I would very much like any user to have no problems in his work at the computer - the Internet has never disappeared, and torrents are downloaded continuously, so that in every room the speed of Internet via Wi-Fi is as fast as possible, and that all devices in the house are connected to each other . The 21st century is in the yard, and this wish is realized thanks to a new generation router - Zyxel Keenetic Giga II. Setting up the device and managing it will please any owner, for whom the router will turn into a favorite toy - a designer. This unique device will open to the user the world of new Internet technologies that you can only dream of.
The image of a brand that is not built by PR
We are talking about Taiwanese communications equipment manufacturer Zyxel, who back in 1991 created a number of technologies that marked the beginning of the Internet era. Technologies Dial-up and DSL modems, PPPoE, mini-IP DSLAM. Thanks to them, the Internet has become available in every home. However, when the network connection was switched from a modem to a twisted pair of providers and wireless routers, Zyxel stepped aside, engaged in the development of technologies for corporations, leaving its fans to choose between cheap low-quality devices with missing functionality and expensive, sometimes unavailable devices, for example , Cisco.
The increased demand for high-quality, multifunctional wireless routers has forced the Taiwanese manufacturer to return to the market for public devices. The company released several wireless routers at once in different price categories. For a short period of time, marketers of the company collected wishes from users and released a new generation of devices. They have no competitors in their price niche, this also applies to the Zyxel Keenetic Giga II, the configuration and use of which will bring great pleasure to the owner.
First candy wrapper, then candy
A small white box at first looks poor, but when unpacking it is found that the manufacturer simply packed everything he needed very compactly. The kit includes a router itself, a power supply for it, two removable antennas, a short patch cord and a large instruction for Zyxel Keenetic Giga II. The setting in the manual is described in a fully and accessible language.
Confuses the lack of a disk with a user manual in the kit, apparently this is the only device to which the disk will not gather dust in a drawer. Ardent Zyxel fans will be upset by the lack of a cardboard dog branded by the manufacturer - a mandatory attribute for installing on the table the owner of the world's best switching equipment, which raised authority among peers, and at times caused envy.
Quick Connect - Preparing Your Computer
Connecting and setting up Zyxel Keeneti equipment is really quick, and according to the instructions, it will be able to produce both old and young. The main thing - before connecting, make sure that the computer from which the equipment will be configured has automatic network settings. To do this, run the following algorithm:
- "Control Panel".
- "Network Management Center."
- “Change adapter settings” (on the panel, on the left).
- Right-click on the active connection to the local network and select "Properties".
- Find “Internet Protocol Version 4” in the list, put the cursor on the found line and click “Properties”.
- If the address, mask, gateway and DNS fields have data, you need to rewrite them on a list, otherwise go to the next item.
- Set flags in both fields, offering to receive addresses automatically.
- Save by pressing the "OK" button and leave the menu.
Fast connection and Internet access
First, the components are assembled - directional antennas are screwed on, the power supply is connected to the connector on the device and inserted into the electrical network. The provider cable entering the room is connected to the blue connector on the router with the inscription "Internet". The patch cord supplied is inserted at one end into the network interface of the computer. The other end connects to any yellow connector on the router. If the provider does not have any specific settings for the network, the user can sit down at the computer and work with the Internet. Otherwise, you need to fine-tune the connection.
The manufacturer in the factory settings provided for Wi-Fi. The Internet is distributed without a password to everyone. Such a solution will not suit anyone, you need to manually configure the Zyxel Keenetic Giga II, which will concentrate control in the hands of just one user.
Internet friend
Quick setup of Zyxel Keenetic Giga called NetFriend remotely resembles a questionnaire - it offers to enter passwords, explaining why they are needed, and select functions that will be used with their full description. During the configuration process, the user involuntarily discovers the huge potential that the router has. At the end of the setup, a message appears that this is only part of the functionality that the Zyxel router is capable of, and in order to find out the entire list of capabilities, you need to connect to the official site and download the necessary modules. Fans of Linux will definitely like this constructor. There are a lot of components, moreover, they are constantly updated and added by developers. There is everything for the computer network administrator!
Always be online
Even if the provider breaks down, the user will not be left without the Internet. The presence of USB ports on the device and the configuration of the Zyxel Keenetic Giga II router to use a 3G / 4G wireless connection using a special module that is downloaded from the manufacturer’s repository allow you to organize a backup communication channel. Judging by numerous reviews, when the main channel is turned off, the spare one is picked up instantly. The cliff is not detected by any application, including online games. After a little research, it was revealed that the 3G backup connection was constantly in operation, the router periodically “drove” its traffic to maintain the channel’s performance. There is only one conclusion: if you plan to use a 3G / 4G backup channel, you need to pay attention to the packet with unlimited traffic, otherwise the limit may be exhausted.
Network printer, what else?
You can free up space on the desktop, hide the MFP, printer or scanner away and use as needed. Indeed, to connect such devices there is a whole section and there is a fine-tuning. Zyxel Keenetic Giga II is not limited to this, providing users with torrent functionality. The Transmission client built into the equipment offers to fine-tune the download and distribution of files. Naturally, the router is able to distribute downloaded files over the network both using shared access and using the file transport protocol.
The main reason for the failure of most flash drives and portable drives is a short circuit on the board during removal from the device without turning off the power supply. In the Zyxel Keenetic Giga II router, USB power management is not provided, but there is a button labeled “Fn” on the back of the device. At the hardware level, it shuts off the voltage supply to the drive controller, ensuring safe removal of the device.
DLNA and IPTV
It is strange that the presence of DLNA technology is mentioned only in the gigabit version of the router, in fact, for Zyxel Keenetic II and Keenetic II Giga, the connection and configuration are identical. The differences between them are only in the capabilities of the network controller - one is able to communicate with devices at speeds up to 1 Gbit, the other is not. Many owners of modern technology still do not imagine all the possibilities that DLNA technology has. Zyxel router can act as a server and create connections over a local network or Wi-Fi with all available devices. All devices that have DLNA technology can freely access the server and play independently any content - music, movies and photos.
IPTV technology is not a novelty in the Russian market for a long time. But there is hardly a router that can work without freezing, transmitting high-quality real-time video to a dozen mobile devices, a TV, a couple of PCs and a laptop. No overheating, no channel loads will make Zyxel freeze. This is a brand - it is responsible for the quality of the product!
The tastiest
Local network administrators will be delighted - you can completely control the router using the command line. For the Zyxel Keenetic Giga II router, the configuration can be done with the same Telnet or Putty. Acquisition of a static address, port forwarding and remote management of a local network from anywhere in the world. But the list of commands is hidden from ordinary users, apparently for security reasons, so you have to study the documentation on the official website a bit. It’s easy for an IT professional to find a complete list. It is worth noting that for the router there is a separation in the control rights of the device. In addition to the administrator account, there is a superuser, with his rights you can change the firmware for yourself, but that's another story.