D-link (DI-784) Wireless Router
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- 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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The DI-784 is an economic wireless gateway choice.
Pros
It is compatible with 802.11a, 802.11b, and 802.11g networks, and the 802.11i (WPA/TKIP) implementation works.
Cons
The firmware needs improvement.
Recommended it?
Yes
The Bottom Line:
The DI-784 can connect with 802.11a, 802.11b, and 802.11g networking equipment, and is compatible with the 802.11i (WPA TKIP) implementations in Windows XP and Mac OS X.
The DI-784 is D-Link's current consumer wireless access point with a built-in Internet gateway and firewall. It works as advertised and is priced competitively with similar products.
The PROS of the the DI-784 are:
1. The DI-784 works with 802.11a, 802.11b, and 802.11g devices.
2. The DI-784 supports Wi-Fi Protected Access ("WPA") with Temporal Key Integrity Protocol ("TKIP"), which is the most recent de-facto wireless security standard.
3. The WPA-PSK implementation works with Apple Mac OS X and Windows XP SP2 out-of-the box, which means that you can create a small securely encrypted network using a just shared password without needing to install WEP keys or install a RADIUS server.
4. The DI-784 is compatible with my old Orinoco Silver 802.11b cardbus device and my ancient Nortel eMobility 802.11b card on a PCI bridge.
5. I can get top connection speeds in all rooms of my house.
6. The D-Link web site has a http://support.dlink.com/techtool/di784/Emulator/ that you can use to explore the product's web interface. This online demo is accurate.
The CONS of the DI-784 are:
7. The firmware has problems running with non-default options, which seems to be a trend in D-Link wireless products.
If, for example, you disable the 5 GHz radio (for 802.11a), then the 2.4 GHz signal will become unusably weak. If, for another example, you disable 802.11b compatibility to increase 802.11g speeds, then some SuperG devices running in advanced modes will disconnect.
8. Upgrading the DI-784 firmware will erase its configuration, which means that you'll need to be ready with an ethernet cable to reconfigure the network and reinstall passwords.
9. The DI-784 antenna is not detachable or replaceable.
10. The DI-784 chassis is thin flimsy plastic, so it can be easily cracked or the antenna can be easily snapped off.
Linksys and Belkin products have plastic cases too, but they seem more sturdy. I remember and miss products from D-Link that had a durable steel case, like the DSS-8 switch.
11. The WAN and wireles LEDs on the front of the DI-784 are always blinking, they do not blink to indicate actual network activity.
Notes:
12. WPA TKIP was ratified by the IEEE as the 802.11i standard in June 2004.
13. Not all of the drivers bundled with Windows XP support WPA. If Windows XP SP2 does not authenticate through WPA to your wireless access point, then upgrade the wireless device drivers.
14. Microsoft is not providing current wireless software to people that use Windows 95, Windows 98, Windows ME, or Windows 2000. To use WPA with these Microsoft operating systems, you must install something called an "authentication supplicant" from a third party. If your wireless adapter was not bundled with a WPA supplicant, then you can buy one from http://www.funk.com/.
The PROS of the the DI-784 are:
1. The DI-784 works with 802.11a, 802.11b, and 802.11g devices.
2. The DI-784 supports Wi-Fi Protected Access ("WPA") with Temporal Key Integrity Protocol ("TKIP"), which is the most recent de-facto wireless security standard.
3. The WPA-PSK implementation works with Apple Mac OS X and Windows XP SP2 out-of-the box, which means that you can create a small securely encrypted network using a just shared password without needing to install WEP keys or install a RADIUS server.
4. The DI-784 is compatible with my old Orinoco Silver 802.11b cardbus device and my ancient Nortel eMobility 802.11b card on a PCI bridge.
5. I can get top connection speeds in all rooms of my house.
6. The D-Link web site has a http://support.dlink.com/techtool/di784/Emulator/ that you can use to explore the product's web interface. This online demo is accurate.
The CONS of the DI-784 are:
7. The firmware has problems running with non-default options, which seems to be a trend in D-Link wireless products.
If, for example, you disable the 5 GHz radio (for 802.11a), then the 2.4 GHz signal will become unusably weak. If, for another example, you disable 802.11b compatibility to increase 802.11g speeds, then some SuperG devices running in advanced modes will disconnect.
8. Upgrading the DI-784 firmware will erase its configuration, which means that you'll need to be ready with an ethernet cable to reconfigure the network and reinstall passwords.
9. The DI-784 antenna is not detachable or replaceable.
10. The DI-784 chassis is thin flimsy plastic, so it can be easily cracked or the antenna can be easily snapped off.
Linksys and Belkin products have plastic cases too, but they seem more sturdy. I remember and miss products from D-Link that had a durable steel case, like the DSS-8 switch.
11. The WAN and wireles LEDs on the front of the DI-784 are always blinking, they do not blink to indicate actual network activity.
Notes:
12. WPA TKIP was ratified by the IEEE as the 802.11i standard in June 2004.
13. Not all of the drivers bundled with Windows XP support WPA. If Windows XP SP2 does not authenticate through WPA to your wireless access point, then upgrade the wireless device drivers.
14. Microsoft is not providing current wireless software to people that use Windows 95, Windows 98, Windows ME, or Windows 2000. To use WPA with these Microsoft operating systems, you must install something called an "authentication supplicant" from a third party. If your wireless adapter was not bundled with a WPA supplicant, then you can buy one from http://www.funk.com/.
