D-link (DI-784) Wireless Router
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Similar in Routers
- WLAN Standards: IEEE 802.11a IEEE 802.11b IEEE 802.11g/b
- Antenna Type: External Antenna x 1
- Security: WEP WPA TKIP 802.1x
- Connectivity: Wireless
- Router Functionalities: VPN Pass-Thru Firewall DHCP Server
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Affordable way to cut your cords and be free!
Pros
easy installation, low cost, long range
Cons
occasionally hard to locate signal
Recommended it?
Yes
The Bottom Line:
Fast, easy to install, includes several security options and multiple computers can use it without compromising speed.
Having long ago made the big leap from dial-up to a cable modem, I thought, as far as internet is concerned, I am all set. This was before I bought the D-Link DI 784 wireless router. Now I am not sure how I ever lived connected to cords like a marionette. Wireless really is freedom!
Installation
Now, not knowing a lot about wireless connections myself (nor does my roommate), we had our Maitre d' friend, Vincent, take care of the IT for us (it's a hobby of his and he was willing do it himself at no charge to us---how could we refuse). Despite the work of our "hired hand," I decided I would take note incase I might have to take care of such a thing in the future, perhaps down the road at a different apartment or if I eventually need to upgrade my hardware.
The whole process took Vincent about a half an hour--- perhaps even less. I must admit it seemed pretty easy.
Included with the router are: quick-installation guide, very comprehensive manual, easy to set up security features, and it even has a support package with a three-year warranty, which is nice incase Vincent is gone and we need help getting it to work again.
Vincent said that few routers he has worked with were as easy to set up as the DI-784, which is why he recommended this model in the first place. So if you are not an IT wiz, and have no French Maitre d' turned IT guy at your disposal, this should be a product you can figure out with minimal work and more importantly, minimal mental strain.
Range
I've been using the D-Link DI-784 router a little more than a year now, and despite some quirkiness, it seems to work quite well. It is a fast router with excellent range --- we can easily get a signal in any room or out on our porch, plus my landlord (downstairs) can access internet through the floor and without an added booster (shhhh don't tell). Usually there are between 2 and 4 really fast wireless laptops sharing the signal, and it does not slow down in the slightest. For this reason, I would say this router is perfectly suited for family apartments, small homes or perhaps small businesses without a ton of computers.
Included Features
It also has a lot of nice features I would not have even thought to look for if I had picked out a router on my own, such as a configurable firewall, parental controls (I don't use these but they'd be good if you had kids), wireless security, and VPN pass-through support. It is very compact and comes with a little stand to keep it upright like a tower as opposed to on its side. Additionally, it was very affordable at a bit less than $70.
Dropped connections
Occasionally (more frequently in recent days, but I'm not sure why) we have problems picking up the internet signal. When this happens, we have to get up, cross the room, go to the router on the shelf, take the cap off the ball-point pen we now keep next to it for just this reason, and press in the small reset button on the back. After doing this, it takes about 30 seconds to find the signal and our laptops work just fine again. Signal loss does not seem to happen once we are connected and surfing the internet, this is to say we do not have "dropped" connections as much as occasional hard times FINDING a connection. But the problem, as I explained above, is easy to fix, just a bit of a pain in the butt at times.
I have yet to network my printer to the router, but I am told this is possible; I'll just need to get Vincent back over one weekend and bribe him to work on it.
I should note that you will need a computer with a wireless card either built in, or one you can insert into one of the slots, to get a wireless signal. Vincent put a wireless card into my older laptop, but recently I bought a new one (see my review of the Dell 700M; a great machine), and upon removing it from the box, I was able to immediate pick up the internet signal in my apartment without configuring anything, or loading any software.
Installation
Now, not knowing a lot about wireless connections myself (nor does my roommate), we had our Maitre d' friend, Vincent, take care of the IT for us (it's a hobby of his and he was willing do it himself at no charge to us---how could we refuse). Despite the work of our "hired hand," I decided I would take note incase I might have to take care of such a thing in the future, perhaps down the road at a different apartment or if I eventually need to upgrade my hardware.
The whole process took Vincent about a half an hour--- perhaps even less. I must admit it seemed pretty easy.
Included with the router are: quick-installation guide, very comprehensive manual, easy to set up security features, and it even has a support package with a three-year warranty, which is nice incase Vincent is gone and we need help getting it to work again.
Vincent said that few routers he has worked with were as easy to set up as the DI-784, which is why he recommended this model in the first place. So if you are not an IT wiz, and have no French Maitre d' turned IT guy at your disposal, this should be a product you can figure out with minimal work and more importantly, minimal mental strain.
Range
I've been using the D-Link DI-784 router a little more than a year now, and despite some quirkiness, it seems to work quite well. It is a fast router with excellent range --- we can easily get a signal in any room or out on our porch, plus my landlord (downstairs) can access internet through the floor and without an added booster (shhhh don't tell). Usually there are between 2 and 4 really fast wireless laptops sharing the signal, and it does not slow down in the slightest. For this reason, I would say this router is perfectly suited for family apartments, small homes or perhaps small businesses without a ton of computers.
Included Features
It also has a lot of nice features I would not have even thought to look for if I had picked out a router on my own, such as a configurable firewall, parental controls (I don't use these but they'd be good if you had kids), wireless security, and VPN pass-through support. It is very compact and comes with a little stand to keep it upright like a tower as opposed to on its side. Additionally, it was very affordable at a bit less than $70.
Dropped connections
Occasionally (more frequently in recent days, but I'm not sure why) we have problems picking up the internet signal. When this happens, we have to get up, cross the room, go to the router on the shelf, take the cap off the ball-point pen we now keep next to it for just this reason, and press in the small reset button on the back. After doing this, it takes about 30 seconds to find the signal and our laptops work just fine again. Signal loss does not seem to happen once we are connected and surfing the internet, this is to say we do not have "dropped" connections as much as occasional hard times FINDING a connection. But the problem, as I explained above, is easy to fix, just a bit of a pain in the butt at times.
I have yet to network my printer to the router, but I am told this is possible; I'll just need to get Vincent back over one weekend and bribe him to work on it.
I should note that you will need a computer with a wireless card either built in, or one you can insert into one of the slots, to get a wireless signal. Vincent put a wireless card into my older laptop, but recently I bought a new one (see my review of the Dell 700M; a great machine), and upon removing it from the box, I was able to immediate pick up the internet signal in my apartment without configuring anything, or loading any software.
