![]() The Vodafone Ultra Hub had picked a high 5GHz channel (128), which usually helps avoid interference. Running with the standard 2.4GHz and 5GHz tests, I got my 2×2 MacBook Air with a Wi-Fi 6 card connected to the 5GHz band. Top speeds assume no interference from neighbouring networks, which is unlikely in most scenarios. Vodafone says that the 5GHz and 6GHz bands run at 4.8Gbit/s (4×4) and the 2.4GHz network (4×4) at a maximum of 1.2Gbpit/s. I found the Vodafone Ultra Hub to be fast in my tests, once I’d turned on Compatibility Mode. I test all routers in the same way, to see the kind of throughput that they can deliver. In my house, I can get around 35Mbit/s on a 4G Vodafone connection. I wasn’t provided the 4G dongle for testing, so can’t say how fast it is or how quickly the router switches over to this connection. With the 4G dongle, the router can fail over to a cellular connection should the main connection fail. If you want parental controls or network-wide security, the Netgear Orbi RBKE963 or Eero Pro 6E are both better choices. You can see what’s connected to the home network, change the Wi-Fi name and password, but there’s not much else available. Neither the app nor the web interface provide much in the way of features. ![]() Compatibility Mode was also a useful option, as without this, my laptop would only connect on the 2.4GHz band. I did have some trouble getting devices to connect and had to split the networks, giving a WPA2 option. This is useful if you have older devices that struggle to connect to the network.Ĭonfiguration of the router is best done with the Vodafone Broadband app, although there is also a web interface. It is possible to split the system into two networks using Compatibility Mode, one running WPA2 and the other WPA3. The Vodafone Ultra Hub has a default network name and password running on WPA2/WPA3. ![]() I didn’t test the 4G backup system, as I don’t have Vodafone broadband. With Vodafone Pro II broadband connections, you get the router, 4G backup and one mesh satellite additional satellites are available if required. These smaller boxes have two LAN ports (one 2.5 Gigabit Ethernet and one Gigabit Ethernet), and should be placed halfway between the router and any problem areas. While the router may give enough covers in smaller homes, it can be extended with Super WiFi 6E Boosters. That’s all right, as I’d rather have a nice-looking router, particularly because routers have to be placed out in the open to get the best signal. The main router is quite a large beast, looking more like a high-end speaker than a router. I guess that’s useful, although in years of reviewing and using wireless routers and mesh systems, I’ve never plugged anything into the USB port. There’s also USB-A and USB-C ports for sharing devices. In addition to the network ports, the Vodafone Ultra Hub has two telephone sockets for use with a digital landline. Buy the Netgear Orbi RBKE963 system and you get a 10 Gigabit LAN port and four 2.5 Gigabit Ethernet ports. It’s a shame, then, that there are only otherwise two Gigabit Ethernet ports on the rear, as that’s a little limiting. That’s pretty much everything taken care of. That’s not a problem with the Vodafone Ultra Hub, which has a DSL port, 2.5 Gigabit Ethernet WAN port and a 10 Gigabit SFP module port, which can be used to upgrade the router in future. If there’s one thing that can hold a router back, it’s not having the right connections to hook up to your broadband connection. Still, if you have a Vodafone broadband account and want 4G backup in case of issues with the fixed line, then this setup packs in everything you need. It’s a router that’s fast but a little light on features. Not so with the Vodafone Ultra Hub, which brings Wi-Fi 6E to the masses alongside 4G backup. It seems to be quite often the case that broadband providers’ own routers lag behind the market in terms of speed and specs.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |