Totolink N9 access point - Performance test

Totolink N9 is a wireless access point supporting WIFI 802.11b/g/n with data transfer rates up to 300Mbps. The device is equipped with an integrated 10/100Mbps LAN port and is powered via a network cable (PoE - 802.3af). Built-in antennas with a gain of 4 dBi, supporting MIMO technology and high transmitting power of 500MW, makes the device perfectly suited for wall penetration... Before we go to the main part of the test of the device, let's look at the main features of the N9.

• The WiFi standard supporting 300Mbps.
• The ceiling design.
• 10/100Mbps LAN port, supporting power over wired network (PoE - 802.11af).
• Supports 3 SSIDs, up to 40 connections.
• Built-in 2x 4dBi antennas, supporting MIMO technology.
• Supports centralized management with Totolink SoftAC software.
• Ability to create a schedule for automatic startup.
• The device emits very little heat during operation, allowing for continuous operation without interruptions.

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Totolink N9 is an access point with a very simple and unique round design with internal 4 dBi antennas. Around the edges of the device there are outlet slots designed to dissipate heat from the device. This design allows to work N9 without troublesome overheating. On the upper part of the N9 housing, close to the Totolink logo, we can find LED indicators informing us about the status of Totolink N9, allowing to quickly identify problems and solve them.

The platform is based on MT7620 with parameters:

• The MIPS24KEc 580MHz processor
• WiFi 802.11b/g/n MIMO 2:2 (2T2R)
• The chip itself supports 802.11k+r, but the firmware itself doesn't seem to support it.

The picture above shows all the accessories included in the Totolink N9. PoE adapter, power cord, catalogue instructions and screw mounting.

As far as the connection port is concerned, Totolink N9 has only one 100Mbps port, and the way of connecting the device to the network is very simple. All you need is a network cable to connect this port to the PoE adapter, both for power and signal transmission. Next to the LAN port, there is a button to reboot the device, it is shaped like a hole.

The first step we recommend is to download the latest version of the software from www.totolink.net (Support -> Search for N9 ->Download).

Default version: V4.0c.2089 from 2017-01-12

New version: V4.0c.2634 from 2017-12-21

• Unpack the downloaded ZIP archive with the firmware
• Select file: TOTOLINK_CSB334A_N9_0154A_MT7620A_SPI_8M128M_V4.0c.2634_B20171221_ALL
• Click the UPGRADE button

WARNING:The "factory" DHCP client did not want to work, could not obtain the IP address. After a reset via the reset button the device started to work.

We recommend changing the settings for the second IP address from auto to manual and entering an alternative IP address, as in some configurations it may cause a problem.

This avoids problems with double requests for addresses from the DHCP server. In the case of AP N9 Totolink, it allows users to configure in two ways. The first is a traditional way - using a browser. Another way is configuration using SoftAC. Today we will demonstrate the traditional configuration.

As this is the access point, when the N9 is connected to the main router, the device will immediately configure and broadcast WiFi from the Totolink N9 SSID. However, this SSID is not encrypted, so it does not guarantee network security. Please connect to the access point for manual configuration. One more point to note is that if you leave the device's IP address in automatic mode after typing in your web browser (Totolink N9 configuration page) you will not be able to access the configuration page of this AP.

The N9 configuration page is intuitive and very simple. We won't find many options here, but there's nothing strange about it, it's just an access point, so it doesn't have as many features as a traditional router.

In operating mode, N9 provides 2 operating modes, including bridge (default) and repeater. In this article we will test the performance of the N9 in the default Bridge mode as it is the best choice that most users buying the product will choose first.

Then in the "Wireless" tab you will find adjustments for Wi-Fi transmission functions in N9.

In the last tab you will find the management of N9 elements, they are very similar to the configuration of the Totolink router. For those who have used other Totolink network products, such configuration will not be a problem.

The purpose of the tests is to verify the range of the wireless network both in terms of signal coverage and real speeds available in the building.

For 2.4GHz connections, we've adopted a maximum channel width of 20MHz. The testing device was MacBook Pro A1502 equipped with built-in AirPort Extreme wireless card (Broadcom BCM4360 3x3, 1.3 Gbps PHY) working in 802.11a/b/g/n/ac standards.

Before the speed tests we verified the maximum performance of the LAN and iperf3 server.

The aforementioned laptop was connected to the switch with a 10/100/1000Mbps network card. We obtained the following maximum speeds for a single TCP stream:

Download: 894Mbps.

Send: 958Mbps

Spectrum analyzer

We tested Totolink N9 with a wireless device meter. Despite setting the channel width of 20/40Mhz the device did very well in the 20MHz range. The device was tested in an active environment with other 2.4GHz WiFi networks and Bluetooth devices.

Signal map

We used the AirSurvey software to map the signal. To read the signal levels correctly, please pay attention to the color legend at the bottom of the picture. The acces point location is marked with an appropriate icon.

Speed test

We performed speed tests with WiFiPerf software, and the speed test server was iperf3 software. Download 50Mbps

Upload 65Mbps

Download 50Mbps

Upload 62Mbps

Download 49Mbps

Upload 358Mbps

Download 65Mbps

Upload 43Mbps

Download 50Mbps

Upload 63Mbps

Download 50Mbps

Upload 62Mbps

To sum up, Totolink N9 did not obtain satisfactory results in our WiFI network review. Previous devices tested by us from Totolink usually reached an average speed of 80/90Mbit/s. So we decided to look for the reason, after turning the Totolink N9 on it turned out that the antennas are not solidly made. We also didn't notice any difference in performance in the case of setting WiFI with isolation to VLAN, as well as in the case of switching off VLAN. The advantages:

• Power PoE in 802.3af standard.
• Ability to operate in repeater mode.
• Ability to set two IP settings.
• Ability to set on which vlan will be wireless traffic (dedicated network).
• Ability to set several wireless networks each on a different VLAN.
• WDS service (poor man's MESH).
• Ability to set the RSSI level of client stations that are accepted by the access point to improve the switching of client stations between acesspoint networks - a poor substitute for "roaming".
• A very strong signal, penetrating many obstacles.

Disadvantages:

• As with most cheap devices, the wall mount is designed so that only the screws from the set fit. From our experience we know that it's a bad idea and you have to use more solid wall plugs.
• No verification that we are uploading correct frimware for this model.
• No Polish language.
• In the classic GUI setting we didn't notice the possibility of setting the authorization of wireless clients' connections with e.g. Radius.
• There is no possibility to disable settings for the second IP number.
• No login to the remote LOG server.
• The network application has limited functionality and, apart from mass configuration changes, is rather useless.

1. How to make software updates?

• a) Go to www.totolink.net.
• b) In the upper menu, click on the "SUPPORT" item
• c) Enter the model name in the search bar: N9 and click on the magnifying glass or press "Enter".

• d) In the results list we click on our model.
• e) We have gone to our model's website, here you will find the most important technical information of the model and the latest downloads.
• f) Click on the 'DOWNLOAD' menu and go to our model's download page.

WARNING:

Before downloading a file with the latest software (firmware), make sure that you have selected the correct download version, an incorrect software update may damage the device.

The hardware version number can be found on a sticker on the back of the model.

For example, if your hardware version is V1.1 or V1.Y (= 1,2,3,4....), download V1, other versions are not for your device. In some cases, the hardware version designation may have other designations, such as letters. Remember not to make firmware updates via wireless connection.

Do not turn off the power while performing a firmware update. Updating for some models can take up to 5 minutes.

After the firmware update is completed due to new functionalities, we recommend resetting the device to factory default settings using the RESET , RST or RST / WPS button and reconfiguring the device. Press and hold the button and during this time connect the power supply to the device. Hold the button for about 10-15 seconds. In most models, the moment when the button can be released signals a change in the color of the diodes or lighting of the other diodes at the same time or sequentially

. g) In our case, one version of the equipment was available at the time of preparation of the following document. The downloaded file is saved on your computer.