Xiaomi mi wifi mini connection. Description of the Xiaomi Mi WiFi Mini router, installation and setup procedure. How to set up an Internet connection

Xiaomi offers a very high quality router with an interesting design. It comes in a cardboard box, opening which you will find the router itself, the power supply and the instruction manual in Chinese. As for the patch cord, there is none. This is not a problem, because in almost every store that sells routers, you can buy it separately. Xiaomi Mi Wi-Fi mini is compact in size. It is thin and fairly light. The quality of the assembly and the body is not satisfactory. I was pleased with the color scheme, because the router can be:

• black;
• white;
• orange;
• light green;
• blue
• pink.

Many users demand originality of design

There are no labels or indicators on the front panel. There is only the MI logo. The diode status indicator of the device was placed on the lower end. It can light up both blue and orange. The backlight is quite dim, so it will not be conspicuous in the dark. The Reset button, USB port, 3 RJ 45 ports, and the power connector were placed on the top end. As for the power button, XIAOMI MI Wi-Fi MINI does not have it. The router is intended for installation only on a horizontal surface. To do this, 4 rubberized legs were placed on the bottom panel. Wall mounting is not provided, so there are no elements on the case for mounting in a vertical position.

Specifications and connection

The XIAOMI MI Wi-Fi MINI router can operate at 4GHz and 5GHz, and the MT7620A 580MHz processor is enough to complete all operations. The router also has 16 MB of flash memory and 128 MB of RAM. It has 2 antennas and uses 3 RJ 45 ports. Various storage devices can be connected to it using the built-in USB socket.

After the device is turned on and loaded, it will immediately deploy 2 wireless networks - Xiaomi_XX and Xiaomi_XX_5G. They operate at 2.5 GHz and 5 GHz respectively. It's a pity, but the default setting of the device will be in Chinese, so you need to apply various tricks. If it does not automatically connect to your ISP's network, then all settings must be done manually. We suggest using Google services Translate, which will help translate the router menu into Russian. To do this is quite simple. To get started, you need to install special program, which executes Userscripts in browsers:

• Firefox - Greasemonkey
• Chrome and Opera 15 - Tampermonkey.

After that, you need to download world wide web script Mi Wi-Fi mini RUS. To start configuring the router, enter http://192.168.31.1/ in the address bar of any browser. Next, you will see the router menu, which will be almost completely Russified.

Depending on how it will be connected, the MI router may offer to set a password and network name, or provide a window in which you need to select its operation mode, namely a repeater or a router. By the way, in the specified window you will be asked to install the application on your smartphone or tablet computer. With it, you can control the device remotely. Unfortunately, at this stage, a Chinese version is available without the possibility of Russification. After the settings are saved and the router reboots, you can proceed to its configuration.

Device setup

If the Internet is connected, then you can update the XIAOMI MI Wi-Fi MINI software. It will take about 10 minutes, but it can be left for later. If the device is configured, the update will not affect the changes made.

The interface will open on the statistics window. It will show the duration of the device and the speed of the network connection. If you click on the graphic elements (channels and devices), additional information and options will be opened where you can restart the router or restrict access to the global network to a particular device. If the standard firmware is installed in the XIAOMI MI Wi-Fi MINI router, then you will find the basic settings in it, which are grouped into sections.

At the very beginning, you will be prompted to select the device operation mode - router or router. Selecting the first option, you need to specify the network name and password to access it. After completing the specified action, the router will offer to download the application for remote control. After you see a message that the initialization was successful, after a few seconds it will disappear, opening the next page. If you want to update the firmware, then first you need to download it. After that, by clicking on "Update manually", you need to specify the path to the file.

To set up a wireless network, go to the menu item "Wi-Fi Settings". The device allows you to separately configure the 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz channels, setting your own SSID for each, as well as other parameters. If your provider issues all the necessary settings via DHCP, then no changes need to be made. The only thing that can come in handy is cloning the MAC address, because for some providers it is he who is tied to the connection. By going to the "Security Center", you can change default password enter the router menu. Here you can also set the ways to access the web interface:

• By wireless network;
• using a patch cord.

The next menu item is "LAN Settings". You can specify the router address and DHCP zone. If you need to forward ports, you can do this in the section " Additional settings- "DDNS". All you need to do is click "Add a service" and in the window that opens, select the provider of the provided service from the list. Next, enter the username, password, specify the hostname and enter the IP address interval. Standard firmware provides 4 service providers. If necessary, you can configure PPTP and L2TP in the menu of the same name. Here you need to specify the connection name, method, server, login and password. All these parameters must be provided by your ISP.

Possibilities

XIAOMI MI Wi-Fi MINI can work not only as a router, but also as a repeater. If you are an advanced user, then you will certainly be pleased with the PandoraBox firmware, which has an English interface and great flexibility. Thanks to the presence of USB, you can connect various. Thanks to this, the drives can be accessed remotely, including via Wi-Fi. The antennas are powerful enough, so even 2 concrete walls are not a hindrance to them.

Padavan firmware is very popular among owners of XIAOMI MI Wi-Fi MINI. Its second name is firmware for ASUS, because it was originally developed for installation on the router of this company. It is worth noting that installation is a time-consuming process, and incorrect actions can lead to router failure. If you still decide that you really need the Padavan firmware, then take the installation process as responsibly as possible. All steps and complete instructions can be found on many resources of the global network. After completing all the manipulations, the MI Wi-Fi router will change, and its configuration will be simpler and more understandable.

With Xiaomi wireless router. This Chinese manufacturer is interesting because it offers modern and high-quality products at an affordable price. At the same time, in its catalog you can find both smartphones and tablets, as well as numerous accessories, as well as “smart” home devices. Unfortunately, most products are officially supplied only to the local market and have only a Chinese interface and documentation, which makes it difficult for domestic users to get acquainted with them.

The model considered in this article is positioned as a budget solution - it has only two wired ports, the speed of which is 100 Mbps. At the same time, the device has support for dual-band Wi-Fi and 802.11ac, is equipped with a USB 2.0 port for storage devices and can be controlled through a proprietary mobile application. In addition, the router is relatively small and has original design case, for which several color options are offered.

Contents of delivery

The router comes in a compact cardboard box. From the sticker on it you can find out some of the technical characteristics of the device, as well as its serial number and production date. But most of the information on it is in Chinese. The packaging was not very strong and was a little wrinkled during delivery, but this did not affect the condition of the router.

The router is supplied with a 12 V 1 A power supply and a brief instruction in Chinese. Note that the power supply uses a foreign plug format and you will need to use an adapter to work with our network.

There is one useful page in the manual - with a QR code for downloading a mobile application for Android and iOS. It is interesting to note that the versions of the program for mobile devices have an official translation into English, although not a complete one. Note that for Android on the network you can find a version with the Russian language, created by enthusiasts.

Appearance

The device is presented in several color options, including the traditional white and black. In this case, the power supply is in any case black and partially glossy. But the case of the router, at least in our case, is matte, for which you can put a plus. Despite the presence of the word “mini” in the name, it is difficult to call the dimensions of the device compact. In reality, it is noticeably larger than one could imagine from photographs - 136 × 151 × 30 mm. Probably, such an assessment is connected with the design of the model, similar to the keyboards and touchpads of the well-known company from Cupertino, which are noticeably more elegant.

To the left and right of the main platform are the antennas of the wireless modules, which have one degree of freedom and can rotate approximately 180 degrees in a hinge at the ends of the round thickening in the rear of the case. Here we also see aluminum inserts, slightly diluting the plain plastic of the body.

A single service multi-color indicator is installed in the center of the front end. Note that the previously indicated height of three centimeters refers specifically to the rear of the case, while in other places it is much thinner.

At the bottom of the device, we see a ventilation grille, two almost imperceptible protrusion legs in the front, and two large rubber inserts. There is also a sticker with information about the router. There is only one option for placing the device - on a table or other horizontal surface. Additional stability is provided by a rather large weight of the model - more than 250 g. There is no standard possibility of mounting on the wall.

The beveled back has a hidden reset button, a USB 2.0 port, a WAN port, two LAN port and power supply input. Note that the device has 100 Mbps wired ports, and there are connection indicators in the connectors.

In any case, in its design, the device stands out from the numerous "bricks" of mass models of routers, but it is still strange to consider this a significant advantage for this class of devices.

Hardware configuration

The router does not have the ability to be easily disassembled, so information from the Internet and access to the device console were used to describe the configuration. The central processor of the model in question is MediaTek MT7620A, operating at a frequency of 580 MHz. This is a fairly popular choice today for low-cost devices. It has a built-in 2.4 GHz radio unit with a maximum connection speed of 300 Mbps, a USB 2.0 controller and a network switch. So, of the large microcircuits in the router, there is additionally only the MediaTek MT7612, which is responsible for Wi-Fi 802.11a / n / ac in the 5 GHz band with a maximum connection speed of 867 Mbps. 16 MB of flash memory is installed for the firmware, and the volume random access memory DDR2-800 is 128MB. The cooling system of the device uses traditional solutions with screens and gaskets, as well as a massive metal plate at the bottom. It is she who gives such a noticeable weight to the router. During the tests, the temperature regime of the device did not cause concern.

In general, the router has a completely standard configuration, except for the installation of a second radio unit with 802.11ac support, a fairly large amount of RAM and the presence of only two LAN ports. From the point of view of balanced configuration, there is a question about the combination of fast Wi-Fi in the 5 GHz band and wired 100 Mbps ports. On the other hand, this model is positioned as an inexpensive solution, and the implementation of 802.11ac can be considered a “free bonus” compared to routers with a 100+300+300 scheme.

The device supports automatic update firmware via the Internet from the manufacturer's website. In addition, the user can download them as files and install them on their own in the router. As with some other devices, Xiaomi offers two firmware branches at the same time - “regular” and “for developers”. The latter usually has a newer version, new features, and the ability to access the router's console via ssh. For the main testing of the device, just such a version with the number 2.3.51, released on July 9, was used. Note that the site also provides detailed information about the history of versions (of course, in Chinese).

The procedure for gaining access via ssh is similar to the model discussed earlier. You must have a Xiaomi account and a router registered in it. After that, you install the firmware for developers, on a separate page of the official website confirm your agreement with the terms of this function (including the possible waiver of warranty service), download a small update file, write it to a USB drive and install it into the firmware using a special procedure using the reset button. There are no difficulties with this procedure, with the exception of the Chinese language. Please note that the password and update file are individual for each device.

Let's say a few words about alternative firmware here. The relatively low cost of the device attracts trained users who have experience in selecting, assembling and installing third-party versions of software. Information on these issues can be found online. Of the advantages of this option, we note - English or Russian translation of the interface, advanced features, more high speed in some configurations, support for additional features and services (for example, IPTV or USB modems). The most significant disadvantage, in addition to a more complicated installation process, is the loss of all Xiaomi branded services, in particular, work with mobile utilities. In this material, we will no longer touch on this issue, since a router with alternative firmware is a completely different device, and you can install similar software versions on many other (including more affordable) models. As a result, there are too many options, and their evaluation of practical application will largely depend on the level of user experience.

Customization and features

Setting up a router with standard firmware is difficult to use only Chinese in it. However, if we are talking about setting basic parameters with an Internet connection via IPoE or PPPoE, it is quite possible to cope with this. In addition, there are other options - you can find illustrated manuals on the network, use a translator, use a special browser script with translation of the router interface pages or a mobile application. Note that due to this feature in the following description, we could miss or misunderstand some of the features of the device.

During the setup process, at least you will need to set a password for wireless networks, which will also protect the device's web interface (in the future, it can be changed regardless of the Wi-Fi key). The illustrations below use the built-in Google Chrome translation function. Note that the interface is designed for a minimum screen width of 1280 pixels.

At the top of the window, we see four main menu items - status, drive management, basic settings and advanced settings, as well as context menu with the items to change the device name, update the firmware, go to the download page, reboot and exit. And at the end of the page there are links to online resources with information about the device.

The first thing a user sees after logging in is a useful device status page. Here you can find information about the model, firmware and MAC address of the router, its serial number, current download and upload speeds of the WAN port, Internet traffic statistics for clients, processor and RAM usage.

In case of problems with connecting to the network, you can use the built-in diagnostic service. The second page of this group contains data for connected clients grouped by connection type. Here you can also block access to the Internet for selected devices. The third page shows the status of the connection to the provider, as well as the access speeds measured by the router itself, which can be used to operate the QoS traffic control service.

Standard Internet connectivity options include fixed or automatic address IPoE modes and a PPPoE client. If you need to work with other protocols, you can use the PPTP/L2TP client module, but this option is not very convenient. In addition, questions remain about the correct operation of the traffic monitoring and control system in this mode.

Additionally, there are options for selecting the speed and MAC address of the WAN port. It has a router and a built-in DDNS client with support for four services, including DynDNS and No-IP.

The main settings for wireless access points are standard and duplicated for two ranges - network name, option to hide network name translation, encryption mode (open network, WPA / WPA2, WPA2), password, channel number. Note that the standard is selected here, and the channel width can only be changed if the channel number is manually set. There is also no region selection. However, it is possible to select the transmitter power from three options. In the 5 GHz band, the router supports channels 36-64 and 149-165.

Don't forget about the MAC address filter for wireless clients, which can work in "white" or "black" mode. Additionally, it is possible to create a guest network with its own name and protection. It is organized in the 2.4 GHz band. Users of the guest network fall into a separate subnet and have access only to the Internet.

Local network segment settings include choosing your own router address, client address range, and lease time for the DHCP server. The advanced options provide for the reservation of IP addresses for clients by MAC.

To provide remote access to services on clients from the Internet there is support for DMZ and port translation rules. In this case, you can either use rules for single port numbers with the ability to change the internal number, or broadcast the range at once, but with the same external and internal ports.

The device also has support for the UPnP protocol to automatically open ports for compatible programs. It is convenient that in the interface you can view all the rules configured in this way, as well as disable this protocol.

The firmware contains a QoS traffic management system. For its operation, you must first determine or set the current maximum parameters of the Internet channel yourself. Then you can choose one of the modes - automatic installation priorities, choosing a priority for each client from three values, or setting maximum download and upload speeds for them. In practice, the use of QoS leads to a full processor utilization of this task and a decrease in routing speed. In addition, other services and access to the router's web interface may not be available.

In system options, you can update the firmware, reset settings, make them backup or restore the router from it. There is also a log download point, probably here we are talking about sending it to cloud service for further communication with the manufacturer's technical support in case there are problems with the operation of the router, but there is no way to see the log locally. I couldn't find the built-in clock setting, so you might have to recalculate the time from Chinese yourself when using schedules.

In addition to the traditional router mode, the device can work in wireless network expansion and access point scenarios.

Working with a USB disk

The router has one USB 2.0 port located on the rear panel. It can only be used to connect drives, while working through a USB hub is acceptable. If you plan to use a high-capacity hard drive or SSD, you should take care of additional external power. Disks can have several partitions, FAT32, NTFS and exFAT can be used from file systems (ext2/3/4 are not supported). Note that the commercial Tuxera driver is integrated into the firmware to increase the efficiency of working with the disk. We did not notice the item for safely disconnecting devices in the web interface.

Sections are represented as network folders accessible via the SMB protocol. Depending on the settings, the user (more precisely, a specific client device) has access to either selected folders (two on the first partition with names in Chinese, which can be translated as Download and Share, as well as any additional ones that are configured by the user) or all disks completely under the names XiaoMi-usbN, where N is the partition number.

Support FTP protocols and we did not find AFP. When the drive is connected, the router selects one of the sections, downloads from the Internet and installs a software package for its maintenance and additional services on it. So it is advisable not to turn off this device during operation. In addition, this initialization process takes some time.

We did not find any special settings for managing drives in the web interface. On the Storage Status page, there is only a connected disk icon (one), information about the total and available volume, a brief description of the features, and a link to the download page for special clients that are available for Windows, OS X, Android, and iOS.

By connecting a disk, the router can be used to download files offline via http, ftp and magnet links, as well as torrent files. To manage it, proprietary software is used. In tests, we saw a maximum speed of 1.5 MB / s, while the processor load was 70% or more. Apparently only one task can be active. After receiving all the data, the job stops. We did not find any settings available to the user, but you can try changing some options in the configuration file available through the share.

Proprietary utilities

On the page with information about the connected drive in the interface of the router, there is a link to the manufacturer's website, where several proprietary programs are presented. In particular, these are clients for Windows and OS X, Android and iOS. Moreover, for Android there are two versions of the utility - for stable and developer firmware, and for iOS, a link to the iTunes store is indicated. Note that you must have a Xiaomi account to work in them.

The PC utility has the function of mounting drives in the explorer operating system and managing the offline file upload module. The program interface is only in Chinese, so it will not be easy to deal with it. Integration with popular browsers is provided for convenient transfer of links, but we have not tested this possibility. Note that link-based download management also works with remote access.

The mobile program is more interesting, and can also work not only with a direct connection to the router, but also remotely. In particular, it allows you to change some router settings, including those that are not available through its web interface, manage downloads, access files (including such operations as uploading, downloading, copying, deleting, and others).

The most interesting is the support for plug-ins for the mobile utility, however, Chinese is also found here, which significantly reduces the convenience of work. Of the useful modules, we will mention the service Reserve copy photos, optimizing wireless networks (scanning the air and selecting channels), setting a schedule for Wi-Fi, setting a router reboot schedule, bandwidth management.

Performance

It was possible to set up a connection to the Beeline Home Internet service via L2TP, but not the first time. Real speed according to the www.speedtest.net resource, it was about 50 Mbps for downloading and 10 Mbps for sending, which is significantly lower than the rates used. During this test, communication with the router through the web interface and ssh was lost, but Internet access continued to work. A similar effect was observed when the router was loaded in the p2p client, when the total download speed on ten tasks was about 5 MB/s. After disconnecting the client, the operation of the device was restored, however, access to the Internet was unstable. Note that the device does not support IPTV broadcasts in multicast mode.

The router, in terms of its hardware configuration, belongs more to the middle segment due to the presence of two Wi-Fi bands and 100 Mbps ports. Earlier in the tests, we saw the capabilities of the used Mediatek platform, however, in some cases, they will significantly depend on the firmware. The first graph shows the results of testing the routing speed in various connection modes on synthetic tests.

As we can see, in the common IPoE and PPPoE modes that have hardware support, the performance of the device is maximum for its configuration. In PPTP and L2TP, things are much worse. The manufacturer's focus on the local market, where these technologies are probably not widespread, has led to a formal approach for their implementation. The real data download speed in these modes does not exceed 55 Mbps, and the transfer rate is even less - about 13 Mbps. On the other hand, one of the largest domestic providers is already refusing L2TP, so this feature of the device may not play a significant role.

In the case of working through the operator's access server, access to the provider's local network is also preserved. The speed of downloading data from this network and from the Internet at the same time is shown in the following graph.

The device has two access points in the 2.4 and 5 GHz bands, supporting connection speeds of 300 and 867 Mbps, respectively. The main test of their speed was carried out with Asus PCE-AC68 and TP-Link TL-WDN4800 adapters. The client was located at a distance of about four meters from the router. The settings of the latter provided maximum connection speeds. The test was conducted in one/two and eight threads.

As you would expect, in such near-ideal conditions, the wired 100-megabit ports of the router serve as the speed limit for wireless clients. Given that the formal 867 Mbps is significantly higher than this value, we conducted an additional test with two simultaneously connected clients with Asus PCE-AC68 cards. They were also located about four meters from the router, and between them the distance was about two meters.

Indeed, in this scenario, you can notice a significant increase in the overall performance of wireless communication. In addition, do not forget that both clients work through an access point, so gigabit ports on the router would help to achieve even better results with one client. So in many cases, using a dual antenna configuration for 802.11ac on this device will not have a significant advantage over single antenna models with a 433 Mbps connection.

Third test wireless communication was conducted with a Zopo ZP920 smartphone equipped with a Wi-Fi adapter supporting 802.11ac. Since this model has one antenna, its maximum connection speeds are 150 and 433 Mbps, respectively, for the 2.4 and 5 GHz bands. In addition, we checked two more points with it - at a distance of four meters from the router through one wall and eight meters from the router through two walls. At the last point, the 2.4 GHz operation was very unstable due to a lot of interference from neighboring networks, so these results are not on the graph.

Given the use of a smartphone with a built-in compact antenna, the results can be called quite good. The absence of other networks on the air in the 5 GHz band has a noticeable positive impact on the quality of work.

As we remember, the router provides for setting the transmitter power, all the above tests were carried out in the "Standard" mode. An attempt to change the situation with the smartphone in the second and third points by increasing the power was unsuccessful. Checking the signal level of the router showed that in the 2.4 GHz band there is a noticeable effect only at a short distance from turning on the maximum power, and for 5 GHz this setting steadily increases the signal at all tested points.

The last test of the device is the speed of reading and writing files over the network from a drive connected to the router. The latter was an SSD drive with an adapter to USB 2.0. Note that we had to use a model with additional power, because without it, the work with the disk was unstable. Files were used for verification. NTFS systems, FAT32 and exFAT and three standard templates in the Intel NASPT program - HDVideo_1Play, HDVideo_1Record and HDVideo_1Play_1Record. Additionally, the graph shows the results for NTFS obtained on a client connected via 802.11ac.

When working over a cable, in this case, the wired ports of 100 Mbps again act as a limitation. I'm not even sure that it was worth using the Tuxera driver in this device. Maximum read speeds are around 11MB/s and write speeds around 10MB/s. The use of wireless provides a noticeable advantage in the scenario of simultaneous reading and writing of files, while the two main patterns almost do not react in any way to changing the connection option.

conclusions

Xiaomi Mi Mini Wi-Fi can be found in foreign online stores for about $30 with free shipping. Even taking into account the current dynamics of the course, this can be considered enough interesting offer for entry-level routers with 802.11ac support from famous brand. But it is very difficult to give an unambiguous assessment of this model and this is mainly due to the presence of standard firmware and software only in Chinese, as well as the lack of services in demand on the domestic market.

The router itself has an interesting design and high quality manufacturing, including a sophisticated cooling system. At the same time, the hardware configuration based on the Mediatek SoC frequently used today boasts dual Wi-Fi bands, support for 802.11ac and USB. The only thing that spoils the picture is the 100 Mbps wired ports, which, as we saw in the tests, clearly limit the speed in some use cases. Note also that there are only two LAN ports.

In addition, the advertised connection speed of 867 Mbps in 802.11ac only has an effect in communication scenarios between wireless clients that support this standard. In terms of performance, the device is fully consistent with its characteristics, with the exception of working with PPTP and L2TP protocols.

If the issue with the purchase and delivery today is quite effectively solved by known methods, then with the built-in standard software, everything is much more complicated. Of course, if you need a simple, reliable model with support for basic functions for working with an IPoE or PPPoE provider, then it will be easy to figure out the setup. In reality, the firmware offers many interesting additional services (including support for mobile applications), but due to the use of Chinese, most domestic users cannot use them. At the same time, the installation of alternative versions of the software is not so simple, and in this case all proprietary services are lost.

The model may be interesting as an entry-level wireless router for mobile devices, taking into account the above technical limitations on firmware functions, as well as an additional access point. In addition, the router is suitable for trained users who are able to solve the issues of installing and configuring alternative firmware on their own, although in this case it will probably be more profitable for them to choose a more affordable or more powerful device.

Specially bought a Xiaomi mini WiFi router to prepare a few detailed instructions on configuring this interesting router. By the way, judging by the reviews and comments in online stores, the Xiaomi router is very popular. And this is not even strange, for a small sum we get a beautiful, powerful and high-quality router. In addition, the router is dual-band, of course with support for the 802.11ac standard, and even with USB port. Yes, this is a Chinese router, but Xiaomi is a good company, and very popular.

The Xiaomi router itself is very beautiful, stylish and unusual. I will review this router in a separate article. And in this article I want to describe in detail the process of first setting up the Xiaomi mini WiFi router. I'll show you how to connect a router, configure wifi network, and the Internet. I'll post setup instructions soon. public access to files on USB drive, router firmware, etc.

Control panel in Chinese. What to do, how to change the language?

As for the Xiaomi mini WiFi setup, this is most likely the only thing that can disappoint you in this router. The fact is that the router settings are in Chinese. There is no way to choose Russian, or even English. If you want the control panel to be in Russian, then you will have to flash the router with third-party firmware (PandoraBox, Padavan). The firmware process itself is complex. Perhaps I will write about it in a separate article.

English can be added. You need to change the region to Europe in the Wi-Fi settings and update the firmware. I will also write about this in a separate article. Well, I advise you not to bother, and just set up the Xiaomi mini router according to my instructions. Will something change if the settings are in English? This is a router, you set it up and forget about this control panel. And everything is exactly in what language it is. The main thing is that the Internet works well and stably.

Another point, the router can be configured from a smartphone or tablet through the Mi Router application. The application is in English, everything is clear there. We will also consider this option at the end of this article.

This instruction should be suitable not only for the Xiaomi mini model, but also for WiFi MiRouter 3, and Mi WiFi Nano.

Xiaomi Mi Router Mini: Wi-Fi and Internet setup

First, connect the power to the router, and connect the cable from the provider or modem to the "Internet" port.

Next, we need to go to the settings of the Xiaomi router. First, we will consider the first setting from a computer (laptop). You can connect the computer to the router as if by cable (but no cable included) as well as Wi-Fi. Immediately after turning on, a wireless network with the name "Xiaomi_some numbers" will appear. It is not password protected. Let's connect to it.

If you immediately got the Internet through the router, then it makes sense to configure through Chrome browser, or Yandex Browser. They can translate pages on the fly. And the control panel will be more understandable. Translation there is not perfect, but still better than Chinese characters.

1 Open any browser, and go to the address miwifi.com (it is listed below the router). Or 192.168.31.1 . You can see the detailed article in which I showed. On the first page, just click on the big Chinese button 🙂 This is something like a license agreement.

2 Next, you need to set the name of the Wi-Fi network and password for it. The password must be at least 8 characters long. Since the router is dual-band, the password will be the same for networks at two frequencies. It can be changed later in the control panel. We continue the setup.

3 In the next window, we need to set a password that will protect the router settings. This password will need to be specified when entering the router settings. Enter your password and click the button to continue. If you want the router password to be the same as the Wi-Fi password, you can simply check the box. But I don't recommend doing that.

4 We see a message that the router will create two Wi-Fi networks at different frequencies, their names will be indicated there. The router will reboot.

After the reboot, a Wi-Fi network will appear with the name that we set during the setup process. Connect to this network using set password.

5 In the settings window, if you have not closed it yet, you can click on the button and you will see a message asking you to install a proprietary application on your smartphone to control the Xiaomi router. You can install this application in App Store, or Google Play‎ if you need it. It is called Mi Router. Below I will show how to configure the router from the phone through this application.

Important point! If the Internet through the router is already working on your devices, then the configuration of the Xiaomi router is completed. If you want, you can go to its settings, I will show below how to do it.

If internet through router not working then it needs to be configured.

Entering the Xiaomi router settings and setting up a connection to the provider

1 Again in the browser, go to the address miwifi.com. A password request will appear. Enter the password you set during the first setup. This is not a password from Wi-Fi, namely from a router.

2 To set up the Internet (connections to provider) go to the settings to a separate page, as shown below. Select your connection type from the list. Most likely, you need to select PPPoE. It's just that if you had a connection type DHCP (Dynamic IP), then the Internet through the router would work without configuration. You can check the type of connection with your provider.

3 After selecting PPPoE, you will need to set the necessary parameters for the connection. These settings are provided by your ISP. Also, they are most likely indicated in the documents that you were given when you connected to the Internet.

4 If the provider uses binding by MAC address, then you can change it on the same page, below. Just write down the required MAC. Or ask the provider to register the MAC address of your router, which is indicated in this field, or on the body of the device itself.

It is necessary that the router connects to the Internet and starts distributing it to your devices.

Setting up a 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz wireless network. Changing your Wi-Fi password

If you want to change the name of the Wi-Fi network, password, channel, or, for example, turn off the network at some frequency of 5 GHz, or 2.4 GHz, then go to the settings and go to the page as shown below.

If you scroll down the page below, you will see the 5G Wi-Fi settings there, as far as I understand the guest network settings and the region change.

As you can see, nothing complicated. Even despite the fact that the settings are in Chinese.

The first setup of the Xiaomi router from a phone or tablet (Mi Router)

You can configure the router with mobile device. First you need to install the proprietary program Mi Router on your phone. We put it from Google Play, or the App Store. If you do not want to install the application, then you can also configure it through the browser of your mobile device, as I showed above.

Connect your smartphone to Xiaomi router. The Wi-Fi network will have a default name and will not be password protected. Also, do not forget to connect the Internet to the router.

On my iPhone, immediately after connecting, a window appeared with the router settings. And on Android, in the Mi Router program, you need to select the item "Set up a new router". Specify the location where the router is installed, and click the "Next" button.

The router will check the Internet connection, and if your provider uses a DHCP connection, you will see a message that the Internet is connected. Like in my screenshot below. And if you have a PPPoE connection technology, then you will need to set some parameters (login, password).

The last step is to set a password for the Wi-Fi network, and change the name of the network. Specify these data and click the "Finish" button.

Please note that the password set on the Wi-Fi network will also be used to access the router settings when entering the control panel at miwifi.com.

That's it, the router setup is complete. If something did not work out, then go to the settings through the browser, and change the necessary parameters.

Even without the firmware of the router in English or Russian, it can be configured without any problems, and everything will work. Yes, it is very difficult to understand the settings that are in Chinese. Even in English it would be easier. English version original firmware Yes, in a separate article I will show you how to install it.

I really liked the router, both externally and with stable work. Write your reviews about this model, share tips, and ask questions. Always happy to help with advice!

We continue our acquaintance with Xiaomi devices. For some time, my main router will be Xiaomi Mi Mini WiFi Router, and since we recently carefully studied his younger brother, it makes sense not only to look, but also to compare the two models a little.

Appearance and kit of Xiaomi Mi Mini router

I bought a Xiaomi Mini router in a store we have already checked. As always, the box is made in a minimalist style of thick beige cardboard. The model itself has several colors, I took the corporate white color.

On the lining under the router there is a QR code for downloading the Mi Router application, with which you can control the router remotely via the Internet.

Included with Mi WiFi Mini, as well as in the Nano model, is only a power adapter with a cable for an American outlet (here it is non-removable) and instructions.

The plug is also different - round, familiar to routers. It is strange that a black cord with an adapter is attached to the white model. Let me remind you that in Nano it is white with a micro USB connector, so in principle you can power it from any mobile charging.

The size of Mi Mini is one and a half times larger and heavier.

Outwardly, they look like copies of each other, but in fact there are differences:

• Mini operates in 2 bands - 2.4 and 5 GHz, while the younger version is only at 2.4 GHz. Consequently, the speed of the Mini is up to 300 Mbps on one and up to 867 Mbps on the other.
• Mini processor - MT7620A 580MHz; Nano has MTK 7628N, 580MHz
• The younger one has 64 MB of RAM, the older one has 128 MB
• Mi WiFi Mini supports USB flash cards
• Nano has cheaper versions of Switch and SDR and no HW_NAT
• Also used another wireless module and replaced UPHY with USB2 and EPHY.

This is where the differences end. Despite the fact that both have two antennas, this does not affect the signal strength in any way, since if one has both antennas used for WiFi distribution at a frequency of 2.4 GHz, then the Mi Mini has one responsible for 2.4, the other for. Therefore, the distance they cover is approximately the same, while it is regulated in the admin panel. I used the "Standard" mode, and it was enough for exactly two adjacent rooms with a light partition - this is not noticeable when working within one small apartment.

We go further - on the rear panel, in addition to the same type of two LAN and one WAN ports of 100 Mbps each, the Mini also has a USB flash drive (FAT32) to distribute files from them over a local network. Also here is the reset button "Reset" - in Nano it is hidden in the grille on the bottom.

Here on the bottom of the case there are only rubberized legs, a radiator and a sticker with technical specifications and data for access to the admin panel.

Xiaomi Mi Mini WiFi Router settings

I won’t describe in detail how to set it up - everything here is identical with Nano. Upon entering, we will see a proprietary menu in Chinese, which can be translated by one of the browser translation plugins.

Xiaomi Mi Mini router in repeater mode

Everything else is identical to the other model we have already reviewed, but let's look at another mode of operation in which both Mi Router Mini and Nano work - as a WiFi repeater. At the same time, he will be able to continue distributing the Internet to those PCs on the local network that are connected to it with an Ethernet cable. The switch is located in the "Internet Settings" section.

Two more options are available here - a repeater and a second access point.

After connecting, information about the SSID of the network and the IP address assigned to the repeater from the head access point will appear - it is through it that the control panel of the Xiaomi router will now be available.

On the main page again there will be information about loading the hardware of the router. In the "Settings" section, you can change the SSID of the network that comes from Xiaomi Mini - by default, they are taken from the head router.

The function of changing the password for administration, updating the firmware and resetting to factory settings is also available - the rest do not work in repeater mode.

Xiaomi Mini speed tests

Used equipment:

• WiFi adapter TP-LINK Archer T4U (speed up to 300Mb/s at 2.4GHz, USB 3.0)
• Gigabit network card ASUS NX1101
• Two PCs with Windows 7 64x
• AIDA32 Network Benchmark

Based on the rapidly growing number of rave reviews on the global web, Xiaomi has been doing very well lately not only in the field of smartphones, but also in routers.

For example, due to its powerful hardware, the Xiaomi Mi WiFi Mini dual-band router equipped with a USB port simply leaves no chance for competitors who are not yet able to release the same functional device for less than $ 30.

Equipment

It is difficult to call it even minimal (it spoils the impression that a cheap patch cord is not included in the components).

The list of items that the buyer will receive out of the box, except for the router itself, is as follows:

1. Power adapter and socket adapter;
2. Supporting documentation.

Description

Yes, this is Chinese equipment, but it is not the kind that the Russians have gotten used to. This device, in addition to an excellent design solution, is equipped with functionality that only top models can usually boast of at a price several times higher than the “baby” we are considering.

The user begins to be imbued with confidence in the device just by holding it in his hands. The quality of the case is at its best, without the slightest hint of element shifts and squeaks.

Although the ultra-compact dimensions did not allow equipping the rear panel of the device with numerous copper ports, everything you need is present here for home use, including a USB connector with the ability to connect an external hard drive.

The device also has two standard LANs, one WAN connector and a recessed reset button.

Xiaomi specialists have implemented a very convenient solution for folding the external antennas of the router. This allows them to be folded parallel to the body with a simple movement, allowing the wireless device to be safely transported and put into operation quickly.

But often manufacturers make antennas folding across the body or unscrewing, that is, removable.

The device is securely installed on a smooth surface, as it has rubberized legs. The cooling slots are located at the bottom, which does not allow dust and dirt to enter the internal hardware components of the device. From above and along the ends, the body of the device is completely covered with practical matte plastic.

The front panel does not contain anything extra. Here, in addition to the inscription "MI", only one single LED is installed, which indicates the operating mode of the router, changing the color of its glow.

The negative points include the lack of the possibility of mounting on a vertical surface. Unfortunately, the manufacturer did not provide special devices for this on the case.

Main characteristics

If you look inside, then here the user will find a pleasant surprise in the form of very good components, of course, given the indecently low price.

Inside you can see the "MediaTek MT7620A" processor running at 580 MHz. A significant amount of 128 MB of RAM, which ensures the operation of the device even at high loads without frequent freezes and crashes.

Another pleasant surprise is the ample internal memory of 16 MB, which, if necessary, allows you to safely flash the router latest versions software.

It should be noted that the saturation of radio interference is especially relevant in our time, the dual-band WiFi: 2.4 Ghz and 5 Ghz.

Practice proves that even in large multi-storey buildings, where almost every apartment has its own Internet translator via Wi-Fi, which imposes strong interference, which often reduces the speed of receiving and transmitting data over a wireless network.

The least negative impact is on the 5 Ghz frequency range, and high speed is especially appreciated when watching HD video.

Setting

At first, this procedure for the Xiaomi Mi WiFi Mini router seems like a big problem to all new owners. This is mainly due to the fact that software in most cases is only in the language of the Great Celestial Empire, as the Chinese like to call their land.

Of course, there are versions with English firmware, but connoisseurs of this popular language should immediately be upset that not every menu item is fully translated - and still, even some buttons are indicated only with hieroglyphs.

The only good news is that there is no need to delve into an incomprehensible menu every day, but it is enough to enter the parameters once and then use it calmly, completely forgetting about the problem.

The screenshot guide below will help even novice users to easily cope with the task. Using step-by-step techniques, you can successfully put into operation not only the model in question, but also Mi WiFi Nano and WiFi MiRouter 3.

So far, there is only one way to Russify an unfriendly Chinese configurator - this is installing a new firmware from a third-party developer, for example, "PandoraBox, Padavan".

But this flashing of the device is not very easy to do, since there are many different nuances. Therefore, it is recommended to use native software. After completing the setup once according to the instructions, then the owners of Xiaomi routers intuitively understand all the few menu items of the web interface.

Device Connection Procedure

Obviously, before setting up, the device must be correctly connected to a computer or other device. Experienced users have probably already done this, in which case, you can simply skip this paragraph of the instructions and go straight to studying the direct work with the equipment web interface.

It should be noted that the manufacturer also took care of the large army of smartphone owners who do not have a PC or laptop by releasing special software available in the app stores for Android and Apple mobile devices.

This program is called "Mi Router" and it is fully translated into English. The technique for using this utility is described at the end of this manual.

To connect, follow these steps:

Setting options

After connecting, you should enter the control panel. For this purpose, it is convenient to use a PC or laptop that is connected to the device via a patch cord or wirelessly.

If the owner of the router has a special wire, a cable connection is more preferable, as it is more reliable and free from external interference.

The only pity is that Xiaomi does not include a patch cord with the device, and users have to buy it separately.

The switched on device, after a short boot, immediately starts broadcasting the Wi-Fi network. It is not difficult to recognize it, since the name contains the word "Xiaomi".

Due to the fact that initially the network is completely open, and an access code has not yet been set on it, you can easily connect to it from a computer or laptop (the main thing is that the PCs are equipped with WiFi adapters, as older models may not have them). For "ancient" computers, the best option is to connect an external USB Wi-Fi adapter.

If you immediately managed to connect to WiFi, then it is advisable to log in to the web interface from a Windows PC using an Internet browser that can translate foreign languages ​​​​well, for example, through Chrome.

Despite the fact that not all 100% of the hieroglyphs will be translated, the device settings menu will become more understandable for a Russian-speaking user than if it remains completely Chinese.

To set up the Internet, you will need to perform the following steps:

a) distribution of the Internet;

b) repeater mode.

Note: At this stage, it is already allowed to try to access the World Wide Web. Very often this attempt is successful. At the same time, when all gadgets connected to Wi-Fi already have access to the Internet, you can congratulate the owner new network and say that the setup procedure is completely over. Other users will have to study this instruction and follow it further.

How to connect to a provider?

To do this, you need to do the following steps:

Entering Wi-Fi network settings

If you need to change the code for Wi-Fi or its name, as well as if you need to deactivate one of the ranges, you will need to perform the following steps:

How to enter parameters through a mobile device?

In a tablet or smartphone, download and install "Mi Router". The utility is available for download both through the router's web configurator and through the app stores of popular mobile platforms (Google Play and App Store).

Users who do not want to clog the memory of their gadget additional program, have the ability to configure the device using an Internet browser (instructions for configuring the router via a browser are described earlier in this manual).

People who choose the option using a special mobile utility will need to take the following steps:

Despite the lack of a Russified interface, the setup process is no more complicated than with routers from other manufacturers.

Once having completed the procedure on their own, then an experienced user usually intuitively understands the purpose of all sections. In them, if necessary, you can upgrade the software of the router, enable and disable "VPN" services, use the capabilities of interactive television "iptv", etc.

Working with external USB media

The first releases of "Xiaomi Mi WiFi mini" could only read USB media with the "FAT32" system. Currently, the device is functioning perfectly and "ExFAT". After connecting to the USB connector, the program will first notify you about the need to prepare for the operation of the device, which completes in about five minutes.

The next time you connect the same flash drive or external hard drive, they will be ready to work right away.

Conclusion

With impressive technical specifications and powerful external antennas, this router has absolutely no competitors in its price niche. And given the reliability and stability of work, even a possible increase in cost will not be able to change the situation for competitors for the better.