Product Description

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)2 802.11n wireless devices as well as legacy 802.11g products.

Product Details

• Brand: D-Link
• Model: DAP-1522
• Original language: English
• Dimensions: 1.30" h x 4.40" w x 5.70" l, 1.20 pounds

Features

• The Wireless Bridge feature of the DAP-1522 allows you to easily connect up to 4 Ethernet-enabled devices in your entertainment center to your wireless network
• Create a new wireless network using the Access Point feature by connecting the DAP-1522 to an existing wired network
• 5GHz is ideal for wirelessly streaming multiple HD videos across your network. It helps avoid interference by providing a clearer wireless band for HD signals than existing 2.4GHz products.
• Use the Xtreme N Duo Wireless Bridge / Access Point (DAP-1522) to connect up to 4 Ethernet-enabled
• Connect the DAP-1522 to an existing wired network and easily enable wireless connectivity in your home. Use your new wireless network to stream HD multimedia content, play multiplayer games, or make Internet phone calls (VoIP).

Customer Reviews

Works as expected
I've configured the DAP-1522 as a wireless bridge to a DIR-655 (2.5Ghz). I've got a PS3 and a Satellite DVR connected to two of the four ethernet ports on the DAP-1522. I have configured the 1522 to use WPA2 security as well.

Setup was a little tricky, but it was my fault not the fault of the 1522. If you choose to manually configure the 1522 be sure you follow the directions and connect the 1522 to your computer and with your computer configured to use a static IP address in the 192.168.0/24 subnet. I mistakenly had my computer still trying to use DHCP when connecting to the bridge and it took me a little while to figure out what was wrong. My computer couldn't get an IP address and so Windows kept assigning an address from a different subnet, so I was not able to establish a connection to the DAP-1522's default 192.168.0.50 IP address.

The 1522 works as expected. Performance is very good with a max of 162Mbps through 3 drywall walls (approx 40 ft) to my entertainment center as displayed on the DIR-655 console. I haven't run any local network bandwidth tests to verify the throughput yet, but I can easily stream HD content without blocking between a PS3 and a wired media server. Previously I was using the PS3's internal 802.11g network interface, and HD media was not viewable as it overwhelmed the 11g link.

I did notice that the orientation of the DIR-655 and the DAP-1522 did make a difference in the reported signal strength and data rate as seen from the DIR-655 console. So after you've gotten things to work, don't forget to run some experiments to determine the best position for the devices to get the best performance possible.

Great Access Point, Great Software, Poor Range
It might bear noting that I'm technically proficient, and I've used several access points and switches over the years. This was my first D-Link purchase in years only because Linksys's reputation has become pretty terrible. Overall, this piece of equipment is GREAT, with a HUGE caveat that the range SUCKS.

I used this router for about 3 weeks before I replaced it with the D-Link DIR-825 because of the range problem. The 1522's user interface isn't bad. I had no problem configuring this switch to do everything I wanted. I did not experience any dropped connections or dropped packets. Granted 3 weeks isn't a terribly long time - but I never had to power cycle the Access Point. It just worked and did a great job.

I should have known that since the DAP1522 uses an internal antennae the range would not be comparable to my old Linksys WRT54G. I am intentionally trying to share my wireless with my neighbors, and the DAP1522 is unusable, and I'm not exaggerating, 30 feet away. To be fair, there are 3 (non-thick, normal wood) walls between the DAP1522 and the laptop - but still 30 feet? On the other hand, this could be a major selling point. Scared that your neighbors might be stealing your wireless signal? Just buy a DAP1522!

If you have a large house or coverage area, this isn't going to cut it. But if you live in a small apartment, this thing is perfect. For anyone who needs better range, I'd recommend the slightly more expensive DIR-825.

PS For anybody who's confused - this bridge/AP is essentially a switch plus an access point. It lacks the "router" capability and WAN port that similar pieces of equipment have which make them routers. For the typical person, you only need a bridge/AP if you already have a router and want to add a wireless access point to your network.

Best Media Bridge for HD streaming on the market...period!
Let me start off by saying that this media bridge is f-ing awesome. I would rate my technical aptitude in the networking area at advanced. I have this badboy paired with a D-link dgl-4500 xtreme n router running in N only, 5ghz mode.

There are many opinions about 'real world' bandwidth with wireless N products. Even though they are rated at 300mbps, that is mereley the 'theoretical' limit. Furthermore, the 300 mbps rating is bi-directional, which means a theoretical limit of 150mbps each way (deceptive advertising, huh?).

All this is a moot point, however, as you are ultimately limited by read/write speeds on your hard drive. As some of you may know, this is not one of Vista's strong points. You will be lucky to get a transfer rate of 15/mbps over a gigabit network with CAT6.

That being said, the ultimate real world test of this product is media streaming, where hard drive write speeds are taken out of the equation. I have run this product through the ringer streaming beautiful 1080p and lossless audio straight from a Blu-Ray rip. Video was ~32mbps and audio was 6-8mbps on a 1080p, lossless audio (LPCM) stream of the movie 300. No stutters or hold ups whatsoever. I was even able to skip chapters and fast forward/rewind with ease. My best estimate of real world throughput on this device would be 75-125mbps.

As stated previously, you'd be hard pressed to find applications where that much bandwidth is needed. No other competitor comes close to this device - 4gig ethernet ports and tons of functionality/configuration options. The pairing with the dgl-4500 was an absolute breeze. I pressed one button on each device and the dgl-4500 auto configured the dap-1522. total setup time = 5 minutes max.

My DAP-1522 sits on my audio rack in the living room about 30 feet away from the DGL-4500 router located in a closet in another room.