Many modern users of PCs and mobile devices use routers manufactured under the Xiaomi brand to organize their home network. What are their main advantages? What are the features of setting up these devices?
What routers does Xiaomi produce?
Xiaomi is best known as a manufacturer of mobile devices. But she also quite actively produces other popular communication devices. In particular, high-tech Wi-Fi routers. Among the most famous include the following routers issued by the Xiaomi brand:
- Mi.
- Mini
- Nano.
- Mi WiFi Router 3.
Consider their main features.
Xiaomi Mi and Mini Routers: Key Features
What is a Xiaomi Mi router? This device is characterized primarily by its small dimensions and at the same time a very advanced design. On the one hand, the user, if desired, can place it in a secluded place so that the device is not visible, on the other hand, this may not be necessary: the appearance of the router allows you to make it a completely spectacular decoration on any computer table.
If we talk about the technological features of this device, it can be noted that inside it is a full-fledged hard drive that allows you to store data. In addition, the Xiaomi Mi router differs from many competing solutions by the presence of an integrated NFC module. In terms of the presence of basic communication interfaces, the device is also quite competitive, it has the main popular ports: USB, LAN, Ethernet, WAN. There are no external antennas in the router - there are only internal ones.
What are the features of such a device as the Xiaomi WiFi Mini router? It can be noted that in size it, in principle, is not inferior to the Xiaomi Mi model, despite the fact that the name of the device in question may hint at a small size. In terms of communication capabilities, the Mini device is generally similar to the Mi model. In addition, it has external antennas.
Mi and Mini Routers: Feature Comparison
It will be useful to compare in more detail the Xiaomi routers with the main characteristics. The devices are exactly the same in terms of support:
- basic Wi-Fi standards;
- work in 2 ranges;
- standards to achieve a maximum network connection speed of 867 Mbit / s;
- basic wired interfaces;
- firewall ;
- NAT, virtual networks, DHCP server;
- Settings via the web interface.
But there are also significant differences between them in terms of characteristics. So, the Mi router is able to connect via USB printers and 3G modems, while the device in the Mini modification does not have such capabilities. The first device supports SNMP, has a built-in FTP server, the second does not have such functions. None of the devices supports Multiple SSID, as well as Telnet. The first router has a processor installed at a frequency of 1 GHz. The second has a chip operating at a frequency of about 600 MHz. The Mi router has a memory of 256 MB, the Mini has half the RAM module half as much.
Functions and settings of the Xiaomi Mi router
We will study in more detail the main functions, as well as the features of the settings of the Mi and Mini routers . The first device is characterized, as it is easy to detect, by studying the characteristics above, the presence of a high-performance processor that operates at a frequency of 1 GHz. The device is also equipped with a 256 MB RAM module. As we noted above, the router has a built-in hard drive. Its volume is very impressive - 1 TB. At the same time, if necessary, the user can also connect an external drive to the device. The router supports drives formatted in NFTS or FAT32.
Also considered Xiaomi Wi-Fi router has 2 radio modules. The first provides the device according to the WiFi standard at a frequency of 2.4 GHz with a maximum data transfer rate of 300 Mbit / s. The second is responsible for the operation of the router at a frequency of 5 GHz with a maximum file transfer speed of 867 Mbit / s.
Web UI Access
Setting up the Xiaomi router in this modification is quite simple - through the web interface.
First you need to connect the device to the computer, then open the browser and enter miwifi.com in its address bar. Then you will need to follow the instructions on the screen. It is desirable, of course, that the firmware installed on the router issued by the Xiaomi brand is Russified. You can find out if it is installed on the device directly from the consultants of the store where the router was purchased.
Further in the article, we will consider the features of the settings through the web interface, but for now we will discuss what functionality the Xiaomi Mi Mini router has, and also dwell on the question of what are the features of its settings.
Functionality and features of setting up the Mini router
The device, unlike the model we studied above, does not have a built-in hard drive. You can connect an external drive, however. It can also be formatted in NTFS or FAT32. It has a significantly smaller RAM module installed - 128 MB. The frequency of the processor installed in the router is also inferior to the one that characterizes the chip installed in the Mi modification, it is about 600 MHz.
In terms of settings, the router in question also has features. On the one hand, it can be implemented through the web interface, as in the case of the Mi router, on the other hand, by using additional software modules. The second ones are implemented in the format of a special application that you need to download on the official website of the brand-manufacturer of the router. This software is adapted for major mobile platforms, as well as for operating systems OS X and Windows.
At the same time, application modifications for Android and iOS devices are more functional. In fact, the program in the PC version is mainly intended for viewing files located on an external drive that is connected to a router. In turn, the capabilities of the Android version allow you to configure various parameters of the Wi-Fi network, control the speed of the device and perform other actions as part of optimizing the operation of the router.
Performance devices Mi and Mini
How productive are the Mi and Mini routers under the Xiaomi brand? Their assessment in this aspect depends primarily on the specifics of the tasks that are assigned to them. If we talk about the main area of application of devices - ensuring the functioning of the home network - then both devices show a very good level of performance.
Routers provide a fairly powerful signal level, as well as a fairly high speed file exchange. If the signal power to activate a higher speed channel at a frequency of 5 GHz is not enough due to the presence of large obstacles between the router and the device connected to it (for example, in the form of thick reinforced concrete walls), you can always use an alternative channel with a frequency of 2.4 GHz. It provides stronger signal penetration.
Nano Router: Key Features
There is another modification of Xiaomi routers - Nano. In principle, this device is a Xiaomi Mini router in a slightly simplified configuration, as well as with smaller dimensions. The main characteristics from the point of view of iron of these 2 devices also generally coincide. The Nano device has the same processor, the same amount of RAM. But between him and Mini there are differences in terms of NAT support, as well as the characteristics of wireless modules. The device has the same communication capabilities.
As for performance, the router in question is not inferior to devices such as the Xiaomi Mi router, WiFi Mini. However, in terms of tuning - if you delve into the subtleties - it is characterized by a number of noteworthy features. Further in the article we will consider them in the context of working with the interfaces of the corresponding modifications of the routers. But for now, let's examine what another popular modification of Xiaomi routers is - the Mi WiFi Router 3 device.
Mi WiFi Router 3 Router: Key Features
The Xiaomi 3 router (sometimes its abbreviated name is found) has a “classic” format and rather large dimensions. He has 4 antennas. The design is also performed at the highest level, which allows you to place the router on a computer table so that it becomes an effective element in its arrangement - it is completely optional to hide the device.
The processor in this device is installed the same as in the Mini router - with a frequency of 600 MHz. The amount of RAM is similar - it is 128 MB. At the same time, the same amount of memory is reserved in the device for storing internal settings and software. Xiaomi WiFi router in this modification also supports 2 channels of WiFi communications - at 2.4 and 5 GHz, which differ in connection speed. Moreover, for each band, 2 independent antennas are allocated.
The router supports connections through the same wired ports as the other devices discussed above. Configuring the router can be done both through the web interface, and when using the mobile application. It will be useful to consider what are the features of setting various parameters on each of the considered devices when using one or another interface. First of all, we will study the specifics of the “classic” software for setting up devices from Xiaomi, which is accessed through a browser.
Configuring Xiaomi routers via web interfaces
So, the routers released by the Xiaomi brand can be configured using the classic scheme - gaining access to certain device parameters through the web interface. Almost any browser can be used for this. You need to open it and enter in the address bar 192.168.31.1. Then the router menu will open.
It is likely that the user will be asked to indicate the name of the network, as well as set a system password. But first of all, you need to activate the desired mode of operation of the device. In general, it will correspond to the functionality of the router, while the alternative is the repeater mode. If you activate the first option, it will be necessary, as we noted above, indicate the name of the network and set a password.
To make the necessary Wi-Fi settings, you need to go to the corresponding menu item. It is noteworthy that the web interface of Xiaomi routers allows you to separately set parameters for channels at a frequency of 2.4 and 5 GHz.
In many cases, the correct settings for connecting to the Internet are set by the provider automatically through the DHCP interface. If this is the case, then any changes to the parameters of the router are not required. But if the provider does not use such services, then access to them can be done through the corresponding menu items, allowing you to adjust the LAN and DHCP settings. If necessary, you can use additional settings - for example, regarding the setting of DNS parameters.
It is possible that all the information that is required in order to configure the Xiaomi Mi Wi-Fi router (or another that is configured via the web interface) will have to be requested directly from the provider's support service. The user, therefore, must have the contact details of the Internet access service provider.
It can be noted that through the web interface you can quickly configure the router in the Mi modification. In turn, when working with other versions of the router, many users prefer to use alternative interfaces. Consider their specifics in the context of the capabilities of the software that comes with the Mino, Nano, and Mi Router 3 routers, in more detail.
Mini router setup : nuances
The main feature of the Mini router, as we noted above, is the ability to control the device through a mobile application. However, there are other noteworthy characteristics of the software delivered to the router in question. So, using it, you can:
- exchange files;
- back up data, move it between different drives;
- use Home Server technology, which allows you to organize general access to various types of multimedia content.
From the point of view of setting the WiFi connection settings, there should not be any special difficulties in working with such a device as Xiaomi WiFi router in Mini modification. The main nuance here is to make sure that the device has fresh firmware installed. In order to verify this, and if necessary, install new software, you can use, in turn, the web interface. For example, on a computer.
In order to solve the problem under consideration, and it is very important - the firmware installed on the Xiaomi router issued must be fresh to ensure stable operation of the device - you can use, for example, the Google Chrome browser installed on the PC. Using this browser, you must enter the router control interface, enter the password set for the device.
After that you need to look at the section with general settings, which also has a tab with the current system settings. It reflects which version of the firmware is installed in the device, whether there are updates for it. If the router software is not the latest, then it makes sense to update it manually. You must click on the appropriate button in the interface menu, then select the file with the desired firmware on the PC. Then you need to download it through the router management interface to the update window.
After that, the installation of the new firmware will begin. How it goes can be traced by observing the LED bulb that is present on the router case. If the update is in progress, the orange lamp blinks. If the installation of a new firmware is completed, the corresponding light is on, without blinking. If the blue indicator lights up, it means that the router is functioning normally. Already after the orange indicator lights up, you can see on the device configuration page whether the firmware has been updated.
Certain nuances, in terms of settings, is also characterized by the Xiaomi Nano Wi-Fi router. We will study them in more detail.
Configuring a Nano Router: Nuances
As in the case with other devices discussed above, in particular Xiaomi, Mi, Mini, the router in the Nano modification can be configured by using 2 interfaces - the classic one, which assumes access to the device parameters through a browser, or mobile, through a special application. We will study in more detail the advantages of just the same 2 options.
You can download the application for setting up the device in question in the main online stores of the respective solutions - AppStore and Google Play. It is noteworthy that the Android version has a Russian interface.
To use the application for configuring Xiaomi routers, you need to create an account on the server of the brand-manufacturer of the corresponding devices. This procedure is mandatory from the point of view of ensuring the correctness of setting the necessary parameters in the settings interfaces. After the user account on the Xiaomi server is registered, you can work with the router through the application.
It will be necessary to set the settings:
- regarding access to the network - for this, as we noted above, data from the provider may be required,
- in terms of Wi-Fi connection security.
In terms of solving both problems, Xiaomi's application interfaces can be attributed to the most optimal: the user can find almost any required parameter very quickly. Usually, there are no problems with resolving the issue of how to configure Xiaomi router in the context of the marked tasks. In many cases, as we already know, the provider itself sets the necessary network parameters.
But if we talk about the unusual features of the software for configuring the routers in question, then you can pay attention to the following options:
- reboot the device in time;
- channel speed control;
- setting rights to use the router for certain users;
- An interface for testing the network for interference.
Thus, the application interfaces for setting up the device allow you to set not only basic parameters, but also optimize device performance through various tools.
Wi-Fi 3 router setup : nuances
Let us now examine how the Xiaomi 3 router is configured. As many users note, those interfaces of the proprietary application by which it is supposed to set parameters in the corresponding device can be considered the most convenient. They have 4 main tabs. Among the most notable options that can be accessed when using them are browsing devices that have ever connected to a router.
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The convenience of router configuration interfaces, the variety of appropriate software, as well as the presence of a large number of functions in it are noted. In general, Xiaomi routers, despite being considered budgetary in terms of price classification, are rated by users as convenient, stylish and productive devices.