By Ki Grinsing

Overview

Linksys WRT610N is arguably the first generation line of Linksys router products which are based on draft 802.11n wireless dual band including Wrt400n. Early introduction of wifi generations based on the draft 802.11n were welcomed warmly by almost all Wifi manufacturers with various models of wireless draft n routers. User interest was so great for Linksys products based on draft n given the successful predecessor which was based wireless G (WRT54G) that was so popular in its time.

Comparison WRT610N Vs E3200

Not long after the first draft n comes first generation of Linksys E series including E3000, E2000 and E1000. Once draft version was fully approved in the late 2009, the second generation of Linksys E series emerged including the E3200. Most people are hoping to get a second-generation of E series because it was based on the final version of 802.11n which is basically just a little difference with the draft version, only some additional options. Please note that Linksys doesn’t introduce any types of wireless routers which the speed is 150Mbps like its competitors such as D-link (with its Dir-615) and Belkin with its N150 router. If you have to decide for a choice between WRT610N Vs E3200, which one is suitable for your networking needs?

To be able to see the feature differences between the two routers (Wrt610n Vs E3200), the following table can be used as a reference to help you decide which of the two is suitable for your networking needs at home.

If you look at the appearance of both routers, you can notice style and taste differences. The 610n look pretty classic, oval shape with shiny dark blue. While the E3200 and the next generation models have the uniform appearance design, it’s a flat box black with a line of accessory reminds me of a birthday present wrapped with bandage tape.

Wireless technology

As noted in front that both routers are essentially based on the same wifi standards, one is still based on draft standard while the other one is based on the final version. Actually it’s not a serious problem because of differences between the two versions are only limited to additional feature options, not that is the principle. Both are also packed with concurrent dual band technology with a total aggregate bandwidth 600Mbps, so called as the N600 technology.

Mostly all of Linksys routers are packed with internal antennas like its predecessor router WRT54G. Likewise for both Linksys Wrt610n and E3200 router generations are packed with 6 internal antenna 3 antennas for each band (2.4GHz and 5GHz). Both use MIMO antenna technology which is the supporting technology for 802.11n wireless standard for better speed and range.

 Comparison table

There seem two distinct features between the WRT610N and the E3200, the USB port and the guest network feature. Both have a USB port for shared storage, but 610n comes with FTP and media server support that doesn’t exist on the e3200. The second generation of Linksys E series that has media server support is E4200 with N750 technology. Unfortunately you cannot use the USB port to host a printer for network access. Linksys products that can be used for printer sharing is initiated from a Linksys E4200v2 series and later generation routers such as EA4500 cloud router.

One more difference is that a guest network on E3200 that does not exist on the WRT610N. If you invite friends to your home, you can give them internet access without providing them access to your personal network resources. That is what the function of the guest access.

The above diagram is common networking diagram with Wrt610n router as the hearth of the network. Wireless bridge used to allow your multimedia devices connect to your wifi network.

Summary:

If you think the guest network is essential to the security of your private network, use the E3200. As for multimedia support WRT610N is more suitable for your network even though with the absence of guest network.

By Ki Grinsing