ASUS routers, like other brands of routers, have an easy to access interface, provided you know the steps. Being able to access your ASUS router's interface will allow you to make changes to your network and optimize it for your use. Luckily, we have outlined the exact steps for you to gain access to that very interface.
The first step is to make sure your computer device has a connection to the ASUS router unit. You can connect to your ASUS router over Wi-Fi or with an ethernet cable.
Once you have connected to your router, you should open your web browser of choice. The most common browsers are Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, or Safari if you are on a Mac. With your browser open, you need to type in the most common ASUSIP address, 192.168.1.1. Searching for the IP address will take you to the login page of your ASUS router. Though the above address is the most common, other possible alternatives include 192.168.100.1 and 192.168.0.1.
With the ASUS router interface now open, you will need to input the default username and password, which you can often find on the base of the router. Alternatively, if that one does not work, you can use the provided list of default usernames and passwords. If none of the provided usernames and passwords work, you will have to reset your router.
Once you have got past the login page of your Router's interface, you will find the actual interface menu. It is here where you will be able to make changes to your router. Some of those changes include the name of the network provided by the router and security settings.
ASUS or AsusTek Computer Inc is a Taiwan-based multinational company specializing in computer and phone hardware. You often find the company with their name only as ASUS, with the word originating from the mythical Pegasus, though only the last four letters feature, which allows the company to rank higher alphabetically. It was 1989 when T.H. Tung founded ASUS, along with Ted Hsu, Wayne Hsieh, and M.T. Liao, all four of which had previously worked at Acer. The company was one of the first out of Taiwan to cement itself in a leading position among competitors. ASUS did this by crafting a working motherboard for an Intel Processor. Intel's motherboard for the processor did not work, so ASUS impressed the company and secured advanced samples ahead of its competitors.
As one of the leaders in the industry, ASUS must lead the way in becoming environmentally friendly. The company has taken this seriously with the conception of Green ASUS, a program to ensure that its design, procurement, manufacturing, and marketing divisions are working with green policies. In 2008, a combined recycling effort by ASUS and Intel named PC Recycling for a Brighter Future collected over a thousand computers and tablets and donated them to multiple schools, aboriginal tribes, and a stem cell research center.
ASUS has a large range of routers, making it difficult to decide which router is the right choice for your needs. Luckily, they stick to a similar naming convention as most companies. An assigned letter helps a user understand the type of Wi-Fi band the router provides. However, you will have to look into the actual details of your ASUS router, as unlike some companies, they do not always include the maximum internet speed in the name. For example, the ASUS RT-AC66U uses 802.11ac Wi-Fi, which is a 5Ghz band. However, the 66U does not indicate the router's speed or the fact that it is a dual-band router.
Along with the type of Wi-Fi, ASUS does use another naming convention to separate their routers. Specifically, ASUS has the RT series of routers, along with the GT series.
The RT series of routers suit everyday internet users. Lower end routers in the series provide an outstanding balance of affordability and power. Some routers in the series worthy of a mention include:
The ASUS RT-AC66U The RT-AC66U is a dual-band router powerful enough for most needs. The 5Ghz provides up to 1300mbps, while the secondary 2.4Ghz band can provide up to 450mbps. The router comes with adaptive QoS to ensure the Wi-Fi distribution is optimized, and there are 4 LAN ports for wired connections.
TheASUS RT-AX88U - The RT-AX88U is a dual-band router that uses 802.1ax Wi-Fi, which is a level up from the previous 802.11ac Wi-Fi. The 5Ghz band provides internet speeds of up to 4804mbps, with the 2.4Ghz band providing up to 1148mbps. The RT-AX88U has 8 Gigabit Ethernet ports, which are faster than the standard ethernet ports mentioned above. As expected, the impressive power of the RT-AX88U is quite expensive.
The GT series is a series of routers made for gaming, which is why they are part of the ASUSROG or Republic of Gamers brand. The GT series has many RT series counterparts, with the GT series doing the same thing, though more optimized for gaming. Oneexample of this is:
The ASUS ROG Rapture GT-AC5300 ASUS provides an RT-AC5300 router that is an already excellent piece of equipment. However, the GT-AC5300 is all-around better, though also more expensive. The GT-AC5300 has eight ethernet ports, which is double the amount of the RT equivalent. The GT-AC5300 also has gaming-specific QoS and connection acceleration.
The main deciding factor when looking to purchase an ASUS router is whether you are a gamer or not. However, even if you opt for the cheaper RT series of routers over the designed for gaming in mind GT series, it is still possible to get excellent internet speeds, along with additional features to make your internet experience all the smoother.
Some of the routers above come with QoS, though those three letters might not mean much to a domestic internet user. QoS or quality of service is an inbuilt system that ensures the devices that require faster internet, actually receive it. Not all of your internet traffic will have equal priority. If you are making a FaceTime call, that will take precedence over a download, so QoS ensures more internet speed is dedicated to the device making the call. With QoS disabled, there is no way for your router to know which device takes priority, so instead, all of the connected devices receive a poor connection. Of course, the QoS on the GT series of routers is optimized for online gaming, to ensure your gaming sessions go uninterrupted.
Nearly all routers come with Ethernet ports, which get used to connect to the internet with a cable. Newer router models come with Gigabit Ethernet ports, which are faster than their standard counterparts. Wired connections are preferable for gaming, which is why the GT router mentioned has double the amount of ports when compared to the RT counterpart. These days, routers also come with USB 2.0 and USB 3.0 ports. These ports can support a data storage device with that data then shared over the router network. Alternatively, some printers have USB connections, so connect to the network using one of the USB ports on the router.
One constant battle by router manufacturers, including ASUS, is the battle to keep their routers secure. Fortunately, for simplicity, most router manufactures implement the same security schemes into their routers, with the user then able to choose the best one for their needs. The primary router network security schemes of an ASUS router are:
Either of the WPA or WPA2 schemes are best in terms of security though they may not be compatible with all devices. Older online capable devices and gaming consoles only work with WEP. ASUS also has WPA3 schemes available on some of its router, which is the next level of network security, so it should be used if possible.
You may not have realized how different each router can be, but with this breakdown of ASUS routers, you should have a better idea of what you require for your needs. Gaming and streaming require high-speed internet to ensure a smooth experience, whereas basic browsing can be done of a lower end router model. Luckily, ASUS has routers no matter your needs.