华硕(ASUS)刚刚推出了新一代的范围扩展器，承诺改进对现代无线网络(wireless networking)标准和频率的支持。此外，它们能够更好地与去年左右进入市场的现代路由器配合使用。华硕(ASUS)新一代增程器的高端产品是华硕RP-AC56(ASUS RP-AC56)。我们测试了大约两周，进行了几次测量，现在我们准备在这篇评论中分享我们的结论：
拆箱华硕 RP-AC56 Wireless-AC1200 双频范围扩展器(ASUS RP-AC56 Wireless-AC1200 Dual-band Range Extender)
ASUS RP-AC56 Wireless-AC1200 双频范围扩展器(ASUS RP-AC56 Wireless-AC1200 dual-band range extender)的封装方式与许多其他华硕网络(ASUS networking)设备类似。在包装盒的正面，您可以看到设备图片及其一些最重要的规格。
在包装的背面，您可以查看与新一代华硕增程器的比较。(range extender)如您所见，华硕 RP-AC56(ASUS RP-AC56)是这一新系列设备中最强大的范围扩展器。(range extender)
在主箱内，您会发现另一个纸板箱(cardboard box)，旨在保护增程器(range extender)免受冲击。
在第二个盒子里，您会找到增程器(range extender)、快速入门指南(start guide)和保修卡(warranty card)。
这就是您开始所需的一切。但是，在设置之前，让我们看看这个设备在硬件规格方面必须提供什么：
硬件规格
ASUS RP-AC56 范围(ASUS RP-AC56 range)扩展器支持所有现代网络标准，包括 802.11ac。其总理论带宽为 1167 Mbps ： 2.4GHz无线网络(wireless network)为300 Mbps，5GHz无线网络(wireless network)为867 Mbps。该设备有两个大型外部天线，您可以在下图中看到。
在设备的正面，有三个LED 指示灯(LEDs)，分别指示范围扩展器(range extender)是否打开以及它正在广播的两个无线网络的状态。还有WPS 按钮(WPS button)和重置按钮(Reset button)。
在ASUS RP-AC56的底部，您有一个用于打开和关闭设备的按钮。
在其左侧，有一个以太网端口(Ethernet port)，您可以使用该端口将其他网络设备连接到范围扩展器(range extender)，并隐含地连接到您的网络。
在设备的右侧，您会找到一个 3.55 毫米音频插孔，您可以使用该插孔插入一组耳机或扬声器，以便使用此范围扩展器提供的(range extender)网络收音机(Internet radio)功能。
该产品的官方规格可以在这里找到：ASUS RP-AC56 规格(ASUS RP-AC56 Specifications)。
设置和使用ASUS RP-AC56 Wireless-AC1200 双频范围扩展器(ASUS RP-AC56 Wireless-AC1200 Dual-band Range Extender)
您可以通过以下两种方式之一将ASUS RP-AC56 范围扩展器连接到您的网络：使用(ASUS RP-AC56 range)WPS 标准(WPS standard)或将笔记本电脑连接到其无线网络(wireless network)，然后使用网络浏览器(web browser)进行设置。这两种方法在我们的测试中都运行良好。
通过网络浏览器(web browser)连接到范围扩展(range extender)器时，您首先要通过设置向导(setup wizard)。与上一代相比，华硕升级了此向导，我们发现它更易于使用。(ASUS)但是，有些单词拼写错误，华硕(ASUS)的人应该在这里和那里做一些校对和单词修复。(word fixing)
首先，您被要求选择您希望范围扩展器扩展(range extender)的无线网络。
您需要输入两个网络的密码才能让ASUS RP-AC56连接到它们。您还可以设置范围扩展器(range extender)广播的无线网络的名称。
初始设置完成后，系统会要求您更改默认用户名和密码(default username and password)，因为它们不安全，任何人都可以使用“admin/admin”登录。这是一个很好的安全预防措施(security precaution)，我们感谢华硕(ASUS)积极主动地对待他们的用户。
管理面板(administration panel)与上一代相比没有变化，这不是一件坏事。用户界面有 12 种语言版本，易于使用和理解。该设备可以设置为中继器、接入点(access point)或媒体桥接器，具体取决于您希望它执行的操作。
当我们测试它时，我们使用了当时可用的固件——版本 3.0.0.4.378_6655-g3325802。我们将其他设备连接到范围扩展器(range extender)没有问题，我们的无线连接稳定且运行良好。
范围扩展器(range extender)的重要之处在于它提供的性能和覆盖范围(performance and coverage)，因此我们迅速开始了我们的测量。阅读下一节，了解我们对ASUS RP-AC56 的(ASUS RP-AC56)了解：
Reviewing The ASUS RP-AC56 Wireless-AC1200 Dual-Band Range Extender
ASUS just launched a new generation of range extendеrѕ which promise to improve their support for modern wireless nеtwоrking standards and frequencies. Also, they are better equipped to work with the modern routers thаt have invаded the market іn the last year or so. The high-end product of this new generatiоn of range extenders by ASUS, is ASUS RP-AC56. We tested it fоr about two weeks, made several measurements and we are now ready to share our conclusionѕ, in this rеview:
Unboxing The ASUS RP-AC56 Wireless-AC1200 Dual-band Range Extender
The ASUS RP-AC56 Wireless-AC1200 dual-band range extender is packaged in a similar way to many other ASUS networking devices. On the front of the box you see a picture of the device and some of its most important specifications.
On the back of the package, you can view a comparison with other ASUS range extenders from this new generation. As you can see, ASUS RP-AC56 is the most powerful range extender from this new family of devices.
Inside the main box you'll find another cardboard box that's designed to protect the range extender against shocks.
Inside this second box you will find the range extender, the quick start guide and the warranty card.
This is all you need to get started. But, before setting it up, let's see what this device has to offer in terms of hardware specifications:
Hardware Specifications
The ASUS RP-AC56 range extender offers support for all modern networking standards, including 802.11ac. Its total theoretical bandwidth is 1167 Mbps: 300 Mbps for the 2.4GHz wireless network and 867 Mbps for the 5GHz wireless network. The device has two large external antennas, which you can see in the picture below.
On the front of the device, there are three LEDs which indicate whether the range extender is turned on and the status of the two wireless networks it is broadcasting. There's also the WPS button and a Reset button.
On the bottom side of the ASUS RP-AC56 you have a button for turning the device on and off.
On its left side, there is an Ethernet port that you can use to connect other network devices to the range extender and, implicitly, to your network.
On the right side of the device you will find a 3.55mm audio jack that you can use to plug in a set of headphones or speakers, in order to use the Internet radio feature offered by this range extender.
The official specifications of this product can be found here: ASUS RP-AC56 Specifications.
Setting Up & Using The ASUS RP-AC56 Wireless-AC1200 Dual-band Range Extender
You can connect the ASUS RP-AC56 range extender to your network in one of two ways: using the WPS standard or connecting a laptop to its wireless network and then using a web browser to set it up. Both methods worked well in our testing.
When connecting to the range extender via a web browser, you first go through the setup wizard. ASUS has upgraded this wizard when compared to the previous generation and we found it easier to use. However, some words are misspelled and someone from ASUS should do a bit of proofreading and word fixing here and there.
First, you are asked to select the wireless networks which you want the range extender to, well, extend.
You need to type the passwords for both networks in order for the ASUS RP-AC56 to connect to them. You can also set the names of the wireless networks broadcasted by the range extender.
Once the initial setup is done, you are asked to change the default username and password, as they are not secure and anyone can login using "admin/admin". It is a great security precaution and we appreciate ASUS for being proactive with their users.
The administration panel did not change from the previous generation and that's not a bad thing. The user interface is available in 12 languages and it's easy to use and understand. This device can be set to work as a repeater, as an access point or as a media bridge, depending on what you want it to do.
When we tested it, we used the firmware that was available at the time - version 3.0.0.4.378_6655-g3325802. We had no issues in connecting other devices to the range extender and our wireless connections were stable and working well.
What's important about a range extender is the performance and coverage it offers, so we quickly started our measurements. Read the next section to see what we have learned about ASUS RP-AC56:
