| D-Link DIR-655 Extreme N Wireless Router |
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Model: DIR-655
Brand: D-Link
Manufacturer: D-Link
Average Rating: 
(submit your review here)
Total Reviews: 305
Form factor: External
Hardware platform: PC
Data link protocol: Ethernet, Fast Ethernet, Gigabit Ethernet, IEEE 802.11n (draft), IEEE 802.11b, IEEE 802.11g
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| 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. |
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| Description: |
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. Using D-Link Xteme-N wireless products makes it really easy!
The D-Link DIR-655 Xtreme N Gigabit Router is a draft 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 and 802.11b 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.
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. Delivering best-in-class performance, network security, and coverage, this router is the ideal centerpiece for your wireless network in the home or office. Backward compatible with 802.11g and 802.11b devices including game consoles and digital media players |
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| User Reviews (305 total): |
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Tech Support didnt Make the Cut !!!!!, July 15, 2007
By user
the product was great but the WiFi would not connect tech support was a total waste they just told me to send it back which I did.the death of home technology products is tech support this is the biggest issue technology faces today there has to be a better way. dont buy this prodcut and maybe the company will make an effort to provide good support so little problems like this dont become huge ones. I will never use d-link again,that is the moral of this story.
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LOVE IT, July 13, 2007
By user (Nebraska)
Awesome signal strength in places we were always lacking in our office building, EASY to set up how I wanted it and EASY to get hooked into with my laptop, Could not be more pleased!
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Great router, ridiculous lights, July 12, 2007
By user (Toronto, ON Canada)
Router is great and blows my previous Linksys out of the water. Its web interface is extremely well-done. I'll skip the technical details, as more in-depth technical reviews of the DIR-655 can be found elsewhere online.
HOWEVER... none of the reviews I read prior to my purchasing of the DIR-655 mentionned anything about the lights. The STUPID, ridiculous lights. You see the indicators on the front panel? They're blue LEDs (yes, blue, not green -- the picture is misleading). But they're *BRIGHT* blue LEDs. The thing lights up like a christmas tree. Looking straight into it will actually blind you.
You *will* have to hide this router in a closet or somewhere where its lights won't shine in your computer room. Seriously -- I can turn off all the lights and screen in my computer den, and can still read a book from anywhere in the room just by the router's light. And it's sitting UNDER A DESK.
Also, notice how the light indicators are little icons? I thought that was really neat -- have a little lit computer icon, wireless icon, "internet" icon... well guess what -- the LEDs are so ridiculously bright that the icon disappears in a giant blue blur... since the LED is actually strong enough to shine through the white plastic casing.
One more absolutely ridiculous LED-related "feature" -- one of the indicator's only purpose is to blink on and off when the router is "ready" (that's how they describe it in the manual). So one of the LEDs blinks on and off every second, for absolutely no reason. Always. Forever. On. Off. On. Off. As soon as you plug it in. Extremely irritating and distracting.
One last issue I encountered -- after upgrading the firmware, the router's web interface became wonky: all options on the left were displayed, regardless of which menu tab on the top was selected. Other elements of the interface were similarly wonky. This fixed itself after about 10 minutes. So a tip to new owners keen on upgrading the firmware: give the router an extra 10 minutes to "settle down" after uploading the firmware file.
I'd give this router 5 stars feature-wise, but the ridiculously bright lights are forcing me to take off one star. I actually debated returning it for that one single reason.
If you're planning on hiding this router in a closet, get it. If it's going to be in plain sight (it's got a nice glossy white "iPod-ish" case, after all!), well... think twice. It might still end up in a closet.
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If You Run VISTA Avoid This Lemon - RUDE Tech Support Too, July 4, 2007
By user (Myrtle Beach, SC USA)
If you're running VISTA and are using Microsoft Internet Explorer Ver. 7, forget this lemon. It will not work with Ver. 7.
Also their tech support is not only incompetent but, to add insult to their product failure, they are disgustingly rude to boot!
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Excellent router!, July 3, 2007
By user (Seattle, WA (USA))
This is an excellent router with lots of features. Great speed, great range, but you do need to use a Wireless N card (I'm using D-Link DWA-652) to take full advantage of this.
Reception is excellent throughout the house, with no noticeable dead spots (there were several with my old router), and I can now even get online outside on our deck.
The router pretty much works out of the box. It took me all of five minutes to be up and running. It has lots of tweaking features, but I haven't tried most of them yet. I like the automatic e-mail notifications for firmware updates.
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No Router Better, July 1, 2007
By user (Sarasota, FL)
I've been through all of the brands and many models. I have stuck with D-Link. Now, I will never even look at the competition. The Extreme N is by far the best wireless router I've used. It's easy to set up and easy to use advanced features.
The wireless is the best. It not only has a better range than the others, it's the best constant streamed connection I've had. Even through 2 walls and a ceiling, I can get full reception of this thing at full speed. I don't have the N card, I'm just using 11g. The speed is great and I can't argue with the uninterrupted signal. I haven't had a single drop-out. Unlike Netgear.
The LAN connection is everything you need. 1000Mbps speed, and one of the few routers that use it. It's hard to find a gig LAN router, which is odd since most machines include gig LAN built in. Even on a 50ft cable I have absolutely no signal loss.
The advanced options of this thing are so easy to set up and work right away. This thing accepts changes to its NAT on the fly. Most routers take some time to fix their tables, this thing does it on the button press. For the price, the Extreme N gives you tons of options and it has the fastest speed, making it the best router buy available I think. Not only is it a router but the new firmware makes it capable of switching to a bridge. Giving you even more options. It's more expensive then some other wireless routers, but well worth it.
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Works with Tivo, Wii (and PCs), July 1, 2007
By user (Fargo, ND USA)
I ordered this because my old router was dying. I have an older Tivo, which runs only 802.11B and a Ninetndo Wii (802.11G) in addition to two standard PC wireless connections (and a couple of wired ones). I had to dial back the wireless security in order to bring my Tivo along, which locked the router into only B/G function, but the signal strength is great and there have been no "legacy" issues at all. Color me quite happy.
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Range is poor, July 1, 2007
By user (Wisconsin, USA)
I am somewhat knowledgeable about networking. I have networked my home computers several times. I am knowledgeable about computer programming.
I bought this router for increased speed and hopefully range. The speed increased but the range did not. The range is still mediocre at 20 feet.
I found the user interfaces on Netgear products to be superior as they provide additional advance settings.
In the past, I found that using USB corded "network cards" are better than network cards that stick out the back of the computer since you can place the corded USB adapters in varios positions (away from the computer) to increase range.
I would not recommend this product if you require an increase in range.
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Awesome Speed, June 27, 2007
By user (Arlington, VA)
This router is great. The Gigabit wired speed is a nice upgrade from other routers in it's class. This makes a nice addition for my home LAN. The N spec wireless performance is awesome for signal stength, speed and distance.
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D-Link DIR-655 Extreme N Wireless router, June 27, 2007
By user (USA)
This product initially would not work on my network. It was only after I did some WEB searching that I found that I needed a software patch from D-Link to get the router to work with Windows Vista. After that everything was fine. I did have to move the unit around to get a good signal throughout my two story house. Data throughput is very good given that three laptops are always on here.
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Best wireless router, June 27, 2007
By user (Gainesville, Fl, USA)
We have 4 computers and a nintendo DS that all needed internet.
one being a laptop so we had alot of problems that netgear couldn't help us with. So we sent back netgear and DLink reccommended the DIR 655. We are soooo happy now!
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Buyer Beware - different/ vague claims from D-Link, June 21, 2007
By user (CA)
I just bought this router. I thought once I see the capability I will add more 802.11 n hardware. Right now I only have 802.11g devices. The manual claims two different wireless speeds. I had to spend half hour with support trying to find out which one is correct.
Here is what the features section says RE wireless speed:
Faster Wireless Networking - The DIR-655 provides up to 300Mbps* wireless connection with other 802.11n wireless clients. This capability allows users to participate in real-time activities online, such as video streaming, online gaming, and real-time audio. The performance of this 802.11n wireless router gives you the freedom of wireless networking at speeds 650% faster than 802.11g.
Here is What the specification sections says about wireless speeds. Note the top value of 108 Mbps as opposed to 300 Mbps above.
Wireless Signal Rates*
* 108Mbps * 48Mbps
* 54Mbps * 24Mbps
* 36Mbps * 12Mbps
after sounding vaery confused the tech reluctantly agreed to 108 Mbps as the router's top speed.
To me it is a let down. and BTW D-Link's india support is pretty bad. They never seem to know much about thier own products.
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The Best Performing Router I've Owned, June 21, 2007
By user
Extremely impressed with this router's speed, range, and ease of use. My only complaint (like others) is with the software bundled with this item. It's already out of date, right out of the package, and upon installation, it will prompt you to "update to the new version, free", and that's fine, but what happens is the new version of the software is not compatible with the firmware preinstalled on the router. This fatal combination prevents the router from functioning. You will have to download a firmware update from the Manufacturer to get the unit working again. Not a difficult task, however technical support at D-link doesn't seem to know anything about the software that comes with their product, so I ended up speaking to the technical support team at the software company, who immediately knew what was wrong. Kind of a letdown for this scenario to occur right out of the box. Fortunately, it was easy to do, and the router returned to life, immediately.
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The ONLY Solid/Reliable Draft-n 2.0 Router, June 14, 2007
By user
Having tried the Linksys WRT350N and Netgear WNR854T - two competing gigabit etherner/Draft-N routers - I can truly say that the DIR-655 is by far the most reliable, solid device, that performs as advertised IMHO. It just worked for me. I miss the promise of USB Disk connectivity from the Linksys, but it never worked properly anyway (huge reliability issues). Plus the D-Link has a fantastic adaptive QoS implementation, ensuring my VoIP device works with almost no configuration. To be fair, the Netgear device had worked fine but died almost exactly 1 year after purchase, with Netgear refusing to help (it was pretty much cheaper to buy a new router) - poor reliability from the Netgear product!
Highly recommended compared with Draft-N routers from the competition.
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Great Router, June 13, 2007
By user
This router has excellent range and excellent speed. I had a linksys G router before this and this one gets about twice the range and downloads about 1.5 times faster than my previous router. I would recommend this router to anyone who is interested in buying a new router.
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Complicated hookup; professional help has problems, June 8, 2007
By user (USA)
It works as advertised, but instructions and phone help were inadequate. They don't tell you in the printed instructions that they do not recommend use of Microsoft Connect any longer; D-Link now uses another company software (good software) for the installing the device. The on-line help didn't know about certain instructions When D-Link person on phone help was questioned about changes spelled out in the inclosed instructions, he was unaware of them. If I hadn't had a "professional" installing this, it still most likely wouldn't be connected. The D-Link "help" was very courteous I would like to add.
If you really know what your doing and can "translate" the instuctions and, if needed, get help from a D-Link person who knows all the latest instructions etc, then the product is a good deal.
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Router is fast and functional, June 1, 2007
By user
I was able to set the router up quickly, and I found the router to be much more configurable than my previous D-Link router. I love it!
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N doesn't work with Vista, May 31, 2007
By user
Advertised to work with Vista, but only works wired, or in G mode. Only G works in Vista-32 or Vista-64. Technical service gave up after 2 days on the phones with them.
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Excellent router, May 29, 2007
By user (New Jersey)
I bought this router after buying a MacBook Pro which has built-in 802.11n capability (after buying the n "enabler" from Apple for $2). I wanted to take advantage of the fast wireless speed as well as the gigabit Ethernet interface on the MacBook Pro. Oddly, Apple's much more expensive Airport with draft n capability does not have a gigabit Ethernet interface, so the D-Link Extreme N seemed like a good choice as it had all I was looking for.
This product did not disappoint. I got all of the speed I was looking for plus the extra range I needed for a difficult spot where I needed the signal to go through two cinderblock walls. It also gets a stronger signal to two floors above the router location. Configuration was easy and the router has been very stable for the several weeks I have been using it. I particularly like the detailed status and logging information.
On the wireless side, I'm currently using the router in a mixed g and n setup. I had some reliable wireless b cards that I would have continued using, but there was a problem. Security is not a major concern in my location, so I would have continued using WEP except that it is not supported in the draft wireless n standard. I moved to some D-Link g cards that were on sale and they perform very well and I can now use both WPA and WPA2 simultaneously with this router. Mixing b with n would probably seriously degrade the n performance anyway. As it stands now, my wireless n performance is excellent where the signal strength is strong. My Internet download speed is typically close to 27 mbps on a wired connection and I get the same real throughput on the n wireless. Even g does not do that in a real Internet benchmark.
The router comes with a cat5 cable which should not be used for a gigabit connection, so be sure to purchase any cat6 cables you need as I did. I also purchased an Intel gigabit Ethernet card for my Windows PC to enable fast transfers with the Mac.
I upgraded the router firmware a few days ago and it works fine, but the only problem was that it would not load my saved configuration, so I had to input my custom settings again. This was an annoyance, but also a flaw that I saw with my old DI-624 router. There are likely to be more upgrades especially because the n spec has not been finalized.
The wireless n works fine with the Mac. The other issue to note for Mac users is that the router's web-based configuration application does not seem to work with any of the browsers I have on my Mac, so hopefully you will have access to a Windows PC to do the setup. (Presumably a Parallels Windows PC on the Mac will work, but I have not tried that yet.)
Bottom line, this is the best consumer router I have used.
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Great Interface!, May 29, 2007
By user (Tampa, FL)
This Wireless router has been a joy to use. It is easily mountable to a wall and is not an eye sore, especially with light colored walls and the white antenae and casing. It seems to have so many security settings I might consider feeling safe from hacker attempts (but I'm in an apartment complex, so I know better). The Range seems to penetrate walls quite nicely. I can't testify to outdoor use, but my internal PCI card on my laptop just loves this thing, and to give it full bar performance.
Oh, and when draft 2.0 came out? Immediate firmware upgrade, no waiting, just get it done! It also has a lot of customization of ports, a wide range of application specific uses.
Ok, now for the few negative things, I'm having trouble getting Folding@Home to receive server updates through the firmware. Since it uses http port 8080 for access, it shouldn't have any trouble, but yet it does. I can't find anything on the d-link forum about this either.
The Network magic software is pretty much worthless unless you have XP Home, although I did like how it interacts directly with the d-link router. One BIG negative about this software is that it takes over all print sharing and folder sharing from Windows XP. So unless you kill the software (which always tries to stay running in the background), you can't share a printer or folder the old fashioned way. It won't find it.
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