Product Description

Upgrade your computer's Wi-Fi and access the Internet quickly and easily from anywhere in your home or office. This adapter delivers high performance wireless networking to a desktop PC via the ultra-fast PCI Express (PCIe) interface.Wireless N technology offers more speed, extended coverage and virtually no dead spots while still compatible with previous network standards. This adapter transfers data at speeds of up to 300 Mbps.The DWA-556 supports WEP, WPA and WPA2 encryption methods and includes a configuration utility to find available wireless networks and show quality/signal strength.No experience required, simply insert the enclosed CD into your computer and the installation wizard will do the rest.

Product Details

• Brand: D-Link
• Model: DWA-556
• Platform: Windows
• Format: CD
• Original language: English
• Dimensions: 2.70" h x .10" w x 4.70" l, .31 pounds
• Networking: PCI Express x1

Features

• Delivers up to 14x faster speeds and 6x farther range than 802.11g
• Xtreme N technology enables HD video streaming, file sharing, enhanced Internet phone calling (VoIP), and surfing the Web
• Access secure wireless networks using advanced WEP, WPA, or WPA2 encryption
• Easy to install and use with D-Link's new Quick Adapter Setup Wizard
• Backward compatible with an existing 802.11g and 802.11b network

Customer Reviews

Works exactly like it should
I use it with the D-link DIR-655 router (another product I wholeheartedly recommend) and it works perfectly. I can stream video with a reliable wireless connection that doesn't constantly peter out like those other manufacturers. Plus I don't have to worry about more adapters clogging up my desktop. Always on, always fast, and great range; what more could you want out of your wireless adapter?

D-Link DWA-556 Extreme "N" Network Adapter Works Fantastic!
I don't have much to write about this great product except to say that it works 110% to the good, has no obvious faults or problems, achieves close to 300Mb/s speed without tweaking, fiddling around, or special configuration, and overall is not to be feared as a PCI-Express network adapter. I was using its PCI equivalent, the DWA-552 "N" Adapter for almost 2 months with similar success, and was forced to start using the PCI-Express variety because I started using twin EVGA GTX-285 video cards in the PC, and lost the PCI slot in the process. This is an install it, and forget it system, and works 100% seamlessly with any Vista 64-bit system. I've never booted the computer and not had wifi-it just simply works every time, without fail, no questions asked!

There's a green activity light on the back of the device that blinks off, and on whenever the signal is being accessed, which is 100% of the time, so it's blinking a lot but it's not annoying at all. The three "antenna" that stick out the back of the unit are flexible and can point up at a 45-degree angle to acquire the signal better. The adapter is small, only weighs a few grams, certainly less than 4-ounces or so, and takes up very little space in the PCI cavity of the computer, a plus.

I just used the drivers off the original CD ROM, never even bothered with the D-Link web site and the "latest drivers" which I guess should be done at some point, but I'm having zero problems with the adapter so I've been reluctant to test fate and change a thing at this point.

That's about it for my review of this product. It works, it's simple to work with, install, there is no maintenance or trickery needed to get it functioning 100% with a Vista 64-bit system, so I recommend it highly and give it my 5-Stars Seal of Approval: ***** !

Wavey Davey 7-26-2009

Seems to work well with XP and 802.11n draft 2.0n compatible
This is one of the few PCIe wifi cards on the market and it is draft 2.0 802.11n compatible as well (with latest firmware update).

After my neighbor installed a pre-draft 2.0 802.11n access point (which was blowing my connection out of the water on a regular basis) I purchased this card to replace a 802.11G ethernet bridge I had been using for the past few years. This new adapter seems to be solid and gives better throughput as well.

I recommend this product to anyone with a legacy-free desktop (i.e. no standard PCI slots) who wants a draft 2.0 802.11n wifi adapter.