Believe it or not, the EnGenius ESG510 is the second no wifi router that I reviewed on this site. And like Firewalla Gold, it’s a niche device designed for savvy/advanced users with a wired environment.
However, the device is Wi-Fi ready. It includes a Multi-Gig 2.5GBASE-T PoE+ port, best used for a Wi-Fi access point. Let me emphasize that this router is not for everyone, and at the current street price of $600, it is no affordable enough for anyone to try on a whim.
Here is the finish line. for a wired home or office where the internet drop isn’t close to the center, which is unfortunately the case for many homes, the EnGenius ESG510 might be a smart buy. It has Multi-Gig, security, routing and VPN in a compact box.
So if you want to create a serious Wi-Fi network using access points, consider this EnGenius ESG510 today.
EnGenius ESG510. A simple yet sophisticated cloud managed router
The EnGenius ESG510 is a rectangular box that looks like a standard Multi-Gig switch with 8 or fewer ports. And with four Multi-Gig ports, it actually looks like a switch.
It differs in that its first port (labeled WAN1) is the designated default WAN port. Additionally, the second port (WAN2/P3) can function as either a LAN or a second WAN in a Dual-WAN setup. The other two after that are LANs, the last of which (P1) also supports the PoE+ standard (802.3at).
There’s also a USB port (WWAN) that can accommodate an optional backup cellular connection and a port for legacy console management.
The table below shows the hardware specifications of the EnGenius ESG510.
EnGenius ESG510. Equipment specifications
| EnGenius ESG510 Cloud Managed Firewall Router | |
| Processing power | 1.6 GHz Quad-Core processor, 4 GB RAM, 8 GB flash |
| Multi-gig port | 2x 2.5GBASE-T WAN/LAN 1x 2.5GBASE-T LAN 1x 1x 2.5GBASE-T PoE+ LAN |
| Gigabit ports | Nobody |
| Console port | 1: |
| Maximum Internet speed | 2.5 Gbps |
| Dual WAN | yes (load balancing or failover) |
| USB port | 1x WWAN (mobile backup) |
| Routing features | WAN Load Balancing with WRR network features static route Multiple WANs USB mobile User identification PPPoE: VLAN tagging A captive portal Custom splash page Dynamic route Bandwidth limitation Traffic load balancing DHCP client/server/relay Dynamic DNS support |
| Firewall features | Checking state packages policy rules Port Forwarding: 1:1 NAT Allow incoming services |
| Features of VPN | Site to Site VPN Client VPN Policy-based VPN IPsec NAT Traversal (NAT-T) Dead Peer Detection (DPD) Automatic VPN connection Automatic NAT traversal |
| Dimensions: | Width: 8.27 inches (210 mm) Length: 7.07 inches (179.5 mm) Length: 7.07 inches (179.5 mm) Height: 1.38 inches (35 mm) |
| The weight | 2.14 pounds (.97 kg) |
| working temperature | 32°F to 104°F (0°C to 40°C) |
| energy input | 110 – 240 V |
| power consumption (within 24 hours) |
≈: 230 watts |
| Local web interface | yes (limited) |
| Online portal | yes (EnGenious login required) |
| Guarantee | two years |
| US MSRP | $599 |
Limited local web interface
The EnGenius ESG510 works right out of the box with its default settings if you just want a simple network. It is pre-configured as a simple router with standard default settings.
Hardware setup is simple. Here’s how.
Connect the router’s default WAN port (WAN1) to an Internet source, such as a modem or fiber optic ONT. Plug it into power and mission accomplished.
You can now add up to three wired devices to the router, one of which can be a PoE device or switch to accommodate more clients. And that’s all you need to do to get your network up and running.
In this case, the router has a local web interface accessible via its default IP address. 192.168.66.1with Admin as the default username and password.
Unfortunately, there’s not much you can do with this interface. Even the simplest settings, such as the router’s DHCP function, cannot be changed. All you can do is configure the WAN connection(s) between a few common options and update the router’s firmware.
So, for the router to be worth the significant cost, you need to use it through EnGenius’ Cloud Portal, which allows for maximum customization.
EnGenius Cloud is a must use
It’s simple to register the EnGenius ESG510 with an EnGenious Cloud account, the same account you would use if you have other EnGenious Cloud managed devices, such as the ECW336 access point.
All you need to do is create a free account at cloud.engenius.ai, log in, and enter your router’s serial number. Inventory and License Section:
Alternatively, you can do this with the Cloud-to-Go mobile app, which makes the process as simple as using your phone’s camera to scan the QR code under the router.
After that, restart the router and it will be immediately accessible via the above web address.
EnGenious Cloud has two access levels: Basic vs Pro. The former is free and generally has everything a home or office needs, while the latter requires licensing fees that vary depending on the situation.
No matter which tier you use, EnGenious Cloud offers access to all router settings and features, including standard features (such as Dynamic DNS, port-forwarding, VPN) and more.
It’s worth noting, however, that while the functions and settings of the ESG510 are similar to those of most standard routers, its user interface is slightly different because it’s designed for advanced users. This is the case with all business equipment. There can be a bit of a learning curve.
However, the idea behind the Cloud Portal is convenient. You can manage multiple devices and even organizations in one place. For example, you can easily use two EnGenius ESG510 units for two locations, connect them via VPN, and then manage both under the same account.
Instead, your devices are always connected to EnGenius, which presents inherent privacy risks. Here is the EnGenious Privacy Policy.
EnGenius ESG510. Detailed photos
EnGenius ESG510. reliable and fast Mulit-Gig performance
I used most of the ESG510’s features and settings applicable to a single office (or home) and all worked as intended. There were no surprises.
Also, I tried it with several PoE access points, including EnGenious’ own ECW336, and they all worked fine. However, ECW336 was the best option as it is part of the company’s Cloud-Managed family. The two proved to be a great pair, providing a fast and reliable wired/Wi-Fi network.
In over a week in the real world, I had no issues with the router. The device, by the way, stayed cool and didn’t seem to have an internal fan; it was completely silent.
In terms of bandwidth, as a 2.5GBASE-T device, the router had the fastest sustained rates compared to all routers and switches in the same class. It was impressive because it was the first router to be faster than individual switches on this front.
Side:
Simple and easy to install and use
Four Mult-Gig ports with Dual-WAN, PoE+ support
EnGenious Cloud Basic (Free) has everything a home or SMB network needs with a handy Cloud-to-Go mobile app.
Compact, practical design; works great
Against
a bit expensive; zero customization via built-in local web interface
online portals require a login account; no 10GBASE-T or SFP+ version
Some networking knowledge is required to set up and manage
Conclusion
Again, the EnGenius ESG510 is not a router for everyone. However, it would be a great buy if you:
- looking for a non-wifi router
- never mind the required online account,
- consider yourself an advanced user, and
- Want to build a Multi-Gig wired or Wi-Fi network using PoE access points?
That’s a pretty big if, and that’s the point. This is a hardware niche that, when applicable, will work great. Assess your situation and maybe consider one today.