simultaneously use several external devices at once — for example, a 3G modem and a USB flash drive.

The presence of a removable antenna(or several antennas) in the design of the device.

Only external antennas can be made removable (see "Type of antennas"). This design is especially convenient for storage and transportation: it allows you to remove external equipment, making the device less bulky. In addition, many devices with this feature allow replacement of standard antennas with others (for example, more powerful ones or with a more optimal radiation pattern). Some of these models are even initially sold without antennas — in the expectation that the user will choose them himself, at his discretion; such equipment is not needed for domestic use, but it can be very convenient when selecting high-quality professional equipment. On the other hand, the detachable design reduces the reliability of the antenna mounting, increases the possibility of failures at the connection point, and increases the cost of the device. Therefore, most modern Wi-Fi equipment is still equipped with fixed antennas.

Gain provided by each device antenna; if the design provides for antennas with different characteristics (a typical example is both external and internal antennas), then the information, usually, is indicated by the highest value.

Amplification of the signal in this case is provided by narrowing the radiation pattern — just as in flashlights with adjustable beam width, reducing this width increases the illumination range. The simplest omnidirectional antennas narrow the signal mainly in the vertical plane, "flattening" the coverage area so that it looks like a horizontal disk. In turn, directional antennas (mainly in specialized access points, see "Device type") create a narrow beam that covers a very small area, but provides a very solid gain.

Specifically, the gain describes how powerful the signal is in the main direction of the antenna compared to an perfect antenna that spreads the signal evenly in all directions. Together with the power of the transmitter (see below), this determines the total power of the equipment and, accordingly, the efficiency and range of communication. Actually, to determine the total power, it is enough to add the gain in dBi to the transmitter power in dBm; dBi and dBm in this case can be considered as the same units (decibels).

In general, such data is rarely required by the average user, but it can be useful in some specific situations that specialists have to deal with. Detailed calculation methods for suc...h situations can be found in special sources; here we emphasize that it does not always make sense to pursue a high antenna gain. First, as discussed above, this comes at the cost of narrowing the scope, which can be inconvenient; secondly, too strong a signal is also often undesirable, for more details see "Transmitter power".

Rated power of the Wi-Fi transmitter used in the device. If multiple bands are supported (see “Ranges of operation”) the power for different frequencies may be different, for such cases the maximum value is indicated here.

The total transmitting power provided by the device directly depends on this parameter. This power can be calculated by adding the transmitter power and the antenna gain (see above): for example, a 20 dBm transmitter coupled with a 5 dBi antenna results in a total power of 25 dBm (in the main antenna coverage area). For simple domestic use (for example, buying a router in a small apartment), such details are not required, but in the professional field it often becomes necessary to use wireless devices of a strictly defined power. Detailed recommendations on this matter for different situations can be found in special sources, but here we note that the total value of 26 dBm or more allows the device to be classified as equipment with a powerful transmitter. At the same time, such capabilities are not always required in fact: excessive power can create a lot of interference both for surrounding devices and for the transmitter itself (especially in urban and other similar conditions), as well as degrade the quality of the connection with low-power electronics. And for effective communication over a long distance, both the equipment itself and external devices must have the appropriate power (which is far from alway...s achievable). So, when choosing, you should not chase the maximum number of decibels, but take into account the recommendations for a particular case; in addition, a Wi-Fi amplifier or MESH system often turns out to be a good alternative to a powerful transmitter.

The power of the transmitter installed in the equipment when operating in the 2.4 GHz band (see "Frequency Band").

This parameter directly affects the overall power and, accordingly, the communication efficiency. For more on this, see p. "Transmitter power" above, but here we separately emphasize that high power is not always required, and in some cases it is frankly harmful.