Totolink A7100RU - WiFi performance test

Totolink A7100RU is a new access point working in dual band (2.4Ghz + 5Ghz). Compatibility with the IEEE802.11ac Wave2 standard enables very fast wireless transmission, which is up to 2533Mbps (800Mbps for 2.4GHz + 1733Mbps for 5GHz). The manufacturer has equipped this advanced home router with 6 internal antennas (4 for 5GHz and 2 for 2.4GHz), which combined with MU-MIMO technology and precise beamforming, makes A7100RU a very efficient wireless solution.

It is also worth noting the hardware capabilities. The new router from Totolink has a 2 dual core processor with 880MHz, 256MB memory and 16MB Flash. Gigabit WAN port, two LAN ports (also gigabit) and a USB 3.0 port. All this makes the device have really good potential as an advanced, home WiFi router that can act as a home NAS and entertainment center (when an external drive is connected).

As mentioned earlier, Totolink A7100RU has 6 built-in antennas that have been integrated into a very nice "tower" type housing. We must admit that the whole looks very tasteful and elegant. But appearance is not everything! With A7100RU we can build a very efficient WiFi network. In the GUI settings, for the 5GHz band, we can set the channel width to 2x 80MHz and enable "Wireless multi-frequency integration". Enabling this option will affect the increase in wireless throughput, provided that the client device supports this functionality. This function is available from Basic settings.

Of course Totolink has equipped the A7100RU model with a lot of useful functions. Moving through a very clear web interface, we can very quickly and efficiently set all parameters related to IPTV transmission, ensuring high quality TV reception.

The implementation of the IPv6 protocol is also a big advantage, which nowadays is slowly becoming the standard. Additionally, the ability to run a VPN server based on PPTP, L2TP and openVPN makes A7100RU a very functional wifi router.

The irreplaceable Wojtek Repiński, who is responsible for the technical issue and analysis of the results, helped us in the tests. Measurements of the transmitter's performance characteristics were carried out using a Spectrum analyzer.

As can be seen in the analyzer charts, below the lower limit of the transmitting channel frequency there is more interference than above the upper frequency, but the level of this interference should not significantly affect the operation of other WiFi transmitters in the vicinity. Unfortunately, the chipset itself "hums" near the channels it operates on, it is not a constant hum only every few seconds a peak in the frequency range. After a longer period of checking with the analyzer we get a slanted line. You need to remember that this equipment is designed to work at home, so this behavior does not affect the comfort of use at all.

To reliably check the strength of the signal generated by a WiFi A7100RU router, we used the AirSurvey software, well known to all Apple device users. To correctly read the levels of individual signals you should read the color legend at the bottom of the picture.

To make the performance tests of the wireless network built from the wifi A7100RU router credible, we conducted a whole series of speed measurements. The tests were performed using the WiFiPerf application, the speed test server was running iperf3 software. The whole series of tests was based on the TCP protocol, duration cycle 60 seconds. The results of obtained speeds in the wireless network built with A7100RU are right below, we also put the highest value achieved at each measurement point.

Download 707Mbps

Upload 736Mbps

Download 687Mbps

Upload 601Mbps

Download 676Mbps

Upload 441Mbps

Download 452Mbps

Upload 403Mbps

Download 78Mbps

Upload 23Mbps

Download 118Mbps

Upload 104Mbps

I must admit that Totolink has produced a very efficient wireless WiFi router. The A7100RU model creates an efficient wireless network in the 5GHz (2x80MHz) band and has very good range, the achieved bandwith of over 700Mbps and the generated HeatMap clearly confirm that. Advanced functionality (VPN server, Firewall, IPv6) and adaptation to support IPTV, makes the A7100RU not only suitable for ordinary users, but also for ISPs.Although the device does not have the function of working as a typical bridge (there is only a router), and has only 2 LAN ports, but given the capabilities of a wireless network, it is not that significant. Generalizing. Totolink A7100RU is one of the best products available on the market. And in this financial category (price-to-quality ratio) it can be boldly recommended to anyone who wants to get an efficient WiFi network by spending a small amount on a WiFi router. Bravo Totolink!