Fast and secure

D-Link offers a generous list of standard features with its DI-704 router. The built-in, auto-sensing, 10/100mbps switch provides each node on the network with a dedicated Ethernet connection, which dramatically boosts performance for bandwidth-intensive applications and multiplayer gaming. Users concerned about network security will appreciate the built-in, NAT-based firewall. While NAT is not an enterprise-level firewall solution, it’s an effective way to hide the IP addresses of the computers on your local network; the router’s IP address is all that’s visible to the Internet.

Dig deeper

The DI-704 router also has something to offer networking gurus. Via the Web-based interface, an administrator can allow or deny access to specific machines and/or ports on any machine in the local network. For example, with the Virtual Server option, you can set up a Web server on your network to accept external requests without exposing the entire machine to the Internet. Telecommuting and virtual private networking (VPN) are also fully supported via the point-to-point tunneling protocol (PPTP) and IPsec pass-through technologies. The DI-704 router even offers a backup serial COM port, which lets you share an Internet connection via an external analog or ISDN modem.

User Reviews

Tom said:

Summary: my first one had persistent problems: it would stop working after about an hour so after hassling with it (it always started working again after about an hour) I called tech support and the guy immediately suggested it was a hardware defect and i exchanged it no questions asked (locally). the replacement has worked fine for 6+ months. easy enough to configure, inexpensive (if you don’t count my time to figure out the problem) and the 4 ports are more than what I need (network printer+mac+_pc). recommended if you buy it locally and can exchange it if it fails within 30 days or so.

Summary: Absolutely the best customer service, and at 3 am to boot. I read a lot of the comments posted here and agree with all the positive and NONE of the negative. The doc’s for the router could have been a little better. My problem was that I didn’t use the “clone MAC address” which a call to customer service revealed and was quickly taken care of. D-Links has absolutely the best CS I have ever called. No questions about where I bought it or was it registered, just good down to earth help. I will be putting D-Link products at the top of my list for new toys wanted!! I only wish I had used their NIC card and not the one from Belkin who has absolutely the worst warranty procedure I have ever encountered!

Summary: I got the router the other day and installed it this morning, OK, yesterday morning technically, around 20 hours ago. EVERYTHING works, printer sharing included and exactly as I imagined it – i.e. neither of my two machines needs to be on for the other to print to the printer. It was a snap to install and get the printer working. I did have a problem configuring the router and I called technical support. The problem turned out to be the fact that I had disabled the DHCP Service in my Windows 2000 on the machine that I chose to configure the router. Thus, it couldn’t pick up an IP from the router. I had no problems getting right through to tech support at the 877 number supplied (toll free), and you get a tech support person from the start = real cool. First guy wasn’t too smart, IMO. He had me try a mess of stuff and finally gave up and said he was going to escalate to a higher level technician and I’d get a call. Meantime I discovered that my other machine could run the configuration program and I set things up. Caveat! When you choose a password (if you DO choose a non-blank password to access router configuration), don’t use more than 9 characters. If you do, only the first 9 are stored and if you try putting in your PW with more than 9 characters, you are rejected. I was about to call them for that (couldn’t login) but I figured it out – put in the first 9. The next guy I got had me assign an IP instead of using DHCP for my problem machine. Then everything worked. While on hold I realized that my printer wasn’t on their website’s list of supported printers for the 704p. Bummer. Why? I asked. My HP4M is certainly designed to work with a print server – it’s primarily a network printer. The technician said I should look for the item in the FAQ on how to set up your printer on the 704p. This does NOT involve using the driver supplied on the CD. It’s just a Windows configuration thing. It works fine. The technician followed up our conversation by sending me a cool email with a number of very useful links. I’d say this is very good tech support. I reenabled the DHCP Service on my number one machine and reset the TCP/IP settings to get an automatically assigned IP and DHCP’s working on both machines now. The pleasantest surprise is that my VPN at work is functioning – no tweaks necessary. Now I’ve got to figure out how to get file sharing working on my LAN. Got a great deal on this, about $40 at buy.com after $20 rebate, and I hear it’s available for $40 – $20 MIR right now at Fry’s! What a deal!

This award-winning RangeBooster N® router offers an affordable and reliable Wi-Fi connection and comes with parental controls. You’ll give it two antennas up.

The D-Link® RangeBooster N® Router (DIR-625) is a 802.11n compliant device that delivers up to 12x faster speeds* and 4x farther range* than an 802.11g wireless network while staying backward compatible with 802.11g devices. Connect the RangeBooster N Router to a cable or DSL modem and provide high-speed Internet access to multiple computers, game consoles, and media players. Create a secure wireless network to share photos, files, music, printers, and more, from greater distances throughout your entire home or office. With D-Link’s award-winning QoS engine that prioritizes time-sensitive online traffic, this router enables smooth Internet phone calls (VoIP) and responsive gaming.

Powered by RangeBooster N technology, this high performance router provides superior coverage designed to reduce dead spots and for users who demand higher performance networking.

FEATURES:

• Firewall Protection
• Parental Controls
• Parental Reporting and Alerts
• Identity Protection
• Pop-up Blocker
• Virus/Spyware Protection – Powered by McAfee®
• Spam Control
• Access Control
• Remote Management Console

RANGEBOOSTER N™ ROUTER BENEFITS

• Delivers up to 12x faster speeds* and 4x farther range* than 802.11g.
• Award-winning QoS Engine prioritizes Internet traffic to enable enhanced gaming and phone calling (VoIP) experience.
• Dual Active Firewalls (SPI & NAT) help protect your network from Internet threats such as hackers, viruses, identity thieves, and SPAM.
• Easy to install and use with the included Quick Router Setup Wizard.
• SECURESPOT 2.0 sevices let you take total control of the Internet.

D-Link DIR-625 User Reviews

1.User famousdavis1 said:

Pros: Easy setup, choices; improved performance

Cons: None to this point

Summary: Since my son started playing Xbox live I needed to upgrade my original 2-3 year old D-link (DI-524; basic g) router. After research, and reading all the horror stories/reviews about each manufacturer’s offering of routers, I decided I might as well stay with what has worked for me: D-link (also, I use D-link’s “SecureSpot” hardware security and I figured compatibility might be improved if I stayed with a D-link router.)

I chose D-link’s DIR-625 Platinum series (Rangebooster N) router. Carefully, I followed the instructions to a “t” — disconnecting my old router first, running the cable modem’s ethernet cable directly to a single PC, and installing the new D-link software — I was relieved (and pleasantly surprised) that it could not have been easier. Along the way, and as prompted, I downloaded the latest firmware. After successfully getting the “main” pc surfing the Internet, I added others just as easily and without installing the CD software on each pc (I either plugged in the ethernet cable to an open port on the router, or I entered my security key on the wireless laptops.)

The range is MUCH improved; I’m not sure about the speed (but I wasn’t having a problem before.) I think most others who are careful to follow clear, simple instructions they shouldn’t have a problem.

2.User umdajs said:

Pros: Amazing range. Simple setup. Comprehensive features

Cons: Not much faster then my old 54mps Netgear

Summary: Easy setup when I had my laptop connected directly to the router. When I then tried to get online with my desktop after setup couldnt get online. I called d-link and they suggested unistalling and reinstalling my usb wireless adaptor drivers and that did the trick no problems after that. works great. Amazing range. I have the Belkin N wireless usb adaptor and about 50 feet away and 3 walls i get 80-90% connectivity, or excellent for you XP users. Only bummer was it is not much faster then the 54mps netgear I had which is why I really upgraded.

EXPERIENCE HD

Experience the stunning picture quality of High-Definition (HD) video and crystal clear sound clarity of digital audio with the D-Link® MediaLounge™ Wireless HD Media Player (DSM-520). With the DSM-520, you can sit in the comfort of your living room along with friends and family and enjoy media content available on a networked PC or Network Attached Storage (NAS)¹ on your big-screen TV and sound system. The DSM-520 enables streaming of videos, music, and photos over a wireless 802.11g or wired Ethernet connection (a wired network is recommended for optimal video streaming). In addition, the DSM-520 provides a USB 2.0 port in the front panel for instant access to media stored on removable USB flash drives.

CONNECTIONS FOR VIRTUALLY ALL APPLICATIONS

The DSM-520 is optimized for HD picture and digital audio quality with the built-in High-Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI) port. Connect the DSM-520 to your HDTV using the HDMI connection and enjoy the clarity of digital audio and sharp picture quality with resolutions of up to 1080i (HDMI cable sold separately). Other video connectors include component video, S-video, and composite (RCA) output, ensuring compatibility with virtually all television sets. The DSM-520 also supports coax and optical digital audio output for delivering high fidelity digital surround sound. In addition, the DSM-520 supports popular media formats³, including HD video in either Windows Media® Video 9 or MPEG-4⁴ format. And with support for Windows® Media Player 11⁵, files protected by Windows Media Digital Rights Management (WMDRM) can be streamed from your PC to your entertainment center.

FEATURES

User Reviews

1.user sugarski said:

Pros: Stream radio, plug/play, ^ quality 420 to 1080, back-up all DVD’s to DIVX/XVID/MPEG4_SP( Read note on DivX), Buffer.

Cons: Fst fwd rwd slow (4 times normal), USB Capacity, Support_ all vendors R bad, need bookmark 4 video.

Summary: Reviewed 4 different Media Centers & Dlink 520 is the BEST.

Pros:
1) You can stream radio from many different internet sources & most are free.
2) System is pretty much plug/play. If you have media on your computer it will play on your TV through the 520.
3) I back-up all my DVD’s into DIVX format and 520 can read this format. However you must rename extension from .divx to .avi.
4) 520 increases the quality. I have a HD TV and with an HDMI cable quality is better then normal DVD even though with DivX a movie is compressed from >5GB to <700MB.
5) You can set up different media centers on different computers. As a result your entire family can log their media onto the 520.
6) Buffer ? Evidently some buffer is present. I rebooted my computer during a movie (accidentally) and the movie continued to play for over 3 minutes. Once it stopped it picked back up where it left off once computer was restored.

2.User saketkumar said:

Pros: Stream music, photos, video from any UPnP AV compatible media server, stream online radio from radio@AOL, live365.com, direct USB thumb drive support, stream Windows Media DRM protected content.

Cons: Photo thumbnail support is horrible, UI can be improved, no support for bread crumb, no music album art, video forward/rewind functionality can be improved.

Summary: If you are in the market for Media Receiver/Hub then you may end up buying this. Direct connection to the USB drive open up lot of option for many users.

D-Link DSM-520 Media Receiver (D-link call it MediaLounge) is one the best among the available media receiver in the market. Not only it’s much better than it’s predecessor DSM-320, but with ton’s of additional features it’s affordable too. Having USB thumb drive support in the front gives option to the user to play video files directly from the external hard drive.

It works great with Windows Media Connect and TwonkyVision media server. Besides all kind of video support, DivX support was surprise for me.

The D-Link Xtreme N™ Duo Wireless Bridge/Access Point is designed for users looking to create a wireless network or to connect multiple wired devices to an existing wireless network. Xtreme N Duo is the latest addition to the award-winning Xtreme N product family. Duo means the DAP-1522 works with next generation dual band (2.4GHz or 5GHz)* 802.11n wireless devices as well as legacy 802.11g products.

Bring your wired devices into the Wi-Fi world with the DAP-1522 Xtreme N® Duo Wireless Bridge. You’ll be Xtremely glad you did.

These products use the current draft version of the 802.11n standard. Compatibility with other draft-n and current 802.11n products is guaranteed by the Wi-Fi Alliance. However, some features were added in later revisions of the spec, and it is possible that they will not work correctly. In most cases a firmware upgrade will solve any problems (consider if you feel confident performing such an update). Also, while 802.11n is designed to be backwards compatible with 802.11g, 802.11b and 802.11a, it had been noticed that -n can interfere with the operation of current 802.11b and g products.

Other features, see http://www.dlink.com/products/?pid=DAP-1522

Price range: $74.99 – $102.24

User Reviews:

chanman said:

HD Movie :and You Tube streaming on to my TV work excellent, which is really all that matters. Customer support, which you will need to set it up, was probably the most knowledgeable I have worked with in recent years. Works with Apple Time Capsule..

Cons: Difficult to set-up unless you happen to have a d-link router and use the one-button set-up. Call 24/7 help desk and they will walk you through set up. Manuals are weak. Also, range is limited. Can’t go in a drawer or cabinet. Needs to sit on top..

Summary: For the price, it is a good product. Actual data streaming works very well, which is ultimately all that matters. Manuals are weak but customer service is strong. Range is limited, but sufficient if you don’t mind putting the unit on the surface.

bc0203 said:

Pros: Easy, pushbutton setup, includes 4-port hub..

Cons: Web interface could be a bit easier to access..

Summary: I have a home theater system with multiple devices that require Internet access, some of them are not wireless. The D-Link DAP-1522 allows me to route everything through a single access point, with all devices set to “wired” mode and the router assigning DHCP addesses to each device.

D-Link answers the need for a Broadband VPN Router with the DIR-130. The DIR-130 is a simple-to-deploy wired VPN router designed specifically for the Small Office/Home Office (SOHO) market that demands superior performance and security in a compact desktop chassis.

Designed with the small business in mind, this VPN router and 8-port switch allows home offices to share their Internet without compromising security.

The DIR-130 features an intuitive user interface that can easily be configured and monitored via the D-Link® Web-based Management Utility. These configuration options can be managed through the Administrator rights.

Price range: $86.63 – $103.29

D-Link DIR-130 User Reviews:

1.Customer nabidavid said:

Pros: 8 ports LAN ports (yeah… I was reaching for something nice to say)

Can be used as an effective paperweight.

Cons: The device will not last. As other reviewers have indicated, there are strange issues with this router. If you buy, do not expect features such as port forwarding, VPN access (PPTP/L2TP/IPSec) to work after 6-9 months. Oh… and do not expect firmware updates either, as the last update was 5/24/2008 (this post is as of 4/9/2010).

Other Thoughts: Although this is a poor product from D-Link, I still use other D-Link routers with which I am very happy.

2.Customer msee2001 said:

Pros: Low price, easy to setup.

Cons: Needs a firmware update when you get it.

Other Thoughts: Do the firmware update first. I have used 3 on these VPN routers and they all have worked fine. It’s not Cisco but then it’s only about $100. Have connected three buildings together with no problems, 2 have been connected for almost 2 years with no prolems at all.

3.Customer TonyL222 said:

“Does work with a fios connection and does provide good speed…”

“I brought two for myself and recommended it to a client that has Fios…”

“The warranty is only good for one year, so I’m out of luck…”

Packed with features, the DGL-4300 Wireless G Gaming Router comes with D-Link’s award-winning GameFuel® Technology so you can prioritize gaming traffic. Lag is a thing of the past.

Networking Evolved

Push the limits of basic networking technology and experience the evolution in networking. Wirelessly share broadband Internet, boost network performance, stay competitive in your online games with D-Link’s new cutting-edge GamerLounge™ Wireless 108G Gaming Router, powered by GameFuel™ Priority Technology.

Fit for the True Online Gamer

• Introducing GameFuel™ Priority Technology designed to provide the uninterrupted and latency-free gaming experience serious online gamers expect
• Customized with game-centric features boasting maximum flexibility for configuration and performance
• Unparalleled 802.11g wireless performance
• Designed for the Gamers Network

Fit for the True Online Gamer

• Introducing GameFuel™ Priority Technology designed to provide the uninterrupted and latency-free gaming experience serious online gamers expect
• Customized with game-centric features boasting maximum flexibility for configuration and performance
• Unparalleled 802.11g wireless performance
• Designed for the Gamers Network

Cutting-Edge Technology For Today and Tomorrow’s Gamers Network

• GameFuel™ Priority powered platform reduces latency and boosts network efficiency and performance
• Intelligently manages and automatically prioritizes network traffic to better execute bandwidth-sensitive applications including VoIP and multimedia applications
• Enhanced wireless technology for optimal range and connectivity – up to 108Mbps^*
• High-Performance CPU to support thousands of concurrent connections – ideal for P2P applications and multiplayer interactivity
• Enables multi-tasking between other applications without degradation in game connection
• Pre-configured ports to accommodate up to 256 policies for games and applications
• Customizable settings to add or modify new applications or game configurations
• Firmware upgrade notification feature keeps your new
  D-Link Gaming Router up to date 

Intimidation Never Looked This Good

• One Fast Ethernet 10/100 WAN port which supports virtually all broadband Internet connections
• Four Gigabit Ethernet 10/100/1000 auto-sensing LAN ports
• 5dBi high-gain antenna for exceptional wireless signal coverage
• Fine-tuned web GUI enhancements for seamless device management

Play Your Games, Protect Your Network

• Protect your wireless data with support for both Wi-Fi Protected Access (WPA) and 128-bit Wired Equivalent Privacy (WEP)
• Integrated Stateful Packet Inspection (SPI) firewall and Network Address Translation (NAT) firewall help protect against hackers, wardrivers, and other unauthorized users
• Create versatile Access Control policies to control network access based on time, date, websites, and/or applications
• Disable SSID Broadcast and MAC Filtering features protect against unauthorized access from your wireless network

• Supports Virtual Private Network (VPN) pass-through to create a secure connection to office networks

User Reviews:

Playing an online FPS game through a busy wireless router is like entering a Corolla in the Indy 500: there just isn’t enough speed to win. If you face this unfortunate reality, D-Link wants to pimp your Wi-Fi ride with its new DGL-4300 wireless 108G gaming router. The device includes a GameFuel mode that puts data packets from games, teleconferencing, VoIP, and other high-bandwidth apps at the front of the wireless-transmission line, ushering them through the router faster than other data. The DGL-4300 also offers perks such as four Gigabit Ethernet ports; an adjustable, 5dBi high-gain antenna; WPA security; and an SPI (Stateful Packet Inspection) firewall. But at about $150, the device costs nearly twice as much as other Wi-Fi routers, such as the Linksys WRT54GS, which offer comparable performance when used solely for gameplay. So unless your router really is jammed with other traffic, hold off on the DGL-4300 until its next generation, which will no doubt support MIMO technology.

The slick, black DGL-4300 has seven blue status lights on the front that indicate when the power, WAN, WLAN, and four Gigabit LAN ports are working properly. The removable 5dBi antenna on the back edge bends and rotates 90 and 360 degrees, respectively, which helps you optimally position the antenna. In other efforts to help you position the router just right, D-Link ships the device with four handy rubber feet for lying flat, two snap-on rubber legs for vertical placement, and brackets for wall hanging.

The DGL-4300’s browser-based configuration tool is also slick. The tool’s smooth blue, orange, and black graphics and well-organized tabs are a nice touch. When you initially log in to the D-Link tool, it presents you with two helpful wizards for connecting to the Internet and specifying your wireless security settings. Or you can skip the wizards and alter all of the DGL-4300’s settings manually, determining features such as the device’s SSID, WEP and WPA security levels, acceptable MAC addresses, and DMZ assignments. Parents who want to limit their kids’ computing activities can also use the tool to block access to certain Web sites and games at specific times. At press time, D-Link also posted a new firmware upgrade with a few potentially intriguing features, such as Xbox Live certification, which allegedly helps to limit ICMP, and the ability to test virtual server settings via a LAN connection, which may help those attempting to establish their own game servers.

User none93 said:

Pros: Reliable router with many firmware features.

Cons: little high priced, but it has come down some

Summary: This is the best router I have owned. Many other people have said this also about this router (in reviews posted on other sites).

It’s not fair for cnet to give this router a negative because its doesn’t have “mimo”. Especially considering since MIMO isn’t even a standard, and won’t be a standard for a long time.

The wireless range on this router is just as good or better than my Linksys WRT54G. And it has many more firmware options than the Linksys does.

The log file is detailed, and holds many entires (over 350 lines).

The many settings in the firmware, large log file, and reliability are what sold me on this router. The chipset inside is designed by Ubicom, and the chipset itself is designed specifically for QOS.

This router also has super bright blue LED lights. They will light up your room at night.

User Ravensblood said:

Pros: Setup is a snap, looks sharp, well built, packet prioritization in firmware for enhanced gaming.

Cons: A little on the expensive side, is a few years old.

Summary: I picked up one of these late last year to replace our aging Netgear wireless router. I’d finally picked up a laptop that could handle online gaming, but every time I’d try to play World of Warcraft with the Netgear, it would lock up and the entire home network would lose internet access. I did a lot of shopping and finally settled on this D-Link router which I ordered online. It’s a sharp looking piece of tech that doesn’t look out of place next to the television (since that’s where the cable hookup and cable modem are), and setup was flawless and quick. I tend to do a lot of downloading in the background when playing online games, so having the packet prioritization is awesome. This means that my gaming packets get traffic priority over the other packets on the network which results in nice, low pings.

I have an old Dell Laptop from a few years ago with wireless, and my new Thinkpad has an IBM wireless adpater and both of them have been able to connect to this router with no problems. My Nintendo DS Lite also was able to connect with hardly any effort at all. We have four desktops (connecting wired through two hubs), three laptops (connecting wirelessly), and two occasional Nintendo DSes connecting through this thing, and we’ve never had a problem. It gets the job done.

D-Link introduces the Wireless N 150 Home Router (DIR-601), which delivers high performance end-to-end wireless connectivity based on Wireless N technology. The DIR-601 provides better wireless coverage and improved speeds over previous-generation Wireless G*. Upgrading your home network to Wireless N 150 provides an excellent solution for experiencing better wireless performance while sharing a broadband Internet connection with multiple computers over a secure wireless network.

ENHANCED WIRELESS RANGE

Utilizing the benefits of Wireless N technology, the DIR-601 performs faster file transfers and farther coverage enabling greater wireless signals across your home. Not only does the DIR-601 extend your wireless range, it also works with your existing Wireless G devices.

EASY TO SET UP

The D-Link DIR-601 makes it easy to set up your wireless network in your home or office without professional installation. The DIR-601 includes an Installation Wizard CD-ROM, which walks you through the easy step-by-step installation process to set up your wireless network and Internet connection in minutes. Once the setup process is complete, you can share a high-speed Internet connection, files, media, and more.

WHAT D-Link DIR-601 DOES

Create a wireless network to share high-speed Internet access with computers, game consoles, and media players with greater distances and coverage across your home than previous-generation Wireless G technology*.

CONSERVES ENERGY

• Automatically powers down ports that have no link
• Budgets power output for different Ethernet cable lengths
• Includes wireless LAN scheduling, which can shut down your wireless network when not in use for further power savings

• Reduces energy consumption by using an Energy Star® qualified power adapter

User Reviews

1.User bdog2000 said:

Pros: good connection, easy to install,price

Cons: no dual band connection

Summary: I use this for my PS3 and laptop it gives good connection and is easy to use

2.shoeson333 said:

Pros: nothing that i can see of

Cons: everything

Summary: i bought this and regret it all my life. the connection drops frequently. i wasted my phone minutes calling the d-link guys n it seems that whatever they do it doesn’t work. plz learn from me ppl dont repeat my mistake.

The D-Link® 2-Bay Network Storage Enclosure (DNS-321) is the perfect way to store, share, and safeguard your documents, music, videos, and photos. With the D-Link tool-less installation, easily insert up to two SATA drives1 without any tools or attaching any cables. Additionally, the built-in UPnP™ AV media server enables streaming of digital content to compatible network media players (such as those found in the D-Link MediaLounge™ product line) as well as popular media player applications used in computers.

PROTECTION AND PERFORMANCE

The availability of four different hard drive modes (Standard, JBOD, RAID 0, and RAID 1) allows you to choose the configuration best suited for your needs. Standard mode creates two separately accessible hard drives.

With the included feature-rich backup software, you can create schedules and rules including real-time full or incremental backups. The Web-based configuration software allows users to establish storage quotas for specific users and groups. The DNS-321 can automatically back up your data regardless of the Operating System (OS) of your computer (Windows®, Mac®, or Linux®). The DNS-321 also features a built-in FTP server2 to access files through the Internet.

With its sleek design and quiet cooling fans, the DNS-321 can be easily placed on your desk at home or in the office. Utilizing SATA hard drives and gigabit connectivity, the 2-Bay Network Storage Enclosure (DNS-321) is a high performance, cost-effective solution for your home or small office data storage needs.

Features

* D-Link Green Product
* Store Digital Content from Multiple Computers into a Central Location
* Stream Music, Photos, & Videos to Compatible UPnP AV-enabled Media Players
* Access Stored Data Away from Home with the Built-in FTP Server
* Supports Four Different Hard Drive Modes (Standard, JBOD, RAID 0, and RAID 1)

User Reviews

cmscogins said:

Pros: Price
Size
Low Noise
Easy Installation
Cons: Limited setup instructions
Summary: This NAS was very easy to set up right out of the box. It is very compact and quiet. The price was very good for all of the features.

mark_dickson said:

Pros: Speed – compared to other consumer NAS devices, this one is very quick. Flexibility – you can use 1 or 2 drives of any size you want. Price – for the money, its great that you get a fast NAS with basic RAID abilities

Cons: User permissions could be a little more straight forward, a speedy eSATA port would be great to add additional storage

Summary: I have two LaCie NAS drives and this Dlink DNS-321 NAS hooked up to my network currently and this is by far my favorite because of its flexibility and its speed. It is way faster than either LaCie drives I have and tests very well compared to other NAS drives on sites such as Small Net Builder (a little faster than its DNS-323 sibling overall too). Don’t get me wrong, there is still room for improvement with its speed as I have an old computer with Ubuntu server running as a network file server and its gig ports blow even this Dlink away, but compared to other reasonably priced consumer NAS drives this is great.

The D-Link RangeBooster N® Dual Band Router (DIR-628) is designed for users looking to create a high-performance wireless network. Connect the RangeBooster N Dual Band Router to a cable or DSL modem and provide high-speed Internet access to multiple computers, game consoles, and media players. Create a secure wireless network to share photos, files, music, printers, and more, from greater distances throughout your entire home or office**. We’ve also included a QoS engine that prioritizes time-sensitive online traffic to enable smooth Internet phone calls (VoIP) and responsive gaming.

DUAL BAND WIRELESS COVERAGE

Dual Band N is the latest addition to the RangeBooster N product family. The dual band technology in the DIR-628 supports selectable 2.4GHz or 5GHz wireless signals. This allows you to check email and browse the Internet using the 2.4GHz band or stream HD movies and other media on the 5GHz band.

FEATURES:

* World Class Parental Controls
* Safe Surfing/Searching
* Remote Management
* AntiVirus/AntiSpyware protection with McAfee® Technology
* Internet Usage Time Scheduling and Activity Reporting
* Web-Managed Firewall
* Access Control for Internet Usage
* Application Control (blocking and scheduling)
* Spam Control
* Identity Protection

User Reviews:

Toscane said:
Pros: Bought this unit to replace a flaking Netgear wireless router. I am very happy so far with the ease of installation and performance. Recommended.
Cons: The installation routine does require some basic networking knowledge.
Summary: I gave the product a 5 instead of a 4, to offset the 1 given by another reviewer.

dsmrobert said:
Pros: It took me around 15 mins to setup my desktop, my netbook, my wireless desktop and mac. it’s pretty simple. i am not a tech. Speed test is above average, 9.79/10.
Cons: price of router is fair. but you might have to spend money on 5.0GHz USB adatper for your wireless device in order to take advantage of this router. if you have budget concern, i would suggest you: save money it’s worth it.
Summary: I have tried linksys 160, 310. both are over-heating and you have to unplug and plug in order to reset. it’s pretty annoying to do that every day.

legendair1 said:
Pros: Stable Router, great range, and fast Internet streaming with a range of different platform (XP-MAC-Vista).
Cons: Set up is a bit long, the 5Hz band do not transmit along the 2.4 HZ and is only avail on N signals
Summary: I Return the linksys 160n model (Comparable) because of resets every 3 days for speed degradation. This device is way more superior for the same price

These products use the current draft version of the 802.11n standard. Compatibility with other draft-n and current 802.11n products is guaranteed by the Wi-Fi Alliance. However, some features were added in later revisions of the spec, and it is possible that they will not work correctly. In most cases a firmware upgrade will solve any problems (consider if you feel confident performing such an update). Also, while 802.11n is designed to be backwards compatible with 802.11g, 802.11b and 802.11a, it had been noticed that -n can interfere with the operation of current 802.11b and g products.

The 802.11n standard is based on MIMO (multiple input, multiple output) technology, which takes advantage of multiple data streams. This concept was considered a problem until someone figured out how to harness these many streams of data to improve both throughput and range. Most of the major wireless networking vendors started offering routers and adapters based on the initial approved draft in mid-2007, while the final specification was released in October 2009.

DWA-130 User Reviews

tangled20 said:

Pros: easy to install and manage
cheap price
does what it says on the box
doesn’t nag you constantly

Cons: nothing as of yet
Summary: highly recommended

zaphire22 said:

Pros: Works on 32 bit Windows 7 OS
Affordable ($19 sale in Office Depot)
Fast and reliable
Easy to install
Comes with a cradle which is of big help

Cons: If only it’s a plug and play device then it would be much better since installing a driver thru CD is a thing in the past.

wayne_e_day said:

Pros: Easy to install, worked right away, reasonable price

Cons: If it were about a 1/2 inch shorter that would be nice, but not an unworkable problem.
Summary: I love stuff that works as advertised. Load the software, plug it in, start networking. No problems at all.