GL.iNet GL-BE6500 Network Device

GL.iNet GL-BE6500 Network Device

The GL.iNet GL-BE6500 is a dual-band Wi-Fi 7 router designed for use in complex home networks, small and medium-sized businesses, and by professionals who use multiple devices simultaneously. It offers a total wireless speed of up to 6,500 Mb/s — 688 Mb/s on the 2.4 GHz band and 5,764 Mb/s on the 5 GHz band — while five 2.5G Ethernet ports allow you to take advantage of high-speed connections on wired networks as well. Support for over 100 devices, a coverage area of up to approximately 232 m², MLO technology, Multi-WAN, and extensive VPN features make this model well-suited for smart homes, offices, and more advanced network environments. A 1.5 GHz quad-core Qualcomm processor, 1 GB of DDR4 memory, and an OpenWrt-based system provide the foundation for handling complex configurations and multiple simultaneous connections.

Wi-Fi 7 for a Fast and Stable Network

The Wi-Fi 7 standard, along with MLO, 4K QAM, Multi-RU Puncturing, and Preamble Puncturing technologies, allows for efficient use of available bandwidth even with many active devices. MLO utilizes both the 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz bands, increasing connection stability, reducing latency, and improving bandwidth utilization, while 4K QAM allows for the transmission of more data and achieves speeds up to 20% faster. Multi-RU Puncturing optimizes bandwidth allocation among multiple users, while Preamble Puncturing minimizes the impact of interference. As a result, the router is ideal for 8K streaming, online gaming, video conferencing, downloading large files, and using VR and AR. Four foldable external antennas and six high-power FEM modules amplify the signal and increase resistance to interference, providing coverage of up to approximately 232 m². The GL-BE6500 can support over 100 devices simultaneously.

Five 2.5G ports—enjoy a high-speed connection via cable as well

Five 2.5G Ethernet ports allow you to take advantage of a high-speed wired connection between the router and computers, NAS servers, game consoles, workstations, or cameras. The GL.iNet GL-BE6500 offers one 2.5G WAN port and four 2.5G LAN ports, supporting speeds of 10/100/1000/2500 Mb/s, with LAN1 capable of being configured to function as a second WAN port. The router also supports Multi-WAN, failover, and load balancing, allowing it to utilize multiple Internet sources and automatically switch to a backup connection in the event of a primary connection failure. Available connection methods include Ethernet WAN, Wi-Fi repeater, USB tethering, and cellular networks, which increases configuration flexibility and helps maintain Internet access in case of problems with one of the connections.

VPN for privacy, remote work, and network access

Extensive VPN support allows you to protect the traffic of your entire network without having to configure each computer, phone, or other device individually. The GL-BE6500 functions as both a client and a server for WireGuard and OpenVPN, supports over 30 VPN services, and offers rule-based routing and Tor support. WireGuard achieves speeds of up to 1,100 Mbps, while OpenVPN with DCO support reaches up to 680 Mbps, allowing you to use an encrypted connection even during more demanding tasks. Users can choose Global Mode to route their entire network through a single VPN tunnel, or Policy Mode to set separate connection rules for specific devices and applications. These features are particularly useful for remote work, using public networks, remotely accessing your own resources, or creating separate connection rules for devices used for work, entertainment, and everyday web browsing.

OpenWrt offers extensive configuration options

The GL-BE6500 runs on a system based on OpenWrt 23.05 with kernel 5.4.213 and supports over 5,000 plugins, making it both a high-performance router for everyday use and the foundation for a more advanced infrastructure. Router, access point, extender, and WDS modes are available, and the Internet connection can be established via Ethernet, repeater, tethering, or a cellular network. The device supports, among other features, DHCP, static IP addresses, PPPoE, Dynamic DNS, IPv6, port forwarding, DMZ, IP address reservation, Drop-in Gateway, ZeroTier, and Tailscale. Wireless configuration options include 2.4 GHz, 5 GHz, and MLO networks, guest network isolation, SSID modification and hiding, transmission power adjustment, and random BSSID. Thanks to these features, the GL-BE6500 can be adapted to various applications—from an extensive home network and a small office to an environment with a NAS server or a home lab.

USB 3.0 and Flexible Router Usage

The USB 3.0 Type-A port allows you to use the GL-BE6500 for additional network tasks. It enables file and printer sharing, remote data retrieval, and 4G/5G tethering, and when a storage device is connected, the router can function as a lightweight home NAS or media server. This facilitates file storage and sharing between devices, as well as media streaming within the network. The OpenWrt-based system also allows you to use the router in a home lab, including for working with virtual labs, Docker containers, and your own networking projects.

Greater Control Over Home Network Security

The built-in AdGuard Home helps block ads and trackers, as well as protect against phishing and malware, ensuring that security measures cover devices across the entire network. Parents also get local parental controls and the Bark solution, accessible via the GL.iNet app and the Web Admin Panel. The free Bark Home plan allows you, among other things, to set Internet access schedules, filter websites, and manage online activity. Guest network isolation, meanwhile, lets you separate visitors’ devices from the rest of the infrastructure. These features are particularly useful in a home where children, adults, Smart TVs, phones, and IoT devices all share a single network, but they’re also valuable in a small office that requires greater control over how the connection is used.

Simpler Local and Remote Management

The GL-BE6500’s extensive configuration options go hand in hand with convenient network management tools. Basic network configuration and monitoring can be performed via the GL.iNet app, which allows you to, among other things, quickly set up the device, check its current status and connected clients, and remotely manage settings. More demanding users can utilize the Web Admin Panel, accessible from a computer or mobile browser, to gain more precise control over the network, VPN, firewall, and connected devices. GoodCloud can also be used for network management, enabling remote configuration, real-time monitoring, and bulk updates for multiple devices or locations. The GL-BE6500 also supports the AstroWarp service. Regular firmware updates provide access to new features and improvements in performance and security.

High-Performance Components in a Compact Design

A 1.5 GHz quad-core Qualcomm processor, paired with 1 GB of DDR4 memory and 512 MB of NAND flash, powers the GL-BE6500’s extensive features. The router features four foldable external Wi-Fi antennas and a two-color LED indicator (blue and white); its housing measures 240 × 157 × 74 mm and weighs 848 g. Power is supplied via a DC5521 12 V / 3 A connector, and power consumption is less than 25 W without a USB load and less than 36 W with a USB load. The operating temperature range is 0°C to 40°C, and the permissible humidity is 5% to 95% non-condensing. The device also features a Reset button that—depending on how long it is held down—can restore the initial network settings or factory settings.

One device for home, office, and more advanced networks

With Wi-Fi 7, five 2.5G ports, Multi-WAN, an advanced VPN, OpenWrt, and support for over 100 devices, the GL-BE6500 meets needs far beyond simply providing Internet access. In a small business, it can simultaneously support workstations, printers, cameras, and other devices, while the ability to use a backup connection helps minimize downtime. At home, it can serve as the hub of an extensive smart home network, providing coverage of up to approximately 232 m², parental controls, and AdGuard Home protection. Advanced users, on the other hand, can utilize the high-speed ports for a NAS and OpenWrt features for their own projects, as well as use VPN, GoodCloud, AstroWarp, ZeroTier, and Tailscale. As a result, the GL-BE6500 lets you build a fast, flexible, and robust infrastructure without sacrificing features useful for everyday use.

Included

• GL.iNet GL-BE6500 router
• Power adapter
• Ethernet cable
• Converter
• User manual