Product Description

Xtreme N Gigabit Router

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #30 in Consumer Electronics
• Brand: D-Link
• Model: DIR-655
• Format: CD
• Original language: French, English
• Dimensions: 1.20" h x 7.60" w x 4.60" l, 1.08 pounds

Features

• Delivers up to 14x faster speeds* and 6x farther range* than 802.11g means Greater Coverage for Your Entire Home or Office
• Ideal for streaming HD video or streaming multiple applications simultaneously
• Intelligent QoS technology prioritizes both wired and wireless Internet traffic to enable enhanced gaming and phone calling (VoIP) experience
• Gigabit Ports for Incredible Wired Network Speeds
• Dual active firewall protection (SPI & NAT) helps block malicious attacks on networks from the Internet.

From the Manufacturer
Best-In-Class Features
The D-Link Xtreme N Gigabit Router (DIR-655) is a draft 2.0 802.11n compliant device that delivers up to 14x faster speeds* and 6x farther range* than 802.11g while staying backward compatible with 802.11g devices. Connect the Xtreme N Gigabit 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, videos, printers, and network storage.

Powered by Xtreme N technology and equipped with three external antennas, this router provides superior wireless coverage for larger homes and offices, or for users running bandwidth-intensive applications. The DIR-655 also includes a 4-port 10/100/1000 Gigabit switch that connects Gigabit wired devices for enjoying lag-free network gaming and faster file transfers.

With wireless prioritization technology and our award-winning intelligent QoS engine, jitter-free Internet phone calls (VoIP), high-definition video streaming and Web gaming are achievable on your wired and wireless networks. Support for WEP, WPA, and WPA2 security standards ensure that you will be able to use the best possible encryption regardless of your other wireless devices. To prevent possible attacks from the Internet, the DIR-655 uses dual active firewalls (SPI & NAT) to help protect your valuable data. Below is a list of DIR-655 features.

• Intelligent QoS technology prioritizes both wired and wireless Internet traffic to enable enhanced gaming and phone calling (VoIP) experience
• Ideal for streaming HD video or streaming multiple applications simultaneously
• Dual active firewall protection (SPI & NAT) helps block malicious attacks on networks from the Internet
• Includes the latest wireless security (WEP, WPA & WPA2) features that help prevent unauthorized access
• Virtually no wireless dead spots
• Advanced Parental Controls
• Supports Windows Connect Now (WCN) for easy wireless setup
• Automatic Firmware Update Notification
• E-mail Notification for Triggered Events
• Integrated Wireless Security Wizard
• Removable Antennas for Flexible Installation Options
• Wall Mountable to Save Desk Space

Why Intelligent QoS Is Better
With some routers, all wired and wireless traffic, including VoIP, Video Streaming, Online Gaming, and Web browsing are mixed together into a single data stream. By handling data this way, applications like video streaming could pause or delay. With D-Link’s Intelligent QoS Technology, wired and wireless traffic is analyzed and separated into multiple data streams. These streams are then categorized by sensitivity to delay, so applications like VoIP, Video Streaming, and Online Gaming are given priority over Web browsing. This enables multiple applications to stream smoothly to your TV or PC.

Advanced Network Security
The Xtreme N Gigabit Router supports the latest wireless security features to help prevent unauthorized access, be it from over a wireless network or from the Internet. Support for WPA™ and WPA2™ standards ensure that you will be able to use the best possible encryption regardless of your client devices. In addition, this Xtreme N router utilizes Dual Active Firewalls (SPI and NAT) to prevent potential attacks from across the Internet. Also, the DIR-655 uses advanced firewall features. The web-based user interface displays a number of advanced network management features including:

• Content Filtering--Easily applied content filtering based on MAC Address, URL, and/or Domain Name.
• Filter Scheduling--These filters can be scheduled to be active on certain days or for a duration of hours or minutes.
• Secure Multiple/Concurrent Sessions--The DIR-655 can pass through VPN sessions. It supports multiple and concurrent IPSec and PPTP sessions, so users behind the DIR-655 can securely access corporate networks.

Delivering best-in-class performance, network security, and coverage, the Xtreme N Gigabit Router (DIR-655) is the ideal centerpiece for your wireless network in the home or office.

Shareport
With SharePort technology you can connect a USB printer or storage device to your router and allow users to access them from anywhere on the network. Conveniently turn your existing USB printers and storage devices into network devices for everyone to share.

SECURESPOT 2.0
SECURESPOT 2.0 is total network security for multiple computers in your home. With the unique Web-based console you can monitor, install, and control how your network is protected from a single location.

SECURESPOT 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

What This Product Does
Create a wireless network to share high-speed Internet access with computers, game consoles, or media players from greater distances in your home or office. Use the DIR-655 in your home to surf the web, check email, instant message, and to get rid of the cables around the house. Use the DIR-655 in your office to share Internet connection and printer with multiple computers, saving additional office space.

XTREME N Router Benefits

• Intelligent Wireless Prioritization Technology.
• Xtreme N technology allows for farther home coverage*.
• Secure your wireless network using advanced WPA or WPA2 encryption.
• Easy to get started with D-Link’s new Quick Router Setup Wizard.
• Supports Good Neighbor Policy--will not interfere with other wireless networks.
• Backward compatible with 802.11g devices including game consoles and digital media players.

Works with Windows Vista
Allows easy management, high standards of wireless security, and various levels of compatibility

• DIR-655 has been designed by D-Link to Work with Windows Vista.
• Products that carry the Works with Windows Vista logo are designed to easily connect to Windows Vista and deliver a reliable experience.

D-Link’s Xtreme N router was rigorously tested and verified for compatibility with Intel’s Next-Gen Wireless N, utilizing intensive real-world testing conducted in typical home and enterprise environment scenarios. In Intel’s testing process, which was conducted over the period of several months, D-Link’s Xtreme N router met or exceeded Intel’s requirements for performance, extended range, co-existence with other 802.11b/g clients and access points, and the ability to eliminate Wi-Fi dead spots.

* Maximum wireless signal rate derived from IEEE Standard 802.11g and draft 802.11n specifications. Actual data throughput will vary. Network conditions and environmental factors, including volume of network traffic, buildings materials and construction, and network overhead, lower actual data throughput rate. Environmental factors will adversely affect wireless signal range. Wireless range and speed rates are D-Link RELATIVE performance measurements based on the wireless range and speed rates of a standard Wireless G product from D-Link. Maximum throughput based on D-Link draft 802.11n devices.

** Requires SharePort Client Utility installation on the PC. SharePort upgrade is available for the hardware versions A2, A3, A4.

Customer Reviews

Hotter than the sidewalk in Phoenix in July
First off, the really tough thing about wireless routers is that your performance can vary dramatically from someone elses. Whether its your hardware, your software, spyware, configuration of your house, your ISP, what type of cordless phone you use, or a myriad of other things, your experience may be entirely different from your best friend's. So, this isn't so much a review of the router as it is a review of my experience with it.

The Good

This router has all of the bells and whistles with the exception of dual band broadcasting. QoS, WISH, VPN, Port Forwarding, all levels of security, etc. It has Gigabit wired ports. You cannot get anything more elsewhere without doubling the price. It is all packaged within an attractive set up that provides hope that this will be your last router for quite some time. Set up is easy and straight forward. And, most importantly, you literally cannot get a faster router when within 30 feet.

The Bad
I really wanted to keep this router but I couldn't. My main problem was heat. After a few hours of use (just being on at all), this router was almost too hot to touch. I actually exchanged it figuring it must be a bad router but the new one was the same way. And, more importantly, when it got hot, I got intermittent lag via my wire machine on my internet traffic. Games that played flawlessly on my old Buffalo router started lagging; video started stuttering; downloads started pausing. Diagnosed it with my ISP as being on my side of their modem. When my old router was plugged in, all problems went away. D-Link tried to help me but there was a language barrier and no matter what we did with QoS and WISH, it didn't go away. I had to return the router.

The Ugly
FYI: Blue lights are pretty but REALLY bright. Seriously, you could read by them.

Like I said, I really wanted to keep it but I had to replace it instead. Your experience may vary so I would encourage you to try it because it is a very feature-rich router. Just keep your old one handy just in case.

P.S. Owned it for three weeks before returning it.

Best Wireless Router I Have Ever Owned...By FAR
Im sitting on this thing right now. Man oh man...im getting a "very good" signal where my connection used to be dropping...

I used to have a few problems with WiFi. The first problem was obviously the range...as I said a few moments ago, the DIR-655 fixed that...I mean, even though it claims 6x range, but I was going to be happy with just a 25% improvement...I seriously think that this router increased my range 50-75%!

I used to always be frustrated with the lack of settings in many routers. Some would have QoS (Quality of Service...something that can prioritize important internet activity like Voice Over IP...internet phone) but it didnt really work. Some would be lacking in semi-advanced routing features...others would barely have any non-novice features at all...This one has plenty of options for the advanced user to have a lot of fun screwing with settings. The most beautiful thing about it though, is that there is a wizard in the interface so that even the most novice of users can set up a great network with strong security. It also has context sensitive online help...what that is, is when you are trying to adjust settings and you dont know what something means, there is a little help button right there that you can click to get an explanation right then and there! Its kinda like the Yin-Yang of routers...

I want to mention that I have been looking at draft-N routers for a few weeks now and have been reading the reviews. The reason that I am writing this review is that it was so hard for me to find a good review on this router. Cnet doesnt even have an official review (as of 2/13/07) but it does have very positive user comments. From my homework though, (user reviews, and more importantly official reviews from Cnet, engadget, etc) every Draft-N wireless router has some kind of problem. Some dont work well in environments with more than a couple neighboring networks, some dont have good throughput, and some dont have better range. Again, I didn't want to buy this one because I couldn't find any solid review on it. After going through a couple of different Draft-N routers, Let me help you out. This is the one.

BTW...im not running an "N" wireless adapter...this thing even increases the range of "B" and "G" signals. GREAT JOB D-LINK!

Fast Enough for HD-DVD Playback, 120-240v
Very satisfied. Smaller than expected. Fast enough to play HD-DVDs wirelessly to my notebook (Dell Inspiron E1505, 802.11BGN, 945GM, Core Duo (2) 2GHz, Vista Premium, Arcsoft Digital Theater, D-Link DNS-323 NAS). Great speed and coverage. 120 to 240 volts. Also handles HDTV perfectly via HDHomeRun device.

Don't forget to upgrade firmware.

Update 11-Nov-2007: This router may be my biggest gadget surprise this year. It continues to perform better than expected, completely solving all past wireless issues and handling all tasks such as streaming HD-DVD.