Wireless router Xiaomi. Xiaomi (routers): Setup and firmware. Review of the best models and reviews. Main information about the device

It is impossible to live without access to the network today. At the same time, not only the very fact of the existence of the Internet is of great importance, but also its quality. If the pages are slowly loaded and the connection is constantly breaking, it simply displays.

Why brakes wireless internet

The speed of the Wi-Fi network affects many different factors. This is the power of the transmitter, and the location of its location, and obstacles on the path distribution path. But sometimes interference with other devices and networks have the greatest impact.

In wireless networks, two frequency range are used - 2.4 and 5 GHz, and most of the gadgets work in the first. As a result, the device interferes with each other, which leads to a decrease in the data transfer rate.

Sometimes it is possible to correct the situation with simple channels of channels. How to do it, we have already written. But this method helps not always, as free channels may simply be left. And then only one option remains - the transition to the range of 5 GHz, which is still very weak. However, this will require a new modern router.

Why Mi WiFi Router 4

We will not try to impress you by transferring all the technical characteristics and supported standards. Most ordinary users are completely unnecessary. Suffice to say that this is a fresh model that appeared on the light of this year. So, with support for new technologies, everything is fine there.

In addition, MI WiFi Router 4, like all Xiaomi products, looks great. This is a pretty small gadget from white plastic, which will look great in any atmosphere.

The only negative is the lack of holes for wall mount. However, if it is very necessary, it will not be difficult for a pair of holes in the ventilation grille on the back cover.

Well, the last reason is the excellent value for the price and consumer properties of the device. Finding a more sophisticated router, of course, is completely simple, but it will be much more expensive. You can try to save, but then you will have to limit yourself to some unlucky Chinese rattage.

How to connect a new router

Everything is very simple. First connect the device to the network, and then insert into the connector marked with blue, the cable from your provider.

After that, you should install a special MI Wi-Fi (Android, iOS) on the smartphone. Next, you need to enter data account In MI services or create a new user. Setting the router parameters in most cases is automatically. You will only need to set the network name and password, and then enter this data on all devices for connecting.

If you need to enter the data provided by your provider, manually, you will have to connect to the router via the web interface. To do this, enter in the address bar of the browser 192.168.31.1 and click "Enter". You will open the router control panel where you can do all the necessary settings.

Yes, the web interface of the Xiaomi Mi Router 4 router is available only in Chinese, but for an experienced person to figure it out in it will not be difficult. We hope that the international version with localization for different countries will also appear soon.

That in the end

Mi Router 4 test results exceeded all our expectations.

All devices connected to the 5 GHz network showed more than a four-fold increase in data rate. In the screenshot, you yourself can see that the initial loading speed was approximately 15-20 Mbps, and after replacing the router, it exceeded 80 Mbps (top three lines).

As for obsolete devices, they calmly connected to the second network from Mi Router 4 by 2.4 GHz. In this case, the speed increase was not so impressive, but still tangible. And most importantly - the compound has become more stable and stable, without failures and breaks even with peak loads.

If you want to drastically improve the quality of the wireless network in your apartment, then Xiaomi Mi Router 4 is an excellent solution. It has a modern appearance, it consistently works and costs only 2,509 rubles. Just nonsense compared to the time savings and nerves that you get as a result.

Specially bought a Xiaomi Mini WiFi router to prepare several detailed instructions for setting up this interesting router. By the way, judging by the reviews and comments in online stores, the router from Xiaomi is very popular. And it is not even strange, for a small Suma we get a beautiful, powerful and high-quality router. In addition, a two-dimpace router, of course, with support for the 802.11ac standard, and also with the USB port. Yes, this is a Chinese router, but Xiaomi is a good company, and very popular.

The router itself from Xiaomi is very beautiful, stylish and unusual. Browse this router in a separate article. And in this article I want to write in detail the first setting of the Xiaomi Mini WiFi router. I'll show you how to connect the router, configure the Wi-Fi network, and the Internet. In the near future I will prepare instructions for setting up general access To files on a USB drive, the firmware of the router, etc.

Control panel in Chinese. What to do, how to change the language?

As for the setting of Xiaomi Mini WiFi, it is most likely the only moment that can disappoint you in this router. The fact is that the router settings in Chinese. No opportunity to choose Russian, or even English. If you want a control panel in Russian, you will have to flash a third-party firmware router (Pandorabox, Padavan). The firmware process itself is complex. Perhaps I will write about it in a separate article.

English can be added. It is necessary in the Wi-Fi settings you need to change the region to Europe, and update the firmware. I will write about it in a separate article. Well, I advise you not to bother, and simply configure the Xiaomi Mini router in my instruction. Is something free to change if the settings are in English? This is the router, you set it up, and forget about this control panel. And everything is exactly what language it is. The main thing is that the Internet worked well and stable.

Another point, the router can be configured from the smartphone, or tablet, through the MI Router application. The application in English, everything is clear there. We will also consider this option at the end of this article.

This instruction should be suitable not only for Xiaomi Mini model, but also for WiFi Mirouter 3, and MI WiFi Nano.

Xiaomi Mi Router Mini: Setting up Wi-Fi and Internet

First, connect the power to the router, and connect the cable from the provider, or the modem to the "Internet" port.

Further, we need to go to the Xiaomi router settings. First, we will look at the first setting from the computer (laptop). Connect the computer to the router as the cable (True, there is no cable)and Wi-Fi. Immediately after switching on, a wireless network will appear with the name "Xiaomi_kami). It is not password protected. Connect to it.

If you immediately earned the Internet through the router, that is, it makes sense to configure through browser Chrome., or Yandex browser. They know how to transfer pages on the summer. And the control panel will be more understandable. Translation there is not perfect, but still better than Chinese hieroglyphs.

1 Open any browser, and go to the address miwifi.com. (It is indicated from the bottom of the router). Or 192.168.31.1 . You can see the detailed article in which I showed. On the first page simply click on the large Chinese button 🙂 is something like a license agreement.

2 Next, you need to set the name Wi-Fi network and password to it. The password must be minimal 8 characters. Since the router is dual-band, the password will be the same for networks on two frequencies. It can then be changed in the control panel. We continue the setting.

3 In the next window, we need to install a password that will protect the router settings. This password will need to specify when entering the router settings. Push the password and click on the button to continue. If you want the password from the router is the same as a password from Wi-Fi, you can just put a tick. But I do not advise you to do that.

4 We see a message that the router will create two Wi-Fi networks at different frequencies, their names will be indicated. The router will be rebooted.

After rebooting, the Wi-Fi network will appear with the name we set during the configuration process. Connect to this network using the set password.

5 In the settings window, if you have not yet closed it, you can click on the button, and you will see a message with the proposal to install a branded application on your smartphone, to control the Xiaomi router. You can install this application in App Store., or Google Play, if it is necessary for you. It is called Mi Router. Below, I will show how to configure the router from the phone through this application.

Important moment! If the Internet is already running through the router on your devices, then the Xiaomi router configuration is complete. If you want, you can go to the configuration, I'll show you how to do it.

If internet via router does not workYou need to configure it.

Log in to the Xiaomi router settings and configuring the connection to the provider

1 Again in the browser, go to the address miwifi.com.. Password request will appear. Specify the password you installed during the first setting. This is not a password from Wi-Fi, namely from the router.

2 To configure the Internet (connections to the provider) Go to the settings to a separate page, as shown below. In the list, select Your Connection Type. Most likely, you need to choose PPPoE. Just if you had a type dHCP connections (Dynamic IP), then the Internet would work through the router without configuration. Connection type can be clarified by your provider.

3 After selecting PPPoE, you will need to set the necessary parameters for connecting. These parameters displays an Internet provider. Also, they are most likely listed in the documents that you were issued when connected to the Internet.

4 If the provider uses binding over the MAC address, you can change it on the same page below. Just write the necessary Mac. Or ask that the provider would prescribe the MAC address of your router, which is specified in this field, or on the device itself.

It is necessary that the router connects to the Internet, and began to distribute it to your devices.

Setting up a wireless network 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz. Wi-Fi Password Change

If you want to change the name of the Wi-Fi network, password, a channel, or for example, disable the network on some frequency 5 GHz, or 2.4 GHz, go to the settings, and go to the village as shown below.

If you scroll down the page below, then you will see 5G Wi-Fi settings there, as far as I understood the guest setting and change the region.

As you can see, nothing complicated. Even despite the fact that the settings in Chinese.

The first setting of the Xiaomi router from the phone, or tablet (MI Router)

You can configure the router with mobile device. First you need to install the MI Router brand program. We put it with Google Play, or App Store. If you do not want to put the application, you can configure via a mobile device browser, as I showed above.

Connect your smartphone to Xiaomi router. Wi-Fi network will have a standard name, and will not be protected by a password. Also, do not forget to connect the Internet to the router.

I, on the iPhone, immediately after connection, a window appeared with a router setting. And on Android, in the MI Router program you need to select "SET UP A NEW ROUTER". Specify the location where the router is installed, and press the "Next" button.

The router will check the Internet connection, and if your provider uses a DHCP connection, then you will see a message that the Internet is connected. Like me on the screenshot below. And if you have a PPPoE connection technology, you will need to specify some parameters (login, password).

The last step is to install the password on the Wi-Fi network, and shift the network name. Specify this data and click "Finish".

Please note that the network password installed on the Wi-Fi will also be used to access the router settings, when entering the control panel at Miwifi.com.

That's all, the router setting is complete. If something failed, go to the settings through the browser, and change the necessary parameters.

Even without the firmware of the router into English, or the Russian language, you can easily configure it, and everything will work. Yes, in the settings that in Chinese understand it is very difficult. Even in English it would be easier. The English version of the original firmware is, in a separate article I will show you how to install it.

Router I really liked how outwardly and stable work. Write your feedback on this model, share tips, and ask questions. Always happy to help the advice!

Xiaomi Mi Router 4 arrived at me in the middle of summer rOUTER D-LINK DIR-615, which worked at me for many years and absolutely outdated by the standards of 2018.

First of all, I wanted to get a gigabit wired connection between the home server (file storage) and the home computer. I also wanted to add support for 5 GHz Wi-Fi, because houses already have devices with support for this standard (for example, and)

Well, finally, it would be nice for the router to have a pleasant appearance and pleased the eyes. To whom, but personally, for me, the appearance of things used is also important.

Only appeared at that time on sale answered all three requirements.

The characteristics of the MI Router 4 look like a step back compared to the MI Router 3G: with the same gigabit ports and similar "Four" processors lost the USB port and received a reduced twice the amount of RAM.

And the rallying is simple: the traditional for manufacturers of computer "iron" marketing got to Chinese brands.

In the line of Xiaomi routers of the third generation there were three models:

• budget
• midview
• top

In the fourth generation, the budget segment takes the model - this model came to replace 3C. The role of the middle peasant gets considered in this article - it replaces the usual "treshka". And truly powerful and breakthrough model should become a 3G successor, but on this moment Nothing is known about it.

Of the marketing considerations, there is only 2 gigabit LAN-port. In principle, SOC MediaTek MT7621A is equipped with a switter on 5 gigabit ports, but with five "Four" ports began to compete with another Xiaomi-router model present in the market.

In general, the characteristics of the router can not be called nor good or bad. They are normal. There are gigabit WAN and LAN ports, support for 5 GHz band Wi-Fi.

On the board, the Xiaomi logo and the inscription "Are You Ok" ("Are you all right?"), Apparently some "Easter" for those who are able to understand its meaning.

The size of the board is noticeably less than the sizes of the hull itself - and it is good in terms of cooling. Two wireless modules, 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz bands, closed with insulating metal casing. On each range accounts for 2 antennas, wiring from which are marked with different colors.

Disconnecting the antenna and unscrewing two more screws get to the back of the circuit board.

But there is nothing particularly interesting here - only the memory module with Toshiba marking, and two thermal staples to remove heat to the metal plate radiator. There are poorly washed flux in some places.

And here is the radiator himself. The metal plate is thin, but the scattering surface is quite large, the air flow is good, and a lot of free space inside the case.

The last thing to pay attention to is a plastic fiber translating the glow located on motherboard LED on the front case panel.

Connection and configuration

After connecting the router to the local network you need to configure it. At least set passwords for Wi-Fi access points.

You can do this in different ways:

• Through a web interface, going to the admin on the IP address 192.168.31.1 (the default IP address is printed on the sticker at the bottom of the router)
• Through the MI Wi-Fi app for Android
• Through the MI Wi-Fi application for iOS

It would seem that the easiest way to go to the administration from the browser. But no: the web interface of the router works in Chinese, which means that you have to either understand the settings at random, or to install Google Chrome and use it in it by the page content distribution option.

Therefore, if you have an IOS or Android device under hand, it will be more convenient to download a companion application and tune through it. In the Chinese application, not the entire interface will be displayed, but about its half. And it is already much easier to deal with it.

The application will propose to configure the new router (Set Up a New Mi Router) and will try to find it on the local network.

Without finding anything like a router from Xiaomi, it will ask you to manually switch from the Wi-Fi network to the Wi-Fi network from the new router. What we do in the settings, choosing an open network with suspicious high levels Signal and word "Xiaomi" in the title.

After switching to a wireless network of a new router, the application will task the question, whether we want to shift the settings from the already used Xiaomi router (Restore from Another Mi Router) or make a clean setting (AS A A NEW Router).

We choose the second option and rolls us on Miwifi.com, where you need to agree with any conditions in Chinese and choose from some options, again in Chinese.

It is good that the proposed options are illustrated with pictures from which it becomes clear that we are asked if we want to install a router as a router (top version of the answer) or as a signal repeater from another router (lower option).

Invent the password from the access point, wait for the application of the settings.

On this torment with Chinese completed, the site MiwiFi.com offers to return back to the MI Wi-Fi application interface.

The MI Wi-Fi application offers to connect to the already closed wireless network of the router with the passwords you specified.

After that, we get the offer to "make money on your Wi-Fi" - that is, it is created through the application a guest point with a paid connection through the application. Refusal (Skip This Step), since the reception of Russian payment tools is unlikely to work through Chinese billing. In addition, as far as I know, in the Russian Federation, such focuses are a violation of some points of the law "On Communication".

Finally, we refuse to join the User Experience Program - i.e. From draining statistics to chinese servers.

Setup has already been completed. But if you wish, you can make the following actions through MI Wi-Fi:

• Enable / disable the MINET function (if you do not use the "Smart Home" devices from Xiaomi - to immediately turn off as unnecessary)
• Configure a VPN connection
• Disable the indication LED on the front panel of the router
• Remower Wi-Fi (Turn off 2.4 GHz or 5 GHz access point, change passwords or encryption method, hide discovery point)
• Enable guest Wi-Fi network
• Edit Hosts file
• Update router firmware
• Configure Turn on / off Wi-Fi by timer
• Configure timer reboot
• Watch the state of the local network, browse the list of network customers and the load created by them on the Internet channel

A moment of paranoia

The MI Wi-Fi application wants to track the geoposition of the device without any intentional justification - see screenshots above. Moreover, the ban on access to the data of the geoposition to an even account does not interfere with the work of the program.

Oh, these Chinese.

Xiaomi Router 4 in work

Copying files on the local network

Downloading a file from a server to a computer (SMB protocol) occurs at a speed of ~ 70 mb / s, which roughly corresponds to the speed of 560Mbps.

For comparison: copying a file from one folder to another within a single hard disk on the computer starts with ~ 120 MB / s and in the future it is deemed to ~ 70 MB / s.

Results SpeedTest.net (Ethernet)

By Ethernet connection, the Internet connection speed test showed 95,1 MBIT / s for loading and 94.56 MBIT / s per return at the real channel speed in 100 MBIT / s.

Results SpeedTest.net (2.4GHZ Wi-Fi)

When using 2.4 GHz, the Wi-Fi range of the Internet connection speed tests 42Mbps on loading and 50.87 MBIT / s to return.

Impressions for 2 months of use

At the time of publication of this review, I have been worked out for more than two months.

There were no complaints from his work. The router did not hang, did not begin to bullure, it did not have the need to reboot it. By the way, his predecessor D-Link DIR-615 is no no no, but I started to require reboot.

At first, it was embarrassed that the router was on the stock firmware in touch with Chinese servers and theoretically can merge some information on them. But with the time she calmed down, and alternative firmware with a disdicker from Chinese servers must appear in the future.

Advantages and disadvantages

Advantages:

• Stylish appearance
• Support for modern standards (5 GHz Wi-Fi, 1000 Mbps WAN / LAN)
• Good cooling and moderate heating
• Stable work

Disadvantages:

• Small number of LAN ports (solved by buying a switch with the required number of ports)
• Lack of USB
• There are no significant differences from

Suggested moments:

• At the moment (end of September 2018) is only chinese firmware With binding to chinese servers. The firmware works fine and satisfies the needs of an ordinary home user, but I would like to have alternatives.

Almost everyone modern devices Equip wi-Fi support in the range of 5 GHz. Above speed, less interference. It's time to go to this standard and our readers, because thanks to Xiaomi it can be done for funny money. As a bonus - the ability to create your own home media server without spending just two clicks.

We are accustomed that things are either cheap or high quality. Xiaomi gadgets often break stereotypes, offering modern functions, high build quality and low cost at the same time.

It did not exception and line of home routers of the company. Today it includes the budget Youth, practical Router 3 and several NAS options (server for downloading, storing and distributing content on the home network), the youngest model of which is gradually stopped selling.

The best option for the house, because other dual-band routers for $ 29, you just do not find.

Appearance

Designers Xiaomi sometimes manage to create truly masterpieces. Router 3 is one of them. Matto white, concise and stylish.

The router does not have mounting holes and brackets, which is why it will not work the router on the wall. Numerous ventilation holes will not help - the standard attachments will not be delivered to them. But this is not a disadvantage, because Xiaomi Router 3 comes to any interior or even its absence.

By the way, there are no radiators either - the cooling is passive. Significant heating is not observed.

The solutions used led to a decrease in mass, absolute silence during operation and the possibility of installing the router in any interiors. It is difficult to find such a room in which Xiaomi Router 3 does not exist.

All connectors are located on the rear panel: 2 LAN ports (up to 100 Mbps) for connecting network cable, WAN for wired connection devices to the router, uSB port 2.0, power connector and hidden reset button.

To notify the user about the operation modes, the standard light bulb at the LAN inlet and the bright indicator on the front panel of the device is served.

Characteristics

The basis of the router became single-core mediaTek processor MT7620A with a frequency of 580 MHz. The amount of RAM is 128 MB. The same is assigned to storing firmware and settings.

The router refers to the class AC1200 and gives speed up to 1,200 Mbps. This is achieved by separating the channel into two separate Wi-Fi networks: at a frequency of 2.4 (at a speed of up to 300 Mbps) and 5 GHz (at a speed of up to 867 Mbps). For each frequency range uses its own pair of independent external antennas. Implemented MIMO 2 × 2 protocol. With it is achieved increased speed Transfer and faster data sharing between devices connected to the network.

All network ports are calculated for the speed of 100 Mbps. But use Wi-Fi at a frequency of 5 GHz with Xiaomi Router 3 at full speed can only inside the wireless network.

Software

In many respects, the popularity of Xiaomi is due to a single ecosystem in which the company engineers include an increasing number of devices that are connected to a single application to control the smart home Mihome. Xiaomi Router 3 has not exceeded.

If there are no other devices in the house in the house, you can use the individual MIWIFI Router application to configure and manage all Xiaomi routers.

The only drawback is the lack of Russification. All settings are available only in English. The Russified version can be installed by downloading the APK file from one of the thematic resources. But this is not the worst: Chinese language is used in the web version of the interface. In this case, either translator will help or flashing.

The MiwiFi Router application interface contains four tabs.

In the first tab, you can find a list of all devices that have ever been connected to the router. You can also find out information about traffic, current consumption, see IP and MAC addresses, disable Internet access, block the device or configure for it throughput Channel. Here is the configuration of other network devices of the company.

The second tab is required to access connected drives.

On the third tab, access to the capabilities of the built-in client of the download is available. Torrent files are supported. The last tab contains all other settings.

You can change the login and password to connect to Wi-Fi and the router, update the firmware, turn off the light display or configure the guest network. Immediately configures the schedule of work Wi-Fi and a planned reboot.

The appendix has more advanced features. So, the Wi-Fi Optimization item (Wi-Fi Optimization) launches the surrounding environment and selects optimal settings. There is a built-in task manager (Task Manager), which allows you to configure download parameters and distributions.

You can configure the network bandwidth for the router and each of the plug-in devices in the bandwidth. It is possible to configure your own cloud for photos from all connected mobile devices.

There is still a built-in Samba client, allowing to turn the router to a home media server.

You can get into the web interface of the device, opening the Miwifi.com website in the browser or go to 192.168.31.1. Here you can configure VPN, DHCP, PORT-FORWARDING, operation modes (router, repeater, bridge). Using third-party firmware can expand the functionality of the device.

Testing

Testing was carried out in a standard two-room apartment. The router was installed at the entrance. In addition, an amplifier was purchased xiaomi signal MI WiFi Amplifier.

The quality of the coating turned out to be above all silence. To demonstrate the work, a small dimension was carried out. The figure shows the plan of the apartment, on the screenshots - the signal level at points 1, 2, 3, 4 in accordance with the sequence number. Network with PLUS signature - reinforced using Xiaomi Mi WiFi Amplifier signal.

The router excellently distributes the Internet not only by 55 square meters of apartment. The coverage area applies to parking, and on the staircase. Enough even neighbors.

On the above screenshots, the levels of network signals in the range of 2.4 GHz are shown.

In this case, the levels of network signals in the range of 5 GHz are shown.

In the Wi-Fi network, the speed is slightly smaller, but even the current tariff allows you to transmit all possible connection speed. For wired connected The router "squeezes" the last 100 Mbps.

Unfortunately, because of the 100 megabit LAN capabilities of the router in the range of 5 GHz are limited - it is simply not able to offer greater Internet speed. However, you can build home networkBy tying the devices among themselves.

In addition, Xiaomi has limited USB portables. You can connect drives, but not printers or 3G modems. The print server is also not embedded in the official client.

But it is possible to configure automatic creation backups Photos from the smartphone, as well as use the built-in loading client.

Additional features: MI WiFi Amplifier

If necessary, it is possible to expand the coating zone using the MI WiFi Amplifier branded amplifier.

Externally, the device resembles the usual 3G-modem in white matte plastic. The bottom is equipped with a hinge for more convenient installation. MI WiFi Amplifier is an even more laconic gadget than Router 3: There is only a status diode on it and the recessed reset key.

To connect, it is enough to install AMPLIFIER into the router USB connector and wait until the blue LED signal turns out. After the signal amplifier is installed in any USB-port with power.

The coating zone increases almost twice. In full force, it is impossible to show it because of the small apartment area, but the signal level graphs are quite convincingly demonstrated.

The device is able to broadcast the signal only at a frequency of 2.4 GHz and, according to official data, it works exclusively with Xiaomi routers. With a certain proportion of good luck and the correct version of the MI WiFi Amplifier application, you can connect to other brands to routers using the MI Home branded application.

Why choose Xiaomi Router 3?

• Support for two-band Wi-Fi 2.4 / 5 GHz.
• MIMO support.
• The ability to connect an external drive.
• Convenient configuration using an application for iOS and Android.
• Ability to create a home network.
• The cheapest router in your class. Price - 29 dollars.
• Convenient (and cheap - only $ 8) Expansion of the coverage area using MI WiFi Amplifier.

Combines most of these solutions for several points, the main ones are only in the local (Chinese) market and the availability of documentation and software Only in Chinese. However, nevertheless, these difficulties do not interfere with the interests of domestic enthusiast products.

In this article we will get acquainted with the new wireless router of the famous chinese manufacturer - Xiaomi companies. Mi WiFi Router 3 model is already the third, which came to us for testing. In the fall of the year ago, the Publication on Xiaomi MI Wi-Fi was published, and last September - by Xiaomi Mi Wi-Fi Mini.

New model by appearance noticeably different from the predecessor (if you consider such Xiaomi Mi Wi-Fi mini), in particular, has a larger body and four external antennas. At the same time, specifications practically coincide: the MediaTek MT7620A processor (580 MHz), 128 MB of RAM, 128 MB of Flash Memory (at MI Wi-Fi Mini - 16 MB), two wireless radio block - by 2.4 GHz (802.11b / G / n, up to 300 Mbps) and 5 GHz (802.11a / N / AC, up to 867 Mbps), one WAN port and two LAN ports (all are calculated on the speed of 100 Mbps), USB port 2.0 To connect external devices.

By setting parameters, the model can be attributed to the middle class. The most interesting feature from a practical point of view is to support work in the range of 5 GHz. At the same time, the cost of the device in foreign online stores is about $ 30 (approximately 2000 rubles at the time of the article preparation). Analogs with 802.11ac and 867 Mbps with such a budget to find in our market will not be easy. On the other hand, it is necessary to understand that if there are only 100 Mbps ports, the specified speed by wireless connection 5 GHz is in a certain sense of "virtual" and can affect real performance Only in certain, rather rare, in our opinion, scenarios.

Supplies and appearance

Unlike previously used strong boxes from ordinary cardboard, Xiaomi Mi WiFi Router 3 is packed otherwise - easier and cheaper. The router was placed in a white cardboard tray, which, in turn, was installed in a thin dust jacket. As a result, the package that came by mail looks not very attractive.

However, no damage equipment, despite such an appeal, did not receive. The design of the box includes a photo of the router and a description of its main features and characteristics. But if you do not know Chinese, all this is not useful to you.

In the kit there is a power supply (12 in 1 A) and the installation leaflet. Note that to use the power supply will have to look for an adapter for domestic sockets (often can be ordered together with the router), and the documentation is also represented only in Chinese. In the pluses, we write the white color of the body of the power supply and its cable, which is consistent with the router itself. True, the cable length is also clearly "optimized" and is a little less than one meter, which may be inconvenient.

The overall dimensions of the router excluding the antennas and cables are 195 × 130 × 24 mm. Failure antennas have two degrees of freedom and a total length of about 170 mm. Everything external elements Designs made of frosted white plastic. Find information about the availability of other color design options failed.

In full-time acquaintance you understand that the model is very thin (about 200 g) and light. It is a pity that it was not provided for her wall mounts. Yes, and with the placement on the table there may be difficulties, since the legs here, unlike the predecessor, plastic.

At the bottom you can also notice the lattice of passive ventilation and the information sticker. The most useful on it is probably the QR code to download the application for mobile devices.

In the front end of the device there is a two-color status LED. There are no other indicators here if you do not count the LEDs on the wired network ports. All router connectors are installed on the rear panel and include WAN and LAN ports, one USB 2.0 port, power supply, as well as a hidden reset button.

This model It has four antennas and compact sizes, but the reduction in the number of local network ports from the familiar four to two allows you not to worry about the convenience of connection. We also note the presence of additional ventilation slots on the rear panel.

In general, the design turned out to be quite interesting and non-standard. The only remark will be the lack of holes for mounting the router on the wall.

Hardware configuration

To clarify the hardware configuration, we did not disassemble the device, and used information provided on the Internet and access to the router console. However, as we have said, the differences from MI Wi-Fi mini almost no. The router is based on the MediaTek platform popular in the mass segment. CPU MT7620A models operate at a standard frequency of 580 MHz. The amount of RAM is 128 MB, the firmware is recorded in the Flash memory module with the same volume - 128 MB. Note that it is quite important for the budget segment, but it affects the main consumer characteristics.

The processor is built into 2.4 GHz radar, supporting 802.11b / g / n standards with a maximum connection rate of 300 Mbps. To implement work in the second range of 5 GHz and 802.11a / N / AC standards, an additional MT7612 chip is used. In the processor there is network switch On five ports, from which three are used here - one WAN and two LANs. All of them support the speed of 10/100 Mbps. The latter used in the main chip element is a USB 2.0 controller, one port of this interface can be found on the rear panel of the router.

When considering photographs of the printed circuit board, you can notice the radiator on the processor, connectors for the cables of the antennas and the site to implement the console port. No additional screens in this model are provided.

With the exception of increasing the volume of flash memory and installing four separate antennas for two ranges, differences from the MI Wi-Fi mini does not have the device. If you compare the characteristics with other models of this price segmentThe pros will be written in the pros will be written the presence of 802.11ac and USB, and in the minuses - the abbreviated number of the ports of the wired local network.

Setup and opportunity

As we have talked above, the use of the device in its original form is significantly difficult to have only Chinese in the web interface and documentation. If there is an Internet connection, the device's web interface can be translated directly in the browser, so the greatest difficulties may occur only at the initial setup step.

The router supports updating the firmware via the Internet, in this test we used version 2.10.16 related to a stable branch. On the manufacturer's support site, you can also download a special version for the developers, which corresponds to the individual version of the Android application. In addition, there are also branded programs for Windows and OS X, but there is no meaning of their meaning due to lack of translation. Plus, they are probably only one - the ability to start the download jobs by the BitTorrent protocol.

Let's see what the official firmware can offer us. The screenshots of the English language presented below were obtained using the built-in translator in Google Chrome. Note that because of the need for translation, we could miss or misunderstand some of the extended capabilities of the model.

IN top string There are four items - status, external drive, basic settings, additional settings. The first page displays the current status of the device, including the Internet channel, processor and memory employment, the list of connected clients and statistics on them.

On the second we see information about the connected external accumulator and describing the options for access to files on it. Please note that you cannot apply from the browser. No in the web interface and the ability to change the settings of services for the drive.

Basic settings include selection of wireless networking, Internet connection, access lists configure and change the administrator password (it coincides with the password for the wireless network), selecting addresses for the LAN segment and system functions.

Wi-Fi parameters are quite traditional. Here you can select the names of networks, protection, channel number (for 5 GHz 36-64 and 149-165), as well as enable guest network (for only 2.4 GHz). Note that if you wish, you can turn off the access points in each range. And in additional parameters, you can program access lists for customers. Provides and adjust the transmission power (three options).

Full firmware supports only IPOE and PPPoE connections. Speed \u200b\u200bselection points are provided port Wan. and changes to its MAC address.

To configure local network clients, a traditional scheme with a DHCP server is used. It is possible to change the address of the router itself and the range of addresses for customers. I did not forget about configuring fixed Mac-IP destinations for local network devices.

On the last page This section has items to verify the availability of firmware updates, download it from the file, control the configuration and selection of the time zone. We did not find the log of events of the device here, but one of the items was translated as "Loading the magazine", but where it is simply loaded and how to see it - it remains unclear.

On the first page of the next group, you are settings for the bandwidth management service (QoS). It can work in several modes - automatic, prioritizing and specific speeds. At the same time, the rules can be specified for each client individually.

For implementation remote access To services on the local network, the router has a DDNS client for four services, support for DMZ and UPNP, as well as the ability to compile your own port broadcast table.

The last feature that can be configured through a web interface is to connect a router to VPN servers. The built-in client supports PPTP and L2TP protocols. This feature can be used to use for both the main provider, but the lack of controls does not allow you to call it convenient for this scenario.

As we see, despite a fairly fast platform and a large amount of flash memory, the regular web interface of the built-in software does not indulge wide opportunities. In particular, here we do not see the implementation of work with IPTV, setting the routing tables, control of the firewall, parental control and other functions. Probably, the company decided not to develop a web interface, and focus on software updates for mobile devices, as a more popular control option.

Mi Router's branded program is for Android and IOS. To use it you will need an account in the Xiaomi cloud service, allowing you to associate all your network devices of this manufacturer and provide additional features for them. These programs have an English interface version, however, the translation is clearly not complete. The network can also be found to the Russian version of the Android utility translated into Russian. In addition, we note that the solution has a modular structure with support for plug-ins, which also rarely boast the availability of English.

Control from the mobile device is interesting and what uses cloud services Companies and can work not only from the router itself, but also remotely via the Internet.

On the first page of the mobile application we see all customer connected to the router. In the context menu, you can configure the following options for each of them: Internet access (including on a schedule), the ability to access the client to files on the router, notifications when the client appears on the network, lock connection to Wi-Fi and speed limit.

The second page allows you to manage the files on the drive connected to the router. For example, you can see photos from them. Here you can add shared resources by providing access to specific folders.

The third mobile utility page is used to control the file download service. However for practical application In P2P networks (in particular with the BitTorrent protocol), it will not be useful because it is focused on working with Chinese services.

The last page is perhaps the most interesting. Here is a collected one and a half dozen plugins to work with the router. They allow you to change device settings, update the firmware, monitor protection services, check the use of resources, optimize parameters for maximum performance, do backup Photos on a router USB drive and much more.

In general, the possibilities of the regular built-in software of the router under consideration are difficult to call well suitable for the domestic user. In fact, this model can be applied in configurations with an Internet connection on an IPOE and PPPoE in the absence of need to additional Services, in particular IPTV. The complexity causes the presence of an exclusively Chinese version of the web interface. On the other hand, when using a branded mobile application, the situation becomes a little better because it has at least english, and thanks to plugin, new appear useful functions. In addition, certain interest is the possibility of remote control router.

Performance

According to its technical characteristics, in particular the presence of wired ports of 100 Mbps, the model refers to the average segment. The implementation of working with gigabit compounds clearly would significantly increase the cost of the product. We have already met the MediaTek MT7620A platform and in most cases it was possible to say that its performance is quite enough to maintain compounds up to 100 Mbps inclusive. But, as we have repeatedly spoke, the firmware has a significant impact on the results here.

To test the device, our standard stand was used with the emulation of the provider's access server. The first graph shows the results of testing the routing speed with all options for connections. Note that for PPTP and L2TP, a VPN client has been involved in the firmware.

There are no comments for the IPOE and PPPOE indicators. In these modes, the router is able to show almost maximum speeds exceeding 90 Mbps when working in one direction. Full-duplex modes have even greater overall performance. Here I played an important role in the hardware accelerator in the chip.

But in PPTP and L2TP there is nothing to boast. However, these types of connections are not commonly common outside of our market and no optimization for them does not look amazing for China's Chinese market supplied exclusively. However, for low-cost channels with low speed and these modes can be useful.

Note that all VPN connection options support and work with the segment of the LAN network provider. The speed of simultaneous data load from this network and from the Internet corresponds to a total speed in these modes.

For basic testing of wireless access points, a client with an installed ASUS PCE-AC86 adapter was used. In the range of 2.4 GHz, it was able to connect to the router only at a speed of 144 Mbps, which is probably due to regional restrictions. Unfortunately, we did not find any channel width settings in the device. Recall that the formally installed configuration supports the 300 Mbps compound speed in this range. In 5 GHz from 802.11Ac there were no surprises. The connection speed in this mode was 867 Mbps.

The first chart presents test results when placing a client at a distance of about four meters of direct visibility from the router. The check was carried out as usual in one / two streams and in eight threads between the wireless client and the computer connected to the LAN port of the router.

As we can see, both configurations show the expected figures. In 2.4 GHz, the maximum data transfer rate into one stream is 60-65 Mbps, with an increase in the number of streams up to eight, it grows to 70-90 Mbps. These values \u200b\u200bcorrespond to the connection speed of 144 Mbps.

When switching to the range of 5 GHz, we are clearly found with restriction from the wired ports of the router. The maximum results achieved make up a little more than 90 Mbps when transmitted to one direction. And in duplex mode, the device is capable and for more - the total speed reaches 150-160 Mb / s.

Additionally, we spent a test with a couple of clients with identical wireless adapters. Both were also located on a distance of four meters from the router. In the first case, the devices were connected to the network in the range of 5 GHz, and in the second - to the network of 2.4 GHz and to the 5 GHz network.

When using both devices with 802.11ac protocol, you can get more than 200 Mbps in multithreaded mode. So it remains to once again permanently on the limitations of wired ports. If the second client is translated by 2.4 GHz, it will already be a "bottleneck" in this scenario.

To estimate the coverage area, the following test we conducted with the ZOPO ZP920 + smartphone, which has a built-in dual-band wireless adapter with one antenna and 802.11AC support (maximum speed of compound - 150 and 433 Mbps, respectively in the ranges of 2.4 and 5 GHz). In addition to the first point (four meters of direct visibility), the device was located four meters after a single wall and on eight meters around the two walls. Unfortunately, the presence of a large number of neighboring networks in the 2.4 GHz range did not allow an adequate estimate of the speed in the second and third points and these results are absent on the chart.

But 802.11ac shown himself here in all its glory - most of the results are at the level of 90 Mbit / s. Although we certainly remember that the smartphone is capable of and more if there are gigabit ports in the router.

Complete this section of the USB drive performance tests in reading and writing files over the network. SSD was used as a disk with the appropriate adapter, and the tool was the Intel Naspt package with standard HDVideo_1Play templates, HDVideo_1Record and HDVideo_1Play_1Record. The client was connected both via a wired network and after 802.11ac.

The maximum read speed is about 12 MB / s. It is strange that on a wireless connection we could not get more. As for the record, the model under consideration can show a speed of about 9 MB / s.

In general, we see the MediaTek platform and here successfully coped with the main tasks of routing (in IPE and PPPoE), wireless customer service and work with the drive. Higher indicators could be on another hardware configuration (in particular with gigabit network ports), which would not allow the device to get into its price segment.

Xiaomi Mi WiFi + Repeater

Another interesting opportunity of the router under consideration is collaboration with the MI WiFi + device. Sometimes it is incorrectly called the "Wi-Fi Amplifier", since it is essentially a repeater. This model connects to the main Wi-Fi router and simultaneously organizes its own wireless network, which allows you to increase the coverage area. We have already met with such equipment several times on the pages of our site. Compared to them Xiaomi Mi WiFi + is interesting for its compact sizes and a low cost (about $ 7 at the time of the article preparation).

The model comes in a conventional plastic package with a fastener. Equipment as such is missing. The instruction from two illustrations is applied directly on the packaging.

The repeater body is made of white matte plastic and has dimensional dimensions of 121 × 28 × 8 mm (excluding the thickening of the hinge). In its appearance, the device most resembles a large flash drive or modem for cellular networks.

Standard installed from one of the ends uSB plug 2.0. When transporting it can be closed with a cap. The design of the hinge provides one degree of freedom - the main part of the housing can be tilted relative to the connector to a little more than 90 degrees into each strand.

On one side of the case, we see the inscription "WiFi +", and on the opposite - the squeezed Mi logo, as well as the two-color indicator and the hidden reset button. There is nothing more interesting on the housing.

USB port here is used for two purposes - synchronize settings with Xiaomi router and to power the repeater. The characteristics indicate the need to provide a current of 0.5 A, with which most power supplies will cope with. In reality, the maximum consumption level marked during testing was 220 mA. So if necessary, you can organize and mobile use with a portable battery.

The manufacturer declares about a simple setting of this model - it is enough just to install it in the USB port of the operating router Xiaomi - and in a couple of minutes you can turn off the repeater and install it in the desired place of the apartment or at home. Also to start the device to work you can use mobile program To manage home automation MI Home. In this case, you can implement the connection to any router, and not just the production of Xiaomi. The same program is used to update the repeater firmware. In our case, testing was conducted with version 1.4.14.

It added the ability to change the name and key protection key created by the network repeater (usually the name is obtained by adding the "_plus" suffix to the name of the router's network, and the password coincides), as well as the option to hide the broadcast of its SSID on the ether.

In the router report connected to it, the repeater is displayed as a regular wireless client, only the picture of the device changes. Note that there was no own web interface received a repeater.

As for the hardware filling, then this device Based on SOC MediaTek MT7688KN, which manufacturer positions as an affordable multifunctional solution for a wide class wireless products, including the IoT segment. Inside this chip there is a radar with support for 802.11b / g / n in the range of 2.4 GHz with a connection speed up to 150 Mbps (one antenna is supported) and 8 MB of RAM. From large external chips there is only a flash memory of 4 MB. Considering the configuration of the product, it is unlikely that alternative firmware with advanced features will appear for it.

Recall that single-band repeaters in their work technology significantly reduce the speed of clients, however, it may be useful in terms of expanding the wireless network coverage, especially for mobile devices.

We spent the testing of WiFi + efficiency with the same ZOPO ZP920 + smartphone, which participated in the assessment of the possibilities of the router. Recall that out of the three points in the apartment, check the work in the range of 2.4 GHz managed only in the first - on four meters of direct visibility from the router. And the point here is not only in the level of the signal of the main router, but also in the presence of dozens of neighboring networks.

The repeater was installed in charger For a smartphone and connected to a socket near the second point (4 m from the router through one wall). The smartphone connected to the repeater wireless network and was located in the same three points. It is clear that in the first it would be more effectively working with a router directly, but we checked this configuration.

The use of WiFi + allowed us to get a relatively stable connection and at those points where the router alone could not cope. As we see based on the results, the repeater is really able to improve the coverage area of \u200b\u200bthe wireless network and may be useful even in such complex situationsHow work in an urban apartment with a large number of neighboring networks.

Use alternative firmware

As we talked above, you can install a special version of the firmware for the developers to the router. It is interesting, first of all, the ability to gain access to the console of the built-in operating system SSH. This, in turn, allows you to overwrite the image in flash memory. As for the choice itself alternative firmwareHere there may be several options here and of course check all of us in one article will not be able to.

For further testing, we stopped the popular project. These firmware users routers asus On the basis of MediaTek chips and differ high quality, wide opportunities, speed and reliability of work. If we speak specifically about Xiaomi Mi Wi-Fi Router 3, that is, several features on the use of this project. In particular, the distribution of ready-made firmware files is prohibited. This means that you must independently compile it for your device from source code. Yes, and the further installation process itself can not be called "one-point".

However, if you have been involved in history with this router, you are not accustomed to difficulties. In addition, it is worth noting that there is a lot of information on the network on this issue at first glance, but very often its quality does not withstand no criticism. We managed to overcome all the difficulties, so then we will tell about your impressions when working with this firmware (version 3.4.3.9_099_1619d13 was used).

Given the flexibility, versatility and openness of this project, describing it in detail its capabilities in this material there is no point. We only note the key features in the application to the router under consideration and domestic user: Russian and English interfaces, work with PPTP / L2TP, IPTV technology support, advanced operations with USB devices (including fTP server, NFS protocol, TRANSMISION file download client and work with cellular modem), implementing a server and client VPN (PPTP, L2TP, OpenVPN), network load monitoring tools, processor and RAM, guest organization wi-Fi networks, Wi-Fi timetable access to Telnet and SSH consoles, custom scripts For key events, support package management systems. In the work on the router under consideration, the firmware showed itself from a good side, there were no problems with her.

True, as usual, it is prevented that the operations carried out to install the firmware can lead to the inoperability of the device that requires the intervention of specialists to restore flash memory. Responsibility in these cases you carry themselves. Take into account the impact on warranty obligations in this case, perhaps, is not worth it. As for the formal minuses of such an option, it is probably the most significant will be the loss of working capacity of the remote control service and branded utilities for mobile devices. As far as it is important - you decide on your own.

But when you try to return to the original firmware, we met that the embodiments described in the network did not work, so I had to "use the tambourine" and spend a lot of time in trying to deal with the question. On the other hand, most users of alternative firmware need to return is likely to be.

Testing performance with alternative firmware was carried out under the same conditions as for the standard version. So I will not repeat them here, but limit ourselves to graphics and short comments.

If your provider works with PPTP or L2TP, then this version of the software is capable of practically to compose the speed of operation in these modes with the simplest IPOE configuration.

In the scenarios of the simultaneous download of data from the local network of the provider and from the Internet, the results can also be considered ideal.

The operation of the wireless access point in the 5 GHz range does not cause complaints and is not much different from the foot firmware. And for 2.4 GHz, an alternative version of the software allows for providing a 300 Mbps connection speed, which is noticeably affected on some scenarios.

A similar comment can also be given for the data exchange scenario between the pair of wireless clients.

There is no comments to maintain a mobile device.

This firmware version allows you to work with an extended set of file systems on drives, and in most cases it also appears in most cases. original version. It is especially worth paying attention to the task of simultaneous reading and writing data on a wireless connection. The only "failure" here is an entry on NTFS by Wi-Fi.

Alternative firmware has a built-in vPN serverwhich for this platform is perhaps the most difficult in terms of consumption computational resources Task. The last graph provides results for PPTP protocols with encryption and without, as well as OpenVPN. The numbers are obtained by averaging over three scenarios - reception at eight streams, transfer to eight streams, simultaneous reception and transmission of four streams.

If you do not use encryption, then you can count by 70-110 Mbps depending on the type of router connection to the Internet. The MPEE128 on PPTP turns on the speed drop to 30-40 Mbps, and work with OpenVPN is possible at speeds of about 14 Mbps. Working with the L2TP server differs little by productivity from the PPTP version. For this platform, these results can be considered good.

As we can see, the use of an alternative firmware for the Xiaomi Mi WiFi Router 3 router has certain advantages both from the functions in demand in our market and in terms of performance. But to name this option is available for a wide range of users, it is still impossible.

Conclusion

Honestly, it remains not very clear why the manufacturer has released this device if there is Xiaomi Mi Mini Wi-Fi in its directory. In its hardware characteristics, the device differs little, and the increased volume of flash memory at the moment has no advantage. In appearance and design, the comparison is difficult to hold, in our opinion both models are interesting in their own way.

The combination of cost and possibilities from Xiaomi Mi WiFi Router 3 at first glance looks quite attractive, but it is worth considering additional factors. In particular, the lack of a model in open sale in our market, the likely lack of warranty and support from the manufacturer, Chinese web interface, software and documentation and a limited set of popular functions in the local market.

According to mine technical parameters The model can be considered "reinforced" support 802.11ac router for the mass segment, which is perhaps the most attractive side of the device. Although it is necessary to recognize that ports 100 Mbit / s for a wired network do not allow to fully use the potential of working with this standard of wireless networks.

As the main version of the application, an IPOE or PPPoE provider is sequenced at speeds of up to 100 Mbps inclusive and maintenance of wireless clients in the 5 GHz band. Many brand services will not be used due to lack of translation, however mobile app Supported with cloud connection seemed very convenient. The second option is to work in the access point mode with the support of two ranges in addition to the main home router. In any case, it will be a little offensive that part of formally paid functions will not be used.

The purchase of a router in order to subsequent installation on it alternative firmware is also quite possible, given its relatively low cost. However, this way is available and easy to call it difficult.

The Xiaomi WiFi + repeater described in this material turned out to be a fairly convenient and simple device capable of solving the problem of increasing the stable coating zone of the wireless network in the 2.4 GHz band.